Documentary Practice

The new MA in Documentary Practice draws from our 30 years of experience teaching film and television in the School of Communications. It's our response to the increasing interest from students and the growing demand in the industry for long form documentary content..



Furthermore, we provide access to cutting-edge facilities, including a recently constructed media studio equipped with industry-standard cameras, sound recording equipment, and editing tools. This ensures our students have access to the best resources for honing their skills and achieving their creative aspirations.



Programme Structure

The course has been uniquely equipped with brand new camera equipment, a dedicated post-production lab as well as access to the school’s professional sound and television studios. What makes this MA programme truly unique is its holistic and practice based approach to non-fiction storytelling. Students will immerse themselves in a multidisciplinary journey encompassing photography, audio production, and video production. Additionally, they will explore theory through extensive readings and the analysis of key documentary films and projects.

The unique appeal of this MA programme lies in its multidisciplinary approach to non-fictional storytelling. Students will complete full production modules in photography, audio production and video production. They will also take theoretical modules underpinned by wide reading of key literature and viewing of key documentary films/projects. The capstone project is a production-based dissertation that, after a process of development, must be pitched at industry level and will be shown publicly at the Irish Film Institute upon completion of the programme.



Students will benefit from low student-teacher ratios and reliable access to state of the art equipment available within the School. Ideally, students who begin the course will have some production expertise through their undergraduate degree or their industry experience. This will allow us to pitch course content at an advanced level from the outset, ensuring that the final dissertations will meet professional standards.



Across the programme there are three explicit forms of external engagement aimed at keeping students focused on the idea that their work on this course will extend beyond their time at University:



MASTERCLASS SERIES involving industry professionals of the highest calibre. This list should change annually depending on who is producing work of note in any given year.



PITCHING SESSIONS involving sitting commissioning editors from the world of film, television, radio and the arts. This gives students an opportunity to stand in front of real-world decision makers and pitch their material. This is a context they may not otherwise have access to outside the setting of the course. Such an opportunity has a real-world value that will benefit their subsequent careers.



FESTIVAL PARTICIPATION: successful film projects completed over the summer will be showcased at the Irish Film Institute as part of the ‘Stranger Than Fiction’ festival in September. This will act as both a valuable public screening for the students and an explicit promotion for the programme, the School and the University.

The minimum criteria for entry to this taught postgraduate programme is that applicants hold a minimum of a second class honours, grade two primary degree (Level 8) or equivalent professional qualification. In addition to the standard application form and personal statement outlining their interest in the course, applicants will be required to submit:



• a portfolio of previous work (this does not have to be to a professional standard, but should demonstrate basic familiarity with either video, photographic or aural story-telling

AND/OR

• a written proposal for a documentary project (video, photographic or audio), outlining the objectives, style and intended audience for the production.



Applicants with appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may also be considered. This includes discipline-specific knowledge and know-how; transferable skills; basic research competency; personal effectiveness.



Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants are required to submit a cover letter along with their application under the Transcripts section of the portal, affirming their intent to apply for RPL. For more information on RPL see here.



In the case of international applicants, having educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language, they must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language, with a minimum score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. Transfer from related Level 9 programmes in DCU or other third-level institutions is subject to having fulfilled educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above.

1 year full-time.

Graduates from our Masters in Documentary Practice are poised to become sought-after assets for the dynamic audio-visual industry. They not only bring valuable practical production skills but also possess a profound knack for storytelling. This unique combination equips them with the versatility to chart their own career trajectories.



Potential careers

Documentary filmmaker

Documentary producer

Sound recordist

Camera operator

Director

Television producer

Radio producer

Researcher

Editor

Sound editor

In house communications

Public Service