MFA Advanced Film Practice 12 months Postgraduate Programme By Edinburgh Napier University |TopUniversities
Programme Duration

12 monthsProgramme duration

Tuitionfee

19,750 GBPTuition Fee/year

Application Deadline

30 Jun, 2026Application Deadline

Starting Month

SepStarting Month

Programme overview

Main Subject

Communication and Media Studies

Degree

MFA

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

This course is ideal for talented writers, directors, producers, editors, cinematographers, or sound designers looking to take their careers to the next level. The MFA Advanced Film Practice provides a space to focus on your personal, professional and creative development.  
The MFA is designed as an additional year of study on top of a Masters Degree. It might also appeal to talented individuals without a post-graduate degree but with an equivalent body of creative work and/or industry experience.

As part of your application, you will propose a project which will be the focus of your MFA studies. Screenwriters might wish to develop a screenplay or TV pilot and bible ready to send to producers, broadcasters and agents. A director might develop a project ahead of a funding application, or focus on a specific area of their craft - working with actors, camera or sound. A producer might develop a single project in preparation for a funding application or as a ready-to-go low budget feature, or work on a slate of projects. Cinematographers, sound designers and editors can work on aspects of their craft, seek out work experience, and emerge with a professional CV and showreel.

MFA students will work individually on a series of exercises and on a project. Nevertheless, there is the opportunity to collaborate with fellow students on Edinburgh Napier's postgraduate programmes - MA Screenwriting, MA Film and the KinoEyes International Masters in Film. At Edinburgh Napier, you can also access students studying music, photography, graphic design and other subjects within our School of Arts and Creative Industries. 

The course is taught over three trimesters, starting in September.

In the first and second of these, you will focus on research into your idea and into the professional context for your work in the PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE MODULE (60 credits). We will agree a set of exercises and tasks to help develop craft skills, professional contacts and industry knowledge relating to the area in which you wish to work. These exercises are gathered into a portfolio for assessment. 

In the final trimester, you will apply these ideas, skills, contacts, connections and confidence to the development of your final project in the PROJECT DEVELOPMENT MODULE (60 credits). You will get feedback on your final project from Edinburgh Napier staff and from an industry professional working in your area. 

Students will work with Programme Leader James Mavor ([email protected]) and other key staff at Edinburgh Napier.

In addition, each student will have access to a pool of industry mentors, building on contacts and connections with industry developed over the 15 years since the launch of Screen Academy Scotland. A number of former MFA students, now working professionally, may be available as mentors. 

You will also have access to a range of classes, master-classes and workshops across the range of postgraduate programmes at the Screen Academy Scotland and Edinburgh Napier University. Students will have access to the production and post-production facilities and resources at Edinburgh Napier University. 


Subjects include:

Professional Practice - personal and project research, industry context, professional Development; Project Development - preparation, feedback, reworking and final presentation.

Programme overview

Main Subject

Communication and Media Studies

Degree

MFA

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

This course is ideal for talented writers, directors, producers, editors, cinematographers, or sound designers looking to take their careers to the next level. The MFA Advanced Film Practice provides a space to focus on your personal, professional and creative development.  
The MFA is designed as an additional year of study on top of a Masters Degree. It might also appeal to talented individuals without a post-graduate degree but with an equivalent body of creative work and/or industry experience.

As part of your application, you will propose a project which will be the focus of your MFA studies. Screenwriters might wish to develop a screenplay or TV pilot and bible ready to send to producers, broadcasters and agents. A director might develop a project ahead of a funding application, or focus on a specific area of their craft - working with actors, camera or sound. A producer might develop a single project in preparation for a funding application or as a ready-to-go low budget feature, or work on a slate of projects. Cinematographers, sound designers and editors can work on aspects of their craft, seek out work experience, and emerge with a professional CV and showreel.

MFA students will work individually on a series of exercises and on a project. Nevertheless, there is the opportunity to collaborate with fellow students on Edinburgh Napier's postgraduate programmes - MA Screenwriting, MA Film and the KinoEyes International Masters in Film. At Edinburgh Napier, you can also access students studying music, photography, graphic design and other subjects within our School of Arts and Creative Industries. 

The course is taught over three trimesters, starting in September.

In the first and second of these, you will focus on research into your idea and into the professional context for your work in the PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE MODULE (60 credits). We will agree a set of exercises and tasks to help develop craft skills, professional contacts and industry knowledge relating to the area in which you wish to work. These exercises are gathered into a portfolio for assessment. 

In the final trimester, you will apply these ideas, skills, contacts, connections and confidence to the development of your final project in the PROJECT DEVELOPMENT MODULE (60 credits). You will get feedback on your final project from Edinburgh Napier staff and from an industry professional working in your area. 

Students will work with Programme Leader James Mavor ([email protected]) and other key staff at Edinburgh Napier.

In addition, each student will have access to a pool of industry mentors, building on contacts and connections with industry developed over the 15 years since the launch of Screen Academy Scotland. A number of former MFA students, now working professionally, may be available as mentors. 

You will also have access to a range of classes, master-classes and workshops across the range of postgraduate programmes at the Screen Academy Scotland and Edinburgh Napier University. Students will have access to the production and post-production facilities and resources at Edinburgh Napier University. 


Subjects include:

Professional Practice - personal and project research, industry context, professional Development; Project Development - preparation, feedback, reworking and final presentation.

Admission Requirements

4+
56+
6+
169+
The entry requirement for this course is a Master's Degree in Film or relevant area.

30 Jun 2026
1 Year
Sep

Tuition fees

Domestic
7,650 GBP
International
19,750 GBP

Scholarships

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