MA Screenwriting

Fees and funding

There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students

Fees

The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:

• library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
• access to programme-appropriate software
• library and student IT support
• free on-campus wifi via eduroam

Additional costs

Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:

• accommodation and living expenditure
• books (should you wish to have your own copies)
• printing, photocopying and stationery
• PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
• mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
• field trips (travel and activity costs)
• placements (travel expenses and living costs)
• student visas (international students only)
• study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
• academic conferences (travel costs)
• professional-body membership
• graduation (gown hire etc)

Funding

There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.

Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.

Employability

Further your career prospects

LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.

Alumni from this course have enjoyed success as writers, directors and producers.

Our dazzling list of alumni includes:

Joe McNally graduated from the MA in 2022, and recently won the Channel 4/Bonafide Films Northern Writers Award for his screenplay for 

Adam Bennett-Lea, who since graduating has been a part of Royal Exchange Theatre's Young Writers programme. He has had several scratch comedy productions staged regionally, and co-created the comic-book series Queer Tales

Gail Young, who's play Bouncing Back & Cheshire Cats was recently performed at Royal Court, Liverpool & Theatr Clwyd (National Theatre of Wales)

Laurence Wilson, recently adapted George Orwell's Animal Farm for the Young Everyman Players at the Everyman & Playhouse Theatre, Liverpool. His recent audio work can be listened to on Soundcloud

Other alumni have since seen success writing for ITV soap, Emmerdale, participating in the Liverpool Royal Court Stage Write new writing programme, having film selected by BAFTA Shorts 2019 competition and becoming a script editor for Hurricane Films. Companies graduates have gone to work for include:

• Filmnation Entertainment
• Hurricane Films
• The Forge
• LA Productions
• Channel 4
• NBC Universal
• Spotify
• Liverpool's Royal Court Theatre
• Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse
• Theatr Clwyd

"Undertaking the Screenwriting MA was a fantastic way to further my understanding of what is expected from a writer in the television and film industry. Under the tutelage of really professional and knowledgeable course leaders, we were helped to understand the expectations and realities of the business, whilst still being allowed the creative freedom to hone our craft and produce work to an industry standard. While nobody needs a qualification in order to write, my experience of the course was a really positive and rewarding one. I wouldn’t think twice in recommending it to people."

Joe McNally, Graduate

Teaching

An insight into teaching on your course

Study hours

This Masters is a part-time degree which is designed specifically around creating a programme of study ideally suited to people in work or with other responsibilities. The two year programme duration gives students the time and space to concentrate on improving their writing skills, giving more time for reflection, editing, group critique and hearing from practising writers.

Teaching methods

Teaching staff on this course are practicing award-winning writers with years of experience in the industry. You will participate in small seminar groups, where your tutor contact time will be maximised and you will receive more opportunities to discuss ideas and techniques with fellow classmates.

Applied learning

You will receive continual feedback from peers and tutors, helping you to improve as a writer while developing your critical skills when looking at synopses and scripts.

During your studies you will hear from current practising screenwriters, editors and producers.
Recent guest speakers have included:

• Commissioning Editor - Drama CBBC Independents
• VP Drama - Fox Networks Group
• Shane Meadows (This is England)
• Head of Development LA Productions
• Andrea Gibb (Writer - Elizabeth is Missing)
• Phil Collinson (Producer - Dr Who, Gentleman Jack, Coronation Street)
• Stewart Harcourt (Poirot, Maigret, Churchill's Secret)
• Torfinnur Jacobson (Creator/Writer - Trom BBC4)

We've also held Masterclasses from the likes of:

• Shane Meadows
• Paddy Considine
• Tony Schumacher
• Mike Leigh

Assessment

How learning is monitored on your programme

To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.

Knowledge and understanding are assessed through coursework (creative and analytical), in written, oral and electronic form. The effectiveness with which you organise your time has a direct bearing on the quality of your work and this is, therefore, indirectly assessed in every exercise.

Other assessment methods used on the programme include: workshops, creative pitches and presentations, critical commentaries and screenwriting tasks.

Entry requirements

You will need:

Qualification requirements

Undergraduate degree

• a minimum 2:1 in Media Production, Drama, Journalism, English, or a related degree

International requirements

• IELTS
  • IELTS English language requirement: 6.5 (minimum 6.0 in each component)

Further information

• Extra Requirements
  • Candidates that are short listed for the course are offered an interview to discuss the programme
• RPL
  • RPL is accepted on this programme

Application and selection

Securing your place at LJMU

To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.

Due to the competitive nature of this programme, applications are considered in stages. As the programme recruits biennially the next intake is September 2024.

Application dates for the next intake will be published here in Autumn 2023.

1. Applicants should complete the online application form and include in the personal statement section reasons why they wish to study this programme.
2. Attach a 15 page sample script
3. Attach a synopsis (maximum 500 words)
4. Attach a CV
5. Provide a reference which should concentrate on the following areas: Attendance, punctuality, participation, ability to meet deadline, response to feedback and communication skills

Stage 2 Interviews for short-listed applications submitted prior to the February deadline will be interviewed late February. Short-listed applications submitted after the February deadline will be interviewed in  May. Short-listed applicants will be advised on interview dates as soon as possible. Applicants will be invited to a face to face interview, however if this is not possible applicants will be invited to attend a Microsoft Teams interview.

Applications received after the May application deadline may not be considered if the programme is full.