About the course

The MA/MFA Writing for Stage and Broadcast Media offers a vocational training in writing drama across a range of different media contexts.

Both the MA and MFA courses provide the opportunity for you to develop the core competencies and skills of the dramatist, to explore your ‘voice’, to develop your confidence in your own writing and to understand the different media contexts within which you might work as a professional scriptwriter.

Train to write drama for different media including theatre, film, television and radio Study the history of dramatic writing and explore its future Work with actors and be taught by industry professionals.

In the past, students have also had the opportunity to study optional units on writing within other contexts, for example, writing with, and for, communities (in collaboration with the MA Applied Theatre).

Key features of the course

Practice-based enquiry into techniques and processes for writing for stage and screen
A series of writing projects engaging with different styles and media formats
Research into dramatic writing techniques and issues of performance in relation to theatre, cinema, television, radio and other relevant contexts.

Assessment

You will be assessed through peer assessment, scriptwriting assignments, essays, presentations, critical reflection on your own writing and, for the MFA, the submission of a professional development portfolio.

MFA study

If you choose to study for an MFA, you will join the MA students for two-thirds of their course. The MFA then extends into a second year that engages you with further specialist subject skills. You will be expected to produce two ‘calling card’ scripts and to develop a plan for your professional development.

MFA students are offered extended and sustained script development support from professional writers and other industry professionals. You will be expected to develop professional ties and to begin to establish yourself as a professional practitioner.

The MFA second year widens your opportunities to practise knowledge within a context and framework where pertinent questions can be asked, protocols tested and new structures suggested. During the MFA, you will be supported with one-to-one tutorials and occasional seminars.

The MFA offers a further embedding of skills and concepts learnt during the first year. In some countries, the MFA is more recognised, particularly if you are interested in teaching or research in a higher education environment. An MFA top-up year for those with an existing MA in this subject is also available.