Screenwriting and Film
Entry requirements
Access to HE Diploma
At least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2 from a relevant Open College Network accredited course.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
English Language or English Literature at grade C or 4.
UCAS Tariff
This must include at least two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example: BCC at A Level. DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma. A combination of qualifications, which may include AS Levels, EPQ and general studies.
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
**Course summary**
- Learn how to write scripts for film and television.
- Gain insights from real industry figures into how to sell your screenplays.
- Learn from a lecture team who include established screenwriters.
- Have the opportunity to work abroad— with the possibility of Erasmus funding available for European placements.
- Benefit from excellent facilities for film study including a purpose-built theatre.
This course focuses on the practical and critical elements of screenwriting. Through practice-based learning and theoretical study, you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to fulfil your potential in the world of film and TV.
**How you learn**
At every level of this course you will have the opportunity to write scripts and work with other students to create content.
You will also have the chance to work with industry professionals. Previous guests have included screenwriters, directors, agents and producers.
You learn through
- workshops
- lectures
- seminars
- group work
- industry visits and field trips
- independent study
- attending film festivals and special screening events
There are opportunities to study abroad at one of our partner universities with the possibility of funding through the Erasmus programme (subject to the UK’s continued participation in the Erasmus programme following the Brexit transition period).
**Applied learning**
**Work placements**
You will have the opportunity to work on a radio serial drama or short film production as part of your second year work placement module.
**Field trips**
We run regular field trips to the Bradford Widescreen Weekend film festival, Berlin International Film Festival, the BFI and BBC Media City, and we also have a writers' retreat residential trip as part of the third year of study.
**Networking opportunities**
We have a variety of networking opportunities with organisations such as the BBC, Warp Film, BFI Film Hub North and Sheffield Live. We also bring in a wide range of industry professionals to deliver masterclasses and offer one-to-one guidance in some cases.
Previous visiting professionals have included: screenwriters, agents, directors, producers, new talent co-ordinators and festival organisers.
**Competitions**
There are a range of competitions that recognize student achievement and outstanding contributions to university life. The Hallam Award, for example, recognises students’ exceptional participation in university life, involvement in the Students’ Union, and representation of their peer-groups.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Module
Credits
Assessment
Cinemania 20 Coursework
Film Narrative 20 Coursework
Introduction To Film Analysis 20 Coursework
Introduction To Screenwriting 20 Coursework
Studying And Researching Cinema 20 Coursework
Writing With Pictures 20 Coursework
Year 2
Elective modules
Module
Credits
A Close-Up On British Cinema 20
Adapting For The Screen 20
Beyond The Mainstream 20
Diy Film Making 20
Foreign Language 20
Hollywood Cinema 20
Tv Comedy & Drama 20
Final year
Compulsory modules
Module
Credits
Creative Careers 20
Professional Film Writing 20
Screenwriting Project 40
Elective modules
Module
Credits
American Nightmares 20
Contemporary East Asian Cinema 20
Documentary 20
Foreign Language 20
Must-See Tv 20
Assessment methods
• Coursework
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
Extra funding
Scholarships, discounts and bursaries may be available to students who study this course.
The Uni
Sheffield Hallam University
Sheffield Hallam University
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Creative writing
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
Media studies
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Creative writing
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
The jobs market for this subject - which includes creative writing and scriptwriting courses - is not currently one of the strongest, so unemployment rates are currently looking quite high overall, with salaries on the lower side. But nevertheless, most graduates get jobs quickly. Graduates often go into careers as authors and writers and are also found in other roles where the ability to write well is prized, such as journalism, translation, teaching and advertising and in web content. Be aware that freelancing and self-employment is common is common in the arts, as are what is termed 'portfolio careers', having several part-time jobs or commissions at once - although graduates from this subject were a little more likely than many other creative arts graduates to be in conventional full time permanent contracts, so that might be worth bearing in mind.
Media studies
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
English studies
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£16k
£20k
£22k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
Media, journalism and communications
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£17k
£20k
£23k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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