MA
Filmmaking (Screen Documentary)
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Why study MA Filmmaking (Screen Documentary) at Goldsmiths
This MA will develop your skills and creative vision in documentary production. It enhances your understanding of the historical context and contemporary modes of documentary production against a backdrop of the wider issues in media production.
- This Masters, a pathway of the MA Filmmaking, will encourage your understanding of the politics, aesthetics and ethics of documentary production, and the nature and diversity of documentary practice in contemporary society.
- The programme is housed in a new purpose-built media facility equipped with state-of-the-art teaching spaces including a range of digital cameras, Avid Media Composer, and Adobe Premiere Film Editing suites, Digital Special Effects, Pro Tools Audio Postproduction suites.
- You will be able to make your own documentaries, learning and refining research, interviewing, self-shooting and editing techniques. The programme encourages you to develop your own distinctive authorial voice and gain a range of skills that will make you highly employable.
- You work on at least two films during the year, culminating in a major production towards the end of the degree. In addition you can attend classes in related disciplines such as Cinematography and Editing. This framework is designed to provide you with a breadth of filmmaking knowledge combined with a high level of expertise in your chosen filmmaking discipline.
- The MA encourages you to develop:
- an awareness of documentary production techniques, ethics and aesthetics
- specific filmmaking and production management skills
- technical skills (including camera, lighting and sound editing)
- an understanding of the workings of the media and their broad cultural and social impacts
- The Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies has been ranked second in the UK for 'world-leading or internationally excellent' research (Research Excellence Framework, 2021) and 16th in the world (third in the UK) in the 2024 QS World Rankings for communication and media studies.
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Daisy Asquith.
Length
1 year full-time
Entry requirements
You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least 2:1 standard in a relevant/related subject. You might also be considered if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but you have relevant experience and can show you can work at postgraduate level.
Fees
Home - full-time: £TBC
International - full-time: £TBC
Department
Media, Communications and Cultural Studies
This course is accredited by Creative Skillset.
GoldDust
Meet graduates of the programme and view their work
What our students say
"From first-hand coaching from industry experts, access to the newest facilities and cameras, to fantastic mentoring – it was the perfect course to develop my skills and prepare me for a career in documentary filmmaking."
"The different theory courses provided both the history and ethics when filming documentary as well as providing artistic inspiration to approach reality in an innovative way."
What you'll study
You will take the following modules:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Documentary: Specialist Skills | 45 credits |
| Representing Reality | 15 credits |
You will also complete a Final Project (90 credits), a 20-minute film with a subject and style of your own choice, assessed alongside a portfolio of development work.
Note about optional modules (if available): The above is indicative of the typical modules offered, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. The module content and availability is subject to change.
Overview
You will be taught the skills to be able to self-shoot and edit, but will also have the chance to work with specialised camera-people, editors and producers. You complete several short films and exercises, then make your own 15-25 minute documentary, during which you will fully explore research methods, visual and thematic storytelling, experimental and multi-platform formats and much more.
Entry requirements
You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in a relevant/related subject as well as a level of practical experience from work in the arts or the media.
You might also be considered for the programme if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.
Because funding deadlines and requirements vary around the world, applications are considered on a rolling basis from February onwards and places on the programme fill up across the recruitment cycle. For this reason, we strongly advise you to submit your completed application as early as you can.
International qualifications
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.
If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 7.0 with a 7.0 in writing and no element lower than 6.5 to study this programme.
How to apply
Apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system
You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system.
Before submitting your application you’ll need to have:
- Details of your academic qualifications
- The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively a copy of your academic reference
- Copies of your educational transcripts or certificates
- A personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online. Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement and ensure that you answer the following questions in your statement:
- Tell us about your passion and aptitude for Filmmaking
- What are your dreams and aspirations?
- How did your engagement with visual media develop, and how has it developed in terms of professional, voluntary and personal work?
- A two-minute autobiographical documentary introducing yourself
- Examples of your recent work in a related field (eg moving image samples), preferably via a web link to your online portfolio – please upload this under 'additional' in your online application (NB the maximum file size you can upload is 20MB)
- IELTS 7.0 at the point of application
You should emphasise your practical/theoretical experience in the arts or the media in your application.
You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.
When to apply
Applications open in October and close on 1 June. Applicants are encouraged to apply early to avoid disappointment.
When are applications considered
Applications are considered in batches from February onwards so we would advise you to apply as early as possible.
Interviews
Applicants who are considered suitable for the programme based on their application will be shortlisted to attend an interview. Overseas applicants who can’t attend an interview day are interviewed by Skype.
Find out more about applying.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees
These are the PG fees for students starting their programme in the 2025/2026 academic year.
- Home - full-time: £TBC
- International - full-time: £TBC
If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.
It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.
If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.
Funding opportunities
BAFTA scholarship
UK students offered a place on this MA are eligible to apply for the BAFTA Scholarship Programme. Find out more on our departmental funding page.
Visit that page and the Goldsmiths scholarships finder below to find out what other funding you may be eligible for.
Paying your fees
Find out about paying your tuition fees.
If you are a UK student you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan.
Meanwhile our Careers Service can also offer advice on finding work during your studies.
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.
There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.
Careers
Where the MA Fimmaking can take you
If you are passionate about fashioning an exciting career for yourself as a filmmaker in an environment that promotes innovative filmmaking, this course is for you.
Our alumni are active in the film, media and cultural industries around the world, working and winning awards as documentary producers and directors.
Recent alumni are active in the film, media and cultural industries around the world as:
- Cinematographers
- Film camera operators
- Television camera operators
- Lighting designers
- Focus pullers
- Gaffers
- Grips
- Steadicam operators
Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.
Award-winning alumni
Our former students have gone on to win awards including:
- BAFTA for Best Student Documentary
- Grierson nominations for Best Student Documentary
- Best Documentary at the Exposures Film Festival
- Postgraduate Factual Prize at the Royal Television Society Student Awards
- Student Award at the One World Media Awards
- RTS Award for Best Editing
They've also launched their own film festivals, worked on critically acclaimed films and documentaries, and have had their work screened at the London International Documentary Festival, National Geographic's All Roads Film Festival and Open City, the London Documentary Festival.
Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.
Two trailers
Waiting for You, by Lisa Fingleton
Lisa's end-of-year film won many awards, including the Royal Television Society Student Award for best postgraduate factual film.
Almost Famous, by Vincent Wu
A story about the dream of music and becoming famous.
Waiting for You, by Lisa Fingleton
Almost Famous, by Vincent Wu
