University degrees: Postgraduate
Course length: 1 year full-time
Course city: Edinburgh
BAFTA SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBLE COURSE
THE BAFTA UK Scholarship Programme is part of their charitable activity to support talented people at all stages of their career in film, games and television. Applications for 2019/2020 are now open. If you are interested in becoming a BAFTA scholar, please apply here. The deadline for applications is Tuesday 28 May 2019. The BAFTA UK scholarship programme is open to British citizens in need of financial assistance to take eligible undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the UK. Each BAFTA Scholar receives up to £12,000 towards their annual course fees, as well as mentoring support from a BAFTA member, winner or nominee and free access to BAFTA events around the UK. FIND OUT MORE
Introduction to the MA Screenwriting by Programme Leader Nigel Smith
The MA Screenwriting at Edinburgh Napier University was launched in 2006 and has adapted and developed since then to a point where we feel confident that this is one of the strongest screenwriting Masters courses on offer in the UK. While the course is principally for aspiring screenwriters, it is also aimed at those interested in script editing, script development and creative producing.
The programme has a strong international flavour and attracts a wide range of students of different ages, experience and backgrounds. Edinburgh is a vibrant and creative capital city with a lively student film culture. Our students benefit from discounts with Bafta Scotland, Filmhouse and the Edinburgh International Film Festival.
Students can progress from the MA to a further year of study, resulting in an MFA in Advanced Film Practice with a focus on screenwriting. If this is of interest, please contact Programme Leader directly.
What does the course look like?
Please take a look at the downloadable PDF on this page for a full breakdown of the programme (you can find this at the bottom of the page). In summary, the MA Screenwriting at Edinburgh Napier University:
What will I do?
The course is taught and delivered by working professionals, underpinned by strong academic support. The programme is very hard work and combines creative work with other assignments which have either an industrial or theoretical focus. By the end of the programme you will have written:
MA Screenwriting students work alongside MA Film students studying directing, producing, editing, cinematography and sound. We encourage collaboration within a competitive environment – there is a chance (but not a guarantee) that you will see some of your work made into short exercises or films.
What do students do after the course?
Screenwriting is a highly competitive business. Some of our students find an agent and start making a living as screenwriters (often in writing for UK television – Holby City, Doctors, Eastenders). Others find work in development (currently two of BBC Scotland’s script development team are former students) or return to their home countries to take skills back to local film, TV and interactive industries (we have former students in Austria, Finland, Malta and the USA working on live projects). Other students move on from the MA Screenwriting into further academic study at MFA or PhD level, or into teaching, or into other areas of work or self-employment. It is our aspiration that a year spent writing, studying, exploring and experimenting on the MA Screenwriting will provide a strong foundation for the future, no matter which path you follow beyond study with us in Edinburgh.
The MA Screenwriting was launched at Edinburgh Napier University in 2006 and has adapted and developed since then to become one of the strongest screenwriting Masters courses on offer in the UK.
This course is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK’s screen-based industries and carries the ScreenSkills Select endorsement which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.
The course is studied at the Screen Academy Scotland, a ScreenSkills recognised Film Academy.
While the course is primarily for aspiring screenwriters, it is also aimed at those interested in script editing, script development and creative producing.
Teaching staff are working screenwriters and producers and there are regular visits from professional writers, producers, directors and those working in script editing and development.
Applications submitted after 30 June are not guaranteed to be considered for September entry.
In recent years, this course has developed a strong international profile, attracting a diverse range of students. As a student at Screen Academy Scotland you will be part of a large and thriving film community.
Collaboration is encouraged and MA Screenwriters work closely with students on the MA Film programme.
The MA Screenwriting will develop skills in screenwriting, creativity, analytical thinking, academic writing, professional writing for film (script reports, coverage), editing and developmental skills.
In summary, the MA Screenwriting:
Please visit the Screen Academy Scotland website for more details on our programmes, past students and industry activities.
Modules that you will study* as part of this course
