Screen Studies

Course Overview

The M.Phil. in Screen Studies at Trinity offers the opportunity to focus on a variety of areas: writing for different screens, studying historical and theoretical trends in screen media, and/or creating a range of film and media outputs.



The M.Phil. in Screen Studies allows students to develop the skills required to write successfully for and about a range of different screens in a critically informed and creative context, supported by the latest developments in media trends and digital content. In addition, the course aims to develop the key transferable skills required for postgraduate study. These include research preparation, time management, and oral and written presentation skills. The programme is comprised of 60 ECTS of taught modules and a 30-ECTS research component.



Is This Course For Me?

The objective of the programme is to prepare screenwriters who can adapt to an industry that recreates itself regularly around technological advances. Students will select their chosen platform(s) when preparing their portfolio, bring their writing to industry standard and complete their studies with a research project screenplay in their chosen area of interest: feature film, television, on-demand broadcast, documentary, or adaptation. In addition to the one-year full-time programme, the Screenwriting programme is offered part-time over two years.



Course Structure

All students take six taught modules and complete a Research Project. Students have the flexibility to select a pathway that suits their interests. For instance, if you want to focus on writing for screens, you can undertake the core screenwriting modules and some elective modules, along with the 30 ECTS screenplay research project. Students interested in research and critical analysis can select more library-based modules and complete a traditional 30 ECTS research dissertation.

List of Sample Modules



Core Module

FS7021 Research Methodologies



3 Writing Modules x 10 ECTS

(If choosing screenwriting as a focus)

Research Project 30 ECTS



FS7020 Screenwriting

FS7040 Writing for Small Screens

FS7041 Writing for the Big Screen



3 Elective Modules x10 ECTS

FS7051 Film Analysis

FS7031 Digital Storyworlds

FS7026 Cinema and Ireland

FS7055 Contemporary Non-Western Cinemas

FS7XXX Artists' and Experimental Media

FS7048 Contextualizing Digital Art

FS7049 Digital Art as Critical Spatial Practice



*These module titles are for illustration purposes only: the School reserves the right to change modules.



Students can select a combination of modules as suits their areas of interest, as long as they meet these requirements:



The full-time programme consists of two elements:

1. 6 taught modules (10 ECTS each) delivered equally across two semesters (60 ECTS)

2. Research Project (30 ECTS)



The part-time programme consists of two elements:

1. Year 1 (40 ECTS) = 4 modules (10 ECTS each)

2. Year 2 (50 ECTS) = 2 modules (10 ECTS each) + Research Project (30 ECTS)



Research Projects

All M.Phil. in Screen Studies students must complete a substantial independent research project. The Dissertation takes one of two forms:



Dissertation: a written dissertation of approximately 15,000 words (excluding footnotes/bibliography) on an approved topic to be supervised by an appropriate member of staff.



OR



Dissertation with Practice: Screenwriting option (research project screenplay + 3,500-4,000-word critical essay), or Video essay option (video essay of between 10-22 minutes + 3,500-4000 critical essay).



The traditional Dissertation option involves written Dissertation of approximately 15,000 words on an approved topic to be supervised by an appropriate member of staff.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a good Honours Bachelor degree of upper‐second class or above, or an equivalent qualification, in a cognate area. Applicants should upload either a creative writing sample (short story, screenplay, extract from a novel) or an academic writing sample (e.g. an essay from their undergraduate studies).



English Language Requirements

All applicants to Trinity are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry) English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page.

Closing Date: 30th June 2026

Assessment is by a combination of coursework and dissertation:

- Each module will be assessed by a combination of written and/or practice based assignments as appropriate and class participation. Total ECTS: 60.



- Dissertation of approximately 12,000-15,000 words and Research Methodologies assessment. Total ECTS: 30.

1 year Full Time

2 years Part Time

Next Intake: 1 September 2026

Career Opportunities

This course prepares students for a variety of careers including screenwriting, media production, and education. Our graduates have pursued careers in the film and television industry, digital media, advertising, marketing, and arts administration. Some of our graduates also go on to do further research at Doctoral level.