Film and Screen Media (MA) at University College Cork

The MA in Film and Screen Media is a one-year taught course that offers advanced-level critical skills in the disciplines of Film and Screen Media, training in digital filmmaking, and transferrable IT/web skills. The MA combines theory and practice, with an emphasis on encouraging students’ academic skills and creativity (in filmmaking; film/media journalism; cultural administration). Students will avail of specialised tuition and supervision, and may also opt to take up voluntary placements in festivals, offered throughout the programme year. The unique theory and practice blended programme and the range of learning methods offered by the Department means that students have greater flexibility in shaping the kind of programme they want, and can pursue their interests in theoretical and cultural studies, creative practice, critical writing, or the culture industry. This distinctive blend of theory, creative practice, and industry links is unique in Ireland

The MA in Film and Screen Media is a 90-credit programme with both a taught and a research component. Students take core modules and a selection of optional modules and complete either a traditional research dissertation or a practice-based project under expert supervision.

Students can opt to complete a practice-based project, incorporating a short film/visual project and a reflective piece (40 credits) or a 16,000-word research-based dissertation (40 credits). All students will graduate with the same Master’s Degree.

Students will avail of specialised tuition in the areas of film and screen media and digital filmmaking, and benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, that include large screen and surround sound system; Apple™ lab; digital cameras and industry-standard filmmaking equipment; and teaching and performance space, all located in the heart of one of the most beautiful University campuses in Ireland. Students can also avail of specialised Apple™ training in our newly established Apple Authorised Training Centre for Education.

Students can avail of a selection of option modules, in film studies, in filmmaking, in cultural/film studies, as well as a core module that offers advanced-level studies in film and screen media. Topics covered in the programme include: 

• amateur filmmaking
• theory and practice
• the essay film
• archives and curatorship
• music and cinema
• writing on cinema
• mobile filmmaking
• new media & new technologies
• theory and practice
• feminism/gender studies and film
• national cinemas
• independent cinema