Program Overview

MA Documentary | Part-time

About this course

This dynamic and practical Documentary MA from LJMU will develop your creative storytelling and multi-media production skills.

• Explore documentary making via a variety of platforms and media
• Develop skills in entrepreneurship and internationalisation
• Work with award-winning documentary makers and experienced journalists
• Undertake a placement with a professional media company
• Attend the UK's premier documentary festival, Sheffield DockFest
• Access to industry-standard technology and equipment

Develop the core skills required to become a successful documentary maker on this new Masters course. Through the exploration of practical camerawork skills, including sound recording, editing and interviewing, you will gain confidence in your craft, while the journalism modules will develop your skills in storytelling, interviewing and journalistic principles. You will also study and understand the laws which impact responsible journalism, including the latest media law and ethics.

Recently, a group of MA Documentary students accompanied Prof Serge Wich and MSc Wildlife Conservation and Drone Applications students for a trip of a lifetime, to use their expertise to document a wildlife conversation trip to the jungles of Tanzania. Prof Wich has dedicated his career to tracking animals in the region, including how to collect data on animal behaviour and the density of animals, mapping threats to various species, and mastering complex drone data collection skills. Watch a short promotional film produced by the MA Documentary students below.

The degree is taught by two departments in Liverpool Screen School: Media Production and Journalism. The collaborative nature of the degree means you will receive the best learning support, access to the latest techniques, academic research and opportunities to engage with key external partners including the BBC, ITV; Northern Lights Partnership; Nine Lives Media; Blakeway North; Lime Pictures; and the BAFTA award-winning companies Hurricane Films and LA Productions.

"I really enjoyed the MA Documentary, and am very grateful to have been given the opportunity to further develop the technical and storytelling skills learnt on the course. Using immersive technologies, my PhD will design and develop a toolkit aimed at reducing the risk of suicide attempts. Ever since the day I joined the University, LJMU has provided the platform for a very strong guidance system. Where students have the will, the tutors here make the way."

Salma Shalaby, student, awarded an LJMU VC Scholarship to study at PhD level

Course modules

Discover the building blocks of your programme

Further guidance on modules

Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.

Core modules

• Documentary Production (30 credits)
  • This module represents the programme's main focus for developing advanced practical production and post production skills. Lectures and workshops form the basis of the module with students undertaking self-directed learning, supported by one-to-one tutorials, to develop and enhance their core practical skills and develop key specialisms. This will be demonstrated by practical assignments which comprise the portfolio and the accompanying reflective commentary will demonstrate an informed knowledge of documentary practice and the ability to critically evaluate and assess their own work and the published work of others that informs their own practice.
• Research & Story Development 1 (30 credits)
  • This module is designed to help students develop core narrative and storytelling skills, including the critical analysis required to research and develop an initial story idea into their masters documentary project, which constitutes the major documentary of the programme award.
• Documentary Platforms (30 credits)
  • This module is an opportunity for students to explore a range of technical skills in the development of compelling, tangible narratives on different media platforms, such as audio interfaces and non-linear interactive interfaces, producing engaging, dynamic content, including soundscaping, digital text, images, effects, video and animations.
• Research & Story Development 2 (30 credits)
  • Working to a story brief negotiated with module tutors in semester one, this module is designed to equip students with the advanced research skills including an understanding of ethical considerations, with support, in order to deliver their final masters project, on a media platform of choice.
• Documentary Project (60 credits)
  • This module is designed to allow students to demonstrate mastery of storytelling within their chosen subject area, by the production of a documentary on a media platform of their choice, which they have driven and managed, including all relevant research. This constitutes their final masters project. An accompanying written reflective commentary is designed to demonstrate advanced skills in critical thinking.

Professional accreditation

The Liverpool Screen School is a BAFTA albert Education Partner and proud to be working with albert to arm students with the sustainability knowledge they’ll need when joining the screen industries. BAFTA albert is the leading screen industry organisation for environmental sustainability.

Your Learning Experience

Teaching Assessment

Study hours

The majority of seminars, workshops and practical sessions take place on Tuesdays, with an intensive period at the start of semester one to kick start your learning.

Teaching methods

You will be taught by professional, experienced and enthusiastic academic staff and practitioners from the media industry. Each tutor offers extensive and current practical industry experience in radio, television, interactive media, online journalism and documentary-making.

Career paths

Further your career prospects

LJMU has an excellent employability record with 94% (HESA 2022) of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.

Tuition fees and funding

Home

Part-time per credit: £60

Fees

The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.

Financial Support

There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.

Additional Costs

In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:

• Accommodation
• Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
• Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire

Entry requirements

You will need:

Home International

Qualification requirements

• a minimum 2:2 degree

Alternative qualifications considered

• Although most applicants will be graduates, those without a degree and other non-standard applications will be considered. The Programme Leader will consider such applications on the basis of experience

Additional requirements

• Interview required
  • You will not be interviewed (unless the Programme Leader deems it necessary)

Further information

• Extra Requirements
  • to demonstrate a genuine interest and commitment to practical filmmaking (non-media graduates)
  • to demonstrate the ability to benefit from and contribute to the programme
• RPL
  • RPL is accepted on this programme

International requirements

• IELTS English language requirement: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each component)

Further information

• Extra Requirements
  • to demonstrate a genuine interest and commitment to practical filmmaking (non-media graduates)
  • to demonstrate the ability to benefit from and contribute to the programme
• RPL
  • RPL is accepted on this programme

How to apply

To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.

When you submit your completed LJMU online application form, you will also need to submit your academic transcript or equivalent and an academic reference.

Your university life

From accommodation and academic support to clubs and societies. Find out what LJMU has to offer.

Related Links

• Accommodation
• Postgrad life at LJMU
• Living in Liverpool
• Your campus
• Go Abroad
• Sports, societies and lifestyle

Talk to our students

Connect with a current LJMU student for advice and guidance on university life, courses and more.

See what our students are saying

At LJMU we want you to know you’re making the right choice by studying with us. You can see what our students are saying about their experience with us through their reviews on the following websites:

Related Links

• Read Student Crowd reviews
• Ask questions on The Student Room forum

News and views

Browse through the latest news and stories from the university

Connect with us

• Instagram
• TikTok
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Spotify

Study

• Undergraduate students
• Postgraduate students
• International students
• Degree Apprenticeships
• Continuing Professional Development
• Applicants

About LJMU

• Your Student Experience
• Staff profiles
• Liverpool
• Our vision and values
• LJMU achievements and impact
• Celebrating LJMU's history
• Vacancies at LJMU

Get in touch

• Contact LJMU
• How to find us
• Press Office

Legal

• Accessibility statement
• Copyright notice
• Disclaimer
• Freedom of Information
• Governance and charitable status
• Modern Slavery Statement
• Privacy notice and cookies
• Cookie Preferences

Related courses

• MA Documentary
• MA Film
• MA Film | Part-time
• MA Immersive Media
• MA Immersive Media | Part-time
• MA Journalism
• MA Mass Communications
• MA Screenwriting | Part-time
• MA Sports Journalism