Find out more about studying Film and Screen Media MA at Birkbeck, University of London? We've gathered all the key details, entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
MA - Master of Arts
Bloomsbury Campus
Full Time
Jan 2028
1 Year
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. It gives you the chance to specialise depending on your interests and career goals. 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. This course is designed so that you can graduate with one of the following awards by focusing on film and screen media studies or by specialising further: 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. It has an evening timetable with classes taking 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.
The programme consists of two compulsory modules, including a research project or placement, a choice of option modules and a dissertation.
The research project is intended to enhance the historical and theoretical aspects of the course with the analysis of an aspect of contemporary media culture and industry. It should involve an element of empirical research and combine an analysis of contemporary media practice with theorisation. You will develop a question or hypothesis to guide the process of research, and identify a case history, or selected examples, to illustrate and extend the original question.
The programme consists of two compulsory modules, including a research project or placement, a choice of option modules and a dissertation.
The digital turn has been a moment of redefinition of our understanding of all aspects of moving image culture. On the one hand it demanded rethinking of the existing models of visual cultures and on the other hand it enabled new forms of media practice. In both cases there was a need to develop new conceptual frameworks for understanding both the existing and new media phenomena. The module aims to foster critical skills through traditional essay writing but also through practice thus creating a basis for practical forms of research.
The programme consists of two compulsory modules, including a research project or placement, a choice of option modules and a dissertation.
You will submit a piece of original work which involves planning and conducting primary or advanced secondary research, and drawing appropriate conclusions from them. There is no limitation on subject, although it must fall within the broad subject fields of the course. You will be allocated a dissertation supervisor who will offer specialist advice. In the summer term there will be a series of workshops on different aspects of researching and writing a dissertation. Following these skills sessions, there will be a number of student presentation sessions with feedback from staff and fellow students.
