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Film and Screen Media (with Study Abroad) at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

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2026 - 2027
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Course summary

This MA Film and Screen Media (with Study Abroad) combines world-class teaching in film, TV and screen media with a term at a leading university in Europe or Canada, and an optional work placement. It is the only MA in England currently offering such an exchange. Taught over two years, this course allows you to specialise in a chosen area of film, TV and media studies while gaining cross-cultural and work experience, and honing your language skills. Why choose this course?

  • This is a research-led course, shaped by internationally recognised experts in film, screen media and digital culture. You will also learn from specialists in digital media and AI.
  • You will develop language skills and gain cross-cultural insight in your term abroad.
  • You will undertake a work placement to gain professional experience and engage with film and TV industry practitioners. You will also develop practical filmmaking experience through the Derek Jarman Lab and broaden your knowledge of film and TV cultures by attending events, screenings and talks at the award-winning Birkbeck Cinema and the Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image.
What you will learn On this MA, you will gain a deep understanding of film, television and screen media in historical and contemporary contexts. London-based classes and your term overseas will help you to develop analytical, language and industry-relevant skills. You will also build professional experience and networks through work placements while learning from world-leading scholars and industry practitioners to develop strong critical-thinking, writing and communication skills for future careers and academic research. How you will learn This course is available to study full-time over two years with classes taking place in the evening, though this may differ during your term abroad. It is taught via lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. You will also have the opportunity to design an independent research project and complete a dissertation. On your term abroad you will be exposed to different teaching styles and learning cultures, enriching your experience and preparing you for careers in film, media or academia in the UK or overseas. This course has three other pathways: MA Film and Screen Media, MA Film and Screen Media (with Television) and MA Film and Screen Media with Film Programming and Curating. Highlights
  • Birkbeck is ranked among the UK’s top four institutions for Art and Design research (REF 2021) and offers the only film and screen media MA in England with a study abroad exchange.
  • Teaching and supervision are delivered by leading film and media academics, including Drs Janet McCabe and Dorota Ostrowska, and Professor Laura Mulvey.
  • You will join a vibrant academic and creative community, with opportunities to attend public lectures, networking and cultural events across London.
  • Located in central London, Birkbeck is within easy reach of cinemas and galleries, as well as the British Film Institute and the British Library.
  • Birkbeck offers flexible evening teaching and has various bursaries for postgraduate students.
Careers and employability On successfully graduating from this course you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:
  • writing and presentation skills
  • collaborative working and networking
  • improved language and cross-cultural communication
  • organisational and problem-solving skills
  • digital literacy
  • analysis and critical thinking.
This course will prepare you for career paths including:
  • festival director, programmer or audience development specialist
  • television, film and video producer or researcher
  • independent documentary filmmaker
  • film publicist or sales professional
  • film critic
  • curator
  • arts administrator or cultural events coordinator
  • cinema manager
  • content distribution consultant
  • academic researcher or lecturer.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

During your studies at Birkbeck, you will be assessed by essay assignments of approximately 5000 words each, a research report and a dissertation of 15,000 words, due in September of the final year. During your term abroad, the assessment will depend on the institution you attend. In most cases, it will be a mixture of essays and examinations.

How to apply

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in a relevant subject (e.g. humanities, modern languages or social sciences). Knowledge of at least one other European language at a level to allow you to follow a postgraduate-level course at one of our partner institutions. You are required to complete a 700-1000-word written exercise by choosing a film or television programme which you have recently seen and explaining why you found it innovative. Your completed exercise should be returned directly to [email protected], or alternatively uploaded to the Applicant Portal, either as a Word document or a PDF. Please ensure that you include your reference number and name on each page of the document. Successful candidates will be invited to attend an interview. Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. Some courses may require higher scores, particularly in the following subject areas: arts management cultural studies development studies English literature film and media geography history history of art law organizational psychology psychology. Please carefully check the Course-Specific Entry Requirements on your chosen programme for details of higher English language entry requirements. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses, foundation programmes and language support services to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

To be confirmed
Film and Screen Media (with Study Abroad) at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS