Screenwriting
Develop your writing for film and television
This mid-career Master’s degree requires 3 years of work experience after Bachelor’s.
The studies cover all the phases of screenwriting process. The programme is hands-on and workshop oriented. Classes are based on students’ own material as a work-in-progress. Reflective and critical approach is practised throughout the programme.
You will be supported to work alongside studies by using an online environment and distance education practices. Links to the global film and TV industry provide opportunities to network with key people and to have feedback on your work.
Besides writing for the film or television industry, you may build a career in other satellite professions, such as producer, script editor, storyliner and script consultant.
Degree earned
Type
Planned duration
Extent of studies
City
Campus
Form of learning
Tuition fee
Link to scholarship programme
Study objectives
The aim of the degree programme is to train scriptwriters who are able to develop film scripts that are innovative and creative but also commercially viable. The programme addresses issues of language, genre, economic viability, and artistic merit within the process of film script development and film script production.
You will develop and write short film scripts as well as two separate feature film scripts or one feature lenght film script and one tv-series concept.
More about the language of instruction
The language of the degree programme is English.
Study contents
The first semester studies take place at TAMK. During the second semester, a study module and a master class will be provided by TAMK's partner universities in Europe. In the third semester you will carry out an MA Film Project.
You will be supported to work alongside your studies by using an online environment and distance learning practices. A virtual learning environment is used, where supplementary material will be provided.
Tuition fees
The tuition fee of the programme is 10 800 euros per academic year for non-EU/EEA students with a scholarship system for fee-paying students. For more information, please see Tuition Fees and Scholarships.
Structure of studies
The studies can be completed within one year alongside work as blended learning. The extent of the programme is 60 credits, consisting of professional studies (30 credits) and master's thesis (30 credits).
For the professional studies, there are two modules: 1. Forms and Genres 2. Storytelling and the Moving Image. The first module gives a hands-on introduction to storytelling tradition. It covers ideating, conceptualizing, pitching, outlining and step-outlining story as well as developing character arch and making use of turning points, understanding screenplay structure composed of acts, sequences and scenes and using film and screenplay analysis as screenwriter's tool.
In the module Storytelling and the Moving Image, you will complete one feature length film script or a concept for tv-series and a script of at least two episodes. Writing memorable scenes with strong characters, describing essential action and writing dialogue as action of character, making use of subtext and understanding the deep structure of theme and metaphor as well as the use of visual arena and telling details are the key elements in this module.
Final project
The MA Script Project involves structured and supervised development of a full-length film script text (the minimum length is 90 minutes) or creating a concept for tv-series and a script of at least two episodes. The aim of the module is learning to edit one's own text, rewriting and script-editing, making use of the feedback given and collaborative process with the mentor at each step of the script development process. There will also be a workshop to apply critical analysis and evaluation of the progressive development of the script. We are working actively towards bringing this MA Script Project up to an artistic and commercial standard that will allow it to compete in the European market.
Career opportunities
Links to the global film and TV industry provide opportunities to network with key people and to have feedback on your work; to learn the demands the industry makes on writers; to be at the cutting edge of changes and developments in the industry; and to develop mentoring relationships that may persist beyond the programme.
Besides writing for the film or television industry, you may build a career in other satellite professions such as producer, script editor, storyliner, and script consultant.
Qualification
Master of Culture and Arts
Internationalisation
During the second semester you have the opportunity to complete part of your degree abroad in one of TAMK's partner universities, of which we have over 300 in more than 50 countries. The whole degree programme is an inspiring and multicultural learning environment. Other means of guaranteeing a truly international and multicultural study experience are to immerse yourself in language studies, peer tutoring for other international students, friend-family activities and international projects and themed weeks.
Co-operation with other parties
TAMK runs this Master's programme in co-operation with partner universities in Europe. Industry links form a significant component of the programme. Besides having connections with film and TV companies, the programme has strong ties with international associations like Cilect, Geect and Nordicil. It is also actively involved in Film Festivals and events all over Europe.
