Screenwriting Pathways for International Students

Screenwriters are responsible for the vast majority of storylines we see in films and television programmes. As a screenwriter, you will work either by yourself or with a team to create original stories for characters, adapt well known books, or recreate old storylines. By studying for a degree in screenwriting, you will be able to take your talent in writing and turn it into a career, gaining industry standard skills and experience.

Undergraduate

An undergraduate degree in screenwriting will provide you with a good foundation of knowledge in the area. The modules you study will develop your creative writing skills, your ability to transform ideas from page to screen, how to create original narratives, and the language of film scripts, among other things.

Your degree will be delivered through a mixture of modes. These will include lectures and seminars, as well as incorporating practical sessions. You may also be presented with the opportunity to take part in a work experience placement module or year, which will allow you to develop your professional practice.

Postgraduate

A postgraduate degree in screenwriting will help you to build on the skills you gained at undergraduate level. The modules you study will cover the more complex and specialist areas of screenwriting, and you will be able to explore your favoured style and narrative. Modules could include the principles of storytelling, adaptation for the screen, and film entrepreneurship. A postgraduate degree will be designed to help you build your professional portfolio in preparation for starting your career.

Depending on where you choose to study, you may be able to specialise towards the end of your screenwriting degree. This specialisation could influence the area in which you choose to work once you have graduated. It can also help you to decide which area you wish to focus your dissertation or final year project on. Common specialisations include:

• Short Films
• International Film and Television
• Feature Films
• Genre Specific Screenwriting (Horror, Comedy, Documentary, etc.)

The accreditation of your degree will depend on where you choose to study. It will also be influenced by your level of study. At undergraduate level, you can expect to be awarded a Bachelor of Arts (BA), or a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). at postgraduate level, you can expect to be awarded a Master of Arts (MA), or a Master of Fine Arts (MFA). If you choose to study for a postgraduate research degree, you will be awarded a Master of Research (MRes), Master of Philosophy (MPhil), or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Generally, an undergraduate degree will take three to four years to complete. Foundation degrees, diplomas and certificates can last up to two years when studied full-time. A postgraduate degree will normally take one to two years. If your course includes a placement, this will normally add another year onto your studies.

Some institutions might offer part-time study options. Studying for a degree part-time normally means that your course will last anywhere between three and eight years, with some universities offering more flexible study options.

Screenwriting graduates will find that there are a wide variety of career opportunities available to them in a range of industries. Popular destinations include scriptwriter, script editor, or story liner. You will have gained many useful and transferable skills throughout your degree. These could include project development, analytical thinking, time management, and effective communication.