Film

Overview

Film is the most important mass medium and art form of modern times. Shaping our modes of perception and communication, it is popular in its appeal and radical in its practices. It has transformed our ways of seeing and storytelling. Film-making and criticism is an area of immense interest, pleasure, and creativity. Supported by state-of-the-art new film teaching and production facilities, the MA in Film at Queen's aims to offer a rich, diverse curriculum designed to enable students to specialise in practice-based and critical approaches to film, and other media arts.



In particular, students will develop skills in the analysis of film and media arts and apply these skills in the production of creative projects, and critical work. Throughout the programme, students will acquire basic or enhanced film production skills. They will also acquire transferable skills valued by employers: creative thinking, verbal and visual communication, problem solving, project management, and teamwork.



Course Structure

Full-time students:

For full-time students the MA Film degree runs from September to September, with graduation normally in December. Full-time students complete a total of three modules per semester (60 credits).



In semester one, full-time students take FLM7018 Research Skills in Film I (compulsory), plus two optional modules.



In semester two, full-time students take FLM7019 Research Skills in Film II (compulsory), plus two optional modules.



The FLM7005 SUM Dissertation module is taken in the summer (June to September). To be awarded the MA degree, students must achieve a pass mark in 120 taught module credits and the 60-credit Dissertation module. The Dissertation module includes the major creative project as one option.



Part-time students:

Part-time students may complete the MA Film degree in two or three years. For part-time students, FLM7018 must be completed in year one, and FLM7019 in year two. Part-time students take three modules per year (60 credits per year), followed by the Dissertation module (60 credit module). The Dissertation may be completed in the summer of year two (for those pursuing the degree in two years) or in an additional third year. To be awarded the MA degree, students must achieve a pass mark in 120 taught module credits and the 60-credit Dissertation module. The Dissertation includes the major creative project as one option.

Compulsory Modules

FLM7018 Research Skills in Film I (20 credits, compulsory)

FLM7019 Research Skills in Film II (20 credits, compulsory)

FLM7005 SUM Dissertation or FLM7005 FYR Dissertation (60 credits, compulsory).



Module content:

FLM7018 and FLM7019 enhance key skills in areas including academic writing, referencing, research processes, and audio-visual practices. The two modules explore key concepts in filmmaking, and methodologies in film studies research, including practice as research.



An important aspect of FLM7019 involves developing a proposal for the dissertation.

For FLM7005 Dissertation (60 credits), students work independently to develop and realise a substantial research project, with the guidance of an assigned supervisor. This may take the form of a traditional written dissertation, a short film with reflective essay, or a screenplay with reflective essay, in accordance with the requirements specified for the module.



Optional Modules

Modules are subject to change. Not all modules will be available every year.

FLM7008 Film Practice

FLM7010 Screenwriting

FLM7012 Political Film: Form and Conflict

FLM7013 European Film Industries and Digital Cultures

FLM7016 Avant-Garde and Experimental Filmmaking

FLM7017 Censorship, Regulation and Audiences

FLM7020 The Film Soundtrack.

FLM7021 Global Film Cultures

Graduate

Normally a strong 2.2 Honours degree (with minimum of 55%) or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences or a cognate discipline.



A 2.2 Honours degree below 55% (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) may be considered if an applicant can demonstrate recent professional/exhibition experience in filmmaking, photography, or video arts, subject to portfolio submission and interview.



The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). Please visit the link below for more information. http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicyQUB

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 15th August 2025 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.

Assignments

Presentations

Reports

Practice-based exercises and projects


Creative Project: a short film accompanied by a written component theorising the work (not exceeding 5,000 words), or other creative project agreed with programme convenor and designated supervisor (for example, a script, exhibition, or relevant creative industry placement).


OR Critical Project (Written): Project topic to be agreed with programme convenor and designated supervisor, (not exceeding 15,000 words).

1 year (Full-time), 2 years (Part-time)

Entry Year: 2025/26

Career Prospects

This MA programme provides a qualification and professional development opportunities ideally suited to a career in film, television and other moving-image and broadcast media. It is also popular with students intending to or already working in education, research, and the wider creative industries sector.



Recent graduates from this programme have gone on to work as freelance filmmakers, script editors, assistant producers, programme researchers, schedule coordinators, and teaching posts in Film and Moving Image Arts.

http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/careers/