Global Film MA
Our Global Film MA will give you a sophisticated understanding of films as systems of meaning and practice.
You are currently viewing course information for entry year:
Start date(s):
- September 2025
Overview
Explore film as both a transnational and locally embedded medium and discover more about the different ways we engage with it.
On our MA in Global Film, you'll gain a sophisticated understanding of film across cultures and societies.
Develop the essential skills needed for a career in film or related occupations, or to progress to a PhD.
Our programme is suitable for students from across the globe and you don’t need a background in film to join.
This Master’s will challenge you to develop insights into film as a:
- dynamic form of expression in a rapidly evolving media landscape
- key part of modern life
- way to understand specific societies and moments
Learn how to research film and explore a variety of practices that shape the film industry today.
Film practice options include:
- digital filmmaking
- screenwriting
- film criticism
- cinema management, film festivals, curation and exhibition
- film archiving
You'll also benefit from the input of industry professionals and practitioners. BAFTA-nominated, award-winning filmmaker, Tina Gharavi brings a wealth of experience to the teaching of screenwriting.
Experts in film production, exhibition, and distribution offer guest classes and work experience.
Experts come 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.
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 2024-25.
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 programme has two compulsory modules, Global Film Practices I and II.
These two core modules offer an integrated approach to the study and practice of film through a global lens. They provide a pathway for progression through the core skills, theories and practices that are central to the MA Global Film Practices programme.
The one-year course is divided into three semesters. 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 have a range of assessments spread across the year.
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 and film practice.
Our optional modules allow you to explore a range of historical periods and national/ transnational cinemas, including British, Latin American, and Chinese cinemas.
In film practice, you can enter the worlds of screenwriting, digital filmmaking, film exhibition and curation, as well as archiving and film criticism.
In semester 2, you will produce a proposal for a research or independent project and begin to work with a supervisor.
By the third semester, you'll be immersed in a project of your own design. This may involve written research or the option of a creative practice component (an audio-visual piece, a screenplay or a digital curation project). Working with your supervisor, you will finalise your dissertation/independent project.
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.
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.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Modules
All students will take all of the following modules:
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| FMS8363: Global Film Cultures and Practices I | 20 |
| FMS8364: Global Film Cultures and Practices II | 20 |
| FMS8099: Dissertation/Independent Project | 60 |
All students will take 80 credits from the following modules:
Part time
Year 1
All students will take all of the following modules:
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| FMS8363: Global Film Cultures and Practices I | 20 |
| FMS8364: Global Film Cultures and Practices II | 20 |
All students will take further optional modules up to a value of 40 credits from the following modules:
Year 2
All students will take all of the following modules:
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| FMS8099: Dissertation/Independent Project | 60 |
All students will take further optional modules up to a value of 40 credits from the following modules:
Students may substitute one optional 20 credit module with one not listed in these regulations, with the approval of the Degree Programme Director.
How you'll learn
We adopt a student-centred policy in learning and teaching. Staff will support you to work independently and collaboratively to:
- read widely
- take part in discussions
- develop projects and presentations
- develop topics for investigation with advice from supervisors.
Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:
- Design or creative project
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Portfolio
- Reflective log
- Written exercise
For your dissertation/independent project, you can choose one of the two following pathways:
- a written research dissertation
- an independent project consisting of either an audiovisual piece, a screenplay or a digital curation project.
Work experience opportunities include placements with film festivals, and production companies.
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.
Your development
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.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Your future
This Master’s prepares you for a career in film and related occupations.
In the Professional Placement optional modules, we collaborate with a range of local and national film institutions. This provides opportunities for industry networking.
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.
Read more about our Professional Placement module
Read more about the Culture Lab
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.
Facilities
You'll be based right at the heart of our city-centre campus. You'll be close to all of Newcastle University's amenities, as well as being just a five-minute walk to Newcastle's main street, Northumberland Street.
You'll have access to:
- professional-standard video and audio equipment, studio space and AV-editing facilities
- specialist computing facilities, including industry-standard software, such as Adobe Creative Suite
- a mobile studio suite
The Language Resource Centre and Philip Robinson Library hold large collections of international films and film magazines. You'll also have access to a dedicated postgraduate suite including computers, workspaces, a kitchen and showers.
There are fantastic local film facilities including the Tyneside Cinema and British Film Institute Mediatheque. You'll also have guided access to Tyne and Wear Archives.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)
As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
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
Find out more about:
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.
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
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Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
University Admissions Policy and related policies and procedures
Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course
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