Postgraduate - Glasgow Caledonian University

62
MA Television Fiction Writing (subject to approval)
Contact: Dr John Cook
E: j.cook2@gcal.ac.uk
T: +44(0)141 331 3845
W: www.caledonian.ac.uk/cbs
Set to launch in September 2009, the new, proposed MA in Television Fiction Writing will be
the only one of its kind in Scotland (and one of only two in the UK as a whole) focused solely
on the teaching of scriptwriting for television.
Glasgow Caledonian University’s proposed new postgraduate Masters degree course exclusively
devoted to Television Fiction Writing is being developed in partnership with top practitioners in the British
television drama industry, in particular Shed Media plc, one of the largest independent TV drama production
companies in the UK and the producers of Footballers’ Wives, Bad Girls and new BBC Scotland TV drama
commission Hope Springs.
The proposed MA will be the only one of its kind in Scotland, and one of only two in the UK as a
whole, focused solely on the teaching of scriptwriting for television. And it will be the only one of its kind to
be created in partnership with the TV industry so that, for example, students will have the opportunity to be
attached to an actual TV drama production whilst they study on the course.
As such, the aim of the MA is to fulfil a perceived industry need for the development of new writing
talent for TV drama, together with a perceived gap in the training of the craft skills of TV fiction writing
necessary for placing writers into actual, existing drama slots. With concern growing at the decline of
network commissions relative to the rest of the UK, the proposed MA also seeks to play its part in the
stimulation of new creative television fiction talent for Scotland.
Overwhelmingly practical and industry-orientated, the MA seeks to play its part in developing the next
generation of creative writing talent for television drama. As such, the MA will equip students with all the
craft skills necessary for a successful career as a television scriptwriter. The MA may also lead to suitable
careers in script editing or producing television drama.
The MA is designed to provide students with skills for successful employment, however following
completion of the Masters programme, there may be opportunities for students to pursue a more academic
route eg. doctoral research.
Though there will be no formal placements as such, students will, as part of the course, have the
opportunity to be attached to an actual production of a current long-running drama on British television - for
example, with the opportunity to sit in on actual story conferences of a live production and so on.
Applicants should normally have a good undergraduate Honours degree in a relevant discipline, though
non-standard entry qualifications will be considered. Applicants do not have to have had experience in
scriptwriting to apply, though will be expected to show an interest and/or aptitude for writing and the
admissions process will assess this.
Mode of Study & Duration:
Full-time: One year
Part-time: Two years
Number of Places:
20
UK/EU Fees & Funding:
Self-funded. Approximately £5000-6000
(2008/09 fees)
Application (once validated):
Download a form from our website on
www.caledonian.ac.uk/postgrad.
For further information, see page 124 or use
the paper form at the back of this prospectus
Assessment:
To meet the programme aims and objectives
and intended learning outcomes, specific
assessment methods have been designed.
There are no formal examinations in the
programme. Our assessment strategy is
designed to simulate as accurately as
possible the conditions and requirements of
professional television scriptwriting.
Programme Structure:
(Full-time) Year 1 - Semester A: Writing
Long-Running Drama 1; The Domestic (UK)
Market: Television & Other Platforms; Script
Techniques, Analysis & Theory; Business of
Drama (Policy, Finance & Legal)
Year 1 - Semester B: Writing Long-
Running Drama; Writing Original Drama;
Researching Your TV Fiction Project (ie.
‘Research Methods’ as preparation for
Independent Script Project; embraces
elements of ‘Original Script Development’);
International Market (incl. US Drama)
International Students:
International students whose first language
is not English shall be required to
demonstrate evidence of satisfactory
competence by completing an IELTS test with
a score of at least 6.0 or by holding another
recognised qualification. See page 12 for
details
Overseas Fees:
£9,500 (2009 fees)
Scholarships:
Partial scholarships are available and
applicants will be advised of these
arrangements upon receipt of an offer
International Enquiries:
E: cbsinternational@gcal.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)141 331 8621