MA Screenwriting - Edinburgh Napier University

A challenging programme for aspiring film, television and interactive screenwriters wanting to develop their creative skills                              

Screenwriter Allan Shiach	Eleanor Yule and Nigel Smith	Sam Kelly   and Graphic Novelist Mark Millar

course structure: full-time and part-time options available.	MA SW Part time - Course Details
dates: Late September for 12 months	Fees/Funding - Part time
location: 2A Merchiston Avenue Production Centre	MA SW Full time - Course Details
application deadlines: Rolling deadline for Sept entry	Fees/Funding - Full time
Are you an International student?	How to Apply - Full time
	How to Apply - Part tim
	The MA Screenwriting has been awarded the Creative Skillset Tick, the industry kitemark of quality, following a rigorous assessment process by experts working in the Creative Industries. The Creative Skillset Tick is awarded to practice-based courses which best prepare students for a career in the industry.”

Student Success – Find out what it’s like to be a student at Edinburgh Skillset Film & Media Academy and what some of our graduates did next.

 

An  Introduction to the MA Screenwriting by Programme Leader James Mavor

The MA Screenwriting at Edinburgh Napier University was launched in 2006 and has adapted and developed since then to a point where we feel confident that this is one of the best Screenwriting Masters courses on offer in the UK.

As Programme Leader, I am very aware that there are a growing number of screenwriting courses out there – at all sorts of levels and for all kinds of people. The focus of this course is for students to develop a portfolio of work along with a realistic sense of how the film, TV and new media industries work at a professional level. The course is taught and delivered by working professionals, underpinned by strong academic support and world-class equipment and resources.

Below, you can download an overview which outlines the course structure. You will see from this that our programme takes a broad approach rather than narrowing down on one particular type of screenwriting. Over 12 months (or 24 if taking the course part-time), you will develop a portfolio of scripts and projects in a variety of formats: several short films, one 30’ TV script, an interactive or new media project. In the summer term, you will write either a feature film screenplay or an equally substantial script for television. On top of this you’ll write a couple of essays, script reports, case studies for assessment, plus, we hope, as many other projects as you can squeeze in.


The course here takes in around 15-20 students each year, from all over the world. In recent years, we have welcomed students from the USA, Austria, Turkey, Australia, Belgium, Spain, Lebanon, Malta, Finland, Russia, Denmark, Ireland and Romania alongside Scottish, Irish and UK students. There is a wide range of ages from 23 upwards.

The full-time course is taught two days a week (Thursdays and Fridays). Part-time, you do Thursdays in Year One, Fridays in Year Two. Most of the teaching takes place between October-December and January-April. The summer is free for you to write your Major Project screenplay.

Our students have won or placed well in prestigious script competitions. Collaborations between students at Edinburgh Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art have resulted in a range of short films and longer-term professional relationships. The buzz and word of mouth around the course and Screen Academy Scotland is generally very positive with a large number and wide range of industry guests coming to teach and work with our students.

The MA Screenwriting course was re-accredited by Skillset in 2011. Screen Academy Scotland is one of only three Skillset Film Academies in the UK, along with the National Film and Television School and London Film School.

We are fortunate to have a world-class Film Festival on our doorstep.  Screen Academy Scotland students attend the Edinburgh International Film Festival in June at a special student rate and take in a wide range of screenings, master-classes and industry events.

Please explore the overview document which outlines the course structure and gives details of the teaching staff and industry guests. Do get in touch if you have any questions.