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1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Masters
5. Film and Screen Media

Course Fact File

Code	MAFX
Duration	1 Year Full-time
Teaching Mode	Full-time
Qualifications	MA
NFQ Level	Level 9
Closing Date	Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing Date	Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.
Start Date	8 September 2025

Course Outline

Our MA in Film & Screen Media is a one-year taught course that offers students advanced-level critical skills in the discipline of Film & Screen Media, training in digital filmmaking, and transferrable IT/web skills.

This exciting MA combines film studies in theory, analysis, history, and practice, with an emphasis on encouraging students’ academic skills and creativity (in critical writing; filmmaking; film/media journalism; and cultural administration). Students will benefit from specialised tuition in the areas of film and screen media and digital filmmaking and may also avail of voluntary work for cultural projects and film festivals, such as the Fastnet Film Festival, Schull.

With its annual seminar series of visiting speakers and guest practitioners, as well as mentorship by resident UCC/Arts Council Film Artist, UCC Film & Screen Media gives students ample opportunities to meet and be taught by professionals and experts. We are also the only Irish partner in the European University Film Award — an award of the European Film Academy (EFA) and Filmfest Hamburg presented and voted for by university students across Europe — with one student gaining the opportunity to travel to Germany to participate in the Awards.

Course Content

The MA in Film & Screen Media is a 90-credit course 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.

You 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).

Our students 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 a 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. 

You 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. In total students take 90 credits as follows:

Part I

• FX6010 Irish Cinema: History, Contexts, Aesthetics (10 credits)
• FX6017 Film and Screen Cultures and Industries (20 credits)
• FX6018 Research Methodologies Seminar (10 credits)

plus 10 credits from the following:

• GE6020 Questions of Adaptation and Adoption: ReWritings/ReViewings/ReReadings (10 credits)
• FX6014 Introduction to Creative Practice (10 credits)**
• MU6037 Music and Cinema (10 credits)

Part II 

• FX6016 Dissertation in Film and Screen Media Studies (40 credits) OR
• FX6019 Creative Practice Project (40 credits)

Notes

• *FX6014 is an introductory module designed only for students who have not previously studied practical filmmaking.
• Not all optional modules may be available in a given year.

Course Practicalities

This full-time, one-year degree adopts a range of teaching methods and techniques, including traditional lectures, seminars, small-group tutorials, film screenings, practical labs, group work. You attend taught modules throughout the two teaching semesters (September to March), then focus entirely on your dissertation/project during the summer months. Some modules may involve some extra hours of self-directed filming and editing. Students may have opportunities to avail of voluntary work in film festivals or cultural events.  You are required to attend all classes and to prepare for seminar discussion by reading assigned materials and by viewing prescribed films.

Modules use a variety of forms of assessment including essay writing, oral presentations with technological support, portfolios, treatments, films and creative/practical projects. By being exposed to diverse forms of assessment, you acquire a broad set of discipline-specific as well as transferable skills that prepare you for different professions or for further study at postgraduate level in film or related areas. In addition to the taught modules, you can choose what kind of final project to undertake under expert one-to-one supervision, be it a research-focused dissertation or a creative practice-based portfolio.

Teaching staff

The MA is taught by Film and Screen Media lecturers based in the Department of Film and Screen Media, School of Film, Music and Theatre; by PhD and Post-doctoral Researchers in Film and Screen Media at UCC; and by lecturers based in other Schools and Departments including German and Music.

With its Masterclass Series of visiting speakers and guest practitioners, as well as mentorship by our resident UCC/Arts Council Film Artist as part of UCC Creative, UCC Film and Screen Media provides our students with ample opportunities to meet and be taught by professionals and experts.

Why Choose This Course

The MA in Film & Screen Media’s distinctive blend of theory, creative practice, and industry links is unique in Ireland. Students will 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. 

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Students may have opportunities to avail of volunteering work with one of our Industry partners (Cork Film Festival; Schull Fastnet Film Festival; European University Film Award - EUFA). 

Skills and Careers Information

Our MA students can avail of a range of modules that combine theory/analysis with practice. The emphasis is on equipping you with transferrable skills in digital filmmaking, IT, and writing. Film and Screen Media offers a dynamic interface with the Industry and you can avail of cultural industry placements as well as masterclasses and tuition from industry professionals. 

What can I do after I graduate with an MA in Film Studies?

Graduates of our master’s degree have developed careers in media and filmmaking, in cultural industries (including the programming and administration work with major film festivals); second and third-level teaching/lecturing; journalism (national and international); and library information. While studying for the MA in Film & Screen Media students have the opportunity to avail of placements within the Industry that will equip them with transferable skills and professional experience. 

Occupations associated with the MA in Film Studies degree:

• Film and Media Industries
• Cultural industries
• Journalism
• Teaching
• Academia
• Event management
• Public Sector

Requirements

An applicant will have a Second Class Honours, Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8 or equivalent) in the Humanities. Successful applicants will normally have evidence of successful performance in undergraduate modules taken in Film Studies and/or Media Studies and/or practical/professional expertise or qualification in the area.

Applications from students with a Second Class Honours, Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8 or equivalent) in a suitable subject may be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). These applicants may be requested to submit a proposal and/or attend an interview.

All applicants must satisfy a Selection Committee and must provide two written references.

Fees and Costs

How To Apply

Additional Requirements (All Applicants): Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme
• Please enter all relevant work experience that will support your application.
• Please detail your research interest(s).
• In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to your intended programme.
• Please describe your portfolio of work or achievements.
• Please upload a portfolio of relevant work.
• After the application is submitted, you will be required to enter the names and email addresses of 2 referees (one academic and the second professional/experience) and request 2 references from the application portal.

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.

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