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*



Screenwriting As a Focus*



3 Core Writing Modules x 10 ECTS

• Research Project 30 ECTS

• FS7020 Screenwriting

• FS7040 Writing for Small Screens

• FS7041 Writing for the Big Screen



3 Elective Modules x10 ECTS

• FS7015 Creative Documentary

• FS7051 Film Analysis

• FS7031 Digital Storyworlds

• FS7046 Transnational Cinemas

• FS7048 Contextualizing Digital Art

• FS7046 Transnational Cinemas

• 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 arrange these modules as suits their areas of interest as long as it meets 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

Creative Focus:

1. A research project screenplay

And

2. A critical reflection of 3,500-4,000 words.

The exact nature and length of the research project screenplay will be agreed between the student and the course coordinator and can include a feature film, a series of short films, an adaptation, television screenplay, or on-demand series. It could also include a video essay.



Research Focus:

1. A dissertation of 12,000 to 15,000 words on a subject agreed between the student and their supervisor.

OR

2. A dissertation of 8,000 to 10,000 words that also includes a Video Essay of a duration and subject matter agreed with their supervisor.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should have a good Honours Bachelor degree of upper‐second class or above, or an equivalent qualification, in a cognate area. Creative Writing Sample (short story, screenplay, extract from a novel).

Closing Date: 30th June 2025

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 2025

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.