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MA Global Film and Television (Online)

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Why choose Herts?

Flexible: You will study online, part-time, and asynchronously.
Employment Prospects: Graduates work as film curators, journalists, and teachers for organisations including the BBC as well as pursuing further PhD study.
Industry Connections: Experience media industry talks from expert film critics and be introduced to a Digital Agency owner who produces content for the Star Wars Franchise.

The normal entry requirements for the programme are:

a good Bachelor’s degree (minimum 2.2 or equivalent) in a relevant discipline
access to computer equipment with the following minimum specification.

An interview is not a required component of the admissions process, but all applicants will be invited to an informal online discussion with the Programme Leader prior to admission (via Skype).

International students should have an English Language assessment of IELTS 7, or equivalent as determined by the School of Humanities.

Supporting documents required

copies of the front and back of your undergraduate degree transcript and certificate
curriculum vitae
English Language qualification certificate (you should have a score of 7.0 overall if presenting an IELTS test)
a substantial personal statement about why you want to study this programme, what you hope to gain from the course and where you see your future development taking your career.
a copy of the photo page of your passport
one academic or professional reference.

Find out more about international entry requirements

See what system requirements are needed for online study

View our simple steps to a successful application (PDF - 0.17 Mb)


Institution code	H36
School of study	School of Social Science, Humanities and Education
Course length	Online - Part Time, 2 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Employability

Careers

Graduates are equipped for a variety of careers including those traditionally open to Masters Graduates in the Arts and Humanities: teaching, the Civil Service, Local Government, journalism, marketing, film curation and exhibition, and publishing as well as for further study at postgraduate level.

About the course

The MA in Global Film and Television is an online course, offering a range of distinct critical and theoretical approaches. You will be asked to explore the dynamic relationship between visual style and social commentary in work of film and television from around the world. As the industries of film and television become increasingly interconnected, the course considers their shared stylistic and contextual relationships.

This course is innovative in engaging with comparative close readings of US film beyond Hollywood, of World Cinema, and of contemporary television. The course leads the way in employing cutting-edge advancements in Film and Television Studies, such as the audio visual essay and digital curation. The course’s online delivery means that you will benefit from greater flexibility, innovative teaching and learning strategies via the latest developments in social media and digital technology.

To find out more information about how online study works, please visit go.herts.ac.uk/online, or contact us on 01707 281121 or e-mail online-degrees@herts.ac.uk.

'This is a flagship course of advanced postgraduate teaching in film and television studies, probably the only one of its kind in the world.' Professor Jason Jacobs, Head of the School of Communication and Arts, University of Queensland

Why choose this course?

With the University of Hertfordshire’s innovative online distance learning programme, you can study for a MA Global Film and Television at your own pace, without ever having to set foot on campus.

You will benefit from:

Flexible study- fit your degree around your work and life commitments.
Support from experienced and well qualified tutors.
No campus-based exams – assessment is by coursework and online tests.
Pay as you study and possible tuition fee loan eligibility (UK/EU students only).
Being part of a dynamic and supportive online community of like-minded students.
No travel or student accommodation costs.

The degree is for those who wish to advance their skills and knowledge in the area of Film and Television Studies at postgraduate level. The course will provide the opportunity to develop an understanding of film analysis beyond Hollywood, and to engage in close readings of films and television programmes from around the world.

What will I study?

Style and Meaning in Film and Television (30 credits)
Screen Curation (30 credits)
Global Screen Violence (15 credits)
Thinking Images: Philosophy in Film and Television (30 credits)
Research Methods 1: Critical and Theoretical Debates (15 credits)
Research Methods 2: Advanced Research Skills (15 credits)
Dissertation/Extended Project (60 credits)

