Film and Screen Cultures MA

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Thrive in today’s international film and screen industries by developing creative, critical and professional skills while exploring contemporary industry models, emerging technologies and changing audience behaviours.

Course features

Year of entry

2026-27

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

CAST024

Start date

January 2027
March 2027
May 2027
July 2027

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Course overview

Explore how streaming, AI and emerging screen technologies are changing film and screen cultures while also developing critical insight, professional skills and creative expertise relevant to today’s global screen industries.

Investigate contemporary screen cultures: examine evolving film industries, digital platforms, audience behaviours and cultural practices to understand how screen media reflects and influences our changing world.

Explore global perspectives on film and screen: analyse international screen cultures, industries and cross-border circulation to understand how content reaches, transforms and engages audiences across platforms and communities.

Develop skills for a future career in the screen industries: build critical, creative and professional capabilities relevant to film programming, exhibition, distribution, curation, festivals, cultural organisations and the wider creative economy.

Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings
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Ranked 1st for Engagement

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2026
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Ranked 5th for Overall Satisfaction

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2026

Why study this course

  • Study the future of screen cultures
    Explore how AI, streaming, online audiences, innovative digital storytelling and emerging technologies are reshaping how film and screen content is created, distributed and experienced globally.
  • Learn through industry-informed practice
    Connect critical approaches with real-world creative contexts through case studies, outward-facing projects, festivals and potential opportunities for professional collaboration.2
  • Develop expertise across the film and screen ecosystem
    Build knowledge and skills in programming, curation, exhibition, promotion, distribution and audience engagement across public spaces, festivals and digital platforms.
  • Take a project-based approach
    Develop work that reflects your interests and career ambitions, with opportunities to explore research, creative practice and industry-focused projects while building a professional portfolio.
  • Learn through practical, applied assessment
    Study one 30-credit module at a time in six-week blocks, using practical, industry-aligned and exam-free assessment to build your knowledge and skills with opportunities for feedback.

What you'll study

Modules

We regularly review our course content to keep it relevant and current for our students. Consequently, we may update modules to reflect the latest industry standards.

How you'll learn

Learn through practical activities, discussion, creative projects and real-world examples, applying approaches used across contemporary film and screen industries. The course combines critical study with project-based learning to help you build confidence and develop professional skills.

Teaching and learning methods may include:

  • interactive lectures: gain structured insight into key concepts, contemporary debates and emerging practices
  • discussion-based seminars: debate ideas, analyse case studies and deepen critical thinking
  • tutorials: receive guidance on your academic, creative and professional development
  • student presentations and pitches: develop confidence in communicating ideas to different audiences
  • group and collaborative projects: build teamwork, negotiation and co-creation skills
  • creative and skills workshops: apply ideas through practical and practice-based activity
  • screen production workshops: develop practical understanding of screen-media production approaches
  • case studies and outward-facing projects: connect critical learning with contemporary industry contexts2
  • independent and project-based learning: pursue your interests through research, creative practice and professional projects.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average, you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

Assessment is designed around authentic, industry-relevant activities that allow you to apply your knowledge and develop practical and professional skills. The course does not include formal invigilated examinations.

Assessment methods may include:

  • presentations and pitches
  • film programming, curatorial, exhibition, promotion or distribution proposals
  • group and collaborative projects
  • portfolios
  • funding or project proposals
  • professional development work
  • horizon-scanning projects
  • reflective and critical written work
  • independent research or practical media projects.

The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Applicants should normally hold an honours degree at 2:2 or above, or an international equivalent, in a relevant subject including, but not limited to, film, media and communications studies and the humanities.

Applicants without formal qualifications but with professional experience at an appropriate level in a related field and/or other relevant training and experience may be considered with lower qualifications. Applicants may be asked to attend an interview and submit supporting material evidencing their experience and achievements. Each application is considered on its merits.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Africa

Americas

Central Asia

East Asia

Europe

Middle East

South Asia

South East Asia


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Applicants without formal qualifications but with professional experience at an appropriate level in a related field and/or other relevant training and experience may be considered with lower qualifications. Applicants may be asked to attend an interview and submit supporting material evidencing their experience and achievements. Each application is considered on its merits.

Typical entry requirements

Applicants should normally hold an honours degree at 2:2 or above, or an international equivalent, in a relevant subject including, but not limited to, film, media and communications studies and the humanities.

English language requirements

International applicants should normally have IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component. IELTS 6.0 may be considered with additional pre-sessional English support.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests, visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man TBC per year Not available
EU TBC per year with EU Support Bursary**
TBC per year without EU Support Bursary**		 Not available
International TBC per year Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the University's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our international scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee, such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Postgraduate Master's Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

Facilities

  1. Specialist media spaces
    Access specialist media facilities across the Ellen Terry and Delia Derbyshire buildings, including computer labs with media-production software, photo studios, audio/radio production spaces and video-production facilities.
  2. The Tank and screen-production facilities
    Use specialist television and screen-production facilities, including the Tank with a production gallery, professional-level audio and video equipment, chromakey capabilities and immersive sound and visual facilities.
  3. Media Loan Service and postgraduate study space
    Access PC and Mac labs, postgraduate study space and the Media Loan Service, with equipment ranging from audio recorders to professional cameras, lighting and microphones, supported by technical advice.

You’ll use facilities through timetabled teaching, practical activities and relevant independent study. Access may vary by module, activity, capacity, supervision or safety requirements. Access may change or be limited where the University needs to follow public authority guidance, decisions or orders.4

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of this course, you’ll have developed critical, creative and professional skills relevant to roles across film, screen media, cultural organisations, communications and the wider creative industries. Your understanding of programming, curation, distribution, audience engagement, promotion, project development and changing screen-industry practices can support a range of career ambitions.

Potential career areas and roles include the following:

  • film curator or programmer
  • festival and event manager
  • media distributor or promoter
  • streaming content strategist
  • strategic communications or cultural policy officer
  • sales agent
  • publicist
  • content acquisition manager.

The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

How to apply

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