MA Film and Television

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Bristol

Program Overview

The MA Film and Television at Bristol offers a vibrant blend of filmmaking practice and critical, historical analysis — giving you the best of both worlds. It’s ideal for students who want to deepen their theoretical understanding of screen media while also developing real hands‑on filmmaking skills.

Curriculum Structure

Over the course of the programme, you will build your knowledge and skills in stages:

First Term / Foundation: You’ll begin by studying formal analysis and core filmmaking techniques. These units lay the groundwork in writing about film and television, as well as the practical skills of cinematography, editing, and narrative in production.
Second Term / Research Methods: You then move into research approaches for screen media, taking a unit on research methods which prepares you for your dissertation. Simultaneously, you can choose from a rich array of optional units — everything from cinematography, editing, documentary, national cinemas, television drama, to writing for the screen.
Dissertation Stage: For your final project, you get to choose:
1. an industrial placement + written component,
2. an extended essay on a topic in film/TV, or
3. a practice-based piece (like a short film or script) with a reflective write-up.

Focus Areas

Filmmaking practice, screen history & theory, television drama, national cinemas, research methods, screen writing, cinematography, documentary.

Learning Outcomes

You’ll develop high‑level analytical skills, practical filmmaking competencies, independent research capabilities, and the ability to critically situate your creative work in theoretical and historical contexts.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

While the programme is not explicitly professionally accredited by a screen‑industry body, it has strong alignment with industry through its placement option, and is delivered by a department with over 40 years of experience and active links to practitioners.

Reputation (Employability / Rankings)

Research strength: Bristol is ranked 5th in the UK for research, with 94% of its research rated “world‑leading” or “internationally excellent.”
Employability: According to the QS Graduate Employability Rankings, Bristol graduates are highly sought after — Bristol placed 49th globally in QS Employability.
Overall University Reputation: Bristol consistently ranks in the UK top 10 and is a research‑intensive Russell Group university.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

When you join the MA in Film & Television at Bristol, you don’t just sit in lectures — you get your hands dirty, working with real filmmaking tools, collaborating in teams, and producing creative work using professional-grade facilities. You’ll work in our production studio, use our animation and editing suites, and practice in dedicated sound rooms. We also have two on‑site cinemas where you can screen work, analyse films, and host talks. As part of your journey, you’ll engage in intensive small‑group filmmaking, from narrative films to documentaries or writing for the screen. Plus, with Bristol’s rich media scene — including local film festivals and ties to the BBC — you’ll be plugged into the industry from day one.

Here’s how that breaks down in terms of practical, hands-on learning:

Production Studio, Animation & Edit Suites, Sound Rooms: You’ll have access to dedicated spaces for creating films — from filming to post-production — so you can build technical skills in a real filmmaking environment.
Two Cinemas for Screening & Analysis: Use our in-house cinemas to screen your work, learn from guest lectures, or workshop drafts.
Small‑Group Filmmaking Projects: In the core units, you’ll work intensively in small teams to explore narrative, aesthetic, and collaborative possibilities.
Dissertation Options — Practical or Placement: For your final project, you can choose between:
- An industrial placement (with a written component) — a real-world experience in industry.
- A practice-based piece, such as a short film or script, backed by your own reflective writing.
- Or an extended essay, if your passion lies in research and theory.
Research & Academic Mentorship: You’ll be supported by leading scholars and practitioners, combining creative experimentation with scholarly research.
Industry Engagement: Through our department, you’ll attend seminars, guest‑speaker sessions, and masterclasses by film and television professionals — past speakers include directors, casting agents, commissioning editors, and more.
City & Festival Connections: Bristol is a UNESCO City of Film. You’ll benefit from the city’s vibrant media landscape, including partnerships with Watershed Media Centre, BBC Bristol, the Encounters Short Film & Animation Festival, and more.
Postgraduate Skills Training: As a postgraduate student, you’ll also access a skills training programme — including opportunities to teach undergraduates or develop your professional toolkit.

To explore more about our production and media spaces, check out our department’s facilities page: see our studio, cinema and edit suite list on the Department of Film & Television site.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the MA Film & Television at Bristol go on to forge careers in both the creative and academic sides of screen media — working as filmmakers, programme researchers, commissioning editors, or academic scholars. Typical roles include film director / producer, screenwriter, television researcher / commissioning executive, and festival programmer.

Here’s how completing this MA can set you up for a strong career:

University Services & Support:
- Bristol’s Careers Service offers tailored support for media and creative students, including employer-led sessions, panel events, and networking opportunities.
- Through Bristol Futures, you can engage in work placements, volunteering, and mentorship — giving you real-world experience before you graduate.
- The Department of Film & Television runs a postgraduate skills‑training programme, including opportunities to teach undergraduates, with formal accreditation.
Employment Outcomes & Salary:
- According to the Graduate Outcomes survey, about 90% of UK-resident graduates from creative and performing arts (which includes this MA) are working or studying 15 months after graduation.
- Median salary data for this cohort is around £24,000 15 months post-graduation (typical range: ~£21,000–£27,000).
- Role breakdown (from DiscoverUni) shows that of those in highly skilled work, ~21% go into artistic, literary, and media occupations, ~12% into business/public service associate roles, and others into teaching or management.
Industry Connections & Partnerships:
- Bristol is a major media hub: the city is home to the BBC Bristol, Watershed Media Centre, and various film festivals (such as Encounters Short Film & Animation Festival and Slapstick Festival).
- Students benefit from industry talks, guest seminars, and masterclasses — the department brings in leading practitioners and scholars to work directly with students.
- These connections give you exposure to commissioning executives, festival programmers and established filmmakers, helping you build your network even before graduation.
Long-term Value & Accreditation:
- The MA is backed by over 40 years of academic experience in film and television at Bristol, combining creative practice with rigorous scholarly study.
- Through postgraduate teaching, you can gain formal teaching experience (and accreditation), which positions you well for academic or research careers.
- Bristol’s global reputation and alumni network (150,000 alumni across 182 countries) mean your degree has strong international recognition and reach.
Graduation Outcomes:
- Graduates have gone on to roles such as filmmakers, programme researchers, broadcasting executives, journalists, festival programmers, screenwriters, editors, and commissioning executives.
- Many alumni also move into senior academic or research roles, reflecting the MA’s strong theoretical and research foundation.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the MA, you could continue in academia via a PhD (MPhil/PhD) in Film and Television Studies, building on your dissertation work and research methods training. Bristol supports this: the Department of Film & Television offers postgraduate research degrees with opportunities for interdisciplinary supervision (e.g., in theatre or other humanities fields).