Screenwriting

Program Overview

MA Screenwriting

Overview

The MA Screenwriting was launched at Edinburgh Napier University in 2006 and has adapted and developed since then to become one of the strongest screenwriting Masters courses on offer in the UK.

This course is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries and carries the ScreenSkills Select endorsement which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.

The course is studied at the Screen Academy Scotland, a ScreenSkills recognised Film Academy.

While the course is primarily for aspiring screenwriters, it is also aimed at those interested in script editing, script development and creative producing.

Teaching staff are working screenwriters and producers and there are regular visits from professional writers, producers, directors and those working in script editing and development.

Mode of Study:

• Part-time (available as Full-time)

Duration:

• 1 years

Start date:

• Sep

Course details

• In recent years, this course has developed a strong international profile, attracting a diverse range of students. As a student at Screen Academy Scotland you will be part of a large and thriving film community.
• Collaboration is encouraged and MA Screenwriters work closely with students on the MA Film programme.
• The MA Screenwriting will develop skills in screenwriting, creativity, analytical thinking, academic writing, professional writing for film (script reports, coverage), editing and developmental skills.
• In summary, the MA Screenwriting:
  • takes a general approach across film, television and other media
  • develops the core craft skills for screenwriting
  • enhances script editing and story development skills
  • places teaching and student work in an industry context
  • introduces students to staff and industry guests working as writers, producers, directors and in script development at a high, professional level

Modules

• From Script to Screen ( SCA11104 ) This module looks at storytelling and screenwriting for film and television in various contexts - historical, social, cultural, scholarly and theoretical. Students will develop the skills to examine the practices and products of screenwriting from a critical perspective and to use this to inform their own work and practice.
• Major Project ( SCA11106 ) This module forms a significant element of the course and is the opportunity to undertake a major piece of creative work in the final trimester.
• SCRIPT WORKSHOP 2A ( SCA11107 ) Over a series of weekly workshops, students develop their own projects from idea to polished first draft.
• SCRIPT WORKSHOP 2B ( SCA11108 ) Over a series of weekly workshops, students develop their own projects from idea to polished first draft.
• Script workshop 1 ( SCA11102 ) In this module, students develop a range of short form work - short films, sketches, web dramas, monologues, animation, vertical format etc.
• The Business of Screen Project Development ( SCA11101 ) The module is delivered as a series of weekly sessions combining lectures, seminars and visits from industry guests.
• Writing and Screen Project Development ( SCA11100 ) A series of lectures and seminars introduce students to the language, concepts and skills commonly used in the development of projects for the screen.

Entry requirements

• What are the entry requirements for Screenwriting? The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above in any discipline.
• Can I get admission into Screenwriting based on my working experience in this sector? This course has academic entry requirements which are assessed alongside relevant work experience.
• English language If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test.

Fees & funding

• Tuition fees for 2024/25 Students from: | 2024/25 | 2025/26 ---|---|--- Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland | £7,280 | £7,650 Overseas and EU-Total Fee | £19,215 | £19,750

Careers

• What can you do with a degree in Screenwriting? By studying Screenwriting at Edinburgh Napier University/Screen Academy Scotland you will prepare yourself to embark on a variety of exciting and challenging career paths focussing on the development of stories for the screen industries in the UK and beyond, as a screenwriter or in other story development roles - or even as a creative producer.
• What does a Screenwriter do? As a Screenwriter you will craft compelling narratives and bring stories to life on the screen, your creativity, imagination and storytelling prowess captivating audiences and evoking emotion.

Program Outline

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.

Outline:

The MA Screenwriting is a part-time program starting in September and taking two years to complete. It is taught two days a week (currently Thursdays and Fridays). Students develop skills to critically examine screenwriting practices and products and use this knowledge to inform their own work. The module is delivered through lectures, seminars, and screenings from Screen Academy staff and guest lecturers. It is divided into two parts:

• Genre:
Students explore genre from various perspectives, including academic, commercial, and practical. They produce a written essay on an aspect of genre that interests them.
• Screenwriting Craft: Students delve into screenwriting craft, technique, and theory, considering the influence of screenwriting theorists and the work of individual screenwriters.
They produce a case study focusing on a screenwriter, screenwriting theorist, screenwriting technique, or a critical study of an adaptation.
• Major Project (SCA11106): This module is a significant element of the course, allowing students to undertake a major piece of creative work in the final trimester.
Students produce a substantial piece of written work in their chosen medium – film, television, or new media. The completed work forms a key element in their creative portfolio. There is no formal teaching in this module, but students have access to their tutor throughout the trimester. Students can choose to write a:
• Feature Film Screenplay
• Single Television drama or Series Pilot Episode + Series Outline
• Detailed Interactive or New Media Project
• SCRIPT WORKSHOP 2A (SCA11107): This module involves a series of weekly workshops where students develop their own projects from idea to polished first draft.
The workshops are project-driven and student-centered, with students presenting work for peer review, comments, and critique. Students also read and write script reports on each other's work. It emphasizes sharing knowledge and practical and craft skills. This module may have a greater emphasis on film over television.
• SCRIPT WORKSHOP 2B (SCA11108): This module is similar to SCRIPT WORKSHOP 2A, but it gives part-time students the opportunity to write a new piece of work or start development work towards the major project.
This module may have a greater emphasis on television over film.
• Script workshop 1 (SCA11102): This module uses the short film as a model to guide students through a professional development process from idea to a polished first draft script.
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 or treatment, and various drafts of a short 10-minute film script. This written work is regularly circulated and workshopped in small groups. The module encourages students to engage in original research and critically appraise and assess various types of research that a writer might undertake. Guest speakers, including professional writers, producers, and script developers, may participate in workshops to develop specific aspects of the craft.
• The Business of Screen Project Development (SCA11101): This module is delivered through weekly sessions combining lectures, seminars, and visits from industry guests.
It provides students with a broad contextual overview of the various institutions, structures, and key personnel in the film and television industries. Students examine the make-up of the film industry in the UK and internationally, critically explore how films are financed, and examine the make-up of the television industry and the relationship between broadcasters and independent production companies. The module also covers legal affairs relevant to screenwriters and producers in development, including 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, including film, television, drama, documentary, and new media and interactive forms.
Students examine the key elements, skills, and terminology of dramatic screenwriting and review the key documents generated in the development and commissioning process. The module aims to develop the critical and practical abilities needed in screen project development, including an understanding of the language and terminology, personal and interpersonal skills, a critical understanding of the various roles in the creative and industrial process, and a sense of the marketplace across the various forms and formats.

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 your chosen area)
• Academic writing

Teaching:

The MA Screenwriting is taught at the Screen Academy, which is equipped with state-of-the-art editing and production equipment. The program is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, screenings, and guest lectures. 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.

Careers:

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

• Screenwriter
• Television writer
• Producer
• Script development

Other:

• The program encourages collaboration between MA Screenwriting students and students on the MA Film program.
• 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, including viewing films, assessing the current market, attending guest lectures and industry-focused sessions, networking, making contacts, pitching projects, etc.
• The Screen Academy Scotland website provides more details on the programs, past students, and industry activities.

Tuition fees for 2024/25 Students from 2024/25 2025/26 Stage 1 £3,315 £tba Stage 2 £3,965 £tba ====== ====== Total - Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £7,280 £tba ============================ ====== ====== Stage 1 £8,450 £tba Stage 2 £10,350 £tba ====== ====== Overseas and EU-Total Fee £18,800 £tba ============================ ====== ====== 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.