MA Screenwriting / Course details

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.

Industry speakers

Speakers from the film and TV industries have included Jane Langford, Senior Scripted Producer and Development Consultant at Saffron Cherry, Beth Pattinson of BBC Films ( Brooklyn, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Philomena ), Chris Chibnall, writer and creator of Broadchurch and Pete Czernin, producer of In Bruges and Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (1 and 2). 

Internship opportunities

During the second semester as students approach the end of their studies, we hope to offer the possibility of either a `hands-on' internship, or industry placement, of up to two weeks at a major film or television production company in London or the north-west or a mentor relationship with a professional screenwriter. An internship provides an opportunity to gain a direct, practical understanding of the context in which development and production take place. It also allows students to network and develop contacts as well as to reinforce `soft' and transferable skills developed during the MA. Meanwhile, a mentor relationship provides students with an opportunity to discuss their screenwriting and professional ambitions with an established professional.

As an industry-focused and vocationally-oriented programme located within a Russell Group university, teaching and learning reflect industry development practice and a robust pedagogy.

During each of the two semesters of MA Screenwriting you will undertake two units (see Course Units below). For each unit you will meet for three hours each week and generally, both units convene on the same day. MA Screenwriting is delivered via lectures, seminars, workshops, one-to-one meetings, screenings and independent study, with practice and theory in dialogue with one another throughout. The programme requires and rewards high levels of student commitment and participation, along with excellent creative, analytical and reflective abilities.

Course capacity is strictly limited and teaching and learning take place in small groups. Lectures, screenings and seminar discussions may involve the whole cohort, whilst workshops are structured around smaller numbers of students working together. Students will also have one-to-one meetings with the Programme Director, their Academic Advisor, each semester to review progress, professional objectives and any pastoral issues. 

At the heart of the programme, students develop a portfolio of creative work that both reflects their distinctive `voice' and meets professional standards. Students will generate ideas and go on to produce treatments, short and feature screenplays and a television pilot episode. 

The discussion of students' creative work in development takes place in small Project Development Groups of three or four students, supported by your tutor and modelled on the practice and ethos of a professional writers' room. This encourages creative risk-taking, along with insightful, challenging and supportive exploration of one another's work. It also develops students' collaborative, creative and analytical capacities, as well as their ability both to give and receive development notes.

Students will also undertake creative writing and analytical exercises, make presentations, produce script reports, learn to pitch persuasively and develop a CV. They should graduate with a distinctive and compelling portfolio of work and with a confident, informed, mature, entrepreneurial and professional approach to their nascent career.

Students are required to undertake a range of assignments and to develop their creative work throughout each semester. 

Each unit is formally assessed at the end of the semester by a portfolio that may include film and television treatments, a Feature Film Portfolio that outlines the initial development of a feature screenplay, short and feature film screenplays and script reports.

Over the summer, you will complete your `dissertation', which comprises a final, revised draft of a full-length feature screenplay.

From our very first conversation early last summer when he encouraged me to apply, Jonathan has been an amazing guide and support for me. Without this I definitely wouldn't be where I am today, with a film I'm proud of and confidence in myself and my writing. I'm so grateful for the generosity; in the extra teaching time Jonathan provided, all the extra-curricular activities he set up as well as always being there at the end of the phone or an email. It's made a world of difference.

Evie Playfoot-Orme, MA Screenwriting

All the teaching, feedback and encouragement has really brought me and my writing on. It's made me really optimistic for the future and I'll always remember this year as the most fun I've had in education by a country mile.

Joe Jones, MA Screenwriting

Find out more about the student experience by reading MA Screenwriting student Harrison's blog post about his time on this course at Manchester.

You will have access to one of the UK's five National Research Libraries at Manchester, as well as 24/7 study facilities at the Alan Gilbert Learning Commons.

Find out more about facilities for master's students .