Course summary

Develop as a producer/director of factual films and television programmes. Enhance your creative skills and technical knowledge and build a portfolio of work to help you stand out from the crowd. No matter what your experience of filmmaking, our MA Film and Television Production at ARU will expand your knowledge and understanding of the UK factual film and TV profession and industry. On this Masters course you’ll create a portfolio of seven films of different lengths. Focusing on the two key roles of director and producer – which in current factual programming are merged into one – you’ll explore the dynamics of this ever-changing industry, and what it takes to succeed. Here at ARU you’ll learn to become a visual storyteller, a collaborator, motivator and problem solver. While our emphasis is on factual programming, there is scope and flexibility for you to develop with experimental work, drama and music videos. Using our industry-standard facilities in camera operation, sound, lighting and editing, you’ll develop professional skills in screen-based production. You’ll also gain skills in scheduling, production managing, budgeting and marketing programmes. We’ll encourage you to collaborate with other postgraduate students, helping you to become a flexible media professional who can produce and deliver high-quality video content for many different clients. While you’re studying we’ll also encourage you to enter competitions, and to make the most of Cambridge’s cinemas and annual Film Festival. We’ll also help you show your work to industry professionals at our end-of-course degree show. The impact of our Music, Drama, Dance, Performing Arts, Film and Screen Studies research was judged as "world-leading" in the Research Excellence Framework 2021 (REF2021). Teaching times 2023-24 (subject to change for 2024-5): Full-time - full days on Wednesdays (Tri 1 only) and Thursdays including lectures, workshops and screenings, plus Tuesdays 10am-1pm. Part time: one module each trimester (Tri 1 & 2: Thursdays; Tri 3 Wednesdays; Tri 4 Tuesdays; Tri 3 Tuesdays). Careers Our MA Film and Television will prepare you for a career in TV or the broader media and help you to decide which areas of the industry attract you the most. Although the emphasis is on directing and producing, you might choose to move into cinematography, production management or even television programme sales. You might also develop a particular interest in observational documentary, natural history films or science programming and decide to follow a career in these fields. The specialist skills you’ve gained as a postgraduate student will be useful for traditional, experimental and creative documentary making, or films for education, training, public relations, current affairs, marketing and campaigning. Our course will prepare you to create a portfolio for a freelance career and give you the ability to make high-quality content for broadcast, web, film festivals or cinema. While you’re studying here and after you graduate, you can access support through our dedicated Employability Service. Graduation doesn’t have to be the end of your time with us. You could choose to continue your academic career with a research programme at ARU, such as our PhD Film and Television Production. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and save £400 on your fees. If you studied for the Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma initially, you can choose to complete further modules and top-up to a full Masters degree.