MA Filmmaking

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of East London

Program Overview

The MA/MFA Filmmaking at UEL blends advanced film theory and hands-on practice, giving you the chance to create documentary, narrative, artist-film or multi-channel installations — all in a supportive, creative, international environment. The programme suits graduates from film studies, media, humanities, art or design backgrounds who want to deepen their creative vision and technical filmmaking skills.

Curriculum structure:

Year 1
In the first year of the MA, you’ll study foundational and core filmmaking modules. Through Narrative Cinema, you’ll learn how to conceptualise and produce a short narrative film — from planning and directing actors to post-production. The Professional Practice and Research Methods (Mental Wealth) module builds your academic and professional competencies, preparing you for independent, postgraduate-level projects. Finally, in the Final Project / Major Project module you’ll execute an independent film or media production (or research project), applying all you’ve learned under supervision.
Alongside these core modules, you can choose optional modules such as The Moving Image for experimental and artist-film approaches, Audiovision to develop skills in sound design for film, Documentary Cinema if you’re drawn to non-fiction storytelling, Investigating Media and Communication Industries for understanding the broader media landscape you’ll work within, or Screenwriting to craft professional-standard scripts.
(For MFA students — subsequent period beyond Year 1)
If you enrol on the MFA track, the second (or additional) year(s) offer supervision-based modules (180 credits first year, 120 credits second year) which give you greater flexibility to realise a high-quality, original film — whether documentary, narrative, video installation or animation — often aimed at festivals, broadcast, VOD or gallery exhibitions.

Focus areas: Documentary filmmaking, narrative short films, experimental/artist-film, video installation, sound design, screenwriting, media industry context, research-driven film production.

Learning outcomes: Graduates will gain creative and technical filmmaking skills; ability to conceive, develop and execute original film/media projects; competence in research methods, film theory, sound and image design, scriptwriting, and understanding of media industry dynamics; readiness to produce work suitable for festivals, broadcast or gallery exhibition.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The programme sits within UEL’s recognised postgraduate filmmaking offerings under the School of Arts and Creative Industries, delivering industry-relevant skills in collaboration with experienced practitioners and benefiting from UEL’s established industry links.

Reputation (employability rankings): Graduates have gone on to work in film and TV production, contemporary art, new media, festival programming, video editing and more — some even in international film industries or further doctoral study. UEL emphasises strong industry links, career support and practical outcomes for its filmmaking alumni.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

When you join UEL’s MA/MFA Filmmaking programme, you won’t just sit in lectures — you’ll be working hands-on with real film production and post-production equipment, developing your own film projects (fiction, documentary, installation or animation), collaborating with peers, and guided by industry-active instructors. The facilities are built to support professional-level work: you’ll have access to film and video equipment (including 16 mm / Super 16 mm film formats, HD video, and sound), plus a fully-equipped studio environment, edit suites, labs, and a multimedia production centre. You’ll also benefit from a rich creative community and strong industry links, giving you a real chance to build a project that could go to festivals, galleries, or distribution.

With that in mind — here’s a breakdown of what your experiential learning will involve at UEL:

Hands-on studio production and film equipment: You’ll train in UEL’s dedicated “Moving Image Studio,” using 16 mm / Super 16 mm film, HD video, sound equipment — exactly the kind of tools used in real-world filmmaking.
Full production to post-production workflow: From shooting to editing — UEL provides both production and post-production facilities so you can produce, edit, and finalise your films under expert technical supervision.
Diverse project types — fiction, documentary, experimental, installation, animation: Through the course you can choose to work in documentary film, narrative cinema, video installation or animation for your final work, giving you flexibility to follow your creative vision.
Group work and collaborations: The course includes individual and group-based film projects (films count for 75% of assessment), which means you will regularly work with classmates on real film productions — simulating industry-style collaboration.
Research-informed filmmaking: Through modules like “Professional Practice & Research Methods,” and optional modules such as “The Moving Image” or “Media Industries Investigation,” you’ll combine creative production with research — conceptual development, critical thinking, planning, and professional practice.
Sound design and audiovisual experimentation: Optional modules like “Audiovision” let you explore sound design for moving images, and “The Moving Image” encourages experimental or more art-driven film practices.
Support for final project and professional outcomes: By the end, your final film — developed under supervision — can be at a level suitable for festivals, galleries, broadcast or VOD release, which means you're not just making coursework — you’re building a professional-grade project.
Facilities + campus resources: The course is based at UEL’s waterfront Docklands Campus, which includes lecture theatres, seminar rooms, art studios and exhibition spaces, audio-visual labs, a multimedia production centre, a 24/7 library, and student accommodation for many students.
Career support & industry links: Through UEL’s “Career Zone,” mentoring programmes, networking events, and industry connections (with production/post-production companies, film festivals, contemporary art platforms), you have opportunities to get internships, placements, or build contacts in real film and media organisations.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Career support & industry connections: UEL’s “Career Zone” offers 1‑on‑1 career coaching, mentoring from industry experts, internships, placements, and a dedicated jobs board — giving you a headstart toward real world film and media roles.
Professional‑standard facilities: You’ll have access to their Moving Image Studio and full production + post‑production facilities (film formats, HD video, sound studios), with technical instructors guiding you — meaning your end-of‑course film won’t just be a school project, but portfolio‑worthy and festival‑ready. Industry relationships & networking opportunities: UEL partners with production / post‑production companies, festival organisations, curators and media networks — for example organisations like London Short Film Festival, Film and Video Umbrella, and arts institutions such as Bow Arts – Nunnery Gallery. That makes it easier to meet people who can help you get work, show your films, or start collaborative projects.Flexibility and creative credibility: The MFA pathway allows deep, practice-led work — whether you want to make documentary, narrative film, video installation or animation — and gives you the artistic and technical credentials respected in film festivals, galleries, or by future employers.
Proven graduate outcomes: Graduates from this programme have gone on to work as freelance editors, assistant directors (some even working abroad), festival organisers, lecturers, or PhD researchers — showing the degree can support both professional practice and further study.

Further Academic Progression:
If after finishing the MA you still want to deepen your craft, you could upgrade to the MFA route — giving you time, support and supervision to create a substantial film or media project that’s ready for festivals, broadcast, VOD, or gallery exhibition.
Beyond that, many students go into practice‑led PhD programmes or academic research / teaching roles — giving you the chance to become a film scholar, educator, or researcher.