This distinctive and exciting programme integrates filmmaking practice with textual and historical approaches to the study of film and television. As a student in this innovative course, you can engage with critical and theoretical perspectives and develop analysis skills at a high level. You will also have the opportunity to learn the skills of filmmaking, working intensively in small groups to explore narrative and aesthetic possibilities and gain insights into the craft and industry of screen media. You will encounter a range of different research methods and be supported as you progress to independent learning and practice.
The University of Bristol has over 50 years of experience in this field and the programme draws on the expertise of world-leading scholars, expert practitioners and industry professionals. The Department of Film and Television hosts a series of research seminars and industry talks designed to enrich your studies. Our facilities include two cinemas, a production studio, animation and edit suites, seminar rooms and sound rooms.
Bristol is an excellent city in which to study film and television, with its varied cinema, television and digital media spaces, including the Arnolfini, BBC Bristol, Cube Microplex and Watershed Media Centre. Bristol is a UNESCO City of Film. Bristol's harbourside is home to an array of film festivals, including the Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival, the Slapstick Festival and the Afrika Eye Festival.
The programme has been designed to develop your skills and knowledge cumulatively while allowing you the opportunity to tailor your learning to your own areas of interest.
In the first term, you will have the option to be taught skills and techniques of written formal analysis. You will also have the option to learn the core skills of practical filmmaking. These units will provide the foundation for optional units, many of which will incorporate elements of intensive practice alongside more traditional critical and theoretical learning. In the second term, you will develop an understanding of research approaches, which will provide you with the necessary foundation to progress to the dissertation stage.
Optional units may vary but will draw on departmental expertise and specialisms such as aesthetics, television drama, cinematography, documentary, editing, national cinemas, screen histories, television drama, and writing for the screen. You can choose from a wider range of units available within the Faculty.
At the dissertation stage you will choose from three options: taking up an industrial placement, for which you will also produce a written element; writing an extended essay on a film and/or television topic of your choice; or producing a piece of practice either individually or in a team (usually a short film or a film script) to be accompanied by individual written reflection. All dissertation options will be supervised by one or more academic advisers.
Visit our programme catalogue for full details of the structure and unit content for our MA in Film and Television.
We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree.
We will also consider your application if your final overall achieved grade is slightly lower than the programme's entry requirement.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.