Program Overview

MA Cinematography

Overview

MA Cinematography offers you a unique opportunity to develop the necessary skills and techniques to work professionally within the camera department, employ a range of technical and creative techniques to develop and enhance visual storytelling, and explore a range of film formats and processes.

Why Take the Course?

• Practical: Through hands-on exercises, workshops, seminars, masterclasses, and screenings, students will gain the skills and knowledge required to work with cameras and lighting to industry standards.
• Comprehensive: Gain skills vital for look, design, and rushes management through creative and technical training in grading and processing software, to enhance the visual aesthetics of student productions.
• Industry-Facing: Opportunities to gain a wide range of industry-relevant skills across projects including a short, filmed project, 35mm workshop and shooting exercise, and classes on the function of each major camera departmental role.
• Real-life Experience: Students will get the chance to work as a director of photography alongside other MA pathways on short video content for external clients, providing the opportunity to further highlight their talent.
• Professional tutors: Many of our teaching staff are currently working in the industry as: TV and film directors, broadcast journalists, producers, writers, and more.

Programme Aims

• Deep understanding of the roles and responsibilities relating to being a cinematographer for a range of screen platforms.
• The ability to interpret and craft creative projects suitable for industry and audiences.
• The skills need to deliver content that is of a professional standard and fresh in its approach.
• The ability to articulate the role visual screen storytelling plays in contributing positively and progressively to an increasingly globalised and inclusive world.
• Developed to high level productive ways of working with directors, producers, and crew in the realisation of compelling and meaningful content.
• A detailed, structured, and ethical approach to content production including incorporation of lighting and exposed principles that acknowledge a range of skin tones and other characteristics of inclusive production.
• A positive engagement with the use of non-discriminatory language and conventions in relation to role and filming processes.
• Understanding of the role of research and intellectual enquiry as an integral part of academic development and professional practice.
• The knowledge, skills, and understanding to enable you to develop professionally as a contemporary screen professional.

What You Will Study

Over three trimesters, you will gain advanced insight into not only the work of a cinematographer, but also into the implications of crafting and delivering screen content to a wide variety of audiences and contexts.

Trimester One focuses on the essential elements of cinematography: camera, light, exposure, and interpretation in a range of circumstances including the film or television studio. Alongside that you will explore your own qualities as you build a career profile that will develop as the course – and your understanding – increases.

In Trimester Two, you will put your understanding into practice through an ambitious production exercise where you will experience the expectations of delivering to a brief with external clients. You will also be given the opportunity to develop your narrative and creative skills through a series of collaborative filming exercises. Alongside this, you will join with students from all disciplines to explore in depth the role of research and the significance of EDI in both your academic and professional development.

In Trimester Three, you will draw together your practical, theoretical, and industry understanding into a final piece, working alongside other MA students on a filmed artefact and complete your career plan as part of your progression into real world employment.

Module Overview

• Cinematography Craft and Industry: Through seminars and practical exercises, you will explore the core craft skills a cinematographer needs in today’s screen industries, including the roles and function of the camera department.
• Shooting interior and exterior: You will cover a range of skills appropriate to your role, including the mechanics of lighting and camera movement across a range of shooting scenarios, with emphasis on exposure, depth of field, lens choice and camera placement, and how to use these techniques to tell a story.
• Professional Profile: You will develop authentic and detailed career paperwork and supporting materials including a CV and personal profile.
• Client-driven Cinematography: Working with production teams drawn from other pathways, you will work as a DOP on a number of videos for external clients.
• Creative Cinematography: This module consists of a series of workshops and exercises in advanced aspects of cinematography, which includes a more sophisticated look at lighting and camerawork, such as the importance of inclusive lighting and exposure principles.
• Practice-based Research: Building on the work of previous and concurrent modules, you will gain a deeper insight into current theories, principles, and discussions relating to issues of diversity, sustainability, and ethics within the screen industries.
• Final Project and Career Path: Your third collaborative project gives you the opportunity to work independently to create work that demonstrates your development as a cinematographer/DOP.

Teaching, Learning & Assessment

We include a diverse range of teaching methods which include:

• Productions
• Seminar-style Group Teaching
• Tutorials
• Practical Group Work
• Formative Feedback through Critiques, Pitches, Screenings, and Reflective Sessions
• Work-integrated Learning
• Authentic Assessment

We use a wide range of assessment which include portfolios, performances, research, presentations, and reflective work.

Entry Requirements

• Standard Entry Requirements:
  • Age: All applicants must be 18 years or older at the time the programme begins.
  • Education: A 2:1 honours degree from a UK university or overseas equivalent.
• Applicants must also submit:
  • A personal statement of at least 500 words.
• Students Not Meeting Academic Requirements:
  • Students without a degree, but who can demonstrate relevant industry experience or a degree below a 2:1 equivalent are still able to apply.
  • They will need to submit the following:
    • A professional industry reference.
    • A professional CV.
    • A 750 word statement of why you wish to enter the screen industries, indicating the ways in which you think they are changing.

Equipment Requirements

Students receive the Office 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud License for the duration of their course.

Application Information

For more information on MA Cinematography entry requirements, language requirements, funding, and the application process please visit:

• Study with Us

Dates & Prices

• London:
  • 22 September 2025 - 25 September 2026
  • £24,500 – UK Students
  • £24,500 – EU/EEA Students
  • £26,500 – International Students
• Berlin:
  • 22 September 2025 - 25 September 2026
  • €21,500 – EU/EEA Students
  • €23,500 – International Students
• Leeds:
  • 22 September 2025 - 25 September 2026
  • £19,000 – UK Students
  • £19,000 – EU/EEA Students
  • £21,000 – International Students