Screenwriting MA



Develop skills in writing, script-editing and project development for the film, television and digital fiction industries

Overview

The MA Screenwriting was launched at Edinburgh Napier University in 2006 and has adapted and developed since then to become one of the strongest screenwriting Masters courses on offer in the UK.

This course is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries and carries the ScreenSkills Select endorsement which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.

The course is studied at the Screen Academy Scotland, a ScreenSkills recognised Film Academy.

While the course is primarily for aspiring screenwriters, it is also aimed at those interested in script editing, script development and creative producing.

Teaching staff are working screenwriters and producers and there are regular visits from professional writers, producers, directors and those working in script editing and development.

Typical entry point to this course is in September. Please enquire for more information.

To ensure there is sufficient time to process your application, we encourage you to submit your application by 30th June.

Three people smiling for the camera at the Screen Academy Scotland event

Mode of Study:

Part-time (available as Full-time)

Duration:

2 years

Course details

In recent years, this course has developed a strong international profile, attracting a diverse range of students. As a student at Screen Academy Scotland you will be part of a large and thriving film community. 

Collaboration is encouraged and MA Screenwriters work closely with students on the MA Film programme.

The MA Screenwriting will develop skills in screenwriting, creativity, analytical thinking, academic writing, professional writing for film (script reports, coverage), editing and developmental skills.

In summary, the MA Screenwriting:

  • takes a general approach across film, television and other media
  • develops the core craft skills for screenwriting
  • enhances script editing and story development skills
  • places teaching and student work in an industry context
  • introduces students to staff and industry guests working as writers, producers, directors and in script development at a high, professional level

Please visit the Screen Academy Scotland website for more details on our programmes, past students and industry activities.

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    How you’ll be taught

    This is a part-time course starting in September which takes two years to complete. The course is taught two days a week (currently Thursdays and Fridays). Part-time students attend classes on Thursdays in Year 1 and Fridays in Year 2.

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    Assessments

    A range of assessments cover screenwriting (short form, TV and film), industry documents (script reports, coverage) as well as other professionally-focused reports (a case study on your chosen area) and academic writing.
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    Facilities

     MA Screenwriting is taught in the Screen Academy, just around the corner from the Merchiston campus, and is equipped with state-of-the-art editing and production equipment.

    Please visit the Screen Academy Scotland website for details of permanent staff and visiting lecturers. 

RECOGNISED BY

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Screenwriting? 

The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above in any discipline.

We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient relevant work experience within the industry. 

You will also be required to attend an interview and/or be asked to show evidence of an aptitude for the course, appropriate experience, and an indication of how you might benefit from the course.

As part of the application process you will need to submit the following with your application:

  • A personal statement outlining why you want to write for the screen (maximum 300 words)
  • An outline for a feature film or single television drama (maximum one page)
  • A writing sample - this may be a short film script or an excerpt from a feature film script or television drama (maximum 10 pages)

The University does not sponsor students to study on part-time programmes in the UK under the Student Visa route. International Applicants must therefore have other valid immigration leave to study on this programme.

Can I get admission into Screenwriting based on my working experience in this sector?

This course has academic entry requirements which are assessed alongside relevant work experience. Full details of any relevant work experience, including references should be submitted with your application and may be considered for entry where the minimum academic entry requirements are below those required.

Usually, unrelated work experience is not considered sufficient for entry without meeting the minimum academic entry requirements. Please contact us with your specific circumstances by submitting an enquiry form above and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.


If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test.  The English Language requirements for this programme are IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of 7.0 with no individual component score of less than 6.5, excluding Writing which must be 7.0 or above. For guidance on the acceptability of other English Language tests please contact pgadmissions@napier.ac.uk

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BN Nursing/MSc Nursing (Pre-registration) (Adult, Mental Health, Child, Learning Disabilities)
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2023/24 2024/25
Stage 1 £3,155 £tba
Stage 2 £3,775 tba
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Total - Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £6,930 tba
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Stage 1 £7,680 tba
Stage 2 £9,390 tba
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Overseas and EU-Total Fee £17,070 tba
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Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Please note:

The discount for Edinburgh Napier alumni can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount.

For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.

Please read our full T&C here

Careers

  • Screenwriter 
  • Television writer
  • Producer
  • Script development

Students chatting and laughing whilst sitting at tables at merchiston entrance