Course summary
The boom in film drama, powered by companies such as Netflix, and the advent of streamed media and web content, is opening up new opportunities for scriptwriters. Aimed at students with at least some experience of writing scripts already, UWE Bristol’s MA Screen Production (Screenwriting) supports you to take your skills to the next level. Focusing on professional writing practices, you’ll learn about the structures, relationships and business environment of the screen industry, as you work on your own scripts. UWE Bristol has sector-leading expertise in film, standing at third in the UK in the Guardian League Tables 2020. You’ll be taught by award-winning film and TV screenwriters, and trained in the individual and collaborative practices of scriptwriting. Studying this in Bristol means you’ll be part of the city’s rapidly expanding screen business sector. The city is home to the renowned Bottle Yard Studios, and many leading independent production companies, as well as being one of two Channel 4 regional hubs, and the new production base for Netflix. Working with Bristol Business School, you’ll also gain the entrepreneurial skills to operate as a professional screenwriter, learning to work with producers, and developing skills in parallel professions such as script editing. There’ll be opportunities to network with students on other postgraduate screen courses; benefit from guest lectures by leading industry experts; and attend the Berlin Film Festival. By the end, you’ll be equipped to pursue a career as a professional scriptwriter in TV or film, to write web-series or pursue other modes of writing in the screen industries. You could go on to be a writer or showrunner on a TV drama, or script your own original feature films. Or move into script editing or producing.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, and a commitment to research and reflecting on their creative process. The focus of the course is to provide training for your career as a screenwriter, rather than teach you the fundamentals of the craft. Applicants must therefore have prior experience of writing screenplays, either as part of your studies or in your professional practice. Students on this course will be committed creative writers with a thirst for telling their stories in screen media. Selection process Applicants will be asked to provide a sample of their current screenwriting, following the below guidance, together with an explanation of the project. • The portfolio of scripts must be a minimum of 30 pages (excluding title pages), written in English and formatted to industry standards. The portfolio should be in PDF format. If you do not have a 30-page script, please submit enough scripts to meet this requirement, with at least once script 20 pages in length. • All scripts must be complete works; extracts will not be read. • All scripts must be your original work; adaptations of any kind will not be read. • Your submission can include television pilots, short films, and a feature film. Other examples/forms of writing are not accepted. • If you are submitting a pilot, you may include a series bible/pitch deck. • Please do not submit additional episodes beyond a pilot, or more than one feature film. If you have any queries about the above guidance, please contact the Programme Leader. If you are shortlisted for interview, we will invite you to an online interview on Microsoft Teams. Telephone interviews will be arranged for international applicants.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Additional fee information
Fee information is to be confirmed. All fees are subject to final approval. Please visit our website for further information.
Provider information
Bristol, University of the West of England
Coldharbour Lane
Frenchay
Bristol
BS16 1QY