MA Film
- Entry year:
- 2026/27
- Start date:
- September
- Study mode:
- Full-time
- Campus:
- Mount Pleasant
About this course
On the MA Film, you will have the opportunity to make films, study about film and work towards the international LJMU MA Short Film Festival.
Whether your background is academic or practical, the MA Film offers pathways to learn new skills and develop existing ones. You will explore film from both practical and theoretical angles and learn-by-doing. Whether you are more interested in academic work or working behind the scenes in making and promoting films, you will be able to build a rich portfolio that will open employment opportunities in Liverpool and beyond.
- Discover how to use film for research and experimentation – whether you choose to make film or to write about them
- Curate, organise, promote, host the international LJMU MA Short Film Festival
- Choose between practical and theoretical assignment
- Explore Liverpool as a filmmaking city and engage with the Liverpool Film Office
- Learn from research active staff and have full access to film equipment and facilities
Liverpool is the second most filmed city in the UK after London and has a vibrant media and cultural industry. We work in partnership with the Liverpool Film Office as we are a member of the Connected Campus initiative which brings closer links to industry and other educators and increases opportunities for network building. The LJMU MA Short Film Festival builds on the city’s film-related identity, promoting young filmmaking talent from around the world.
The MA Film brings down barriers between theory and practice, but also between different aspects of film practice (production, distribution, exhibition). You will be encouraged to experiment with film, use film as a tool for research and you will develop a range of skills suitable for future employment.
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Screening the City
30 credits
30 credits
This module affords students the opportunity to analyse how the city is represented in film with regard to its social, cultural, political, economic and ecological context, as well as how it acts as film location and a centre of production.
People in Film
30 credits
30 credits
The module examines different forms of human representation on screen. As such, the module deals with issues around stereotyping (race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexuality, disability). It also introduces issues (ethical and otherwise) around representing the other as addressed by different research methodologies, such as audio-visual ethnography, narrative inquiry and ethno-fictions.
A distinguishing feature of the module is the delivery of different perspectives and specialisms to enhance equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and decolonisation.
Final Project
60 credits
60 credits
Undertake an extended research project, which can be either written or practice-based.
Introductory sessions will inform students of the requirements for the Final Project.
Students will be allocated a supervisor for one-to-one tutorials.
Exploring Film Festivals, Distribution and Exhibition
40 credits
40 credits
Exploring Film Festivals, Distribution and Exhibition examines the different ways in which film circulates. It considers the historical and contemporary significance of film festivals both in assigning value to film (through awards) and in providing an alternative distribution network, while also assessing the significance and function of film programming in festivals. The students are offered a unique opportunity to experience all stages in the organisation of an actual, outward facing film festival (online and in person) and use their reflective capacity and academic insights to critically reflect upon it
Researching Film
20 credits
20 credits
Equips you with the skills required to undertake research projects at postgraduate level. Areas of study will include approaches to archival work, research methodologies, interview skills, and craft skills.
Professional body recognition
The Liverpool School of Art and Creative Industries (LSACI) is a BAFTA Albert Education Partner and proud to be working with Albert to arm students with the sustainability knowledge they’ll need when joining the screen industries. BAFTA Albert is the leading screen industry organisation for environmental sustainability.
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
Typically, full-time students will be expected to attend taught sessions two days a week, currently Mondays and Fridays. Timetables will be provided to students upon enrolment.
Teaching methods
You will participate in a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and field trips. For the LJMU MA Short Film Festival, you will work both individually and in groups. Attendance in classes and related activities is required, but one-to-one supervision and independent learning also form a major part of the day-to-day management of student time.
Applied learning
The LJMU MA Short Film Festival offers experiential learning, as you will be involved in all the stages of the preparation and delivery of the in person and online event. You will also be able to develop filmmaking and academic skills through the taught modules, and your final research project (which can be ‘by practice’).
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
All modules offer students full flexibility in choosing the kind of assignment they prefer. Options include making a film, conducting an academic written research project, creating a video essay or writing a screenplay.
Where you will study
We are based in the Redmonds Building, in the heart of the bustling Mount Pleasant Campus and Liverpool's growing Knowledge Quarter. The building is home to high quality lecture theatres and seminar rooms, broadcast studios, filmmaking equipment, newsrooms, media production suites, social spaces and a café. It is only a short walk from LJMU's Mount Pleasant Campus Library, which contains all the resources you will require for your studies.
