The Department of Film Media and Cultural Studies offers the following Master Programs:
Program Name
Journalism (MA)
Our MA Journalism offers you the opportunity to acquire a fast-track but thorough grounding in practical journalistic skills, a strong working knowledge of the media industry and the principal contemporary theories of media and culture, along with an ability to develop professional writing skills across journalistic genres. Beyond the core skills delivered in the fast-track module, subsequent modules combine professional skills with a more conceptual understanding of how to interpret and communicate ideas in professional media work.
Screenwriting (MA)
Our MA in Screenwriting offers you an integrated program in the history, theory and practice of screenwriting. It will develop your practical screenwriting skills and techniques, and you will be able to develop outlines, treatments and scripts towards a portfolio of original projects. Projects may be for film or television and the program will encourage you to write in different genres, and expect you to rewrite draft scripts with feedback and tutor support.
Digital Media Management (MA)
How can designers, managers, entrepreneurs and scholars keep pace with the rapidly changing field of digital media and web design? Is it possible to learn skills, approaches and methods that facilitate both current production and the anticipation of future developments in digital media? The MA Digital Media Management provides both the technical and conceptual framework required to succeed in the digital environment of today and tomorrow.
Digital Media Culture (MA)
How can scholars keep pace with the rapidly changing field of digital media, design and culture? Is it possible to learn academic research skills, approaches and methods that facilitate the understanding of both current forms of digital culture and the anticipation of future developments in digital media? The MA Digital Media Culture at Birkbeck introduces you to the key intellectual debates, discussions and texts shaping the field of digital culture and media theory.
Investigative Reporting (MA)
Investigative journalism is at a crossroads in theory and practice. Crises of ethics and funding have brought profound changes to the nature of long-form journalism, the ways in which it is produced and the institutions that invest in it.
Our MA Investigative Reporting brings together leading practitioners and institutions to deliver advanced training in emergent investigative newsgathering and publishing skills applicable to a range of professional contexts, within and beyond journalism. At the same time, this innovative program introduces you to critical accounts of the media’s watchdog function and journalism’s evolving social role.
Digital Media Design (MA)
How can designers, managers, entrepreneurs and scholars keep pace with the rapidly changing field of digital media and web design? Is it possible to learn skills, approaches and methods that facilitate both current production and the anticipation of future developments in digital media? The MA Digital Media Design provides both the technical and conceptual framework required to succeed in the digital environment of today and tomorrow.
Film and Screen Media (with Television) (MA)
Our MA Film and Screen Media (with Television) explores the history, development and interaction of film, television and other screen media. The program encourages you to explore a wide variety of screen media in historical, sociological, aesthetic and anthropological terms and in a variety of cultural and national contexts, with special focus on television. The pathway allows you to focus and personalize your MA studies and specialize in television to match your intellectual interests and career goals, while a work placement option allows you to gain practical experience that could enhance your career prospects.
Film Programming and Curating (MA)
A first of its kind, this MA in Film Programming and Curating explores the diverse ways in which films are selected and presented to an audience. Studying in the heart of London, one of the world’s leading media hubs, this program takes full advantage of its location to help you build professional networks, visit various sites of exhibition (from galleries and museums to film festivals and cultural centers) and learn about contemporary film programming and curatorial practice.
Arts Management (Postgraduate Diploma)
Arts management plays a vital role in designing, shaping and supporting the arts, helping to ensure that access, freedom and equality are achieved across all aspects of the cultural sector. Our flexible Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Management is ideal if you are an arts manager already, and wish to develop your practice and deepen your understanding of the background, theories and principles of arts and cultural management. Alternatively, if you are contemplating a career in arts policy and management and aim to understand current trends and debates that inform the day-to-day running of arts organizations, it provides a comprehensive overview of the sector.
Arts Policy and Management (MA)
Arts management plays a vital role in designing, shaping and supporting the arts, helping to ensure that access, freedom and equality are achieved across all aspects of the cultural sector. Our flexible MA Arts Policy and Management is ideal if you are an arts manager and wish to develop your practice and deepen your understanding of the background, theories and principles of arts and cultural management.
Film and Screen Media (with study abroad) (MA)
Our MA Film and Screen Media (with Study Abroad) explores the history, development and interaction of film, television and other screen media. You will have access to world-class postgraduate teaching and research at Birkbeck, and spend one term abroad at a leading university in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, or Canada. This is the only Master’s degree in film and screen media in the UK that includes an international exchange with prestigious European and North American universities. This program encourages you to explore a wide variety of screen media in historical, sociological, aesthetic and anthropological terms and, also, in a variety of cultural and national contexts.
About Birkbeck University of London
Birkbeck offers a unique combination of evening study and a matchless central London location, right in the geographic and academic center of the city, giving you exceptional opportunities.
At Birkbeck, you can build your own university experience, with as little or as much support as you need. Birkbeck offers a famously friendly, welcoming environment and we will be with you every step of the way, offering academic support and pastoral guidance, whenever you need it.
Birkbeck is different: our classes are held in the evening, so your days are free – to study, work, volunteer or just do your own thing.
We know the conventional university model isn’t right for everyone. Our evening teaching gives people who care about their future something special: the opportunity to study at a world-class, research-intensive university and progress their life goals at the same time.
With a global reputation for high-quality research and teaching, Birkbeck is part of the prestigious University of London, alongside University College London (UCL), King’s College London (KCL), the School of African and Oriental Studies (SOAS) and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), among others.
At Birkbeck, you can choose as much or as little of the standard university experience as you like. You might work during the day, study in one of Bloomsbury’s world-famous libraries, undertake an internship via Birkbeck Talent, our in-house professional recruitment service – or do something completely different. Many people are drawn to Birkbeck because we support and enable diverse life choices.
The combination of evening study and a city-centre location offer you exceptional opportunities. Our main campus is next to other universities, surrounded by world-famous museums and galleries and in the heart of corporate and governmental London.
With the West End, Soho, Covent Garden and King’s Cross on our doorstep you can take full advantage of London’s world-famous shops, restaurants, bars, theatres and clubs before and after your evening classes. Everything that London has to offer is here for you to enjoy.
In addition, you will have access to the affordable sports facilities, societies, music venues, bars and cafes of Student Central, right next door to our main campus in Bloomsbury, central London.
