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Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
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Course overview
-
L27 -
City Campus -
Full-Time -
18 Months -
21 Sep 2026
Study your vocation
This vocational course will enable you to develop your creative screenwriting practice. It will emphasise the formulation of new ideas through provocation, stimulation, and inspiration. You’ll develop a portfolio of work in preparation for a career in screenwriting, possibly using the skills you have learned in an associated role.
As part of this course, you’ll:
- Gain a thorough grounding in the key concepts and concerns of screenwriting for a range of screen media
- Learn through lectures, seminars, tutorials, talks, discussions and screenings
- Be supported as you work on self-directed projects and writing exercises
- Explore your creative potential and test your ideas across a range of platforms including film and television
- Develop an understanding and appreciation of the impact of new technologies on the industry
- Explore a wide range of ideas from industry which will inform and inspire your development as a writer
- Study the history, context, and application of various forms of screenwriting to develop a sophisticated understanding of genre conventions and how to use them
Your final project
You’ll be paired with a mentor for your final project. The project will replicate professional practice as you develop a script in response to feedback and industry trends.
Develop your voice
Throughout your course, you’ll work to develop your voice as a writer. You’ll be supported at all stages of your creative process by staff with valuable industry experience as you plan, prepare, and write for screen. Tutors will give you constructive feedback on your work in tutorials and seminars, and collaborative feedback from your fellow screenwriting students will help shape your ideas. You’ll become an expert in generating original and innovative ideas, and you’ll be confident pitching to industry professionals and responding to feedback.
Practise promoting yourself
The Writing for an Industry Context module will help you think about how to promote yourself as a freelance writer in the creative industries. On this module, you’ll practise operating in this context by contributing to the organisation and development of a conference event.
Join a diverse community
You’ll be based in the Northern Film School. Joining a diverse and creative community will enhance your learning and development as you work alongside film production courses while you complete your course.
The Northern Film School and Leeds School of Arts has professional links with Northern based film and TV organisations including:
- Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF)
- Hyde Park Picture House
- Film4
- BFI Hub
- Duck Soup Films
- ITV
- Screen Yorkshire
- Freelance industry practitioners
You’ll be encouraged to begin building your professional networks from day one. Guest lectures by screenwriters and filmmakers will enable you to learn from experienced industry professionals. Recent guests to the university have also included mentors and pitch panellists, such as:
- Paven Virk, actress and writer
- Katherine Beacon, BBC senior development producer (The Royle Family, Phoenix Rise)
- Cardy O’Donnell, writer (Coronation Street, Doctors, Hollyoaks)
- Courttia Newland, writer (Small Axe (2020), The Woman in the Wall (2023))
- Henry Normal, writer, poet, film and TV producer (The Royal Family (1998), 24 Hour Party People (2002))
- Lisa Holdsworth, writer (Call the Midwife (2019-24), Dance School)
- Warp Films
- BFI Hub
- Screen Yorkshire
- The Writers Guild UK
Northern Film School graduates include:
- Writer, Jeremy Dyson (Ghost Stories (2017), Killing Eve (2019), The League of Gentlemen (1999-2017))
- Cinematographer, Fabian Wagner (House of the Dragon (2022), Game of Thrones (2014-2019), The Crown (2019))
- Director, Sam Donovan (Three Pines (2022), The Crown (2019), Humans (2015), Utopia (2014))
Why study Screenwriting: Feature Film and Continuing Series at Leeds Beckett University?
- Develop your own creative portfolio of work while studying alongside production courses at 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
- Our close links to the film industry and the creative sector will steer your development so you’re ready for working in industry
- Learn from expert tutors and visiting industry guests with extensive and current experience of screenwriting or practice-based research
- Leeds is at the heart of a boom in the northern film industry, as well as being the birthplace of film and home to Channel 4’s new national headquarters
- Access professional, industry-standard filmmaking facilities, equipment and teaching spaces that will foster interdisciplinary collaboration, your creative talent, and knowledge sharing
Leeds School of Arts ‘When I feel like I’m sinking’ is a poem to mark the opening of the Leeds School of Arts building at Leeds Beckett University. Recited by the poet and Leeds Beckett graduate, Zodwa Nyoni, this short film showcases the creative work produced by our Performing Arts, Music and Sound, Filmmaking, and Creative Technologies students and graduates.
