MA Television Fiction Writing

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Glasgow Caledonian University

Program Overview

The MA Television Fiction Writing at Glasgow Caledonian University is the only full‑time master’s in the UK that focuses exclusively on writing TV drama, giving you direct exposure to the industry and equipping you with two market‑ready scripts on graduation
If you’re passionate about storytelling for television, want to work with industry professionals, and aim to kick‑start a scriptwriting career in TV, this programme is an excellent choice.

Curriculum structure (descriptive essay style):
In the first year (or first part of your full‑time 1‑year programme), you’ll start by developing foundational skills through modules like Story and Script Techniques and Writing for an Existing Long‑Running TV Drama — here you’ll analyse structure, genre and format for TV, rewrite scenes, and practice story‑conferencing in a professional context.
As you progress into the middle phase, you’ll move into Creating Original TV Drama and Researching for TV Fiction Writing, where you’ll conceive your own drama ideas, develop storylines, work with script‑doctors and industry mentors and begin putting together your own calling‑card scripts.
In the final phase, you’ll complete an independent major project: you’ll produce two calling‑card ready scripts and reflect critically on your writing practice—this culminating work demonstrates your readiness for the TV industry and gives you market‑facing material.

Focus areas:
TV drama writing; story‑conference & script editing; writing for existing long‑running shows; creating original series concept; mentoring by industry professionals; gaining direct access to producers & commissioners.

Learning outcomes:
You’ll graduate able to craft high‑quality scripted drama content, work in industry‑style story‑conference settings, produce market‑ready scripts for television, show critical self‑awareness of your writing process, and integrate theory, research and practice in your field.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The programme was developed in close collaboration with industry, featuring instruction from top TV script‑writers and guest sessions from broadcasters like BBC Scotland and STV.

Reputation (employability rankings):
This is a highly regarded, niche postgraduate master’s: graduates of the programme have gone on to work on major long‑running British TV dramas such as EastEnders, Casualty and Holby City. The fact the course is unique in the UK for TV drama writing adds to its appeal and industry recognition.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

From day one, you’ll be immersed in a writing environment far beyond merely reading scripts and writing essays—you’ll live the craft of TV drama writing. You’ll work with real‑world story conferences, direct input from network and independent producers, and individual mentoring from professionals shaping the industry. That means you won’t just study screenwriting—you’ll build scripts ready to go to market, under realistic deadlines and industry conditions.

Here’s how your experiential learning comes to life in this programme:

You’ll receive direct mentoring and guest‑input from industry practitioners—top television scriptwriters and commissioners will work with you, as will a professional script‑doctor.
You’ll work in live studio and professional contexts where you’ll story‑conference, draft, edit and polish your own drama scripts—and you’ll engage with producers and commissioners from organisations such as BBC Scotland and STV.
You’ll build what the programme calls “calling‑card scripts” ready to take to market—so you graduate not just with a certificate, but pieces of work you can pitch.
You’ll explore existing long‑running drama series (for example soap operas, medical dramas) and learn how writing functions in that context, then shift to writing your own original drama. You’ll be situated in Glasgow’s media ecosystem, supported by GCU’s strong industry and research environment (the department emphasises production facilities, media‑industry links and a “television drama” orientation) which helps you connect theory with practice.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates leave this MA ready to pitch and write for television drama, with professional‑level scripts and industry mentoring behind them. Typical roles include TV scriptwriter, story‑editor or development writer in broadcast/streaming drama companies.

Progression & Future Opportunities:

Which university services will help you to employ: GCU provides direct industry connections—guest scriptwriters, commissioners, producers and script doctors work with the programme. You’ll receive individual mentoring from professionals and get hands‑on experience in industry‑style contexts.
Employment stats & salary figures: While specific salary data for this programme isn’t publicly listed, the course has a strong track record: graduates “have worked in every long‑running continuing drama on British television”. Entry‑level writer salaries in UK TV drama often start around £25,000‑£35,000, depending on role, experience and location.
University–industry partnerships: The programme is developed in close collaboration with the industry (including BBC Scotland and STV); there is direct access to producers/commissioners and regular guest lectures.
Long‑term accreditation value: Being the only full‑time UK‑programme dedicated to TV‑drama writing (for UK/Scottish market) gives it distinct niche value — meaning your scripts and credentials stand out.
Graduation outcomes: You’ll graduate with two “calling‑card” scripts ready to take to market, which gives you tangible proof of your writing ability and a launch‑platform into the industry.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this MA, you could move on to a PhD in Screenwriting, Television Studies or Creative Media Practice if you’re drawn to academic or research‑driven roles. Alternatively, you might pursue a specialist postgraduate certificate or diploma in areas such as Interactive TV writing, Transmedia Storytelling or Narrative Production — or shift into a broader master’s in Creative Industries Management or Film/TV Production to move into senior development or production leadership roles.