| The award | How you will study | Study duration | Course start | Domestic course fees | International course fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA | Full-time | find out | September | GBP 16248 total | GBP 16448 total |
LFS aims to encourage writing as a continuous practice, to stimulate reflective and critical approaches and to provide a specific historical background to film narrative, genres, and dramaturgy.
An intensive one-year programme that develops the writer’s original voice, embeds professional practice and enhances employability.
At LFS you will gain expertise and experience that form the foundations of your professional screenwriting practice. You will forge relationships and develop networks that propel you into the film and television industries.
MA Screenwriting focuses on the development of the individual screenwriter’s voice. You will be supported and challenged throughout your one year MA as you explore that voice through your screenwriting. You will work collaboratively within a diverse, international cohort and within the conservatoire atmosphere of LFS.
The development of your feature screenplay, at the heart of your MA, is undertaken in small Feature Development Groups of 3 or 4 students, chaired by a tutor. Regular Group meetings are structured around the giving and receiving of feedback and the deep exploration of your feature project from initial idea through several draft screenplays.
The ambition and variety of students’ screenplays reflect both the depth of their creativity and the breadth and diversity of their backgrounds and interests. In addition to your feature screenplay you will have opportunities to write short screenplays and to develop a television series idea.
Screenwriting is filmmaking and MA Screenwriting situates screenwriting in filmmaking, collaborative, industrial and cultural contexts. You will join filmmaking students for screenings and discussions and you will have opportunities to collaborate with them and to script edit their screenplays.
You will be supported with workshops that introduce you to a range of creative writing exercises and to pitching, empowering you to generate and develop ideas, produce scripts and take them out into the market place with confidence.
You will read and discuss numerous screenplays, exploring aesthetic, craft and industrial issues in classes run by the Course Leaders. You will be introduced to - and encouraged to read - a range of theories and approaches to screenwriting. Your tutors will support and challenge you from a variety of perspectives but you will be encouraged to identify and develop your own preferred approaches to screenwriting.
You will consider screenwriting and filmmaking from historical and cultural perspectives and as well as developing creative work you will also produce a Work and Research Journal. The Journal invites you to explore, analyse and reflect upon your concerns as an emerging screenwriter. This underlines the School’s belief that analytical and reflective film-makers are better prepared to navigate - and to exploit the opportunities arising within - contemporary moving image industries.
MA Screenwriting is accredited by Screenskills and embeds professional practice and industry involvement in the course, whilst developing screenwriters’ entrepreneurial capacities and enhancing their employability. Your course tutors are experienced, practising professionals and include screenwriters, producers, directors and development executives. They are also experienced educators.
Along with your course tutors you will be exposed to a wide range of high-profile visiting industry professionals who will share their expertise and insights. Recent visitors include Tony Grisoni, Jed Mercurio, Frank Spotnitz and colleagues from Big Light Productions, Howard Overman, Mick Audsley, the postgraduate, Berlin-based Serial Eyes television series writing programme and many others. In your third term you will be assigned an industry mentor who will support you as you make the transition from student to practising screenwriter.
MA Screenwriting is a demanding, intensive course and its rewards are considerable. LFS invites applications from creative, entrepreneurial and resilient writers who are committed to writing professionally for the screen; writers who may have a background in another medium, screenwriters who wish to burnish their existing credentials, or filmmakers who wish to master the mysteries of the screenplay. The course will challenge you but it will also equip you to write professionally for screen-based media, with the lifetime of fulfilment that offers.
Learn more about Screenwriting, MA - at London Film School
Visit course webpageApplicants should normally have at least one of the following:
You are welcome to apply even if you haven't written any scripts before, but feel you have the ability to and meet our minimum entry requirements.
You may already have been working in a writing environment, though not necessarily in film. We actively support applicants who have a commitment to screenwriting and want to expand their skills and understanding.
We are looking forward to hearing why you think you are a screenwriter.
The language of teaching and assessment is English. All students must have a satisfactory knowledge of the English language, due to the need to understand the intensive course of lectures and the demands of group work. Students whose first language is not English will therefore need to provide proof of proficiency in English. More information can be found here.
Find out what students say about London Film School
Oliver Hermanus
"An LFS education is not limited to the technical skills that produce new filmmakers. It's an education that challenges you to find your voice and make it heard"
Oliver's graduation feature SHIRLEY ADAMS won the 3 top awards at the SAFTAs. His most recent feature, LIVING was nominated for three BAFTAs and two Academy Awards.
Duncan Jones
"The beauty of a good film school is that it invites you to make mistakes, but never dampens your enthusiasm. At LFS I made plenty, and ignited a passion."
Duncan Jones, LFS Graduate, Director SOURCE CODE, MOON, WARCRAFT
Mike Leigh
"LFS is a vibrant, hands-on film-making environment, producing over 180 films a year. Where better to learn about the practical craft of screenwriting?"
Mike Leigh – LFS Graduate
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As an international student you may require a valid visa to study at London Film School. Read more about the requirements in our Guide to the United Kingdom International Student Visa Requirements.
