COURSE OVERVIEW
Learn how to build a successful career in film exhibition, programming, criticism or archival work.
This is a ground-breaking MA delivered in partnership with the British Film Institute (BFI). It is delivered by film professionals in exhibition and distribution, festivals, archives and film criticism, alongside academics and filmmakers.
Content Tabs
You’ll learn about the practicalities of film exhibition in a wide range of environments, and how this intersects with other areas of film culture and industry, including distribution and archives. You will also study the practice of film criticism and comment - including reviewing and critically writing about films, filmmakers and the broader culture. You will also make a video essay to develop your skills in audiovisual criticism. The unique learning environment of the NFTS encourages creative dialogue between makers, curators and critics.
As part of the course, you will also attend film festivals and have the opportunity to curate or contribute to festivals, seasons, pop up screenings and other events.
A rigorous academic framework is combined with practical and real world applications, enabling each student to develop their own skills, knowledge and understanding to provide a strong basis for a career in film and media.
You’ll be devising and contributing to programming projects; writing film criticism and reviews; researching and producing video essays. Complementing this, you’ll also be receiving professional tuition on the theoretical, historical and critical understanding of film, to bring much greater depth to your projects.
In addition, you will gain a thorough understanding of the process by which a film moves from a creative idea to an audience experience, and explore the history, theory and critical contexts of film and look at a variety of critical writing.
Professional Work Experience
At the start of year two, each student will undertake a six week professional work experience engagement at the BFI or an associated organisation. Students are also encouraged to find second work experience opportunities aligned with their own interests, with the support of the Head of Department.
We invite applications from students with a BA (Hons) degree (or equivalent) in arts, humanities or science. Film and media related degrees, while welcome, are not essential for admission.
Applicants without a degree but with professional experience may also be considered for admission.
International students Visa and English language requirements
If you have any questions, please email info@nfts.co.uk
The following item(s) should accompany your online application:
- Please submit a brief essay on either a) The preservation of film culture, through archiving, exhibition and restoration, or b) The changing forms of cinema distribution and exhibition.
- Choose a movement in cinema or one particular national cinema that is important to you. Briefly discuss your personal response to it.
- Discuss one author or film critic, or one book of critical writing on film that has influenced you. Discuss why you have found this author/book of value to you.
- The above items must not exceed 1000 words each
- Submit a review of either a) a contemporary film that has impressed you or b) an earlier film that you believe to be of artistic or historical importance. This can either be a written review (not to exceed 500 words) or a filmed or audio review (not to exceed 4 minutes). Filmed or audio recorded reviews should be uploaded as a viewable link such as YouTube or Vimeo.
Funding Available
The NFTS awards more scholarships and bursaries to British students, relative to the size of our student body, than almost any other educational institution in the UK. If you’re successful at gaining a place on the course, you will be contacted by our funding team with details on how to apply for one of these scholarships.
Tutors
Showcase
Second year students complete a graduation project putting their curatorial skills into practice. This year, they have programmed a range of film seasons and events running from September to December. Read more about them in our news article
Pictured: Painted Skies season poster - A season of films celebrating artificial backgrounds.
Hear from the British Film Institute (BFI)'s Ed Humphrey and course graduates, Taryn Joffe and Maureen Gueunet, about the Film Studies, Programming and Curation MA which is run in partnership with BFI.
Graduate Success
Film Studies, Programming and Curation MA students graduate with the expertise to quickly take on a wide range of roles in the industry, including programming, curating, film exhibition, criticism and archiving.
Recent graduates include...
Maureen Gueunet
Global Programming Manager at MUBI
Graduate Success
Film Studies, Programming and Curation MA students graduate with the expertise to quickly take on a wide range of roles in the industry, including programming, curating, film exhibition, criticism and archiving.
Recent graduates include...
Ben Driscoll
Digital Content and Communications Officer at the Rio Cinema
Graduate Success
Film Studies, Programming and Curation MA students graduate with the expertise to quickly take on a wide range of roles in the industry, including programming, curating, film exhibition, criticism and archiving.
Recent graduates include...
Andrew Espe
Global TV Distribution team at NBCUniversal
Graduate Success
Film Studies, Programming and Curation MA students graduate with the expertise to quickly take on a wide range of roles in the industry, including programming, curating, film exhibition, criticism and archiving.
Recent graduates include...
Eleonora Pesci
Acquisitions Manager at Curzon
