MA by Research Film Studies

When you join the MA in Film & Television at Birmingham, you don’t just study on paper — you're actively building professional experience, working with high-end production kit, and doing real placements. From the very first term, you'll get hands-on training with cameras, lighting, and editing equipment. The university’s technical team supports you in mastering the software and hardware, and your learning is enriched by guest sessions from industry experts. The placement module gives you the opportunity to step into the real world of media production, working with production companies, TV broadcasters, or independent filmmakers, building your network as well as your resume.

Here’s how that plays out practically:

• Fully-equipped Editing Suite: You’ll work in Mac Studio 4K editing suites and iMac clusters, using industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Suite and DaVinci Resolve, supported by sound booths, green-screen content-creation studios, and podcasting spaces. 

• Professional Film Gear: The department provides cameras (e.g., Blackmagic 6K Pocket Pro, Sony FX30, A7 III), lenses, lighting, and sound equipment so you can make real films. 

• Placement Module: As part of the “Placement and Training” module, you can take up to a 10-week work placement (typically 4 days/week) in production companies, media organizations, or other relevant industry settings. 

• Reflective Assessment: Your placement is assessed with host feedback and a 2,500-word reflective essay, helping you reflect deeply on what you learned.

• Dissertation Options: You can choose between a written dissertation (12,000 words) or a practical audio-visual dissertation, where you create a ~20–25 minute documentary plus a reflective defence essay. 

• Academic & Professional Mentors: Your supervisors are not just academics — many are active filmmakers, screenwriters, and media researchers. 

• Industry & Visiting Experts: Throughout the program, you’ll attend guest lectures, workshops, and masterclasses from working professionals in film and TV. 

• Critical + Creative Balance: In the “Industries & Cultures” MA, you’ll work on creative projects (like a short-form video or feature-length screenplay) and write critically, engaging with philosophy, ethics, and screen culture. 

• Departmental Research and Events: Through the Department of Film and Creative Writing, you’ll join a research-active community (B-Film: the Birmingham Centre for Film & Television Studies) and attend seminars, screenings, and postgraduate event

Graduates of Birmingham’s postgraduate Film and Television programmes are well positioned to launch successful careers in both creative production and media analysis — working as screenwriters, researchers / commissioning executives, film producers, or media academics. Typical roles include: screenwriter, television / film researcher, producer / production coordinator, and university lecturer / researcher.

Here’s how the MA can help you build a strong professional foundation:

• University Services & Employability Support

  • The Placement and Training module gives you up to 10 weeks of work experience with broadcast companies or independent production firms, supported by a dedicated Placement Coordinator. 

  • Birmingham’s Careers Network offers one-to-one advice, CV and interview support, and access to recruitment fairs — including subject-specific careers consultants. 

  • Through regular guest lectures, workshops, and networking opportunities, you engage directly with industry professionals, helping you build real-world contacts. 

• Employment Outcomes & Career Paths

  • Alumni have gone on to work in roles such as Production Coordinator, Communications Officer, and Freelance Filmmaker, at places like BBC Studios, independent production companies, and media agencies. 

  • The University of Birmingham is a top target for UK graduate employers, according to the High Fliers report. 

  • The skills you build — critical thinking, audiovisual storytelling, team-working, and creative problem solving — are highly transferable across media, festivals, education, and culture sectors.

• Industry Partnerships & Networks

  • The programme is part of a BAFTA albert Education Partnership, giving you exposure to sustainability-driven industry practices. 

  • Through the Placement module, you gain direct access to broadcast television companies, independent production companies, and on-campus media projects. 

  • The Department of Film & Creative Writing organizes guest seminars and masterclasses with practitioners, strengthening your network. 

• Long-Term Accreditation & Academic Strength

  • The department houses B-Film, the Birmingham Centre for Film and Television Studies — a strong research hub. 

  • If you do the Research & Production MA, you can choose a practical dissertation (e.g., a short documentary) or a written one — both supervised by experienced academics. 

  • For those interested in academia, you can go on to do a PhD or MA by Research in Film Studies through Birmingham’s research-led program. 

• Graduation Outcomes

  • Graduates move into a wide array of professions: film and TV production, commissioning, content development, festival programming, and academic research. 

  • Others choose to stay connected with academia or go for further research degrees (PhD / MA by Research). 

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the MA, you could deepen your expertise through a PhD in Film Studies (on-campus or by distance) at Birmingham, where you’ll join a vibrant community of scholars. 
Alternatively, for a more practice-based path, you can do a Film Studies with Audio-Visual PhD, producing a documentary or feature alongside a written defence.