Course tutors
Dr Lydia Papadimitriou is Reader (Associate Professor) in Film Studies and Programme Leader for the MA Film at Liverpool John Moores University. She is the festival director for the LJMU MA Short Film Festival, a unique feature of the MA Film (https://ljmumashortfilmfestival.org/). She has published extensively on different aspects of Greek cinema, as well as film festivals, distribution, documentary, and Balkan cinema. She has won two ‘Individual Teaching Excellence Awards’ from LJMU for her innovative teaching of film festivals.
Postgraduate research opportunities
At LJMU, you can take the next step in your academic journey with a PhD or MPhil, available on a full-time or part-time basis. International students also have the option to study remotely.
- PhD duration: Up to 4 years full-time, or up to 7 years part-time
- Funding options: Choose between funded projects (with supervisors already in place) or self-funded study
Our Doctoral Academy is here to support you every step of the way—from your first enquiry through to successful completion—working closely with Schools, Faculties, and Professional Services.
For more details on postgraduate research and full details on how to apply, visit the Doctoral Academy website.
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 97% of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2025). Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
Graduates on this programme would typically be either working in or looking to move into careers in:
- Film Production
- Digital Content Production and Distribution
- Marketing and Communication
- Film Festivals
- Events organisation
- Tourism
- Location Scouting
- Teaching
- Corporate Communications
- Cultural Management
- Further Postgraduate study (MPhil and PhD)
External engagement is central to the MA Film degree. We work in partnership with LFO as we are a member of the Connected Campus initiative, which brings closer links to industry and to other educators and trainers. It also builds the talent pipeline in the city region and increases opportunities for Work Based Learning and network building for our students.
The School works with a range of national and regional organisations including: The Liverpool Film Office, BBC, ITV Northern Lights Partnership, Lime Pictures, Envy Post Production London, FACT, HOME Manchester, TATE Liverpool, Creative England, and the BAFTA award-winning companies Hurricane Films and LA Production.
Tuition fees and funding
- Fee:
- £9,340
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
Financial Support
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
- Full-time per year:
- £17,750
International Scholarships and payment plans
Liverpool John Moores University is committed to supporting international students by providing a range of scholarships and flexible payment plans to help students manage their tuition fees.
Scholarships
LJMU provides a variety of postgraduate scholarships to support international students. Scholarships are available to self-funded students who have accepted their offer and met all the conditions outlined in their offer letter. Students must also demonstrate that they can cover living costs, travel, and other expenses associated to studying at the university. Postgraduate scholarships include tuition fee reductions and are often offered in partnership with external funding organisations such as the British Council and Chevening.
All self-funded international students are eligible for an automatic scholarship worth up to £4,000. For more details and to view our full list of scholarships, visit the international scholarship webpages.
Deposit
All students must pay a £5,000 deposit before they can receive their CAS letter.
For more information view our deposit page.
Tuition Fee Payment Plan
After paying their £5,000 deposit, students have the option to pay their fees in full or in three equal instalments minus any internal scholarships and discounts. There are two payment options available for international students. You can either pay your tuition fees in full before enrolment or opt for a payment plan. With the payment plan, you can pay your fees in three instalments after making your £5,000 deposit. The first instalment is due before enrolment.
All payments should be made through Flywire. Full details can be found in the How to Pay Guide.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
Undergraduate degree
- a minimum 2:2 Honours degree in a relevant subject (Film Studies, Media Production, Computer Studies, Game Studies, Fine Art, Design, Architecture and Humanities based subject)
Further information
-
Extra Requirements
Applicants may be invited to interview.
Applicants with professional or related experience but no formal qualifications will be considered on their individual circumstances.
Demonstrable potential to develop postgraduate level research skills.
Genuine interest and commitment to develop skills and knowledge in the academic and/or practical aspects of film studies.
International requirements
IELTS
- IELTS 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each component or equivalent.
Further information
-
Extra Requirements
Applicants may be invited to interview.
Applicants with professional or related experience but no formal qualifications will be considered on their individual circumstances.
Demonstrable potential to develop postgraduate level research skills.
Genuine interest and commitment to develop skills and knowledge in the academic and/or practical aspects of film studies.
Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.
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