The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is a modern and vibrant institution located in Scotland. It was formed in 2007 through the merger of the University of Paisley and Bell College. With a history dating back to 1897, UWS has a rich heritage of providing education and training to students from across Scotland and around the world. Today, UWS is one of Scotland's largest universities, with four main campuses located in Paisley, Hamilton, Ayr, and Dumfries. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, engineering, health, education, and the arts, and is known for its innovative and student-centered approach to learning.

Whether your desire is to make first-person documentaries, avant-garde essay films, or commercial dramas, whether you want to be a director, editor, cinematographer or sound designer the MA filmmaking offers a bespoke response to the creative potential of each candidate.

With a roster of award-winning fiction and documentary filmmakers from around the world to call upon, as well as a core staff of dedicated academic practitioners, led by industry active filmmaker-academics, Professor Nick Higgins, Paul Wright and Sam Firth, this course distinguishes itself by its commitment to developing distinctive voices and telling original stories.

The programme will be delivered from our unique seminar and screening space within Film City Glasgow, the film industry hub where over 20 production companies and post-production facilities are located, including Scotland's only Dolby sound­ recording studio. Additional sessions will also be delivered from our award-winning £81million state-the-art Ayr Campus, only 45 minutes from Glasgow.

On completion of the full MA Filmmaking, you will have made three short films – a documentary, a fiction film, and also a graduation film in any genre. You will combine filmmaking theory and production while also extending your knowledge and understanding of the industry practice of filmmaking in other modules.

For the Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) stage, you will study the following core modules:

Advanced Documentary Film Practice (core, 40 credits)
Advanced Fiction Film Practice (core, 40 credits)
Development Lab (core, 20 credits)
Film as an Industry (core, 20 credits)
Successful completion of the PgDip allows you to proceed to the master's module:

Master’s Film Project (core, 60 credits) – You will also receive £500-£2500 towards the cost of producing your final master’s project film
Teaching & Assessment
LEARNING AND TEACHING

Scheduled learning: 23%
Independent study: 77%
ASSESSMENT

Practical: 51%
Coursework: 49%
Assessment methods will include:

Completed films
Oral presentations
Written reports
Coursework
Log books
Essays
Case studies
Literature reviews
Research and funding proposals
Course Structure
Find out more about the structure, learning outcomes, compulsory and optional modules in this course.

Filmmaking Course Structure

• The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is a vibrant and dynamic institution located in Scotland. Founded in 2007, UWS was formed through the merger of the University of Paisley and Bell College. With a history dating back to 1897, the university has a rich heritage of providing education and training to students from across Scotland and around the world.
• UWS is one of Scotland's largest universities, with four main campuses located in Paisley, Hamilton, Ayr, and Dumfries. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in areas such as business, engineering, health, education, and the arts. UWS is also known for its innovative and student-centered approach to learning, which includes a focus on practical, real-world experiences and hands-on learning opportunities.
• UWS is officially ranked by Times Higher Education in the top 150 of universities worldwide under 50 years old (2022 Young University Rankings). In the recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, 90 percent of research at University of the West of Scotland was classed as world-leading, internationally excellent, or recognised internationally. UWS was also crowned Higher Educational Institution of the Year 2022 (The Herald Higher Education Awards).
• One of the standout features of UWS is its commitment to providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in today's rapidly changing job market. The university offers a wide range of programs that are designed to meet the needs of students from all backgrounds, and its experienced faculty is dedicated to helping students reach their full potential.
• In addition to its strong academic programs, UWS also offers a wealth of extracurricular activities and student services. The university has a vibrant student life, with numerous clubs and organizations, as well as sports teams, volunteer opportunities, and cultural events. There is also a well-established student support network that provides guidance and assistance to students on a wide range of topics, from academic support to personal and financial advice.
• Another key aspect of UWS is its strong commitment to research. The university has a growing reputation as a center of research excellence, and its faculty and students are working on a wide range of cutting-edge projects in areas such as engineering, health, education, and the arts. This research is not only helping to advance knowledge in these fields, but it is also helping to create new opportunities for students and improve the lives of people around the world.
• In conclusion, the University of the West of Scotland is a dynamic and forward-thinking institution that is dedicated to providing its students with the education, skills, and experiences they need to succeed in today's rapidly changing world. With its strong academic programs, vibrant student life, and commitment to research, UWS is the perfect place for students who want to get the most out of their college experience.

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it