Learn the entire documentary film making process on this comprehensive course, which integrates theory with practical experience of making your own short films.

Course overview

MA Documentary Film is a leader in exploring the traditions of the documentary film genre and its modes of production. Integrating practice with theory, you’ll analyse filmmaking critically, historically and conceptually within a practical context.

Documentary has the power to investigate and inspire - to reveal the human experience, call the powerful to account and help effect lasting change.

As a student of documentary film, you’ll be naturally inquisitive and interested in the lives of others, committed to understanding the world that surrounds you, and keen to examine the most pressing issues of our time.

On this course, you’ll undertake the roles of producer, director, camera operator, sound-recordist and editor. You’ll learn how to self-shoot, to work in teams, and to direct and produce for broadcast, independent and web media.

For your Major Project, you’ll develop ideas in ways that suit your work best. From identifying characters, stories and locations to shooting and editing with a particular visual style, you can choose to be the author of your work or to collaborate with peers.

What to expect

You’ll become grounded in direction, camerawork and editing, and learn key artistic and technical skills alongside sustainable practice for a successful documentary filmmaker.

You’ll contextualise theoretical and ethical debates surrounding the documentary form to compliment and nourish your growing practical skills in documentary filmmaking.

You’ll introduce your work to the competitive British and international documentary filmmaking circuits.

You’ll enhance your career prospects, gaining valuable vision, opportunities and skills including guidance on pitching for funding and commissions.

In return, you’ll need to be committed to the practice, ready with strong ideas, and open to constructive and supportive criticism so that you can push boundaries in your thinking, writing and reflection alongside making films.