Ma Screenwriting

COURSE OVERVIEW

Our one-year MA Screenwriting degree is perfect for those, who are looking to pursue screenwriting training embedded in an industry setting, delivered at a postgraduate level. It is an ideal option for aspiring creative writers that not only wish to hone their screenwriting skills but also find a destination for their scripts on the big or small screen.

This course provides you with the resources to prepare for a career in screenwriting with tailored, purposeful guidance and training which will develop your writing craft for film and television. In addition to lectures and seminars dedicated to genre, story, world-building, character, plot and dialogue, you will receive mentorship from scriptwriting professionals to develop feature and television projects. All our tutors and guest speakers are professional screenwriters, agents or producers, and you will be exposed to the realities of the industry, empowering you with a greater understanding of the pathways available to you.

"The best academy for intense courses. Great teachers that are professionals from the industry that give practical lessons. They reward hard work and keep helping people beyond the course. Couldn't be more grateful and proud to be one of their students" Alice Rosso, award-winning screenwriter and LFA Screenwriting Diploma graduate

MA Screenwriting Key Features

Intensive and in-depth practical training in the craft of screenwriting
Development of a substantial writing portfolio - feature film script and television script and bible
Training on the evolving landscape of storytelling platforms
Workshopping your scripts with professional directors and actors
Direct access to industry with participation in a leading UK film festival
Development of pitching technique and other important soft skills
Training and mentoring by practising film & TV industry tutors and guest speakers
Masterclasses and Q&As with prominent filmmakers
Advanced critical thinking to inform your screenwriting practice
Excellent tutor-to-student ratios
Focus on future screenwriting career and employability

Are you ready to push your screenwriting abilities?

We're looking for creative individuals who can demonstrate a strong instinct for the grammar of visual storytelling, as well as show a passion for a professional career in screenwriting. You must be self-motivated, thrive in a collaborative environment and be willing to challenge your perceptions of the landscape of film.

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LFA is a registered higher education provider with the Office for Students (OfS) and listed on their Register, meaning that we meet the OfS requirements for academic standards, course quality, student support, and student protection.

This course is validated by the University of Derby. As a partner student you will be granted access to the University’s online learning environment ‘University of Derby Online (UDo)’ where you will be able to access programme resources related to your programme, the University’s library and your grades.

COURSE BREAKDOWN

Our ethos is to learn by doing and we will help you develop multiple projects in order to build your portfolio, plan a career path and further your understanding of the industry at an advanced level.

The research focus of this practical master’s centres around your individual career progression and will equip you with the skills to employ critical thinking and how it influences your writing, as well as the ability to confidently engage in debate around the landscape of film. You will be challenged to further your theoretical understanding of the craft of screenwriting and be asked to contextualise it through practice. By doing so you will cultivate new research and development skills that will enable you to create scripts with depth, addressing issues, ideas and established structures that are important to you throughout your career. We pride ourselves on our pioneering approach - our mission is to produce world class screenwriters who have compelling stories to tell.

Module One: Feature Film Development

Students learn how to research and prepare for feature projects by writing treatments, synopses, beat sheets and scene-by-scene breakdowns. This material forms the foundation of the writing process, as well as a selling tool when pitching to film and TV industry companies after graduation. The development and individual feedback sessions integral to the module are overseen by a range of screenwriters working in the feature film industry.  By the end of module one, participants will have completed a feature length script (90 pages).

Module Two: Writing for Television

Students produce a TV Bible for an original series in addition to writing and developing an accompanying TV episode script. Industry led discussions from working writers, producers and directors will offer insight on a variety of television formats and genres. You will undertake detailed academic and industry-led workshops and research in order to help you realise and reflect on your own work in the context of the wider cultural and academic landscape and be given one-to-one tutorials to discuss the merits and challenges of proposed ideas. Pitching sessions will serve as a rehearsal for the actual industry pitching panel that you will encounter in the later stages of the course where you will get the opportunity to have your writing workshopped with professional actors and pitch your ideas to a panel of film and TV industry professionals and receive feedback to help hone your ideas.

