Overview

The MA Documentary Film at the University of the Arts London (UAL) leads on exploring the full range of the documentary genre and modes of production that have brought about recent innovation.

The digital revolution means new ways of directing, producing and showing documentary films in broadcast, independent and web 2.0 media. You will learn the entire process – taking on the roles of producer, director, camera operator, sound-recordist and editor.

What can you expect?

You can expect to be grounded in documentary direction, camerawork and editing - the key artistic and technical skills for a successful production team.

Each year students take their work from London College of Communication onto the competitive British and international documentary filmmaking circuit.

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

In return, you’ll need to be committed and passionate about your study and practice and be ready with strong ideas. You will also need to be open to constructive and supportive criticism so that you’re able to push boundaries in your thinking, writing and reflection, alongside the making of your films.

The course culminates in you making a short documentary film (15-20 minutes). From identifying characters, stories and locations to shooting and editing with a particular visual style, you will be the complete author of your work.

Artistic, investigative, observational and activist film ideas are all welcome. These can be developed for the context that suits your work best – from broadcast to independent or gallery exhibition.

MA Documentary Film explores the traditions of international documentary film while offering modern documentary production facilities at London College of Communication.

Training includes shooting and directing on high-definition cameras and editing in Adobe Premiere. Practice is integrated with the theory so that filmmaking is critically and conceptually analysed within the historical and practical context of documentary film.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Documentary Process and Practice

Documentary History and Theory

Documentary Practices: Taster Film and Pitch and Critical Context
Collaborative Unit

Documentary Practices: Ethics and Methodologies

Major Project

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 15 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2024-09-25 00:00:00
- Apply before 2024-04-03 00:00:00

Language

English

IELTS

7

Schedule an IELTS test!

Interested in an IELTS preparation course? Get started here

Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Film Studies View 336 other Masters in Film Studies in United Kingdom

Academic requirements

GPA

Required

English requirements

IELTS

7

Schedule an IELTS test!

Interested in an IELTS preparation course? Get started here

Student insurance

Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items, so make sure your student insurance ticks all the following:

Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

We partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

Get your student insurance now

Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University of the Arts London (UAL) and/or in United Kingdom, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

Other requirements

General requirements

Entry requirements

Honours degree

Possession of equivalent qualifications

Prior experiential learning, the outcome of which can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required

Or a combination of formal qualifications and experiential learning which, taken together, can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required
If your first language is not English, you can check you have achieved the correct IELTS level in English

CV

Personal statement

Portfolio

Study proposal

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

25970 GBP/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 25970 GBP per year during 15 months.
National

12700 GBP/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 12700 GBP per year during 15 months.

Living costs for London

1137 - 2157 GBP /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Studyportals Student Grant Deadline: 30 June 2020

Apply and be among one of the 20 students to win €1000.

Studyportals Student Grant Deadline: 30 June 2020

Apply and be among one of the 20 students to win €1000.

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Loading

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Documentary Film.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About