Introduction
Gain the writing skills, industry know-how, professional skills and experience of collaborative working that the ever-changing screen-writing industry demands.
Learn how to function within a professional environment across different screen industries, and create work that stands out from the crowd.
Develop your portfolio across different platforms or focus on the mediums and genres that interest you through live briefs, collaborative projects and independent research.
You will:
This MA is built to help students establish successful careers as writers in the script writing industries, irrespective of where they are in their professional journey.
You may be a recent graduate looking to develop specialist knowledge, or a writer who wants the skills to adapt existing work for screen. You might be a current practitioner in the screen industries who’s keen to further your growth. As a student of the course, you’ll receive the support you need to reach your career goals.
This is because our modules are designed to help you in the real world – from honing your creative capabilities to developing the networking and presentation skills that are essential to creating professional relationships and securing work.
Upon graduating from the course, you’ll be well-equipped to work professionally across a variety of mediums – including video games, cinema, television or digital media.
In addition to the guidance offered by our tutors, you can also access our RealWORKS, our careers and employability service throughout your studies, and for up to 5 years following graduation.
Our expert team will help you identify potential opportunities in the UK or internationally, prepare for job interviews, advise you on starting up your own business, and more.
You should have:
An honours degree or Level 6 equivalent qualification.
If your first language is not English, you'll need to take one of the following tests to verify your proficiency:
We also accept a range of equivalent recognised English language qualifications. Candidates without a degree or formal qualification are still encouraged to apply.
For more information regarding equivalent international qualifications and Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) please call us on +44 (0)1223 447713 or view our handy guide:
What you’ll learn
Explore fundamental questions of storytelling and scriptwriting, develop scriptwriting portfolios and professional briefs, and learn how to promote yourself as a freelance scriptwriter.
Course structure
MA
You will need to complete four 30-credit modules and one 60-credit project (180 credits in total). All modules on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award.
PGDip
You will need to complete four 30-credit modules (120 credits in total). All modules on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award. A dissertation (major project) is not required.
Please note the module orders are subject to change.
Storytelling for Script & Screen (30 credits)
In this module, you will examine, explore and practice the fundamental questions of storytelling and script writing: ‘Why do we tell stories and how do we tell stories?’
You will learn specific script writing skills: script layout, visual storytelling, genre, setting, character, dialogue and the construction of scenes and sequences.
Individual Script Development Workshop (30 credits)
In this module, you will develop an individually negotiated scriptwriting portfolio.
More complex elements of scriptwriting will be rigorously explored, including: deep structure (scenes and sequences), in-depth character development, and sustaining narrative and theme in a feature film, television series, or a digital game.
Writer’s Room: Collaborative Script Development (30 credits)
In this module, you will work collaboratively on a professional brief.
In the first 10 weeks, working in Script Development Teams, you will develop industry practice project proposal documents.
In the final two weeks, you will work in the roles of client/commissioner for each brief, assessing the project proposal of another team, and deciding whether to ‘green-light’ the project.
Screen Industries: Professional Development (30 credits)
In this module, you will learn strategies for promoting yourself as a freelance scriptwriter.
You will identify an area of special interest, and you will research contemporary practice in order to produce a case study that evaluates current markets and opportunities.
You will then generate a series of ideas in response to your findings, which you will communicate through a pitch document.
In the final module, you will work on a major script development project for a platform/medium of your choice.
You can either further develop work that you have produced on other modules, or you can develop a new concept.
At the end, you’ll have a finished piece of work of professional quality.
Storytelling for Script & Screen (30 credits)
In this module, you will examine, explore and practice the fundamental questions of storytelling and script writing: ‘Why do we tell stories and how do we tell stories?’
You will learn specific script writing skills: script layout, visual storytelling, genre, setting, character, dialogue and the construction of scenes and sequences.
Individual Script Development Workshop (30 credits)
In this module, you will develop an individually negotiated scriptwriting portfolio.
More complex elements of scriptwriting will be rigorously explored, including: deep structure (scenes and sequences), in-depth character development, and sustaining narrative and theme in a feature film, television series, or a digital game.
Writer’s Room: Collaborative Script Development (30 credits)
In this module, you will work collaboratively on a professional brief.
In the first 10 weeks, working in Script Development Teams, you will develop industry practice project proposal documents.
In the final two weeks, you will work in the roles of client/commissioner for each brief, assessing the project proposal of another team, and deciding whether to ‘green-light’ the project.
