Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Course Overview
-
L27 -
City Campus -
Full-Time -
18 Months -
19 Sep 2022
Documentary filmmaking is constantly evolving, thanks to the rise of internet and social media, there are now countless places for filmmakers to screen their work.
As part of this course you’ll:
- Understand how to find an audience for the idea or subject you are passionate about
- Develop the expertise to turn your vision into a bold and innovative film
- Have the opportunity to explore and communicate a subject you’re passionate about at the Northern Film School
- Join a strong and successful group of graduates, many of whom have won Oscars and BAFTAs for their work
- Be supported by experienced staff who will give you the support you need to explore your ideas and creativity, and make your passion a visual reality
- Have access to our industry-standard facilities
We support all types of filmmaking, including campaigning and issue-led films, observational and character pieces, experimental films and wildlife documentaries.
The Northern Film School
The prestige of the Northern Film School will set you up to achieve your ambitions and our reputation will provide you with the foundation to becoming a successful documentary filmmaker.
Industry connections
We have contacts with the BBC, ITV and Channel Four and strong connections to Sheffield International Documentary Festival where you will have the opportunity to showcase your work.
Why study Documentary Filmmaking at Leeds Beckett
- The Northern Film School, which creates more than 200 films a year, was rated one of the top five international film schools in the world to watch by the Hollywood Reporter
- Benefit from the school's close links to the creative sector in the Yorkshire region, throughout the UK, and beyond
- Your tutors have extensive experience of working in the film industry, with most of them still being active filmmakers
- Leeds is at the heart of a boom in the northern film industry, as well as being the birthplace of film, home to the one of the UK's oldest cinemas and the city recently chosen by Channel 4 for its new national headquarters
- Study within Leeds School of Arts - one of the largest university arts communities in the north
- Access to professional, industry standard filmmaking facilities, equipment and teaching spaces that will foster inter-disciplinary collaboration, creative talent and knowledge sharing
Specialist teaching facilities
Use of our industry standard film studio facilities includes access to specialist equipment, including ARRI ALEXA cameras, professional grade sound recording equipment and lighting, along with the expert help of teaching and support staff. In addition to this, students will have access to our Dolby Atmos-accredited cinema, project planning spaces and a range of pre and post production facilities.
Everything you need to know
Discover all there is to know about the course, from entry requirements and fees to exploring the school you’ll be joining - we’ve got it covered.
Entry requirements
Applicants should either have at least a second class honours degree in a cognate subject; at least a second class honours degree in a non-cognate subject supported by evidence of an aptitude for the subject applied for; or have equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment. All applicants are required to submit an online portfolio of creative or other work relevant to documentary which includes a proposal for a new documentary film. All applications should be supported by a reference, either academic or professional; you can download our reference template for completion. All applicants should satisfy our University English language requirements.
Entry requirements
Applicants should either have at least a second class honours degree in a cognate subject; at least a second class honours degree in a non-cognate subject supported by evidence of an aptitude for the subject applied for; or have equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment. All applicants are required to submit an online portfolio of creative or other work relevant to documentary which includes a proposal for a new documentary film. All applications should be supported by a reference, either academic or professional; you can download our reference template for completion. All applicants should satisfy our University English language requirements.
Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Mature Applicants:
Our university welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. If you have recent relevant work experience and/or professional qualifications, we may be able to consider you for entry through our ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’ policy. Please ensure that you list both your qualifications and relevant work experience in your application.
All applicants should meet our standard entry requirements of GCSE grade C in English language and, where specified, Maths. Alternative qualifications such as functional skills are accepted in lieu of GCSEs for most courses.
Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through a number of modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to the specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.
Our silver status in the latest Teaching Excellence Framework, reflects our commitment to deliver high-quality teaching, learning and outcomes for our students.
Teaching & Learning
What you'll learn
Challenge and develop your creative filmmaking practice through the production of short film exercises or sketches. You will gain an understanding of your voice and vision as a filmmaker and enhance your knowledge of all the creative specialisms in filmmaking. Experimentation and collaboration are at the heart of this module.
