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.

Course modules

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

An insight into teaching on your course

• 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.

How learning is monitored on your programme

To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.

Assessement is mixed with practical modules usually based around portfolios of work including tasks aimed at the assessment of specific skills. Written assessments may include essays, reviews and reports.

You will have the freedom to produce your own Masters documentary project for a media platform of your choice.

Where you will study

The School is based in the Redmonds Building, in the heart of the bustling Mount Pleasant Campus and Liverpool's growing Knowledge Quarter. Redmonds Building is shared by Liverpool Screen School, School of Law and Liverpool Business School making for a rich blend of student learning experiences. The building is home to high quality lecture theatres and seminar rooms, broadcast studios, news rooms, media production suites, social spaces and a café. It is only a short walk from LJMU's Aldham Robarts Library, which contains all the resources you will require for your studies.

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: £49.85

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

• Undergraduate degree
  • 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
  • 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

Securing your place at LJMU

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.