MA Documentary & Factual

You will develop a deep understanding of documentary theory, forms, and audiences, culminating in a professional pitch to an industry panel. In the early stages, you’ll collaborate with peers from other pathways to create a short “statement” video using a camera phone, focusing on finding your unique voice.

You will explore the theory of authorship and how a director’s “point of view” shapes the structure and genre of non-fiction storytelling. Through practical workshops, you will create two short films that demonstrate your ability to apply these perspectives to real-world contexts.

You will explore how film and television work by looking at the relationship between genre, audience, and the industry. By studying how audiences engage with screen content both globally and at home, you will learn how to apply these insights to your own creative projects and use genre to tell more impactful stories.

You will build a professional portfolio, including a tailored CV and personal profile, to use immediately upon graduation. This module also offers “Elective Upskilling” sessions, giving you the chance to gain skills outside your discipline and build a versatile, multi-skilled professional profile.

Working with students from across the MA programs, you will develop proposals and pitches for real-world clients. You will gain hands-on experience in budgeting, scheduling, and the specific demands of producing and directing factual content for a variety of professional platforms.

Through industry guest speakers and case studies, you will analyse how projects are financed and commissioned. You will explore emerging distribution avenues, including cross-platform development and web-based marketing, while creating a distribution strategy and a filmed trailer for your own long-form project.

You will identify your place in the industry and build a professional portfolio of materials to use immediately upon graduation. By learning core entrepreneurial skills alongside specialist knowledge for your specific pathway, you will develop the tools needed for a long-term career. You will also pitch your Final Major Project, showing how your creative vision aligns with your professional goals.

You will focus on the preparation and planning of your Final Major Project, applying your specialist skills to bring your ideas to life. This module is largely self-directed, giving you the space to explore your creative identity and reflect on your growth as a practitioner. Supported by a project supervisor, you will produce industry-standard prep work that demonstrates your expertise in your chosen role.

This final collaboration is your opportunity to work independently and create a signature piece of work that showcases your development as a director. You will deliver a distinctive, research-based, and industry-facing project that reflects an awareness of our diverse and inclusive world. Alongside the production, you will refine your career plan, ensuring you are fully prepared to enter the screen industries.

Standard Entry Requirements

• Age: All applicants must be 18 years or older at the time the programme begins.
• Education: A 2:1 honours degree from a UK university or overseas equivalent.

Applicants must also submit:

A personal statement of at least 500 words. The MetFilm School online application form details the information that your personal statement must include.

Students Not Meeting Academic Requirements

Students without a degree, but who can demonstrate relevant industry experience or a degree below a 2:1 equivalent are still able to apply. They will need to submit the following:

• A professional industry reference.
• A professional CV.
• A 750 word statement of why you wish to enter the screen industries, indicating the ways in which you think they are changing.

If you meet certain criteria, you may be eligible for a contextual offer with reduced entry requirements.

Find out more about our contextual offers

Students receive the Office 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud License for the duration of their course. For more information, please check Equipment in the Study with Us section for your chosen course, and the Location sections for the range of equipment and learning resources available on each of our campuses.

For more information on MA Documentary and Factual entry requirements, language requirements, funding, and the application process please visit:

• Study with Us