MA Film Television and Moving Image

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Westminster

Program Overview

The MA in Film, Television and Moving Image at Westminster gives you the chance to combine creative practice with academic study. It isn’t just about learning film‑making or writing scripts — you explore the full breadth of “moving image” work: from screenwriting, nonfiction film, and television, to curation and exhibition of moving‑image work. The programme aims to prepare you for a variety of creative‑industry paths: making films, writing for screen, curating work for festivals or galleries, or working in programming and exhibition.

How the Course Works

The full‑time MA lasts one year, while there is also part‑time study available.
You study at the school’s Harrow Campus (with occasional events or teaching at central London campuses) — benefiting from studio, lab and media‑production facilities.
Entry typically requires a bachelor’s degree (2:1 or 2:2) — or, if you have relevant work/creative experience, that may count too.
If English isn’t your first language, there’s a requirement for a test (e.g. IELTS) as part of admissions.

What You’ll Learn & the Structure

You’ll follow a set of core and optional modules, then complete a “Major Project” that reflects your interests and chosen specialism (screenwriting, production, or curation/exhibition).

Core components include:

A module on contemporary theory and criticism of film, TV and moving‑image media — helping you situate your work in cultural, historical and social contexts and think about issues such as representation, power, technology, and global visual culture.
Practical and collaborative “Industry Practice” — responding to live industry briefs, making short films under professional-like conditions (camera, sound, editing etc.), with emphasis on inclusive and sustainable production standards.
A “Practice as Research” component: combining creative output with critical reflection — ideal if you’re interested in research-informed filmmaking, experimental media or media activism.

Optional paths / specialisations let you tailor your MA depending on what you want to do:

Screenwriting — develop scripts, treatments, series/film ideas with professional formatting and an eye on social responsibility in narratives.
Production / Non‑fiction / Documentary / Immersive media — make documentary films, essay‑films, interactive / immersive media projects, online narrative pieces, or essay films, depending on your interests.
Curation & Exhibition / Moving‑Image Programming — learn how to programme films, curate exhibitions, design festival or online screening projects — a path for those interested in film culture, festivals, galleries, or art spaces rather than just film‑making.

For your final (Major) project, you choose the format: it can be a creative practical project (film, TV‑script, documentary, immersive media, curated programme), or a research dissertation.

Because the course mixes theory, research, practice and industry‑oriented work, you graduate with both creative and critical skills — giving you flexibility depending on what you want to do next.

Why This Course Stands Out

The MA is rooted in a strong research environment: the programme is affiliated with a respected arts‑media research centre (CREAM), giving you access to academic support, research‑led teaching, and connections to film/theory communities.
You get hands‑on experience using professional‑level facilities (studios, editing suites, camera kits, immersive media tools), making this MA very practice‑oriented — good if you want real-world filmmaking or media production experience.
Flexibility: you’re not locked into a single path — you can choose screenwriting, documentary/production, or curation and exhibition — depending on your passion. Good if you’re not yet sure exactly what field you want to work in.
Strong industry and creative‑community links: through partnerships (festivals, galleries, TV‑industry networks), guest lecturers, and opportunities for networking — which can help when you graduate.

Who It’s For & What You Could Do After

This MA is ideal for someone who:

Has a passion for film, TV, media — whether you want to write, direct, produce, curate, or work behind the scenes;
Appreciates both creative exploration and critical thinking (not just making films, but understanding context, representation, society);
Wants flexibility rather than a rigid, single-focus course — maybe you’re interested in storytelling, documentary, immersive/interactive media, or film culture/festivals;
Aims for a career in film, television, media production, documentary, immersive media, curation, festival programming, or even academia/research in media studies.

Graduates go on to a variety of roles: filmmakers (fiction & nonfiction), screenwriters, curators, festival programmers, editors, media producers, researchers, even educators — basically any role in the “moving image” industry or creative‑cultural sector

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From the moment you start at Westminster, this MA isn’t just about theory: you’ll be working hands‑on with professional‑grade equipment, collaborating with peers, and producing real screen work — often in response to “live industry” briefs. The course is designed to reflect real industry workflows, giving you a mix of creative practice, research, curatorial work or writing — depending on your chosen specialism.

