The Postgraduate Certificate in Film and Screen Professional Practice is funded by Screen Scotland and delivered by Edinburgh Napier University in association with Screen Education Edinburgh.
Screen Scotland has approved funding for a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Film and Screen Professional Practice, delivered by Edinburgh Napier University in association with Screen Education Edinburgh.
The programme is designed for practising teachers who have completed Screen Education Edinburgh’s Filmmaking in the Classroom and Film and Screen Education in Practice. These two modules are recognised through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), contributing 40 credits at SCQF Level 11.
From January to May 2026, you will complete a further 40 credits through two University-delivered Masters-level 20 credit modules in Screenwriting and in Creative Practice for Film and Television.
Successful completion of the taught modules, combined with RPL, leads to the award of a Postgraduate Certificate in Film and Screen Professional Practice and a total of 80 subject-specific credits. This meets the academic credit requirements for eligibility to apply for GTCS second-subject registration in Film and Screen. All registration decisions remain with GTCS.
Teaching is delivered online, with a small number of in-person practical filmmaking workshops.
Travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs for in-person activity are covered by the programme.
The programme provides the 80 subject-specific credits required to be eligible to apply for GTCS second-subject registration in Film and Screen. All final decisions are made by GTCS.
You will study two Masters-level modules: Script Workshop 1 (20 credits) and Creative Practice for Cinema (20 credits). These modules are drawn from Edinburgh Napier University’s long-established MA Film and MA Screenwriting provision, delivered by Screen Academy Scotland for over 20 years, and have been adapted for online delivery and teacher-friendly scheduling.
You will normally attend two online sessions each week: Tuesdays from 3:45–5:45pm for Screenwriting and Wednesdays from 3:45–5:45pm for Creative Practice. Each module involves a two-hour session per week that typically includes a lecture-led first hour followed by a seminar or discussion-based second hour. The structure may vary depending on the learning activity and the needs of the group.
Additional tutorials and seminars are arranged flexibly and discussed during induction.
Yes. Sessions will normally be recorded to support teachers who may occasionally be unable to attend live due to school commitments. Live participation is encouraged wherever possible, particularly for collaborative work.
There are in-person practical filmmaking workshops scheduled for one weekend in April 2026, currently either 11–12 April or 18–19 April. You are normally expected to attend one of these weekends. If attendance is not possible due to travel or personal circumstances, you may complete the practical component through an alternative online documentary-based pathway rather than the in-person collaborative drama exercise.
Assessment is practice-based and reflective. This includes creative film outputs (individual and/or collaborative work), screenwriting tasks, and reflective critical commentary on your practice. Full assessment details will be provided at the start of the trimester.
The programme is primarily offered as a cohort-based PGCert, and students are expected to complete both modules. Currently it is not possible to take one module and gain RPL for existing work. However, if you have already completed credits elsewhere, Screen Scotland aim to share further opportunities to build to 80 academic credits of practical filmmaking activity in the new year.
We understand that the turnaround for this programme has been very short. Even if you are not 100% certain at this stage, we recommend progressing with registration. The first week includes introductory sessions that will give you a clearer sense of expectations, and it is acceptable to make a final decision once you have that information.
Future delivery is planned, subject to funding. While a further delivery is anticipated for January 2027, dates have still to be confirmed.