Course length

Part-time, 2 years

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Film Histories	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will introduce students to the study of film history in diverse contexts. Through a detailed investigation of both Hollywood and global film, students will be introduced to particular topics which impacted the development of cinema as an art form and entertainment medium in multiple cultural, social and political contexts. Such topics may include the origins of cinema, film and censorship, representations of gender in global cinemas, and others. In order to achieve this, students will typically engage with a series of set film texts as well as with other primary sources, such as film-related periodicals (Photoplay, Cine-Monde, Picturegoer.), where appropriate. Films considered may include It (Badger, 1927), Viaggio in Italia (Rossellini,1954), La Noire De (Sembene, 1966), A Story of Floating Weeds (Ozu, 1934) and The Divorcee (Leonard, 1930).
Style and Meaning in Film and Television	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module's content is structured around two central elements. Firstly, students will explore the main concepts, theories and instruments of film and television criticism as they have developed to the present day. Secondly, they will engage in close stylistic and interpretative analysis of film and television texts from around the world, in a global context. Students on the module will engage in detail with the close analysis of world film and television texts, and will examine how meaning is communicated through film and television style. In doing so, they will develop and employ a sophisticated critical vocabulary in interpretative and evaluative formulations; and engage in some of the debates surrounding medium specificity and the criteria of artistic evaluation.
Global Screen Violence	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module seeks to develop new frameworks for analysing the portrayal of violence in cinema and television, based on interdisciplinary studies of violence and textual analysis. Taking into account different types of violence, this module will explore the aesthetics of violence through its different representations in world cinemas and television. By means of detailed analysis of cinematic and television texts, we will explore how screen violence is a very complex phenomenon, which is shaped by what can be summarised as the following six factors: genre characteristics, narrative, social and ideological dimensions, stylistic choices, industry (different contexts of production), and audiences.
Screen Curation	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module seeks to develop new frameworks for the critical analysis and practical study of screen curation using film and television materials. This will also involve the study of international film exhibition, distribution, curation and marketing. Via historical and close case study analysis, as well as a practical understanding of debates and issues surrounding the process of screen curation (of film festivals, exhibition venues, museums, educational events and online distribution), this module seeks to explore film and television texts and their role in national and international cinema exhibition. We will explore the contemporary structures of distribution facing film and television programmers, analyse and critique current national and international film festivals, explore economic concerns around funding, consider the role of film and television marketing and audiences, and understand the important role that education plays in developing new audiences.
Research Methods 1: Critical and Theoretical Debates	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module aims to develop your comprehensive knowledge and understanding of some of the key theoretical approaches relevant to the study of film and television and related critical methodologies which are influential in the scholarly analysis of media texts. Areas covered may include audience research, psychoanalytical approaches, ideological approaches and critical theory. We will also explore the impact of new developments such as technological convergence, audience fragmentation and changed viewing habits on the research of contemporary media. There will be an emphasis on the practical application of these theoretical approaches, but you will also be encouraged to reflect on the methods and assess the strengths and limitations of each approach.
Research Methods 2: Advanced Research Skills	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module aims to help students to develop some of the advanced skills which are necessary for postgraduate study. This will equip students for their final project and any further postgraduate research and help them to develop a portfolio of transferable skills relevant to a wide range of graduate careers.
Dissertation/Extended Project	60 Credits	Compulsory
This module gives students the opportunity to investigate and write/visually demonstrate sophisticated ideas about an area of individual interest in depth and detail. The emphasis is on independent thought, research and writing, and this will be supported in an agreed programme of supervision. The topic should be appropriate to postgraduate level, and chosen by the student in consultation with his or her supervisor. The final production of this assessment may take one of either of two format choices. A written dissertation of between 13000 - 15000 words in length, or.. A video essay of approximately 20 minutes in length, to be formed from existing footage and (where appropriate) a new soundtrack, narrative voice-over and/or intertitles edited using appropriate software. It should be accompanied by a written reflective report In either choice you aim is to make a distinctive contribution to work in the relevant field.

Key staff

Deirdre O'Neill
Programme Leader
Find out more about Deirdre O'Neill

Further course information

Course fact sheets
MA Global Film and Television (Online)	Download

Programme specifications
MA Global Film and Television (Online)	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes

I was initially drawn to the University of Hertfordshire’s MA in Global Film and TV as the syllabus displayed a course that covered the core concepts of academic film study in a dynamic manner. Having worked in film and TV production for over twenty-five years, I was surprised at just how much of a positive impact studying at a postgraduate level has had on my career. It has not only reignited my desire to study film and TV on an academic level but has also furnished me with many tools that have improved the way I approach my job.

Matt McHale, MA Global Film and Television (Online) graduate

Producer, BBC Casualty

Student experience

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

Find out about how we support our students

You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.

Funding and fees
Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Fees 2023
UK Students

Part time
- £750 per 15 credits for the 2023/2024 academic year
EU Students

Part time
- £750 per 15 credits for the 2023/2024 academic year
International Students

Part time
- £750 per 15 credits for the 2023/2024 academic year
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University's Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed "When tuition fees change"), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet

2023

Start Date	End Date	Link
23/09/2023	31/05/2024	Apply online (Distance (Part Time))

2024

Start Date	End Date	Link
23/09/2024	31/05/2025	Apply online (Distance (Part Time))

MA Global Film and Television (Online)

Why choose Herts?

Supporting documents required

Careers

About the course

Why choose this course?

What will I study?

Course length

Key staff

Further course information

Student experience

Other financial support

Fees 2023

UK Students

Part time

EU Students

Part time

International Students

Part time

2023

2024