Filmmaking and Media Arts

University of Glasgow
Postgraduate MSc Full-time 12 Months Digital media, production, and technologyMedia studiesPR and communications

About this course

The Masters focuses on low-budget and experimental filmmaking and media art. It is designed to provide the necessary practical and critical skills required for current and ‘future’ screen-based production. At a time when new technologies continuously transform or shift the production and dissemination of film and new media arts, developing versatile skills and knowledge is ever more essential for those in experimental filmmaking, moving image and media art practice. This programme crosses between practice and theory of film, moving image and new media arts, and provides an open space for experimentation, while advancing skills and creative practice. It is suitable for experimental filmmakers, media producers, new media artists, and those involved in theory and practice of moving image arts.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

  • This is taught by internationally recognised scholars and artists, you will learn and advance necessary skills and concepts in filmmaking and media arts.

  • Glasgow offers a vibrant context for filmmaking and media arts practice. Key cultural events include the Glasgow Film Festival and Glasgow International (a biennial international festival of contemporary art).

  • Recognising that the programme will attract a diverse range of creative individuals, we offer a variety of software and hardware options (e.g. Adobe Creative Cloud, cameras, audio and lighting equipment)

  • The programme is taught in the Gilmorehill Halls which offers a Media Lab, its own cinema as well as a Media Archive which has more than 6,000 holdings, complementing the Library’s extensive collection of film, television and media art books.

  • The Gilmorehill Halls is home to the international journal Screen and hosts the journal’s annual conference every summer, attracting leading names in film and television studies from across the world. You will have the opportunity to participate in the conference as well as to engage with guest speakers from the academy throughout the year. 

  • In addition to the University of Glasgow Library and The Hunterian Museum, you will have access to other world class libraries and museums. The city is home to the Glasgow Museum of Modern Art as well as venues renowned for exhibitions of emerging and established screen-based artists such as Tramway and The Centre for Contemporary Art.

    PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

    Through practical workshops, master classes, and history and theory courses, you will have the opportunity to learn from professionals, media artists, and world leading academics in film and digital media theory. 

    You will take:

    Two Practical Courses (Core Courses)

  • practical workshop 1: project preparation

  • practical workshop 2: pilot project

  • experimental art & media

    One Optional Course

    To give you an idea of those potentially on offer next academic year, recent courses include:

  • advanced topics in film studies

  • advanced topics in television studies

  • documentary film & television

  • festivals

  • genders

  • making time: performing and thinking temporalities in the Creative Arts

    Students with a particular interest in media industries may choose one or more of the following options offered as part of the Media Management MSc.

  • media economics

  • media & cultural policy

  • issues in audience management

    Finally, you may choose one course either from another related Masters programme, or from our undergraduate programme: Film & Television Studies.

    Assessment of optional courses will vary depending on the learning objectives of the course but may include:

    academic essays reports research proposals detailed sequence analysis group projects presentations

    A Practice-based Dissertation (Compulsory)

    You have the opportunity to develop, with support from technical and academic supervisors, a film or media arts self-directed project. You will also write a 3000-word critical explanation to supplement your media work.

  • practice-led dissertation
  • 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
    2435 Professional/Chartered company secretaries
    2472 Archivists, conservators and curators
    4135 Library clerks and assistants

    Course Details

    Qualification
    MSc
    Study Mode
    Full-time
    Duration
    12 Months
    Start Date
    2025
    Academic Year
    2025
    Campus / Location
    Glasgow
    Scheme
    Postgraduate
    Subjects
    Digital media, production, and technology, Media studies, PR and communications