Postgraduate study opportunities
TAMK's Master's degree certificate offers you the possibility to apply for doctoral studies in other universities according to their admission policy.
Academic analyses of the process of scriptwriting are now acknowledged as a field of academic enquiry. Other possibilities include PhDs in the field of the television and radio industry and/or cultural history.
Admission procedure
Study places
| Master's Degree in Screenwriting | 10 |
The student selection has two phases. The first phase is a pre-task and the second phase is an entrance examination. Applicants are admitted based only on points of the entrance exam.
Pre-task
The instructions for the pre-task will be published at TAMK’s website and Studyinfo.fi on 4 December 2018 at the latest.
The pre-task has to be submitted by 30 January 2019 at 15.00 Finnish time.
Please look for more information about the pre-task under the section Pre-task.
Entrance exam
All applicants who pass the pre-task will be invited to the entrance exam, which consist of a written part and an online interview.
The interview will take place on 18-22 February 2019. Applicants can participate also from outside of Finland via internet. Applicants do not need to travel to Tampere for the online interview.
Please look for more information about the entrance examination under the section Entrance exam.
Selection between applicants with equal points
If two or more applicants earn the same admission points, they will be ranked on the order of preference
If the admission points are still at a tie after ranking applicants based on the above-mentioned criteria, the application system will automatically draw the order.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to apply to TAMK's Master's Degree in Screenwriting, you must hold a suitable higher education degree from the field of Culture and Arts AND have a minimum of three years' (36 months) work experience from the field after completing the degree.
You have until 31 July 2019 to complete work experience requirement.
Work experience must be informed as full months. Part-time work will be converted into full-time such that 150 hours or 20 full working days (at least 7 hours per day) correspond to one month of work. Work experience does not have to be continuous or obtained from the same employer. Work experience will only be accepted if it is verified by a work certificate provided by the employer. Entrepreneurship will be accepted as work experience if the applicant can produce a certificate stating that he/she is or has been covered under the statutory YEL or MYEL pension scheme for entrepreneurs.
Applicants who have completed a vocational college degree or higher vocational degree in Finland (in Finnish: opisto- tai ammatillisen korkea-asteen tutkinto)
For applicants who have completed a vocational college degree or higher vocational degree in Finland (opisto- tai ammatillisen korkea-asteen tutkinto) before completing the required Bachelor's degree, work experience completed after the lower degree will also be accepted. Applicants are still required to have a minimum of three years' work experience, and it has to be from the relevant field.
If the applicant has completed a vocational college degree or higher vocational degree in Finland (opisto- tai ammatillisen korkea-asteen tutkinto) before completing the required Bachelor's degree and has the required work experience between these degrees, the required Bachelor's degree must be completed so that the applicant can send a copy of the certificate to TAMK Admissions Office by 8 July 2019 at 15.00 Finnish time at the latest.
Degree completed outside of Finland
If you apply with a degree completed outside of Finland and you are NOT an EU/EEA-citizen, the degree has to be completed by the end of the application period (23 January 2019). You need to upload the copy of your degree certificate to your application form by 30 January 2019 at 15.00 Finnish time at the latest. If your original degree certificate is written in other language than Finnish, Swedish or English, you also have to upload a copy of its translation. The translation has to be done by authorized translator. The translation must be in Finnish, Swedish or English and it has to include the translator's signature and stamp.
Language skill requirements
Sufficient English language skills are required for degree programmes conducted in English. English language skills will be evaluated as a part of the pretask and the interview.
Entrance exam
All applicants who pass the pre-task will be invited to the entrance exam, which consist of a written part and an online interview.
The interview will take place on 18-22 February 2019. Applicants can participate also from outside of Finland via internet. Applicants do not need to travel to Tampere for the online interview. The invitation emails to the online interview will be sent by mid-February 2019.