Develop specialist creative and technical skills for the making of documentary films. You will be introduced to the Northern Film School and the overall ethos of the MA while building basic production skills in three specialist areas: producing and directing; camera and sound; editing.
Explore potential ideas and stories for your own work by researching a wide range of documentary genres. We will introduce you to documentary film theory and history, and you will explore the research methodologies that underpin best practice for documentary production in all specialisms.
Build on your learning from Documentary Practice 1 and increase your knowledge of specialist documentary filmmaking. You will collaborate with other students to complete production exercises designed to explore and enhance your Masters Project.
Apply the ideas and concepts discussed during Documentary Research 1 to your own work. You will decide which approach will work best for your chosen subject and determine the style and ethical perspective of your work.
The culmination of all your learning throughout the course, this module will see you research, develop, create and complete a documentary project, either as the sole author or as a significant specialist member of a collaborative team.
Develop a project and professional plan for your continued practice after the completion of your course. Your proposed project could potentially be individual work, or one in collaboration with colleagues.
Fees & Funding
The tuition fees for the 2022/23 academic year are not yet confirmed.
The tuition fees for the 2022/23 academic year are not yet confirmed.
Fees & Funding
The tuition fees for the 2022/23 academic year are not yet confirmed.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
Access to course resources, equipment and facilities, including:
- Studio equipment and facilities, including 3D printer, laser cutters, a dedicated CAD suite and specialist software
- Free entry to Inside/Out guest lecture series
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Essential Costs
- External hard drive (£50)
Optional Costs
- Educational visits; the details and location will vary but the costs you will need to pay could include travel, accommodation and subsistence
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Additional information
For further information on financing your studies or information about whether you may qualify for one additional support or scholarships, follow the links below:
The tuition fees for the 2022/23 academic year are not yet confirmed.
Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Access to course resources, equipment and facilities, including:
- Studio equipment and facilities, including 3D printer, laser cutters, a dedicated CAD suite and specialist software
- Free entry to Inside/Out guest lecture series
Essential Costs
- External hard drive (£50)
Optional Costs
- Educational visits; the details and location will vary but the costs you will need to pay could include travel, accommodation and subsistence
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Additional information
For further information on financing your studies or information about whether you may qualify for one additional support or scholarships, follow the links below:
Your future in our hands
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a course. Take a look at the team you’ll be working with, employability statistics and career prospects to help make up your mind.
90.2%
of students from Leeds School of Arts courses in work or further study 15 months after graduating.
My filmmaking course taught me how to work with other people in different kinds of circumstances. The highlight was shooting Border Patrol for our final degree project in Germany with an international crew. Winning the Student Academy Award has also helped me a lot with my career. I’m currently writing scripts for new projects including a mini-series based on Border Patrol and a 90-minute feature film.
Peter Baumann
Director & Writer Student Academy Award Winner 2014 for the film Border Patrol
Career Prospects
This course will prepare you for the collaborative environment of documentary filmmaking. You will gain the experience and knowledge you need to interpret your ideas and give them exposure to new audiences. Your technical and creative skills will enable you to make films you care about, ensuring your voice is heard and paving the way for your future career as a filmmaker.
Beckett Careers Team
Our careers service is not just there for undergraduates, we support our postgraduate taught and research students too.
Your postgraduate degree will boost your CV and help you stand out from the crowd. Whether you're just starting out on your chosen career path, changing careers or moving to the next level, we can provide you with expert advice and resources to help you take the next steps to achieving your goals.
Your Beckett experience
At Leeds Beckett your experience is important to us, find out more about what to expect from your time on this course and life at uni.
Leeds School of Arts Show 2021
This year’s graduates have demonstrated a range of creative responses to exploring a complex uncertain world. Please join us in celebrating their work.
Northern Film School Showreel With its roots originating in the late 1970s in the Leeds Polytechnic Film Unit, the Northern School of Film and Television came into being in January 1990. Eventually simplifying its name to the Northern Film School and residing within the Leeds School of Arts at Leeds Beckett University, the Northern Film School offers filmmaking awards at BA (Hons), MA and PhD levels, attracting students from around the world.
Leeds School of Arts Leeds School of Arts encourages individuality, inspires creativity, and creates impact.
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