Screen Studies (M.Phil.)

Overview

Course Overview

The M.Phil. in Screen Studies at Trinity offers the opportunity to focus on a variety of areas: writing for different screens, studying historical and theoretical trends in screen media, and/or creating a range of film and media outputs.

The M.Phil. in Screen Studies allows students to develop the skills required to write successfully for and about a range of different screens in a critically informed and creative context, supported by the latest developments in media trends and digital content. In addition, the course aims to develop the key transferable skills required for postgraduate study. These include research preparation, time management, and oral and written presentation skills. The programme is comprised of 60 ECTS of taught modules and a 30-ECTS research component.

Is This Course For Me? 

The objective of the programme is to prepare graduates who can adapt to an arts landscape and media industry that recreates itself regularly around technological advances. Driven by their own interests, over the course of the MPhil, students will create a portfolio of screen media and screen studies work. The portfolio can include library-based research, feature film or television screenplays, podcasts and project pitches. In addition to the one-year full-time programme, the MPhil in Screen Studies is offered part-time over two years.

Career Opportunities 

This course prepares students for a variety of careers including screenwriting, media production, and education. Our graduates have pursued careers in the film and television industry, digital media, advertising, marketing, and arts administration. Some of our graduates also go on to do further research at Doctoral level.

Course Structure 

All students take six taught modules and complete a Research Project. Students have the flexibility to select a pathway that suits their interests. For instance, if you want to focus on writing for screens, you can undertake the core screenwriting modules and some elective modules, along with the 30 ECTS screenplay research project. Students interested in research and critical analysis can select more library-based modules and complete a traditional 30 ECTS research dissertation. 

List of Sample Modules*

*These module titles are for illustration purposes only: the School reserves the right to change modules.

Students can select a combination of modules as suits their areas of interest, as long as they meet these requirements:

The full-time programme consists of two elements:
1.    6 taught modules (10 ECTS each) delivered equally across two semesters (60 ECTS)
2.    Research Project (30 ECTS) 

The part-time programme consists of two elements:
1.    Year 1 (40 ECTS) = 4 modules (10 ECTS each)
2.    Year 2 (50 ECTS) = 2 modules (10 ECTS each) + Research Project (30 ECTS)

Research Projects 

All M.Phil. in Screen Studies students must complete a substantial independent research project. The Dissertation takes one of two forms: 

1. Dissertation

• A written dissertation of approximately 15,000 words (excluding footnotes/bibliography) on an approved topic to be supervised by an appropriate member of staff 

OR 

      2. Dissertation with Practice

• Screenwriting option 
  • Research Project screenplay + 3,500-4,000-word critical essay. 
• Video essay option 
  • Video essay of between 10-22 minutes + 3,500-4000 critical essay. 

The traditional Dissertation option involves written Dissertation of approximately 15,000 words on an approved topic to be supervised by an appropriate member of staff.