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Screenwriting for Television and Film (in Retreat) MA

Royal Holloway, University of London

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Royal Holloway, University of London

Course options

8 options available

  • Qualification

    MA - Master of Arts

  • Location

    Royal Holloway, University of London

  • Study mode

    Full time

  • Start date

    08-SEP-25

  • Duration

    1 Year

Course summary

The course

During the MA in Screenwriting for Television and Film (in Retreat) you will cover writing for feature film and television as well as new developments such as web drama. You will develop a range of ideas, then go on to write film and television outlines, and several drafts of a feature film screenplay, a TV single drama, or a TV series or serial bible and sample episodes.

Commencing in September, you will be taught through a mixture of intensive writing retreats and distance learning techniques, including Skype and our dedicated online learning environment, Moodle. The course includes four week-long residential retreats throughout one year (full time), with some taking place primarily at our beautiful Egham Campus, near Windsor, but also involving some classes in Central London. This structure immerses you in a creative atmosphere conducive to concentrated learning and group interaction, with Development Lab as a core module, where you will present your work in progress to the group for criticism and feedback, and experiment with co-writing.

The course attracts a wide variety of students including those wishing to make a career change from other sectors through to established actors, comedy writers, editors, producers, novelists and many others. Between retreats the course is run via distance-learning with a website, chat room and e-tutorials. This makes it possible for those living outside the UK, and those with busy working lives, such as freelancers and those in full-time employment, to take time out to attend. International students can use a short term study VISA to complete the four week-long residential retreats.

You will also meet and work with industry and independent producers, directors, agents, writers and actors to provide a production context.

Teaching & assessment

Assessment is carried out by a variety of methods including script outlines and scenes, a completed feature film screenplay and/or TV series episode and ‘bible’, and marketing and pitch documents.

Your future career

You'll be set for a career in television and feature film screenwriting and script development. Graduates with work in film and TV include:

  • Janice Hallett's feature screenplay Retreat, starring Cillian Murphy (2011).
  • Olivia Wakeford wrote for the feature film Baseline (2009).
  • Kay Stonham was commissioned by the BBC, and two of our younger writers are working on a C5 youth drama series.

Other students from our department have gone on to work in independent television and film production, for broadcasters like the BBC and ITV, and for distributors, exhibitors, talent agencies and entertainment lawyers.

Tuition fees

Students living in United States
(International fees)

£ 19,100per year

Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.

University information

University image

Royal Holloway, University of London

Royal Holloway, University of London

  • University League Table

    35th

  • Campus address

    Royal Holloway, University of London, Royal Holloway, University of London Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, United Kingdom

VIEW PROFILE
Royal Holloway offers dedicated wellbeing, academic and financial support to international students.
Almost a third of students are from outside the UK, meaning there’s a welcoming and strong international spirit on campus.
Royal Holloway partners with local and global industry, culture and governments, leading to first-class career opportunities for you.

Subject rankings

  • Subject ranking

    Drama, Dance & Cinematics

    16th out of 94 2

    3rd out of 45 1

  • Entry standards

    / Max 210
    145 69%

    19th

  • Graduate prospects

    / Max 100
    63.0 63%

    28th

    24

  • Student satisfaction

    / Max 5
    3.01 75%

    64th

    2

  • Entry standards

    / Max 173
    143 82%

    8th

  • Graduate prospects

    / Max 100
    84.0 84%

    1st

    1

  • Student satisfaction

    / Max 5
    3.20 80%

    18th

    12

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