Course units
In response to the Climate Emergency, UAL has embedded responsible practices within the curriculum. We shaped our courses around principles of social and racial justice, and environmental sustainability that ensure learning outcomes reflect the urgent need to equip you with the understanding, skills, and values for ethical practice and empower you to work towards an equitable future.
Each course is divided into units, which are credit-rated. The minimum unit size is 20 credits. The MA course structure involves 6 units, totalling 180 credits. Whether contextual or practice-based, all units on MA Documentary Film are mandatory.
The contextual lectures with screenings and seminars are timetabled to a regular weekly pattern. Throughout the terms, your production-based classes, as well as your individual and group assignments, will vary your timetable according to the nature of the production.
Autumn, term 1
Documentary Development (40 credits)
You’ll be introduced to documentary filmmaking and equipped with the core practice skills of documentary film production. You’ll be encouraged to research, develop and pitch a documentary idea which you’ll go on to produce as your Major Project film.
Documentary History and Theory (20 credits)
This unit positions documentary production within a historical and theoretical context.
Spring, term 2
Documentary Development (Continued)
Documentary Ethics and Methods (20 credits)
You’ll explore the relationship between filmmakers and their subjects, questions of representation, and the ethics and practices of documentary filmmakers.
Collaborative Unit (20 credits)
With a focus on student-driven collaboration, you’ll identify and develop collaborative working relationships with a range of possible partners, from postgraduate student colleagues on your course to external parties.
Major Project (60 credits)
This unit initiates the production and direction of an individually authored or co-authored documentary film of up to 20 minutes, which is accompanied by a portfolio of research, a proposal and a treatment.
Summer, term 3
Documentary: Contemporary Discourses (20 credits)
This unit weaves together analysis of present-day issues faced by the documentary film business and brings up-to-date examination of contemporary approaches to storytelling and the documentary form.
Major Project (continued)
Autumn, term 4
Your Major Project will resume, culminating with a critical and analytical report which contextualises your documentary film while articulating a promotional and impact strategy aligned to your future professional plans.
If you are unable to continue or decide to exit the course, there are two possible exit awards. A Postgraduate Certificate will be awarded on successful completion of the first 60 credits and a Postgraduate Diploma will be awarded on successful completion of the first 120 credits.
