Discover our
Preston Campus
Level
Post- graduate
Mode
Taught
Campus
Preston
Contact UCLan
Course Enquiries
University of Central Lancashire
Preston, PR1 2HE, UK.
Tel: +44 (0)1772 892400
Email: cenquiries@uclan.ac.uk
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Duration:
Full-time: One year
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Level:
Postgraduate
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Mode:
Taught
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Delivery:
Campus, Full-time
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Campus:
Preston
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Start Date:
September
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Award Type:
MA/PGDip
Why study this programme?
MA Film Production aims to assist students in establishing and furthering their film careers by deepening creative and technical skills and gaining mastery in short film production. The course offers the opportunity to work on a variety of film projects in narrative drama and documentary film, as well as fostering hybrid productions between fiction and documentary and other forms of experimentation. We encourage students to take risks with their film-making skills, through trying and testing stories and narratives, using state-of-the-art professional equipment and technologies.
Assessment is predominantly through the production of individual short pieces of film, although there are many opportunities for collaboration, culminating in a major film project in Semester 3. All modules are underpinned by solid contextualisation and the theory of short film design, allowing students to develop subject specific research skills and apply those to practical work. UCLan’s postgraduate Film Production course benefits from excellent regional, national and international links, with film production companies such as Warp Films, Red Productions, BBC and Netflix as well as guest lectures and workshops delivered by experienced, high-profile industry professionals.
In addition, the Film Buddy scheme has built strong working relationships with some of the UK's leading Film and TV Production Companies. Students have worked on major TV and Film Productions, including. BBC’s 'War of the Worlds', ITV’s 'Victoria', BBC’s 'Wanderlust' , Netflix 'The Feed', BBC’s 'Gunpowder', BBC’s 'World on Fire', 20th Century Fox 'Walk Like a Panther', BBC’s 'Years and Years', BBC’s 'Love Lies and Records', Netflix ‘The English Game’ and BBC’s 'Gentleman Jack'.
Entry Requirements
Good Honours Degree (2.1 or above) in related area or relevant experience. Applicants will be required to complete a series of tasks, as well as submission of showreel of work.
Programme at a Glance
180 credits as follows:
- Research Methods (30 credits)
- Advanced Production Processes and Techniques (30 credits)
- Film Production Projects (30 credits)
- Professional Production Practice (30 credits)
- Major Film Project (60 credits)
The course consists of five modules, four single modules leading up to the final, triple, major production module, giving the opportunity to make a professional, festival-ready short film. There is no Dissertation on this MA. Running alongside the taught modules are a series of weekly technical workshops to introduce students to the wide range of high-quality professional film equipment available to them, as well as post-production technologies.
Further Information
WINNERS OF 18 ROYAL TELEVISION SOCIETY STUDENT AWARDS
Students have the opportunity to:
- Take part in the film buddy scheme which offers a bespoke one on one mentoring service to encourage, inspire and assist students directly into work experience placements and employment within the film and television industry;
- Participate in the acclaimed cJAM careers jamming event, pitching to industry professionals to win work placements, many of which have turned into permanent jobs.
Based in the £15 million, state-of-the-art Media Factory you will have access to a range of high definition production equipment including advanced camera rigs and camera support rigs. The Media Factory also houses studio and recording spaces including motion capture, green screen, TV studio, audio recording and mixing studios and dedicated editing suites.
UCLan’s postgraduate Film Production course benefits from excellent, regional and national links with film production companies. Experienced industry professionals, academics and external, high profile, guest speakers deliver the course.
cJAM: Media
Final year undergraduate and postgraduate media students have the opportunity to get involved in our annual cJAM employability event. cJAM shakes-up the traditional career fair format and gives UCLan students face-to-face time with up to 30 successful industry professionals all of whom have come to the event with the offer of valuable work placement opportunities. The cJAM event format consists of four main components:
- Students hear from keynote industry speakers who share their personal career journey and how they got to where they are now.
- The industry Q&A session allows students to ask questions to gain further advice and insight.
- Informal networking opportunities during the breaks and lunch.
The key element of cJAM is the giant speed pitching session. The students have eight minutes one-to-one time to pitch to selected industry guests to try and win a placement. Students can choose to pitch an idea, their reasons for wanting a placement with that particular company or to showcase their enthusiasm, skills and talent. Immediately following the pitching session, placements are decided on and the event closes with all the winning students being presented with their placement awards.
In 2018, there were four cJAM events and a total of 320 placements were awarded. All of which enabled our students to establish credible links in line with their career aspirations. To find out more about cJAM: Media, see the video and press release.
How to Apply
Our Postgraduate section has more information around applying including visiting UCLan and the support available.
If you want to continue and apply now, you can apply for many of the postgraduate UCLan courses using our Online Application System.
For other postgraduate courses you can apply directly to UCLan by downloading a Postgraduate Application Form (.pdf 190KB) please also see our Postgraduate Application Guidance Notes (.pdf 158KB).
Handbook
For detailed information about studying this course at UCLan, please see the course handbook for your year of entry:
For information on possible changes to course information, see our Important Information.
Applications
Apply now or see further information about postgraduate study and research. International students should visit our international pages.
Fees 2020/21
Full-time: £6,900 per year (UK/EU)
Further information:
- Tuition Fees | International Fees
- Student Finance: Overview | Contact
- Information for international students
For 2019/20 fees please refer to our fees page.
UK Government Postgraduate Loans Scheme
If you're thinking of studying a master's or doctoral degree you could be eligible for a loan from the Government to help you study.
For additional help with financing your studies, UCLan offers a range of Postgraduate scholarships, studentships, bursaries and the Alumni loyalty discount.
Industry Links
UCLan’s MA Film Production course benefits from excellent regional, national and international links, with film production companies such as Warp Films, Red Productions, BBC and Netflix as well as guest lectures and workshops delivered by experienced, high-profile industry professionals.
Staff teaching on the course have a variety of different specialisms from the film and television industry.
Learning Environment and Assessment
Most modules are delivered at the Preston campus, with the main production modules based at the Media Factory, UCLan's £15m purpose built media powerhouse, with outstanding facilities and excellent technical and academic support. Students have access to a range of High Definition production equipment including advanced camera rigs and camera support rigs. The Media Factory also offers ample studio and recording spaces including motion capture, green screen, TV studio, audio recording and mixing studios, dedicated edit suites and many more shared facilities, all of which is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Assessment is by submission of films produced and written and oral presentations of research outcomes. Students have to meet a set of learning outcomes appropriate to masters level study to pass their modules
Graduate Careers
Students typically move into production related areas, many of them regularly in the credits of major cinema and TV releases. Some choose to embark on careers in directing, camera or writing.
Students can sit technical undergraduate workshops and seminars as required and have to take part in enterprise based activities run by Futures and Northern Lights.