The online interview is tied together with the pre-task and will test applicants' motivation and suitability to the field of study. Applicants will be alloted a time between 18-22 February 2019 and must be prepared to be interviewed (i.e. have a computer with microphone and camera available) at the time given. Please note that interviews will be arranged during office hours Finnish time.
Applicants are admitted based on the combined amount of points awarded for the written part (max. 50 points) and the interview (max. 50 points). The total maximum amount of points is 100.
Applicants must receive a minimum of 10 points from both sections (written part and online interview) to qualify for selection.
If you score less than 10 points from either part, you cannot be admitted to TAMK.
The invitation emails to the entrance exam will be sent on mid-February 2019.
English language skills are evaluated as a part of the pre-task and the entrance exam.
The entrance exam result is only valid for the one specific application period.
Pre-task
The instructions for the pre-task will be published at TAMK’s website and Studyinfo.fi on 4 December 2018 at the latest. The pre-task submission is only possible during the application period.
The pre-task has to be submitted by 30 January 2019 at 15.00 Finnish time at the latest.
It is possible to score maximum of 50 points from the pre-task. Minimum of 10 points are required in order for the pre-task to be accepted.
Special arrangements for entrance exam
If you have special needs which should be taken into account when arranging your online interview/entrance exam, please fill in the application form and deliver it with the other required enclosures to TAMK Admissions Office by 30 January 2019 (3 pm Finnish time).
You need to describe your special needs and the grounds for special arrangements in the application. Please enclose any relevant copies (e.g. medical certificate).
Application form (opens 4th December)
If you do not deliver the application in time, TAMK has no responsibility to make any special arrangements. If the need for special arrangements arises or is discovered between the end of the application period (23 January 2019) and the online interview/entrance exam, you must deliver the special arrangement application without delay to TAMK Admissions Office.
The special arrangement decision only applies to one application round.
Enclosures
Compulsory pre-task
When applying to Master's Degree Programme in Screenwriting, you have to submit a pre-task by 30 January 2019 at 15.00 Finnish time at the latest.
The pre-task submission is only possible during the application period.
All applicants who pass the pre-task be invited to the entrance exam.
Application Documents
All applicants (regardless of the country of the educational background) have to upload the school and work certificate copies to their application form by 30 January 2019 at 15.00 Finnish time at the latest.
The application documents you need to upload are:
- bachelor's/higher education degree certificate
- transcript of records of the degree
- work certificates stating the minimum of 36 months of work experience after graduating to the degree
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Résumé
If your document is in other language than Finnish, Swedish or English, you also have to upload a copy of its authorised translation made by authorised translator. The translation has to be in Finnish, Swedish or English and it has to include the translator’s signature and stamp.
Work certificates should be on company headed paper, unofficial testimonials by email or hand-written documents cannot be accepted.
The original certificates will be checked from admitted applicants at the beginning of the studies.
TAMK may withdraw the admission if you do not deliver the certificates by the deadline or if you have given false information.
Document proving exemption of tuition fee
All applicants must upload to their application form a copy of one of the following documents to establish their citizenship and/or residence status. This pertains to the legislation on tuition fees for those accepted students who are not citizens of countries of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland or holders of certain residence status in Finland. In case you hold a residence permit, upload that copy instead of passport copy, as it will also exempt you from payment of tuition fees.
You must upload the copy to your application form by 30 January 2019 at 15.00 Finnish time at the latest.
All submitted documents must be ones carrying a photograph, so they can also be used to establish identity. The copy must be fully legible and the photo must be identifiable.
Indicate which document you are referring to:
- Passport ID page or ID card of EU/EEA/Switzerland which states citizenship
- Passport ID page (all other citizenships)
- EU Blue Card
- EU Family Member's Residence Card in Finland
- Type A permit (continuous residence permit in Finland)
- Type P permit (permanent residence permit in Finland)
- Type P-EU permit (EU residence permit for third-country citizens with long-term residence in Finland)
Contact information
TAMK Admissions Office
E-mail: admissions.tamk(at)tuni.fi
Telephone: +358 3 245 2395