Business of Film MA

This course aims to equip students with essential knowledge and skills in the business of film and we are delivering it with the BFI (British Film Institute) as our industry partner.

It is a professional development programme for people whose career aspirations include supporting, financing and marketing good films. As well as people already involved in the film industry, the course is designed to support individuals from accounting, law, logistics and other fields, who want to enter the profession.

This postgraduate course delivered in the heart of London will appeal to film professionals looking to develop their knowledge as well as those aspiring to work in the industry, including people with backgrounds in business, finance or law.

Creating a sustainable career in the film business requires knowledge in areas such as finance, legal and marketing. Communication, networking and relationship building are also key to professional success in the film business. This course will support you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the industry through practical experiences and business challenges. Students will be involved in live industry projects, placements and marketing opportunities that will add to their understanding of how the film industry works.

The programme aims to prepare you for the challenges of the film business today, build your industry contacts, extend your entrepreneurial skills and develop greater commercial acumen. It aims to embrace creative individual problem-solving skills alongside necessary business and negotiation skills.

Students can also access guest speakers, networking events, industry contacts, mentoring and placement opportunities through our industry partner, the BFI. You will also have the chance to work in conjunction with Regent Street Cinema, gaining valuable experience on real-world film distribution projects.

Top reasons to study with us

• Collaborations with Regent Street Cinema – Based next to London’s iconic Regent Street Cinema, with opportunities to secure hands-on experience working together with the cinema’s production team on their marketing, distribution, and exhibition of films
• Taught by leading academics and guest industry professionals, this ground-breaking course and its format of delivery will enhance your ability to promote, finance and distribute film productions successfully
• The British Film Institute – Our industry partner for this course, the British Film Institute (BFI), the UK’s lead organisation for the moving image, provides students with access to a diverse range of industry speakers, networking events and placement opportunities

Why study this course?

Industry experience

The course receives substantial support from the industry, and you’ll gain experience working with professionals and industry leaders.

Enhance your career prospects

You'll learn key business skills such as leadership and marketing, along with essential industry management knowledge and relevant academic theory.

Learn from industry experts

You'll be taught by experienced industry insiders, and regularly hear from and network with industry leaders at our guest talks.

Course structure

The course is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, industry guest speakers, practice-led case studies and placements. It emphasises group work, with students participating in small and large-scale projects while gaining an understanding of the fundamentals of the film business.

Additionally, students will be able to participate in employment and group-based simulations and industry events designed to emphasise professional development. To complement these methods, in-class exercises have been developed to encourage students to work together to assess how different approaches can inform and improve outcomes.

Core modules

• Creative and Business Acumen
• Developing Your Film Career
• Distribution, Exhibition and Marketing
• Film Business Final Project
• Film Finance and Funding Models
• Film Industry Work Placement
• International Film Industry and Global Markets
• Introduction to the Business of Film

Volunteer and gain new skills

We offer a number of different volunteering opportunities for you to learn new skills, create connections, and make a difference in the community.

Develop your entrepreneurial skills

Our award-winning Westminster Enterprise Network offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your start-up projects.

Get extra qualifications

We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.

This course, delivered with our industry partner the BFI (British Film Institute), is a professional development programme for students whose career aspirations include supporting, financing and marketing good films.

Graduates in Business of Film MA will be able to work in a wide range of roles across the different sectors of the film industry. This includes development, marketing, financing, distribution, and exhibition. This degree will give students a competitive edge in a market that values high-level skills in communication, creative approaches, research, and technical understanding of emerging digital forms.

The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.

Industry-focused teaching

Your practical and creative development is supported by workshops and tutorials led by practising industry professionals, as well as by the course team.

Practical assignments

Link theory to global practice through real-life case studies, guest lectures, work placements and insight from the BFI, the leading organisation for the film industry in the UK.

Build connections

Build industry connections with peers and future business leaders.

Job roles

This course will prepare you for roles in a variety of areas, including:

• Executive producer
• Talent manager
• Location supervisor
• Film consultant
• Exhibition curator
• Marketing Executive
• Sales Agent
• Distributor
• Producer