Screen Industries: Professional Development (30 credits)
In this module, you will learn strategies for promoting yourself as a freelance scriptwriter.
You will identify an area of special interest, and you will research contemporary practice in order to produce a case study that evaluates current markets and opportunities.
You will then generate a series of ideas in response to your findings, which you will communicate through a pitch document.
In the final module, you will work on a major script development project for a platform/medium of your choice.
You can either further develop work that you have produced on other modules, or you can develop a new concept.
At the end, you’ll have a finished piece of work of professional quality.
With Falmouth Flexible, you access your course content, interactions with other students and tutors, and learning resources, through Canvas, an easy-to-use online platform.
You can access the course wherever you are in the world, and you can stop, pause and rewind lectures whenever you want.
Learning activities
Engaging learning activities will help you apply theory to practice. They could include:
Assessments
All assessments are taken and submitted online.
Assessment methods for the masters degree in Writing for Script & Screen can typically include:
Student support
Throughout your studies, you’ll be supported by a student advisor. Their job is to answer any non-academic queries you may have, and they can be contacted via email, phone, text or WhatsApp.
They can show you around the online learning platform, guide you through enrolment, and give advice on managing your work/life balance.
As a Falmouth student, you enjoy an equal status to students studying on campus:
Teaching team
Designed with employer-focused learning at the core, the MA Writing for Script & Screen team work with global organisations, staff and alumni to provide you with the breadth of experience and networks needed to accelerate your career.
Guest lecturers have included:
“This master’s is very different to other screenwriting courses that I’ve come across, in that it focuses on business practices within screenwriting that will help you as a professional screenwriter. It’s taking that step on from just writing the script.”
“The course is helping me to structure and question what I’m writing and its use on the page. It’s helping me become a screenwriter, but it’s also helping with my prose.”
Up to twice a year, you’ll have the optional opportunity to meet your classmates and tutors in person. Dates and location of the events will vary. Events usually incorporate a weekend to accommodate busy schedules.
An example of a previous face-to-face event was a visit to the Screenwriting Research Network Conference in Milan.
At the conference, the top researchers and practitioners in the academy gathered to discuss, share and present their latest work in the field of screenwriting.
The event was packed with panel discussions, presentations and keynote speakers from Italian television and film production.
Our students had the opportunity to participate in sessions on adapting a movie into a TV series, writing female characters, writing comedy and screenwriting history.
Find out more about face-to-face events on our student experience page.
Before you submit your application, please contact one of our course advisors so they can guide you through the process and ensure you submit the best application possible for entry into the course.
Call us on +44 (0)1223 447713.
Late applications may be considered if places are available.
For free advice, please contact our friendly and knowledgeable course advisors on +44 (0)1223 447713.
Total course fee
£10,900 (including £250 acceptance fee)
Payment options
Payment methods
Payments can be made online or by phone, using a credit or debit card, or by bank transfer.
Please visit our fees and funding page for more information or call us on +44 (0)1223 447713 to speak to a course advisor.
Additional costs
In order to participate fully in the course, you will need to purchase screenwriting software.
There are a variety of options available - please call our course advisor team on +44 (0)1223 447713 for advice on what to buy.
You can also take a look at our guide to the different screenwriting options:
Application offers
We offer a range of bursaries, early application offers, and alumni discounts.
Loans
You may be eligible for funding from the UK Government.
Please visit our fees and funding page for more information or call us on +44 (0)1223 447713 to speak to a course advisor.
Total course fee
£10,900 (including £250 acceptance fee)
Payment options
Payment methods
Payments can be made online or by phone, using a credit or debit card, or by bank transfer.
Please visit our fees and funding page for more information or call us on +44 (0)1223 447713 to speak to a course advisor.
Additional costs
In order to participate fully in the course, you will need to purchase screenwriting software.
There are a variety of options available - please call our course advisor team on +44 (0)1223 447713 for advice on what to buy.
You can also take a look at our guide to the different screenwriting options:
Application offers
We offer a range of bursaries, early application offers, and alumni discounts.
Loans
You may be eligible for funding from the UK Government.
Please visit our fees and funding page for more information or call us on +44 (0)1223 447713 to speak to a course advisor.
Daniel Tuck talks about his experience on the MA Writing for Script & Screen in our video.
If you have any questions about the programme, our experienced course advisors are here to help.
You can call our friendly and knowledgeable team on +44 (0)1223 447713.
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