Documentary Practice

The MA in Documentary Practice builds on 30 years of experience in teaching film and television in the School of Communications, and responds to growing student interest in, and industry demand for, long-form documentaries.

The School of Communications is ranked the top media studies department in Ireland and in the top 150 of almost 4,500 universities worldwide in the area of communications (QS Subject Rankings). We are committed to providing a suite of cutting-edge masters’ programmes that reflect the academic and professional expertise of our staff.

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) in a cognate discipline, 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.

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.

Application Deadlines

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until the following dates:
• Closing date for non EU applicants is 1st July 2024.
• Closing date for EU applicants is 31st July 2024.

Note applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of studying at DCU, are advised to apply as early as possible. All entry requirements should be met before the commencement of the programme.

To apply for this programme:

All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal which is available at the Application Weblink.

Provide Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation if applicable.

A personal statement of 1,000 words (maximum) outlining their;
(i) suitability for the programme;
(ii) relevant recent experiences
(iii) involvements in projects or initiatives specific to the programme.

Please upload a CV under the "Supplemental Items & Documents" section.
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.

If applicable, evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml.
Please note if you are a non EU student and require a study visa, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.

Queries
Queries from EU applicants should be directed to postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie
Queries from non EU applicants should be directed to internationalapplications@dcu.ie

1 year full-time.

The programme commences in September 2024.

Graduates from the Masters in Documentary Practice will be both valuable potential hires for the audio-visual industry and also have the potential to take ownership of their own career paths. Their mix of practical production skills and storytelling abilities will mean that many avenues of professional progression will be open to them. Indeed, graduates should find that they are prepared to either join a team of production operatives at the highest level or lead such a team.

Potential careers
sound recordist
camera operator
director
television producer
radio producer
researcher
editor
sound editor
In house communications
Public Service