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Postgraduate

MA Screenwriting

Exhibition shot of a dark space with visitors watching screens and interacting.
MA Screenwriting, photo credit Ana Escobar 2018, London College of Communication, UAL.
College
London College of Communication
Start date
September 2024
Course length
1 year 3 months full time (45 weeks across a four-term model)

MA Screenwriting is an industry-focused course that develops writers for film, television and radio. You’ll develop your writing, script reading, script editing and script development skills to closely mirror industry expectations.

Applying for more than 1 course

You can apply for more than 1 postgraduate course at UAL but we recommend that you apply for no more than 3. Find out more in the Apply Now section.

Why choose this course at London College of Communication

  • Industry links: The reputation of our course, staff and alumni help us to maintain strong links with industry. We have relationships with producers, development executives and commissioning executives from leading organisations including the BBC, Red Planet, Sky, Tiger Aspect, Trademark Films, Wall to Wall and World Productions.
  • Building networks: You'll have opportunities to connect with industry through events such as ‘Pitching to Producers’ and ‘Agents Meet Our Writers’, where previous students have been offered representation and/or had work picked up for future development.
  • Portfolio: You'll develop a strong portfolio of work that matches industry expectations and prepares you for your chosen career.
  • Collaboration: Reflecting the collaborative nature of industry, you'll have opportunities to work with other creatives ranging from your MA Screenwriting peers to students across other disciplines including film, animation and graphic design.

Open Evenings

The next Open Evening for this course will be announced soon.

Follow MA Screenwriting

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Course overview

MA Screenwriting at London College of Communication is one of the UK’s leading film and television scripting courses, and has a strong professional reputation.

Graduates of the course have gone on to receive critical acclaim, and been recognised by national and international awards. Their successful careers can be followed in all areas of the industry across fields as diverse as television, film, radio, stage, web, animation, novels and computer games. 

What to expect

  • MA Screenwriting introduces you to the foundations of contemporary scriptwriting through practical and theoretical contexts. 
  • You’ll develop research methodologies that will become the foundation for all future practice and project development. You’ll engage in peer-to-peer reviews and the writing of reader reports, building your understanding of narratives, structure, characters and worlds while opening doors into script reading, script editing and potentially script development work.  
  • You'll have the opportunity to develop feature film, television and/or radio narratives, honing your writing voice, scriptwriting skills and research methods as you build a strong and industry-relevant portfolio.  
  • You’ll also undertake a Major Project, which can be within the medium of film or television, and will enable you to focus on a specialist area of interest. 

Work experience and opportunities  

You’ll be encouraged to use MA Screenwriting as a stepping-stone to reach your career ambitions as you explore your interests in scriptwriting and related topics. 

By engaging with your personal writing, you’ll develop an understanding of how to communicate with the industry you wish to work in. 

Additionally, this will be achieved through interaction with your tutors and peers, as well as through a collaborative unit that reflects the ways in which industry relies on successful collaboration and communication. 

You’ll also connect with the industry directly and develop a strong understanding of how it works by exploring one of the following:  

  • Masterclub - an industry networking event  
  • Screenworks - a screenwriting magazine 
  • Database – a detailed listing of production companies, agents and writing opportunities 
  • The Masters – an interview with high-level industry personnel. 

The Screen School also belongs to the BAFTA albert Education Partnership, which offers students the opportunity to learn about environmentally responsible working practices, their professional relevance, and their contribution to the transformation of the film and television industry. During your time on the course, you will be encouraged to engage with and achieve the albert graduate employability certificate.

Mode of study

MA Screenwriting is offered in full-time mode and runs for 45 weeks over 15 months, with a break over the summer. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study. 

Course units

In response to the Climate Emergency, UAL has embedded responsible practices within the curriculum. We shaped our courses around principles of social and racial justice, and environmental sustainability that ensure learning outcomes reflect the urgent need to equip you with the understanding, skills, and values for ethical practice and empower you to work towards an equitable future.

In common with all postgraduate courses at University of the Arts London, this course is divided into units, which are credit-rated. The minimum unit size is 20 credits and the maximum is 60 credits. The MA course structure involves 5 units, totalling 180 credits. All of the units on MA Screenwriting are compulsory. 

Autumn, term 1

Short Screenplay (40 credits) 

You’ll be introduced to the theoretical framework for the course, the course ethos and current industrial practice. You’ll focus on acquiring screenwriting knowledge and skills, leading to the production of a short screenplay.  

Major Project (60 credits)

This unit concentrates on the creation of a Major Project. You’ll focus on the framework required and the various writing stages involved in the development of a feature film screenplay or a pilot episode(s) for an original series/serial together with the relevant development documents.  

