Overview

MA TV Fiction Writing is a specialised master's degree focusing solely on television writing. If you're serious about pursuing a career in this industry, GCU is where you can turn that ambition into reality.

You'll study with industry experts and benefit from our close collaborations with broadcasters and independent production companies. Our graduates now work across every aspect of the industry, demonstrating our course's reputation as a launch pad for television professionals.

As the broadcast landscape is constantly evolving, you'll learn within a course that is continually reviewed and refreshed. Alongside our strong focus on television drama, you'll explore areas such as comedy, children's television and formats, and benefit from intensive script editing development. This breadth of training ensures you will graduate prepared for today's industry.

On this course, you'll:

graduate with two industry-level calling card scripts ready to take to market
gain direct, hands-on experience of full-day story conferences and writers' rooms
learn from both academic experts and leading British TV scriptwriters
work in class on current television shows with guest speakers from those productions
receive individual mentoring from experienced television professionals
access producers and commissioners directly
be supported by a professional script doctor.

With this course, you'll get the training, connections and experiences you need to prepare you to make an impact on the television industry.

Why study MA Television Fiction Writing at GCU?

The course has strong links across the industry and has current agreements of support with BBC Scotland and STV studios.
This was the first degree of its type in the UK and remains one of most specialised degrees to focus solely on writing for television.
Our reputation for developing industry-ready, high-quality graduates is reflected in their success across the industry.
Classes are taught exclusively by experienced television writers, with top-level industry guests including showrunners, executive producers, senior development producers, and BBC commissioners.
As a student on this course, you’ll have free access to industry-standard scriptwriting software.

What you will study

Modules

Researching the Television Fiction Market

Writing for an Existing Long-Running TV Drama

Story and Script Techniques 1

Creating Original Drama 1

Researching for TV Fiction Writing

Writing for an Existing Long-Running TV Drama 2

Story and Script Techniques 2

Creating Original TV Drama 2

Independent Script Project

We aim to display the most up-to-date information possible.

The modules listed on this page and the Programme Specification are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course. Please note that course content, modules, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at GCU. This might be because we are required to do so by law, by a governmental authority, regulator or accrediting body. We may also make changes for quality assurance reasons, or to enhance the course.

Careers

With the hands-on experience offered in this course, you'll graduate uniquely prepared to launch an exciting new career in UK television and abroad.

Over the last 15 years, our course has built a stellar reputation amongst employers. Many of our graduates going on to work on original and returning series for major broadcasters including:

BBC
ITV
C4
5
Sky.

Our graduates work across the industry, working on shows like Eastenders, Emmerdale, and Hollyoaks.

Types of roles include:

Script Writer
Story Editor
Story Liner
Producer.

Others have created their own work with leading independent production companies.

Many of our graduates go on to diverse roles in the television and wider broadcast industries and value the deep connections with industry across the course.

Course information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MA	Full time	1 year	Sep 26	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MA	Part time	3 years	Sep 26	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MA	Full time	16 Months	Jan 27	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MA	Part time	2-3 Years	Jan 27	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MA	Part time	3 years	Sep 27	Glasgow	Enquire
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MA	Full time	1 year	Sep 27	Glasgow	Enquire
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MA	Part time	3 years	Jan 28	Glasgow	Enquire
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MA	Full time	16 months	Jan 28	Glasgow	Enquire

Please note that admission to GCU is considered on a competitive basis, and the academic entry requirements stated here may be the minimum required to be eligible for an offer.

International students can get information on entry requirements specific to their country in our International Study section.

Minimum academic requirement

UK Honours degree 2:2 or equivalent and evidence of creative writing experience.

Evidence of creative writing experience

In the personal statement section of the application form, candidates must demonstrate evidence of prior interest and/or achievement in writing fiction for television and/or the general field of creative writing.

This must be supported by samples of personal creative writing (up to three short pieces such as: short stories, scene from play or screenplay). These works do not need to have been published or performed.

Additionally, applicants must make a clear and unequivocal statement of why they wish to pursue a career in television writing.

Interview

Candidates will also be required to attend an interview as part of the application process.

Further information regarding the interview will be provided after review of a candidate's application.

English language

Academic IELTS score of 7.0 (or equivalent) with no element below 6.5.

Additional information for international applicants

Entry requirements by country
Application deadlines
English language tests
Knowledge of English - Applicants from a majority English speaking country may not be required to provide further proof of your English language proficiency. Information about this requirement is available on the Student Visa section of the gov.uk website.

Additional information for all applicants

Relevant experience (Recognition of Prior Learning)

GCU's flexible entry policies exist to allow relevant work experience and prior learning to be considered towards standard entry or advanced entry into a course.

If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.

Minimum entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements are for widening access students only. If you are from a group that is not currently well-represented in higher education you may qualify as a widening access student. This includes living in a target postcode area, attending a target school or college, attending SWAP, are care-experienced or provide care for someone else, have refugee status or are an asylum seeker.

Designed with industry input

This course has been shaped by extensive industry input. Its teaching is continually updated to stay aligned with developments in television.

Assessment methods

You will be continuously assessed through a mix of scripts, pitches, presentations, essays, and other writing tasks.

Guest lectures and networking events

You#ll get the opportunity to hear from and interact with guest lecturers, many of whom go on to mentor our students during their Independent Script Project.

Employer events on campus

You'll benefit from on-campus events involving senior figures from all aspects of the industry.

Research-led teaching

GCU’s communications, culture, and media research is joint first in Scotland for its outstanding impact (REF2021).

100% of our communications, culture, and media research impact was world-leading or internationally excellent
73% of our communications-related research was rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and Conditions

Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.