Screenwriting MA

The University of Manchester

MA Screenwriting is structured around lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. Students' creative output includes short and feature screenplays and a television series pilot script.

This MA deepens the creativity of our students, embeds professional practice, encourages enterprise and enhances employability. Taught in the manner of a creative conservatoire, it prepares our graduates to forge successful and fulfilling careers in the UK and global film and television industries with confidence and flair.

The course was established by Tanya Seghatchian, producer of the Harry Potter films, Pawlikowski's Oscar winning 'Cold War' and Campion's Oscar winning 'The Power of the Dog'. It is taught by professional screenwriters and experienced educators Tim Price and Jonathan Hourigan.

As a student on MA Screenwriting you will attend lectures and participate in a range of inspiring, challenging and informative seminars and workshops. You will have regular one-to-one meetings with your tutors, access to visiting industry professionals and the possibility of an internship at a production company or a relationship with a professional screenwriting mentor. Participating production companies have included Film4 (Room, Ex Machina), Wildgaze (Brooklyn), Number 9 Films (Carol), Left Bank (The Crown), Warp (This is England), Red Productions (Happy Valley) and Hammer Films (The Woman in Black, Let Me In).

Over the two semesters of MA Screenwriting you will work closely with your tutors and collaborate with your contemporaries as you develop your screenwriting, pitching, story-breaking, script editing, analytical and other professional skills. You will attend screenings and will regularly be required to read, analyse and discuss screenplays and television episodes. This will broaden and deepen your critical awareness of the history of - and current trends in - UK and global film and television. You will have exposure to a range of approaches to story structure and you'll explore the generation and development of ideas, story design, characterisation, visual storytelling, genre, theme and scene construction. You will develop short screenplays, a full-length feature screenplay across at least two drafts and a pilot TV episode which, collectively, will showcase both your distinctive vision and professional capacities to the industry when you graduate.

As with all courses located within the Centre for New Writing, you will be taught by practitioners who are also experienced educators. It is an industry-focused and vocationally-oriented programme. You will receive individual career guidance and support around research, the business and finance of screenwriting, the preparation of CVs, the dissemination of your work, networking and the pursuit of entry level opportunities. Along with the possibility of an internship at a production company, there is also the possibility of a London industry day with exposure to a range of professionals including writers, producers, agents and commissioners.

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