How you learn

With a focus on producing your own film idea – underpinned by critical thinking and industry study – this course aims to create rounded filmmaking professionals. You'll work under the tutelage of practising directors, writers, editors, producers and cinematographers, and benefit from close industry connections to the likes of Creative England and Sheffield's international documentary festival Doc/Fest. You’ll receive support from the university for 18 months after graduation, helping you to find work and boost your profile.

In-depth exploration of films, filmmakers and filmmaking practices from across the world will inspire and inform your development. You’ll follow an industry-standard research and development process while learning to pitch your ideas in a professional context. Working collaboratively with your peers – under the expert supervision of our staff team – you’ll make your own major film project, and present it at your own film festival.

You learn through:

• developing your own project
• production exercises
• workshops, lectures and seminars
• live projects
• independent study
• group work
• masterclasses
• attending pitching sessions
• self-reflection with learning journals

Key themes

In semester 1, you’ll take the Film Craft module, developing technical filmmaking skills with other artists in areas such as cinematography, sound, editing and collaboration. . Meanwhile, the Film Research & Development module introduces you to postgraduate-level research skills and supports you in a process of research and development towards an initial concept for your own film project.

In semester 2, you’ll continue to hone your filmmaking skills through the Technical Specialisms module, developing specialist technical skills by taking on production roles on peer or external film projects. You’ll also develop a Major Film Concept – supported by industry-focused learning and practices – culminating in a pitch presentation for your final project.

In trimester 3, you’ll develop your Major Film, under the supervision of a tutor. As part of this module, you’ll also work together to plan and deliver a short film festival, where you’ll present your own film work as the culmination of your work on the degree and as a model of industry-standard practice

Course support

You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate-level employment through a number of key areas. These include: 

• Access to specialist support services to help with your personal, academic and career development  
• Access to our Skills Centre with one-to-ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments  
• Industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities

Applied learning

Work placements

You’ll have opportunities to undertake work placements and get involved with projects with external partners, such as the BFI, Screen Yorkshire and DocFest.

Live projects

Your learning on this course is constantly applied to your own practice. You’ll use industry-standard practices for filmmaking and development across all modules. 

At different points, you’ll engage with live briefs set by or working with local, national or global employers. As a Masters-level student, you’ll demonstrate a high level of independence, resourcefulness and rigour in your studies, developing professional skills which translate into the workplace. 

Your assessments are modelled on real-world practices. These include the preparation of film work, and/or the presentation and pitching of ideas and materials, using industry-standard formats such as pitch decks, treatments, mood boards, mood reals and other ‘proof of concept’ materials.  

Networking opportunities 

This well-connected course benefits from excellent industry ties, including to Sheffield's world-renowned Doc/Fest.

All staff teaching across this degree have experience of professional practice, and many are currently active. Wherever possible, and in particular in the Major Film Concept module, the course draws on its industry friends and contacts to provide curriculum-enhancing guest talks, networking opportunities and feedback on your pitches. 

Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in: 

• film and television production 
• film exhibition, distribution and festivals 
• the broader creative industries 
• marketing and communications 
• teaching, academia or further study 

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work in independent production for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Netflix and the BFI.

Other graduates have gone on to work for companies such as: 

• Working Title
• Lionsgate
• Illuminations
• Warp Films
• Tiger Aspect Productions
• True North
• Envy
• The Mill
• Spool
• 2AM Postproduction 

And some have worked on feature films such as: 

• Mission Impossible 7
• Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
• 1917
• Jurassic World Dominion 
• You Were Never Really Here

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour 

Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Entry requirements

Fees and funding

• Home students

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2025/26 is £10,620 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time. Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2025/26 are: Year 1: £3,540 Year 2: £7,080.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

Postgraduate student loans

Up to £12,471 is available in 2024/25 for home students on most masters courses.

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Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for Sheffield Creative Industries Institute (PDF, 268.6KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.