Postgraduate MA

Screenwriting: Feature Film and Continuing Series

This innovative master’s course is taught by practising screenwriters. It’s hands-on, industry focused and is based in the Northern Film School.

Screenwriting: Feature Film and Continuing Series

Course Overview

  • Institution code


    L27
  • Main location


    City Campus
  • Attendance


    Full-Time
  • Duration


    18 Months
  • Start date


    16 Sep 2024

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: 

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. Past guest lecturers include:

  • Games writer, Samantha Webb
  • Writer and chair of the Writers’ Guild, Lisa Holdsworth
  • Author, Screenwriter, playwright, Courttia Newland 

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?

  1. 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
  2. Our close links to the film industry and the creative sector will steer your development so you’re ready for working in industry
  3. Learn from expert tutors with extensive and current experience of screenwriting or practice-based research
  4. 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
  5. 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.

Leeds School of Arts

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