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 or have equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment.
All applicants will be required to submit a portfolio to evidence an aptitude for the subject. Your portfolio should be of creative work that demonstrates creative ability and understanding of story, preferably including examples of writing for the screen. Your portfolio may include your final year degree projects in detail and can also include edited work from the rest of your education where you think there is something relevant. We are keen to see how creatively you have spent your career to date so please also include any professional work and clearly explain your role and the project. The portfolio needs to be in chronological order. Please make sure that your work is clearly described and referenced. Do not put in everything you have ever done, edit with a critical eye.All suitable candidates who meet the entry requirements will be required to attend an interview. Candidates based overseas will be supported to undertake this electronically and/or by telephone.
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 or have equivalent experience or training, normally from within the work environment.
All applicants will be required to submit a portfolio to evidence an aptitude for the subject. Your portfolio should be of creative work that demonstrates creative ability and understanding of story, preferably including examples of writing for the screen. Your portfolio may include your final year degree projects in detail and can also include edited work from the rest of your education where you think there is something relevant. We are keen to see how creatively you have spent your career to date so please also include any professional work and clearly explain your role and the project. The portfolio needs to be in chronological order. Please make sure that your work is clearly described and referenced. Do not put in everything you have ever done, edit with a critical eye.All suitable candidates who meet the entry requirements will be required to attend an interview. Candidates based overseas will be supported to undertake this electronically and/or by telephone.
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.
Interview Required
We conduct interviews as part of the admissions process and suitable applicants will be invited to an interview.
Portfolio Required
All suitable candidates who meet the entry requirements will be required to submit a portfolio of creative work. Your portfolio should be of creative work that demonstrates creative ability and understanding of story, preferably including examples of writing for the screen. Your portfolio may include your final year degree projects in detail and can also include edited work from the rest of your education where you think there is something relevant. We are keen to see how creatively you have spent your career to date so please also include any professional work and clearly explain your role and the project. The portfolio needs to be in chronological order. Please make sure that your work is clearly described and referenced. Do not put in everything you have ever done, edit with a critical eye.
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.
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.
Modules, teaching and learning
What you'll learn
Explore why we tell stories. This module will develop your awareness of the fundamentals of visual storytelling. You'll spend time considering the core aspects of storytelling, the script and how it is developed for screen. You'll be encouraged to explore narrative theories and debates about how we tell stories to audiences of different sizes and through different platforms and technologies. This module will also explore the insights that scholars have offered to the different ways we write for the screen. You'll be encouraged to apply these insights to your own writing.
Explore the detail of screenwriting craft and examine how we tell stories for screens. This module will develop your expertise in current screenwriting and the skills you'll need to consider your own work in context. This means that you'll practise script reading and editing to improve your own writing and begin to understand what is required from professional work. The skills you'll develop will prepare you for the peer critique and workshopping you'll need to complete the course. We'll cover how to structure your work, how to embody theme, and how to build convincing characters and worlds. This module will also highlight techniques of visual storytelling as well as exploring scene construction and building, writing dialogue and tone and pace. You'll gain the skills and knowledge you'll need for entry-level work in the industry.
Learn to write for a range of different narrative genres and screen platforms. The expansion of online delivery of film and in particular TV presents us with a wide and developing range of ‘shows’ and ‘programmes’ in screen production. This module will focus on structure and style of narrative genres and forms. You'll be encouraged to study and understand past and current forms and think critically how they can be combined, altered and challenged to produce new work. This module will investigate the visual elements that are at play in established and contemporary production practices. You'll choose to research specific narrative genres and consider the variety of available platforms to construct work that is informed by that study. You'll be encouraged to follow your interests and discuss and develop a number of treatments for one or a variety of narrative genres and platforms.
