Program Overview

MA Wildlife Documentary Production

Overview

The MA Wildlife Documentary Production is a postgraduate program designed to provide students with the research, scriptwriting, and technical skills necessary to establish themselves as skilled filmmakers in the wildlife documentary industry.

Course Details

• Attendance: Full-time, Part-time
• Duration: One year (full-time), Two years (part-time)
• Next Enrolment: September 2025

Introduction

This program is designed to give students hands-on experience in wildlife documentary production, with a focus on research, scriptwriting, and technical skills. Students will have the opportunity to attend masterclasses given by expert practitioners with links to the television industry.

Course Structure

• Semester One:
  • Wildlife, Biology and Ecology
  • Media Theory and Practice
• Semester Two:
  • Advanced Production Practices
  • Wildlife Research Skills
• Semester Three:
  • Major Project: Practical Research Project
  • Major Project: Dissertation

Assessment

Assessment will be based on outcomes, self-reflection exercises, and learning plans. Each module will use a combination of assessment criteria, including production exercises and portfolios, projects, critical essays, and a dissertation project.

Requirements

• Applicant Profile: Committed science graduates with experience in documentary filmmaking and a keen interest in wildlife documentary production.
• Standard Entry Requirements: Relevant second-class honors degree, 2:2 or above.
• International Students: IELTS score of 6.5, with no element below 5.5.
• Alternative Entry Requirements: Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) may be considered.

Tuition Fees

• Full-time Home: £10,350 per year (2025/26)
• Full-time International: £17,000 per year (2025/26)
• Part-time: £1,725 per 30 credit module (2025/26)

Scholarships

High-achieving international students may be eligible for scholarships.

Career Opportunities

Graduates have gone on to secure professional roles in producing, directing, and researching for internationally renowned organizations, including the BBC Natural History Unit.