Spring, term 2

Working with Existing Formats (40 credits)

You’ll explore advanced scriptwriting theory through the creation of a half-hour script: either an episode of an established television series or serial, or an adaptation of a short story for film, television or radio.

Collaborative Unit (20 credits)

You’ll identify, form and develop collaborative working relationships with a range of potential partners, such as undergraduate or postgraduate students at the University or external parties (e.g. companies, cultural organisations, community-based groups, NGOs or charities).

Major Project (Continued)

Summer, term 3

Working with Existing Formats (Continued)
Major Project (Continued)

Industry Interaction (20 credits)

You’ll focus on the current industry and your future career ambitions. You’ll gain detailed knowledge of industry roles and personnel as you engage with professional writers, directors, script editors, producers, commissioning editors, programme/schedule controllers and agents. 

Autumn, term 4

Major Project (Continued)
Industry Interaction (Continued)

If you are unable to continue or decide to exit the course, there are two possible exit awards. A Postgraduate Certificate will be awarded on successful completion of the first 60 credits and a Postgraduate Diploma will be awarded on successful completion of the first 120 credits.

Learning and teaching methods

  • Lectures
  • Workshops
  • Screenings
  • Discussion
  • Exercises
  • Tutorials
  • Peer-to-peer review
  • Guest speakers
  • Assessed assignments
  • Self-directed study
  • Collaboration

Online Open Day

(Recorded March 2023)

Course Leader, Kelly Marshall, gives an overview of what it's like to study MA Screenwriting at London College of Communication.

Graduate Showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Showcase

Course films

Studying MA Screenwriting

We speak to Course Leader Kelly Marshall, current students and graduates about their experiences on the course.

Student voices

Michael Amaning-Ampong

Michael talks about writing his series about a family living on a notorious estate and struggling with death and grief.

Camila Rodo

Camila talks us through her major project – a comedy-drama with a sci-fi twist.

Renee Donlon

Renee talks to us about her final year screenplay.

Paolo Silvestro

Paolo tells us about making his sitcom, Sheltered.

Course stories

  • Image still from 'The Green Room' (2023) - dir. Cindy Pardo, written by Ben Sutherland.

    Course Spotlight: Ben Sutherland on MA Screenwriting

    Journalist Ben Sutherland shares his experiences of returning to postgraduate study on our MA Screenwriting course.

  • Image credit: Lauren Sequeira.

    Graduate Voices: Lauren Sequeira

    We chat to MA Screenwriting graduate Lauren Sequeira about her creative practice, working on Sky drama series Gangs of London, and highlights from her time at LCC.

  • Image credit: Nicola Montfort.

    Graduate Voices: Lara Barbier

    We chat to MA Screenwriting graduate Lara Barbier about the power of writers' residencies, the importance of mentorship, and her creative journey so far.

  • Illustrated by Humiraa Firdaws. Image provided by Chris Leonard, MA Screenwriting.

    Showcase Spotlight: MA Screenwriting

    In celebration of this year’s Postgraduate Showcase, we explore work from our MA Screenwriting graduates.

Facilities

  • Red light indicating recording is taking place.
    Image © Vladimir Molico

    Lens-Based and Audio-Visual

    Find out about the workspaces and studios that support Lens-Based and Audio-Visual practice.

  • A tutor in the process of producing a print.
    Image © Lewis Bush

    Printing and Finishing

    Discover our printing techniques, from Lithographic Printing to Print Finishing and Bookbinding.

  • Student reading a book in between two bookshelves in the Library
    Students in the Digital Space. London College of Communication, UAL. Photograph: Alys Tomlinson

    The Digital Space

    The Digital Space is an open-plan, creative hub with computers set up with specialist software.

Staff

Guest Lecturers

Many former students, now professional screenwriters, return to teach on the course which ensures it has a strong basis in the day-to-day practices of contemporary film and television production. In addition, we have visiting lecturers from the industry who regularly share their knowledge and experience.

Fees and funding

Home fee

£13,330

This fee is correct for 2024/25 entry and is subject to change for 2025/26 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£28,570

This fee is correct for 2024/25 entry and is subject to change for 2025/26 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to demonstrate a clear and passionate commitment to the medium of screenwriting together with their intent to extend their knowledge in this subject matter. Detail of prior experience and/or study are required to indicate a clear desire to write for film, television and radio and to successfully complete this programme of study.

An applicant will be considered for admission if they have already achieved an educational level equivalent to an honours degree. It is preferable that you have a previous degree, but it is not essential. We also accept students based on their writing talent and the work they submit during their application.

Educational level may be demonstrated by:

  • Honours degree (named above);
  • Possession of equivalent qualifications;
  • Prior experiential learning, the outcome of which can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required;
  • Or a combination of formal qualifications and experiential learning which, taken together, can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required.