Explore and develop themes, narrative, character development and structure for the longer form with an emphasis on writing for feature film. The focus of this module will be the development of your individual portfolio of work. You'll create it with a professional context in mind, taking note of current trends and developments within the field. You'll study vision and voice as you explore the writer’s creative process. We'll also investigate major script elements including character, structure dialogue, style, tone, setting and theme in detail. The work you develop in the module will be workshopped within the group.
Focus on learning to write in a group setting. You'll work collaboratively on a professional brief developing outlines, step outlines, episode plans, storylines, vision statements and
scripted work that will contribute towards the creation of a show or pitch bible. Particular attention will be paid to structure, devising characters and plotting storylines. Together with your peers, you'll decide on the form and genre of the collaborative project. The focus will be on the creation of something unique that complements what is currently available in professional media settings.
Examine effective strategies to promote yourself as a freelance writer in the creative industries. You'll research contemporary practice to use in the organisation and development of a conference or event. You'll develop and possibly hold a conference or event in order to pitch your ideas to industry guests for feedback.
Work on a major script development project for any platform. You'll bring together all the screenwriting skills that you've gained on the course and apply them to a longer script. You could choose to develop the work you've produced in other modules or begin a new idea. If you decide to develop an idea from another module, you must be prepared to completely re-evaluate and change it.
Fees and funding
£10,400
UK
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £10400. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
£18,440
International 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £18440. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Fees and funding
£10,400
For students entering in 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £10400. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
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 film sets, camera and grip equipment, lighting equipment, edit suites for post-production and sound recording studios.
- 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 (cost will vary).
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.
£18,440
For students entering in 2026
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2026/27 is £18440. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
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 film sets, camera and grip equipment, lighting equipment, edit suites for post-production and sound recording studios.
- Free entry to Inside/Out guest lecture series.
Essential Costs
- External hard drive (cost will vary).
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.
Funding support for your studies
Discover more about our range of postgraduate funding options including a Master's Loan of up to £13,206, and our 20% alumni discount*
*Terms apply
Leeds School of Arts Leeds School of Arts encourages individuality, inspires creativity, and creates impact.
Career prospects
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.
Career Prospects
On completion of this course, you'll have an extensive individual portfolio of a variety of new work. Your portfolio coupled with your industry knowledge and creative expertise will mean you're primed to build a career in screenwriting or a related role such as script editing, storylining or development.
You'll be expert in generating original and innovative ideas and confident pitching to industry professionals and responding to clients’ needs. The Writing for an Industry Context module will help you think about how to promote yourself as a freelance writer in the creative industries. You'll practise operating in this context by contributing to the organisation and development of a conference event.
You'll have the expertise and experience to work as a:
- Screenwriter
- Script reader
- Script editor
The Northern Film School has a great international reputation. Its links with industry have always been strong and creative technology has never been more exciting. Opportunities in Yorkshire are really gaining momentum and I’m excited that this course and its graduates can be part of that.
Dr Laura Taylor
Course Director
Dr Laura Taylor
Course Director / Leeds School of Arts
Laura is an accomplished filmmaker specialising in sound and documentary filmmaking; with credits for the BBC, ITV, and Channel Five. Her research focuses on co-production in filmmaking, immersive film production, AI in the creative industries and sound design's role in storytelling.
Cathianne Hall
Lecturer / Leeds School of Arts
Part-time lecturer in Screenwriting. The Northern Film School, Leeds School of Arts, Leeds Beckett University. Specialising in Children's and YA TV, developing film and TV work with new writers and in professional practice creating solo pieces from women's hidden history.
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.
Student life
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 Northern Film School facilities Find out more about our industry-standard film facilities
Describe your experience of studying at Leeds Beckett What’s it like studying at Leeds School of Arts and Leeds Beckett University? Some of our students share their thoughts.
Experience Leeds Beckett
Our state-of-the-art facilities and learning environments give you everything you need to succeed – whether that’s completing your current studies or joining our cutting-edge research teams.
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.
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