"Exactly what I needed to build the foundations of my screenwriting career. The lectures are very informative and small classes allow them to be very interactive"

Samy Souissi, Screenwriter and LFA Screenwriting Diploma Graduate

Module Three: Research by Practice

The final module has a professional focus with students' prioritising next steps and employability. It also enables students to contextualise their creations within the relevant critical framework and adhere to sound ethical principles. Students will design and undertake a personal research project (a negotiated dissertation), aligned to their professional ambitions. These dissertations can take the form of a written or visual piece and can include previous work experience or scripts you have worked on as a form of research.

Additionally, our MA students have the opportunity to attend events, screenings and film festival during their time on the course, providing an opportunity to gain tangible, practical experience in a nurturing industry environment and gain first-hand insight on the current industry trends and practices.

COURSE FEES & FUNDING DETAILS

The full MA Screenwriting fee is £17,500.

Deposit: Successful applicants will then be issued with an offer letter. Upon acceptance of their place, applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £4,500. The balance of course fees will need to be paid in accordance to the LFA Terms and Conditions.

Application fee: £50

COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

A first degree (Minimum 2:2 or above)
Not a graduate? We welcome applications from students with extensive industry experience, who can demonstrate an ability to study at postgraduate level.

TO APPLY:
To begin your application process for a place on this course please apply via the UPCOMING COURSE DATES section below.  As soon as we've received your application we’ll send you a confirmation email containing information on the next steps. Please check your ‘Junk Mail’ folder if you appear to have not received this email.

Entry materials - what do you need for your application?

Completed online LFA application
Example(s) of your filmmaking, e.g:
- The first 20 pages of a feature script  (pdf)
- A feature film treatment of 10-15 pages (pdf)
- Two short film screenplays  (pdf)
- Alternatively, if you have no screenplay material, we will accept an extract from other creative writing such as: a play, short story, novel, or poetry (pdf).
CV/Resume
Personal statement (up to 750 words) that outlines
- Your motivation
- Your background and filmmaking ambitions
- Ideas for a personal research project
- Why this course, and LFA as an institution, is the right choice for you
Education certificates (degree-level qualifications only)
Two references: academic or professional
Scanned copy of your passport

If you meet our entry requirements, we offer an interview where we discuss your portfolio and motivations - we are looking for creative filmmaking ability/potential as evidenced through visual and written material. The interview will help you showcase your understanding and interest of film, as well as your awareness of the key elements of the course and a clear idea as to how completing the course will help you achieve career ambitions.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS (For international students)

International students are required to provide proof of English Proficiency. For entry to LFA, you must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to a B2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), or equivalent. This level of English is required to access the course content, understand the technical filmmaking terminology used on the course, and to obtain a Student Visa.

How do you prove your Level of English Proficiency?

You will normally have to provide an IELTS Academic score of 6.0 with no band below 5.5. We do consider equivalent qualifications or an alternative Secure English Language Test (SELT) from the alternatives below, however, only certificates obtained in the past 2 years can be considered:

Who does not need to prove their English Proficiency?

If you have completed your studies in the past 2 years in a country where English is the first language (such as the USA, Canada or Australia) you may not need a formal English language qualification. We evaluate each application individually and, on a case-by-case basis.

Do I still need to demonstrate my English proficiency even if English is the official language of my country?

You may still be required to provide evidence of your English proficiency, even if English is the official language of your country, except if you are from one of the countries or territories listed on GOV.UK or you have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in one of them.

What steps should you take if your English Proficiency does not meet LFA entry requirements?

If you don't think your English language meets our entry requirements, you are encouraged to contact us with evidence of your existing achievement for assessment. Please contact us with a copy of your certificate or language qualification so we can check on your behalf. We evaluate each application individually and, on a case-by-case basis.

TERM DATES

MASW5
Term 1: 16/9/2024 - 13/12/2024
Term 2: 13/1/2025 - 18/4/2025
19-23 May - Careers Week and Research Bootcamp
Term 3: 26/5/2025 - 15/8/2025

UPCOMING COURSE DATES

To apply online please click on the course date below.

15 September 2025 - 28 August 2026
Course Fee: £ 17,500

Apply Now