APEL (Accreditation of Prior Learning)

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • OR a combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

Language requirements

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language, we strongly recommend you let us know your English language test score in your application. If you have booked a test or are awaiting your results, please indicate this in your application. When asked to upload a CV as part of your application, please include any information about your English test score.

  • IELTS 7.0 (or equivalent) is required, with a minimum of 6.0 in each of the four skills.
  • If your first language is not English, you can check you have achieved the correct IELTS level in English on the Language Requirements page.

For further details regarding international admissions and advice please visit the International Applications page.

Selection criteria

Offers will be made based on the following selection criteria, which applicants are expected to demonstrate:

  • A clear and passionate commitment to the medium of screenwriting, together with your intent to extend your knowledge in this subject matter.
  • Detailed prior experience and/or study required to indicate a clear desire to write for film, television and radio and to successfully complete this programme of study.

Apply now

Application deadline

Deadline

Round 1:

13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)

Round 2:

3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)

Video task deadline

Round 1:

16 January 2024

Round 2:

16 April 2024

Decision outcome

Round 1:

End of March 2024

Round 2:

End of June 2024

Round 1
Round 2
Deadline
13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)
3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)
Video task deadline
16 January 2024
16 April 2024
Decision outcome
End of March 2024
End of June 2024

All applications received by 3 April will be treated equally. If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Read more about deadlines

Apply now

Application deadline

Deadline

Round 1:

13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)

Round 2:

3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)

Video task deadline

Round 1:

16 January 2024

Round 2:

16 April 2024

Decision outcome

Round 1:

End of March 2024

Round 2:

End of June 2024

Round 1
Round 2
Deadline
13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)
3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)
Video task deadline
16 January 2024
16 April 2024
Decision outcome
End of March 2024
End of June 2024

All applications received by 3 April will be treated equally. If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Read more about deadlines

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How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement, CV and written task.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 500 words and include:

  • your reasons for choosing the course
  • your current creative practice and how this course will help you achieve your future plans
  • any relevant education and experience, especially if you do not have any formal academic qualifications.

Visit our personal statement page for more advice.

CV advice

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If you have any web projects or other media that you would like to share, please include links in your CV. If English is not your first language, please also include your most recent English language test score.

Written task advice

You will need to submit a written task alongside your initial application. This assignment is divided into 2 parts.

  • Part 1: Submit 10 pages of script from a short film or a larger piece of work. If it is from a larger piece, give a brief 1-page synopsis of the full project and the reason you chose this specific section.
  • Part 2:  Submit a 2–4-page outline for a second additional project.

Step 2: Video task

We will review your initial application. If you have met the standard entry requirements, we will ask you to submit a video task.

You’ll need to submit this via PebblePad, our online portfolio tool.

Video task advice

We would like you to submit a 2-3 minute video to help us learn more about you. When recording your task, please face the camera and speak in English.

What to include in your video task

  • In 90 seconds, name a film you wish your name had been on the credits as the writer, and why?
  • In 90 seconds, name a television series you wish your name had been on the credits as the writer, and why?

Read our guidance for how to submit your video task and which file types we accept.

Step 3: Interview

You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes.

For top tips, see our Interview advice.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Applying to more than 1 course

You can apply for more than 1 postgraduate course at UAL but we recommend that you apply for no more than 3 courses. You need to tailor your application, supporting documents and portfolio to each course, so applying for many different courses could risk the overall quality of your application. If you receive offers for multiple courses, you'll only be able to accept 1 offer. UAL doesn't accept repeat applications to the same course in the same academic year.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

We do not accept any deferral requests for our postgraduate courses. This means that you must apply in the year that you plan to start your course and you will not be able to defer your place to start at a later date.

Application deadlines

For postgraduate courses at UAL there are 2 equal consideration deadlines to ensure fairness for all our applicants. If you apply ahead of either of these deadlines, your application will be considered on an equal basis with all other applications in that round. If there are places available after the second deadline, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Careers

A high percentage of MA Screenwriting graduates go on to work in the industry as writers, script editors, producers, development executives, directors and readers. Graduates are employed not only in the UK but also in Europe, around the world and even in Hollywood.

Our current and past students are also regularly nominated for national and international awards, in addition, won critically acclaimed awards such as the Emmy Award, Page Award and The Palme d’Or.

The course team and alumni of MA Screenwriting maintain strong links with industry and production companies including: Working Title, ITV, Tiger Aspect, Feelgood Fiction, BBC Film, BBC Drama, Trademark, Red Planet, Red Productions, World Productions and many more.

A high percentage of students who have obtained commissions also return as industry guest speakers or to teach on the course and to help ensure that there is a continual open channel between the ever-changing industry and our students.