Writing for Screen and Stage
Entry requirements
A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in any related subject; other qualifications or experience will be considered. Applications are welcomed from those with or without prior experience in writing for screen and stage.
As part of the application process, you will need to submit 15-20 pages of a play, or a script for a film or TV drama that you have written. To submit your writing please do the following:
- Submit application.
- Wait up to 48 hours.
- Submit 15-20 pages of a play or script you have written in a single file (Word or PDF) by logging into your MyBirkbeck profile, then going to the ‘Manage my application’ link and attaching the document.
Applications are reviewed on their individual merits, and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.
Months of entry
October
Course content
Our new MA Writing for Screen and Stage gives you the chance to explore scriptwriting across a range of forms and genres, including film, TV, gaming, theatre and performance. It is ideal if you are keen to develop your skills as a scriptwriter who can write for both screen and the stage.
Why choose this course?
- You will be taught by established writers, script consultants and editors for screen and stage writing, including Daragh Carville, David Eldridge, Paul Gallagher and Barbara Cox.
- Birkbeck has an established reputation in creative writing, screenwriting and theatre teaching, so you will benefit from the richness of our experience in these areas.
- Your classroom studies will be supported by extensive industry engagement which will help you to progress on your career path beyond this Master’s.
What you will learn
You will gain an understanding of different forms, genres, traditions and theories of script writing and production in national, transnational and international contexts. You will gain practical experience of developing ideas and scripts and develop your writing skills and techniques.
You will also explore the historical debates and ideas underpinning the practices of script writing and gain valuable knowledge from industry leaders concerning the relationship between script writing and its conditions of creation and production.
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.
Your learning will be supported by workshops, history and theory, alongside guest lectures from industry leaders, to help you to hone your craft and successfully understand the workings of the sector. You will also write outlines, treatments and full scripts, so you can build a portfolio of your own original projects.
Highlights
- Your experience will be enriched by engagement with the Birkbeck Creative Practice Lab, which includes a cinema and performance studio, and supports teaching and research in film, digital media, journalism, theatre and performance.
- You will be able to experience the wider research culture of the School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication, including the opportunity to engage in our annual Arts Week events programme.
- Birkbeck was ranked 2nd in the UK for its English Language and Literature research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
- We offer a number of bursaries for postgraduate students.
Careers and employability
On successfully graduating from this MA Writing for Screen and Stage, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:
- an understanding of the relationship between conceptualising ideas and using practical formats to realise them
- an ability to analyse a creative brief and identify appropriate creative models
- an ability to work collectively and collaboratively in the production of research and artistic outputs
- a comprehensive understanding of different research techniques and methodologies appropriate to postgraduate-level study
- refined skills in critical and contextual analysis.
Graduates can pursue career paths in:
- writing for TV
- writing for film
- writing for theatre and performance
- writing for gaming
- script development
- criticism and journalism
- the creative arts and industries
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.
Information for international students
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this programme is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MA
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Student Advice Service
- studentadvice@bbk.ac.uk
- Phone
- +44 (0)20 3907 0700