ObjectivesThis highly regarded project-based course, now in its tenth year, is one of the UK's leading film and television scripting awards. It develops screenwriting skills through a programme of lectures, seminars and tutorials and prepares students to pursue careers as screenwriters in film and television. Its unique workshop and portfolio creation programme provides a sound basis for work as a script editor or reader. Projects include taking a short film, television episode, an adaptation for a feature film or television series/serial from concept to first draft. One place, awarded through means testing, is sponsored through Skillset. Applications for this will be sent to successful applicants.
Entry requirementsApplicants must be over 21 and possess a first degree relevant to the course. Applicants with no formal qualifications but with significant writing experience / examples may also be considered.
Term 1: Narrative, plot and story structure; creation of short fiction screenplays.
Term 2: Television formats and writing for an existing television series.
Term 3: Writing a half-hour adaptation or docudrama.
Term 4: Research and industrial context; developing an original idea.
Term 5 & 6: Meeting writers, agents, producers and writing a full-length feature film or creating a television fiction series or serial.
The mode of study is one day per week during term-time, plus a minimum of 10 hours individual study for two years (Jan-Dec).
Assessment is focussed on four major pieces of writing submitted throughout the course and participation in a workshop programme.
Career Prospects
The Course has extensive industry links and past students have won the Palm D'Or, Orange Screenwriting Prize and Oscar nominations. Others currently write for Eastenders, Coronation Street, Family Affairs, Taggart and Casualty, and many maintain their links with the course as visiting tutors.