Master of Screen Studies

Provides students with industry-level skills, a show-reel of production work and a strong analytical and theoretical foundation relating to digital screen production.

Students are able to pursue a major area of specialisation from the following fields: producing, directing, screenwriting, cinematography, sound and editing. Students may also select secondary areas of specialisation. The course offers expert teaching by leading industry practitioners as tutors, mentors and guests.

The course includes the professional production of six short dramas and documentaries, client-based projects and a web-series. The course also offers an introduction to VR and feature film production, and a pathway to further post-graduate research.

A unique feature of the programme is the relationship with the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Students in the WAAPA acting department feature in Screen Academy productions, and the WAAPA costume, design, sound and music composition departments contribute to the productions.

Course Entry

Academic Admission requirements (Band 8)

The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.

All applicants are required to provide a personal statement. A detailed CV should also be provided. Additionally, applicants must attend an interview, and provide a showreel, and have completed a related undergraduate degree or equivalent 3 years of industry experience, with equivalents considered. Alternatively, applicants can provide a folio.

For more information, including guidelines for specific disciplines, please see our Interviews, folios and auditions web page.

Academic admission requirements (Band 8) may be satisfied through the completion of one of the following:

• Bachelor degree in a cognate discipline; or
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years of relevant professional experience.

English Language requirements (Band 4)

English competency requirements may be satisfied through the completion of one of the following:

• IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
• Bachelor degree from a country specified on the English Proficiency Bands page;
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years of relevant professional experience; or
• Other tests, courses or programmes defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.

Jakob Owens / Unsplash

Course Details

Semester availability

• Semester 1: Study full-time at Mount Lawley
• Semester 2: Study full-time at Mount Lawley

Course Structure

Year 1 - Semester 1

Note: SCR5101, SCR6110 and SCR6120 are full-year units that are taken over semester 1 and semester 2.

Year 1 - Semester 2

Course Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate a high level of interdependence and individual accountability through the critical evaluation of collaborative and individual processes or roles.
• Demonstrate and reflect on cross-cultural awareness, including indigenous cultural competence and its application to screen production.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the recent developments in contemporary film, television and new media in an Australian and International context.
• Demonstrate knowledge of research principles, methods and trends required to produce screen projects.
• Demonstrate mastery of the theories, history, trends, characteristics and methods required to successfully plan and execute screen projects.
• Design, evaluate, implement and analyse the theories, approaches and strategies of screen production to service clients and key stakeholders.
• Generate innovative ideas and evaluate complex concepts in the pre-production, production and post-production of screen projects.
• Investigate, analyse and synthesise the theories, information, problems and technologies available during all stages of a screen project.
• Reflect critically on the problems in the production process, then develop and apply sustainable solutions to overcome them.
• Research, interpret and communicate the theories and methodologies required to adopt appropriate roles to successfully execute a screen project to specialists and non-specialists.
• Research, plan, apply and defend ideas, creativity and innovative practice to execute pre-production, production and post-production screen projects.

Career Opportunities

This Masters degree prepares graduates for employment in the professional screen industries.

Possible future job titles

Producer, Director, Screenwriter, Cinematographer, Editor, Sound.