Screenwriting

Program Overview

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MA Screenwriting

Overview

The MA Screenwriting is a well-established programme at Edinburgh Napier University, launched in 2006. It is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries, and carries the ScreenSkills Select endorsement. The course is studied at the Screen Academy Scotland, a ScreenSkills recognised Film Academy.

Mode of Study:

• Full-time (available as Part-time)

Duration:

• 1 year

Start date:

• September

Entry Requirements

• Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above in any discipline
• Relevant work experience within the industry may be considered
• Personal statement outlining why you want to write for the screen (maximum 300 words)
• Outline for a feature film or single television drama (maximum one page)
• Writing sample (maximum 10 pages)

English Language Requirements

• IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of 6.0 with no individual component score of less than 5.5

Fees & Funding

• Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £7,280 (2024/25), £7,650 (2025/26)
• Overseas and EU: £18,800 (2024/25), £19,750 (2025/26)

Careers

• Screenwriter
• Script Editor
• Head of Development
• Commissioning Editor
• Fiction and factual content Producer

Course Details

Adaptation across Media (CLP11176)

• Practical module that explores the field of adaptation studies
• Examines issues like staying faithful to the original and the different affordances that different media provide
• Develops creative practice in adapting one type of text into another

From Script to Screen (SCA11104)

• Module that looks at storytelling and screenwriting for film and television in various contexts
• Develops skills to examine the practices and products of screenwriting from a critical perspective
• Inform your own work and practice

Major Project (SCA11106)

• Module that forms a significant element of the course
• Opportunity to undertake a major piece of creative work in the final trimester
• Produce a substantial piece of written work in your chosen medium

Script workshop 1 (SCA11102)

• Module that develops a range of short form work
• Follows a process that mirrors that of a professional screenwriter
• Generates ideas and develops projects

Script workshop 2 (SCA11105)

• Module that develops a portfolio of creative work
• Includes one polished draft of a 30' screenplay together with accompanying pitch and presentational documents
• Focuses on television drama and comedy

The Business of Screen Project Development (SCA11101)

• Module that examines the make-up of the film and television industries
• Critically explores how films are financed
• Examines the relationship between broadcasters and independent production companies

Writing and Screen Project Development (SCA11100)

• Module that introduces students to the language, concepts, and skills commonly used in the development of projects for the screen
• Examines the key elements, skills, and terminology of dramatic screenwriting
• Reviews the key documents generated in the development and commissioning process

Writing for Graphic Fiction (CLP11109)

• Module that introduces students to and enhances their understanding of writing for the medium of graphic fiction
• Develops core skills and techniques for creating graphic fiction narratives
• Enhances collaborative skills
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Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

The MA Screenwriting program at Edinburgh Napier University was launched in 2006 and has since become one of the leading screenwriting Masters courses in the UK. It is recognized by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries, and carries the ScreenSkills Select endorsement, indicating its suitability for preparing students for careers in the screen industries. The program is delivered at the Screen Academy Scotland, a ScreenSkills recognized Film Academy. The program is designed for aspiring screenwriters, script editors, script developers, and creative producers. It aims to develop skills in screenwriting, creativity, analytical thinking, academic writing, professional writing for film (script reports, coverage), editing, and developmental skills. The program takes a general approach across film, television, and other media, developing core craft skills for screenwriting, enhancing script editing and story development skills, placing teaching and student work in an industry context, and introducing students to staff and industry guests working as writers, producers, directors, and in script development at a high, professional level.

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Outline:

The MA Screenwriting program is taught two days a week (currently Thursdays and Fridays) and is delivered over one year. The program is structured around a series of modules, including: It includes topics such as trans/interdisciplinary definitions of adaptation, meanings of adaptation, adaptation as an intertextual, intercultural, inter-medial operation, adaptation across media, the underpinnings of the practice of adaptation, and the practice of adaptation across media. It develops skills to examine the practices and products of screenwriting from a critical perspective and to use this to inform students' own work and practice. The module is delivered through lectures, seminars, and screenings from Screen Academy staff and guest lecturers. It is divided into two parts: the first focuses on considerations of genre, and the second focuses on screenwriting craft, technique, and theory.

• Major Project (SCA11106): This module forms a significant element of the course and provides students with the opportunity to undertake a major piece of creative work in their chosen medium (film, television, or new media).
Students produce a substantial piece of written work over the summer trimester, which serves as a key element in their creative portfolio. The module allows students to utilize the tools, techniques, and confidence they have built up over the previous modules and to write their "calling card" script.
• Script Workshop 1 (SCA11102): This module guides students through a professional development process from idea to a polished first draft script, using the short film as a model.
Students follow a process that mirrors that of a professional screenwriter, generating ideas and developing their projects, producing a series of documents (premise, synopsis, outline, step outline, treatment, and various drafts of a short 10-minute film script). The written work is regularly circulated and workshopped in small groups, developing and enhancing projects, stimulating teamwork and collaboration, and helping students develop their writing, story-, script-editing, and interpersonal skills.
• Script Workshop 2 (SCA11105): This module focuses on developing a portfolio of material with a focus on television.
Students set writing exercises, deliver homework, and receive feedback from tutors, visiting guests, and fellow students. Over 12 weeks, students develop a 30-minute script from idea to polished final draft. The focus is on the craft of screenwriting, developing students' technical skills and a critical awareness of the various possibilities and demands of the form.
• The Business of Screen Project Development (SCA11101): This module provides a broad contextual overview of the various institutions, structures, and key personnel in the film and television industries.
It examines the make-up of the film industry in the UK and internationally, explores how films are financed, and examines the make-up of the television industry and the relationship between broadcasters and independent production companies. It also includes sessions on legal affairs relevant to screenwriters and producers in development, examining copyright, option, and assignment agreements.
• Writing and Screen Project Development (SCA11100): This module introduces students to the language, concepts, and skills commonly used in the development of projects for the screen.
It examines the key elements, skills, and terminology of dramatic screenwriting and reviews the key documents generated in the development and commissioning process. It also explores the role and importance of research in screen project development. It develops core skills and techniques for creating graphic fiction narratives, encourages creative partnerships, and focuses on writing graphic fiction for particular markets.

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Assessment:

The program uses a range of assessments to evaluate student learning, including:

• Screenwriting (short form, TV, and film)
• Industry documents (script reports, coverage)
• Professionally-focused reports (a case study on the chosen area)
• Academic writing

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Teaching:

The program is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, screenings, and exercises. The teaching staff includes working screenwriters and producers, and there are regular visits from professional writers, producers, directors, and those working in script editing and development.

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Careers:

The MA Screenwriting program prepares students for a range of careers in the screen industries, including:

• Screenwriter
• Television writer
• Producer
• Script development

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Other:

The program encourages collaboration between students, with MA Screenwriters working closely with students on the MA Film program. The Screen Academy Scotland website provides more details on the programs, past students, and industry activities. The Screen Academy is equipped with state-of-the-art editing and production equipment. Students are encouraged to take up the offer of a heavily-discounted Industry Pass to the Edinburgh International Film Festival, which provides opportunities for extra-curricular educational experiences.

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Tuition fees for 2024/25

Students From 2024/25 2025/26 Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £7,280 £tba Overseas and EU £18,800 £tba The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. The discount can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount. For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount. Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.