Film & Screen Media

Course Outline
Our MA in Film & Screen Media is a one-year taught course that offers students advanced-level critical skills in the discipline of Film & Screen Media, training in digital filmmaking, and transferrable IT/web skills.

This exciting MA combines film studies in theory, analysis, history and practice, with an emphasis on encouraging students' academic skills and creativity (in critical writing; filmmaking; film/media journalism; cultural administration). Students will benefit from specialised tuition in the areas of film and screen media and digital filmmaking and may also avail of voluntary work for cultural projects and film festivals, such as the Fastnet Film Festival, Schull.

With its annual seminar series of visiting speakers and guest practitioners, as well as mentorship by resident UCC/Arts Council Film Artist, UCC Film & Screen Media gives students ample opportunities to meet and be taught by professionals and experts. We are also the only Irish partner in the European University Film Award — an award of the European Film Academy (EFA) and Filmfest Hamburg presented and voted for by university students across Europe — with one student gaining the opportunity to travel to Germany to participate in the Awards.

Programme Content

The MA in Film & Screen Media is a 90-credit programme with both a taught and a research component. Students take core modules and a selection of optional modules and complete either a traditional research dissertation or a practice-based project under expert supervision.

You can opt to complete a practice-based project, incorporating a short film/visual project and a reflective piece (40 credits) or a 16,000-word research-based dissertation (40 credits).

Our students avail of specialised tuition in the areas of film and screen media and digital filmmaking, and benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, that include large screen and surround sound system; Apple™ lab; digital cameras and industry-standard filmmaking equipment; and teaching and performance space, all located in the heart of one of the most beautiful University campuses in Ireland.

Course Practicalities
This full-time, one-year degree adopts a range of teaching methods and techniques, including traditional lectures, seminars, small-group tutorials, film screenings, practical labs, group work. You attend taught modules throughout the two teaching semesters (September to March), then focus entirely on your dissertation/project during the summer months. Some modules may involve some extra hours of self-directed filming and editing. Students may have opportunities to avail of voluntary work in film festivals or cultural events. You are required to attend all classes and to prepare for seminar discussion by reading assigned materials and by viewing prescribed films.

Modules use a variety of forms of assessment including essay writing, oral presentations with technological support, portfolios, treatments, films and creative/practical projects. By being exposed to diverse forms of assessment, you acquire a broad set of discipline-specific as well as transferable skills that prepare you for different professions or for further study at postgraduate level in film or related areas. In addition to the taught modules, you can choose what kind of final project to undertake under expert one-to-one supervision, be it a research-focused dissertation or a creative practice-based portfolio.

Why Choose This Course
The MA in Film & Screen Media's distinctive blend of theory, creative practice, and industry links is unique in Ireland. Students will benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, that include large screen and surround sound system; Apple™ lab; digital cameras and industry-standard filmmaking equipment; and teaching and performance space, all located in the heart of one of the most beautiful University campuses in Ireland.

Placement or Study Abroad Information
Students may have opportunities to avail of volunteering work with one of our Industry partners (Cork Film Festival; Schull Fastnet Film Festival; European University Film Award - EUFA).

Your can avail of a selection of option modules, in film studies, in filmmaking, in cultural/film studies, as well as a core module that offers advanced-level studies in film and screen media. In total students take 90 credits as follows:

Part I

FX6010 Irish Cinema: History, Contexts, Aesthetics (10 credits)
FX6017 Film and Screen Cultures and Industries (20 credits)
FX6018 Research Methodologies Seminar (10 credits)
plus 10 credits from the following:

GE6020 Questions of Adaptation and Adoption: ReWritings/ReViewings/ReReadings (10 credits)
CS6104 Digital Video Capture and Packaging (5 credits)*
CS6504 Digital Video Project (5 credits)*
FX6014 Introduction to Creative Practice (10 credits)**
MU6037 Music and Cinema (10 credits)

Part II

FX6016 Dissertation in Film and Screen Media Studies (40 credits) OR
FX6019 Creative Practice Project (40 credits)
Notes:

*CS6104 and CS6504 must be taken together. Maximum 6 FX students.
**FX6014 is an introductory module designed only for students that have not previously studied practical filmmaking.
Not all optional modules may be available in a given year.
See the University Calendar (MA Film & Screen Media) for further information.

Modules

Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our Book of Modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

University Calendar

You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.

An applicant will have a Second Class Honours, Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8 or equivalent) in the Humanities. Successful applicants will normally have evidence of successful performance in undergraduate modules taken in Film Studies and/or Media Studies and/or practical/professional expertise or qualification in the area.

Applications from students with a Second Class Honours, Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8 or equivalent) in a suitable subject may be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). These applicants may be requested to submit a proposal and/or attend an interview.

All candidates must satisfy a Selection Committee and must provide two written references.

English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Please visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.

The closing date for non-EU applications is 30 June 2023

How Do I Apply
1. Check Dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.

For Irish and EU applicants we operate a rounds system and you can check the rounds closing dates here.
Note that not all our programmes are subject to the rounds system so check the opening and closing dates for your specific programme in the fact file boxes above.

2. Gather Documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.

3. Apply Online: Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.
Additional Requirements (All Applicants): Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme

Please enter all relevant work experience that will support your application.

Please detail your research interest(s).

In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to your intended programme.

Please describe your portfolio of work or achievements.

Please upload a portfolio of relevant work.

After the application is submitted, you will be required to enter the names and email addresses of 2 referees (one academic and the second professional/experience) and request 2 references from the application portal.

1 year full-time.

Skills and Careers Information
Students of the MA in Film & Screen Media will avail of a range of modules that combine theory/analysis with practice. The emphasis is on equipping students with transferrable skills in digital filmmaking, IT, and writing. Film and Screen Media offers a dynamic interface with the Industry and students can avail of cultural industry placements and masterclasses and tuition from Industry professionals.

What can I do after I graduate with an MA in Film Studies?

Graduates of our master's degree have developed careers in media and filmmaking, in cultural industries (including the programming and administration work with major film festivals); second and third level teaching/lecturing; journalism (national and international); library information. While studying on the MA in Film & Screen Media students have the opportunity to avail of placements within the Industry that will equip them with transferable skills and professional experience.

Occupations associated with the MA in Film Studies degree:

Film and Media Industries
Cultural industries
Journalism
Teaching
Academia
Event management
Public Sector