Here’s what experiential learning looks like on this programme:

Hands‑on production, screenwriting or curatorial practice depending on your specialism: Whether you choose to focus on fiction screenwriting, non‑fiction filmmaking, or moving‑image curation/exhibition — your portfolio by the end will include concrete creative outcomes (short films, video essays, documentary pieces, curated exhibitions or interactive/immersive media).
Live‑industry briefs & collaborative projects: In the “Industry Practice” core module you and your classmates respond to a real external brief — working in teams, you create a short film (or moving‑image piece) under proper production conditions, using camera, sound, editing, and all the professional workflows.
Full Major Project under supervision: The 60‑credit Major Project allows you to choose a creative or academic direction: you may do a screenplay for a TV/film, produce a short film or creative non‑fiction piece, produce an exhibition/curation project, or even write a dissertation. Whichever you pick, you'll plan and execute a substantial work under guidance — a strong portfolio piece when you finish.
Access to professional‑standard studios, equipment, and post‑production facilities: Based at the Harrow Campus — the creative hub — you’ll have access to two large film/TV studios, set‑construction workshops, 3D workshop, editing and post‑production suites (cutting rooms, dubbing theatres, sound control, immersive‑audio gear), animation studios, and equipment including 360‑cameras, VR headsets, immersive audio recorders, and standard screenwriting software like Final Draft.
Interdisciplinary environment and access to research resources: The course is linked with a strong research institute CREAM (Centre for Research and Education in Arts and Media), meaning you benefit from a research‑informed curriculum — which is especially important if you’re interested in curatorial work or critical moving‑image practice.
Industry connections, festival & exhibition exposure, and external networks: Through course links with organisations such as The TV Foundation, and ties with major London venues and festivals (e.g. BFI Southbank, LUX, Close-Up Film Centre), you’ll have opportunities for field trips, networking, guest lectures, and even exhibition/cinema‑festival exposure — which expands what you can do with your final project beyond just “student film.”

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MA Film, Television and Moving Image often move into roles such as filmmaker, screenwriter, film/TV‑programmer or curator, editor, producer or researcher — giving you access to creative, production, distribution or curation work across film, television and moving‑image sectors. With the combination of practical production skills, critical theory and a professional‑ready final project, you’ll be well‑equipped to enter the screen/media industries or continue into research or curatorial/arts sectors.

Future Progression & Opportunities:

University support & career services: Westminster’s Careers & Enterprise department supports you during study and for up to three years after graduation — providing career advice, industry mentoring, networking events, and placement or work‑experience opportunities to help you transition into the profession.Strong industry links & real‑world exposure: The programme has established links with the screen and exhibition world — including partnerships with The TV Foundation, and connections to key London exhibition and research venues such as BFI Southbank, LUX, and Close-Up Film Centre. This gives you access to guest‑speakers, field visits, festival connections (e.g. film festivals), and real exhibition or curation opportunities — valuable for building industry contacts and a public‑facing portfolio. Flexible specialisations & diverse skill‑set: You can choose to specialise in fiction screenwriting, documentary / non‑fiction filmmaking, or moving‑image curation/exhibition — giving you flexibility to align your skills with your interests and intended career path. Your final major project can take forms such as a screenplay, a short film, a creative non‑fiction film, a curatorial exhibition, or an academic dissertation, depending on your goals.
Hands‑on production & creative‑critical training + facilities: Through core modules you’ll produce work in response to live industry briefs, create video essays, short films, or exhibitions — giving you practical, production‑level experience under the guidance of experienced practitioners. The course provides access to professional equipment, studios, immersive media tech, editing software and support staff — helping you build technical competence and a professional‑grade portfolio.
Wide-ranging career outcomes & industry relevance: Alumni have gone on to work in film/TV production, distribution, exhibition and curatorial work, arts administration, marketing, media/communications, social media and content creation, academia or research, and festival programming or media‑arts organisations.
Long‑term value and academic + industry flexibility: The degree combines theoretical, historical, cultural and technical knowledge of moving image — giving you the versatility to engage in creative production, curatorial practice, research or teaching. It also holds a respected place within the industry due to the heritage of the programme and the accreditation and networks associated with it (e.g. membership of international film‑school networks) which boosts long‑term credibility.

Further Academic Progression:
You could build on this MA by pursuing doctoral‑level research (e.g. a PhD, MPhil or MRes) in film, television, moving image studies/curation, media theory or cultural studies — especially if you’re interested in the academic/theoretical side of film, exhibition, or media history. Alternatively, you could complement the degree with professional short courses or certifications (e.g. in advanced producing, editing, immersive media, festival programming, distribution, or media management) to specialize in niches like film distribution, curatorial curation, immersive/interactive media, or international co‑production, thereby broadening your creative and professional options.