Film and Screen Media

Birkbeck, University of London
Postgraduate MA Full-time 1 Year Digital media, production, and technologyMedia studiesPR and communicationsJournalism

About this course

On our MA Film and Screen Media you will have the opportunity to explore the history, development and interaction of film, television and other screen media in historical, sociological, aesthetic and anthropological terms, and in a variety of cultural and national contexts.

Why choose this course?

  • This course is unique in its combination of world-class, rigorous postgraduate study with strong creative and practical opportunities.

  • It offers you an optional two-month work placement module on which you can gain valuable, practical experience that will enhance your career prospects in the film and screen media industries.

  • It includes further option modules that offer you exciting networking opportunities and can help you stand out in a competitive job market and further your career in the media, creative and cultural industries.

    What you will learn

    You will gain advanced knowledge in the history, theory and contemporary practice of film, TV and related media, and creative media practice. You will also gain in-depth understanding of the historical, technological and cultural interaction between the main media forms - from pre-cinematic forms to sound cinema, television, the digital turn, the internet, VR and generative AI.

    You can graduate with one of the following:

  • MA Film and Screen Media

  • MA Film and Screen Media with Film Programming and Curating

  • MA Film and Screen Media with Television

    You can also apply separately for the MA Film and Screen Media (with Study Abroad) to spend a term abroad at one of our partner institutions.

    How you will learn

    This course is available to study full- or part-time. Classes take place in the evening. These consist mostly of small group and seminar teaching, with some individual supervision, and are delivered by leading film and media academics.

    You will learn about industry practice via guest speakers and work placement opportunities. You will also have the chance to engage in practice-based learning in workshops and pursue individual research projects supported by tutors.

    Highlights

  • Teaching and supervision are delivered by leading film and media academics. The research expertise of our academics is in cinema history, exhibition cultures, programming and curating, film aesthetics, television industry and form, and contemporary and future new media opportunities inform every aspect of the course.

  • Birkbeck was ranked as one of the top four universities in the UK for its Art and Design research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

  • The award-winning Birkbeck Cinema is central to this course. The 70-seat cinema is equipped with 35mm and state-of-the-art DVD projection. The Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image (BIMI) runs conferences, screenings and film-related events of all kinds. You will have the opportunity to participate in and attend the Essay Film Festival, jointly run by BIMI and the Institute of Contemporary Arts. There are practical film-making opportunities offered through the Derek Jarman Lab.

  • We offer a number of bursaries for postgraduate students.

    Careers and employability

    Graduates can pursue career paths in film and television companies, museums and galleries, arts administration, education, publishing and film criticism. Possible professions include:

  • arts administrator

  • museum or gallery curator

  • teacher

  • programme researcher

  • television/film/video producer.

    It is also possible to continue on to a PhD which offers employment opportunities in academia and other areas.

    Jobs gained by some of our MA and PhD graduates include:

  • Deputy Editor, Sight & Sound

  • freelance editor

  • independent film producer

  • Temporary Exhibitions Curator, Science Museum

  • Curator of Public Programmes, British Film Institute

  • Associate Lecturer, University of Surrey

  • Reader, King’s College London

  • Academic Publishing Sales Manager, Taylor & Francis Group.

    • Study Options

    This course is available in 2 study options:

    Full-time Shown above

    Duration: 1 Year

    Qualification: MA

    Location: London

    Part-time

    Duration: 2 Years

    Qualification: MA

    Location: London

    Career Prospects

    Graduates from this course typically go into the following occupations:

    1133 Public relations and communications directors
    3417 Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators
    3416 Arts officers, producers and directors
    3412 Authors, writers and translators
    2492 Newspaper and periodical broadcast journalists and reporters
    2491 Newspaper, periodical and broadcast editors

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    Course Details

    Qualification
    MA
    Study Mode
    Full-time
    Duration
    1 Year
    Start Date
    2025
    Academic Year
    2025
    Campus / Location
    London
    Scheme
    Postgraduate
    Subjects
    Digital media, production, and technology, Media studies, PR and communications, Journalism

    Offered by

    Birkbeck, University of London

    London

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