Film: Theory and Practice MA

Overview

If you are planning to move into a career in film or related occupations, or to progress to a PhD, this Master's in Film Theory and Practice is for you. It is suitable for students across the globe, and you don’t need a background in film in order to join.

This Master’s will challenge you to develop insights into film as: a crux of modern life, a way to understand specific societies and moments, and a dynamic form of expression in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

The MA Film: Theory and Practice will give you a firm foundation in how to research and analyse film, and in key aspects of film theory and history. It also provides the flexibility to allow you to focus your studies on film practice or film studies.

Film practice options include:

• an introduction to digital filmmaking
• screenwriting
• cinema management, film festivals, exhibition cultures, and marketing

You will benefit from the input of industry professionals and practitioners. BAFTA-nominated, award-winning filmmaker, Tina Gharavi brings a wealth of professional experience to the teaching of screenwriting.

Guest classes and work experience are offered by experts in film production, exhibition, and distribution from partner organisations such as:

• Sheffield Doc/Fest
• Bridge+Tunnel
• Star & Shadow
• Berwick Film and Media Arts Festival

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

What you'll learn

The course has three foundational modules. 

Screen Aesthetics (semester 1) will provide you with an advanced theoretical vocabulary for understanding and analysing the systems of meaning-making used in films.  

Approaches to Film Theory & History and Researching Film: Skills and Methods run in tandem over semesters 1 and 2. They will equip you with the theoretical concepts, context, and methodological tools you need to investigate cinema as a form, cultural practice, and institution.  

Over semesters 1 and 2, you will select optional modules within the programme and beyond (subject to approval). These will help develop your own areas of interest and expertise in film studies and/ or practice. 

We have a number of optional film studies modules. These will allow you to explore a range of historical periods and national/ transnational cinemas, including North American, British, Latin American, and Chinese cinemas. In film practice, you can enter the worlds of screenwriting, digital filmmaking, or film exhibition and curation.  

In semester 2, you will produce a research proposal and begin to work with a supervisor. By the third semester, you'll be immersed in a project of your own design. This will involve written research and the option of a creative practice component (screenplay or short film). Working with your supervisor, you will finalise your dissertation. 

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Film: Theory and Practice MA modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Approaches to Film Theory and History	20
Dissertation	60
Screen Aesthetics	20
Researching Film: Skills and Methods	20

Optional Modules	Credits
Screenwriting	20
Stars: Systems, Theories, Nations	20
Exhibition Cultures	20
Professional Placement (Semester 2)	20
Digital Film Production	20

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

The one-year course is divided into three semesters. You'll have assignments to complete and submit during the intervening weeks.

We adopt a student-centred policy in learning and teaching. You'll complete a combination of compulsory and optional modules. These will include seminars and practical workshops. We also have lectures and workshops delivered by experts and practitioners.

Depending on your module choice, you will study three or four modules per semester.

You'll work independently and collaboratively to:

• read widely
• take part in discussions
• develop projects and presentations
• develop topics for investigation with advice from supervisors.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Design or creative project
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Portfolio
• Reflective log
• Research proposal
• Written exercise

Additional assessment information

For your dissertation, you can choose one of the following three pathways:

• a written research dissertation
• a short film and a written research dissertation
• a screenplay and a written research dissertation

Student support

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Chat to a current student

Your development

Work placements

Work experience opportunities include placements with film festivals, and production companies.

Research skills

You'll join a thriving research culture in film. We lead major international research projects, including the AHRC-funded Chinese Independent Film Network UK and Screening Violence.

The Research Centre for Film organises a diverse range of activities such as:

• visiting speaker series
• student or staff-oriented conferences and symposiums
• film screenings, discussions, and festivals

Your future

Further Study

This Film Theory and Practice MA provides a route into PhD level study.

Careers

This Master’s prepares you for a career in film and related occupations.

In the Exhibition Culture and Professional Placement optional modules, we collaborate with a range of local and national film institutions. This provides opportunities for industry networking.

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

If you choose to study digital film production, you will learn to use filmmaking equipment and editing software (Adobe Creative Cloud). You will benefit from editing facilities and technical expertise at Culture Lab.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2023 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• additional costs
• living costs
• tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

Open days and events

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:

• campus tours
• on-campus open days
• virtual open days
• webinars

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events