The Master’s in Film Studies combines theoretical and practical aspects of film and enables productive interaction between academia and the film industry. Whatever your academic background, this taught programme invites you to explore your love of film in a professional capacity. The M.A. will test your practical capabilities and provides you with the necessary techniques to successfully plan and shoot a short film, and to develop it in all its stages from the script to the screen. By analysing the interaction of image and sound and combining it with research, history, academia, and narrative, you will be appositely prepared to tell your story through the medium of film.
The Course shall be open to applicants in possession of one of the following qualifications:
(a) the degree of Bachelor of Arts (Honours) with Second Class or better in the same or in a closely related area of study as the area of study applied for, provided that the Board may consider applicants in possession of the Degree with Third Class Honours only if it is satisfied that such applicants are in possession of other qualifications, including relevant experience, obtained following the first cycle degree or
(b) the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the same or in a closely related area of study as that applied for, with an average mark of not less than 55% in that area or
(c) a degree from this or from another university which the Board considers as comparable to any of the degrees indicated in paragraphs (a) and (b) above. This comparability may, in exceptional cases, extend to applicants proposing a research topic which in itself bridges the area of study of the first degree and the one being applied for. In such cases, applicants would be required to attend an interview to assess their suitability, in accordance with procedures established by the Board.
Depending on the nature of the programme, the Board may allow applicants possessing a degree other than those specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) to join the Course subject to an interview to establish whether they have sufficient proficiency and background to be able to profit from the Course.
The Admissions Board may admit up to two applicants not in possession of a first cycle degree, if it is satisfied that such applicants are in possession of professional qualifications or experience closely related to the area of study, which in the judgement of the interviewing board enable such applicants to follow the Course with profit. The admission of such applicants shall not be subject to the selection criteria approved by Senate in terms of the bye-laws for the Course. If there are more than two such applicants, selection shall be based on the length of the relevant experience or the quality of relevant output.
The admission requirements are applicable for courses commencing in October 2022.
For more detailed information pertaining to admission and progression requirements please refer to the bye-laws for the course available here.
UM currently hosts over 1,000 full-time international students and over 450 visiting students. The ever-increasing international students coming from various countries, in recent years, have transformed this 400-year old institution into an international campus.
Our international students generally describe Malta as a safe place, enjoying excellent weather and an all-year varied cultural programme. Malta is considered as the ideal place for students to study.
You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage.
After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.
Local/EU/EEA Applicants:
Total Tuition Fees: Eur 4,800 Fee per semester: Eur 800
Non-EU/Non-EEA Applicants:
Total Tuition Fees: Eur 10,800 Yr 1: Eur 5,400 - Yr 2: Eur 5,400 - Yr 3: NIL
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
— Read individual films within historical and academic contexts — Apply key theoretical approaches to film — Create an innovative story and plan its treatment in all stages from the page to the screen — Articulate research results in a specific area in a coherent manner — Apply the basic techniques of scriptwriting — Explore issues of spectatorship in the light of cognitive, psychological, and sociological frame-works
If you are interested in taking up an academic career by eventually pursuing your studies in film at a Ph.D level, then this is the ideal course for you. This new programme has been specifically designed to meet the growing demand for a Master’s degree entirely dedicated to Film Studies, and which you will find appealing if you are seeking employment in one of the numerous areas of the film, television and media industries. Moreover, if you are already working in the screen media industry but would like to enhance your skills by acquiring a more formal training, then this postgraduate level of education would suffice.
The taught Master’s Programme in Film Studies will enable you to further your postgraduate studies at a doctoral level in film, television, and other screen media. Other work opportunities are also available if you are more interested in the practical aspects of film, and the skill acquired from this course may enable you to pursue a career in media industries as a scriptwriter, editor, and producer.
Click here to access the Programme of Study applicable from 2022/3.
Last Updated: 15 September 2022
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication. The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. Unless for exceptional approved reasons, no changes to the programme of study for a particular academic year will be made once the students' registration period for that academic year begins.
