PMAFLMPET5-2024-5-O - L-Università ta' Malta

Course Title

Master of Arts in Film Studies

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

6 Semesters

90 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-time Evening

Information for International applicants

Applicants must be in possession of:

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

the degree of Bachelor of Arts (Honours) with Second Class or better in the same or in a closely related area of study as the area of study applied for,provided that the Board may consider applicants in possession of the Degree with Third Class Honours only if it is satisfied that such applicants are in possession of other qualifications, including relevant experience, obtained following the first cycle degree or/li>
the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the same or in a closely related area of study as that applied for, with an average mark of not less than 55% in that area or
a degree from this or from another university which the Board considers as comparable to any of the degrees indicated in paragraphs (a) and (b) above. This comparability may, in exceptional cases, extend to applicants proposing a research topic which in itself bridges the area of study of the first degree and the one being applied for. In such cases, applicants would be required to attend an interview to assess their suitability, in accordance with procedures established by the Board.

The Board may allow applicants possessing a degree other than those specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) to join the Course subject to an interview to establish whether they have sufficient proficiency and background to be able to profit from the Course.

The Admissions Board may admit up to two applicants not in possession of a first cycle degree, if it is satisfied that such applicants are in possession of professional qualifications or experience closely related to the area of study, which in the judgement of the interviewing board enable such applicants to follow the Course with profit. The admission of such applicants shall not be subject to the selection criteria approved by Senate. If there are more than two such applicants, selection shall be based on the length of the relevant experience or the quality of relevant output.

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You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

The University of Malta has student accommodation on campus called Campus Hub. Campus Hub is just a 2-minute walk from the main campus. For more information, visit the accommodation website.

Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

The Master's in Film Studies combines theoretical and practical aspects of film and enables productive interaction between academia and the film industry. Whatever your academic background, this taught programme invites you to explore your love of film in a professional capacity. The M.A. will test your practical capabilities and provides you with the necessary techniques to successfully plan and shoot a short film, and to develop it in all its stages from the script to the screen. By analysing the interaction of image and sound and combining it with research, history, academia, and narrative, you will be appositely prepared to tell your story through the medium of film.

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to choose a study-unit to the value of 5 ECTS credits from the elective study-units on offer during semester 1 and two study-units to the value of 10 ECTS credits from the elective study-units on offer during semester 2.


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

ATS5026	An Introduction to Cinematography: Theory and Practice	5 ECTS
ATS5039	Methods of Research: Critical Approaches to Film Studies	5 ECTS

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

ATS5102	Film Adaptation, the Literary Tradition and the Other Arts	5 ECTS
ATS5104	Science Frames: Popularising Scientific Research through Film	5 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

ATS5401	Screenwriting and the Art of Dramaturgy (Part 1)	5 ECTS

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

ATS5002	Film, Technology and the Literary Canon	5 ECTS
ATS5004	Basic Post-Production	5 ECTS
ATS5080	Celluloid Balloons: Comics and Cinema	5 ECTS

In addition to the compulsory study-unit, students are required to choose a study-unit to the value of 5 ECTS credits from the elective study-units on offer during semester 1 and a study-unit to the value of 5 ECTS credits each from the elective study-units on offer during semester 2.


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

ATS5025	Image and Sound: An Introduction to Film Analysis	5 ECTS
ATS5402	Screenwriting and the Art of Dramaturgy (Part 2)	5 ECTS

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

ATS5102	Film Adaptation, the Literary Tradition and the Other Arts	5 ECTS
ATS5112	Representing Otherness on Film: Gender, Disability, Sexuality and Ethnicity in the Cinema	5 ECTS
ATS5161	Udine-Gorizia, International Film Studies Spring School	5 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

ATS5214	The Practice of Filmmaking: From the Set to the Screen (Part 3)	10 ECTS

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

ATS5002	Film, Technology and the Literary Canon	5 ECTS
ATS5004	Basic Post-Production	5 ECTS
ATS5080	Celluloid Balloons: Comics and Cinema	5 ECTS


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units Students are required to register for ONE of the following study-units:

ATS5009	Dissertation	30 ECTS
ATS5062	Short Film	30 ECTS

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of the degree of Master of Arts - M.A. - under the auspices of the Faculty of Arts.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

Read individual films within historical and academic contexts
Apply key theoretical approaches to film
Create an innovative story and plan its treatment in all stages from the page to the screen
Articulate research results in a specific area in a coherent manner
Apply the basic techniques of scriptwriting
Explore issues of spectatorship in the light of cognitive, psychological, and sociological frame-works

Non EU Applicants:

Total Tuition Fees: Eur 10,800
Yr 1: Eur 5,400 - Yr 2: Eur 5,400 - Yr 3: NIL

You are viewing the fees for non EU nationals. Switch to EU nationals if you are a national of any country from within the EU/EEA.

The taught Master's Programme in Film Studies will enable you to further your postgraduate studies at a doctoral level in film, television, and other screen media. Other work opportunities are also available if you are more interested in the practical aspects of film, and the skill acquired from this course may enable you to pursue a career in media industries as a scriptwriter, editor, and producer.