Film MA Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the entry requirements for the Film MA?
- What is the deadline for applications?
- What is the programme code for the Film MA via distance learning?
- How much does each module cost?
- How many credits do I need for a Film MA? / Which modules are compulsory?
- I've seen elsewhere on the University website that 'Video-Making' is a compulsory module - could you clarify this?
- What is the time limit for completion?
- I don't think I can commit to four years / what happens if my circumstances change?
- Isn't Research Methods and European Cinemas in Context a lot to study in the first term?
- I'm still not sure how it might work - can you give me any examples of the kind of programmes that students select?
- I don't really understand how the PGCert / PGDip / Masters options work - would I get all three?
- Can I transfer credits from previous postgraduate study (APL)?
- Do I have to be a UK resident in order to study?
- If I needed to negotiate a deadline extension, would I be penalised?
- How will I submit assessments?
- Can I study the courses online using a mac?
- Is any part of the course on campus?
- Is the MA in Film Studies by distance learning considered to be the same standard as the MA taken on campus?
- Will it say 'distance learning' on the certificate I get for my PGCert / PGDip / MA at the end of my studies?
- Why is there a Group A and a Group B? / Why are some students studying 20 credit modules and others studying 30 credit modules?
- Which academic school at the University will I be a student of?
- Do you supply the films that students will study?
- Where can I acquire Spanish films?
- Still have a question? - email us at dlteam@exeter.ac.uk
Please note that information relating to credits on this page applies to all students in Group A (i.e. all new students expecting to start study in 2007-8 or later, and all students who commenced study during 2006-7).
If you are a student who commenced study of the Film MA during 2005-6 or earlier (i.e. you are in Group B) then you are on a different credit structure - please contact us if any advice about credits is required.
What are the entry requirements for the Film MA?
All places are subject to application. Students must:
- Have at least a good second class honours degree in a subject that has included some coverage of film studies or considerable and relevant industry experience.
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Have excellent access to the internet (internet access solely via a library is not considered sufficient)
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Be prepared to communicate using the course’s online discussion forum.
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Be prepared to source their own copies of the films studied (see also 'Do you supply the films that will be studied?')
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Use their University email account (provided free of charge on registration) for any email correspondence with the University during the course of their studies.
In addition, students whose first language is not English will need to include evidence of proficiency in English with their application. For more details see English Language Requirements, where suitable qualifications for this programme are listed in part a).
For English-speaking students, some familiarity with French, Spanish, German, Italian or Russian will be helpful but is not vital to a successful application; English-speaking students will not need to possess a foreign language, since all instruction is in English and the films are subtitled.
What is the deadline for applications for 2007/8?
Applications from new students to study the Film MA during 2007/8 must be received by 31st August 2007.
What is the programme code for the Film MA via distance learning?
The code for the Film MA programme via distance learning is C758DL.
How much does each module cost?
The price for each module is displayed in the right hand column of the webpage describing that module. Please note that these prices are for the 2007-8 academic year and apply to new students only. Exisiting students should please email sml-pga@exeter.ac.uk for fee information.
How many credits do I need for a Film MA? / Which modules are compulsory?
You will need to gain 180 credits from the specified Film MA modules within four years to be awarded a Masters in Film Studies. Compulsory modules are Research Methodologies and European Cinemas in Context (these two modules should be studied first) and the 60-credit Dissertation module (normally studied last). These three modules will give you 120 credits. The remaining 60 credits are made up of two 30 credit Film MA modules of your choice.
I've seen elsewhere on the University website that 'Video-Making' is a compulsory module - could you clarify this?
The 'video-making' module is only compulsory for students taking the Film MA on campus. It is not compulsory for students studying via distance learning.
What is the time limit for completion?
Students can complete the Film MA programme within 24 months - but usually students who do this are not also working full time. Three or four years is more usual. Students must complete their programme of study within four years.
I don't think I can commit to a four year programme / what happens if my circumstances change during the four years?
Although 180 credits are required for the Film MA, other options are available. Students who gain 60 credits are eligible for a Postgraduate Certificate in Film Studies, and those completing 120 credits would be eligible for a Postgraduate Diploma in Film Studies. Please note that for either of these awards, 60 credits must be gained from the modules Research Methodologies in Film Studies and European Cinemas in Context (so in the case of the PGCert, students would just do those two modules). The Dissertation is not required for the PGCert or PGDip in Film Studies.
Whilst we hope most students will go on to complete the full MA, we also appreciate that four years is a long time and that personal circumstances and commitments may change during that time.
Isn't Research Methods and European Cinemas in Context a lot to study in the first term?
The modules Research Methodologies in Film Studies (aka simply 'Research Methods') and European Cinemas in Context are scheduled first because they are core modules (i.e. essential to gaining a PGCert, PGDiploma or MA in Film Studies) and because they are interlinked. Research Methods guides students through a number of involved film theories and tutors students in how to write up and present their work for later modules on the programme. It has eight assessments which are due in at regular intervals during the two terms of the course and, of these, assessment five should (ideally) be related to the research undertaken for the European Cinemas assessment. (European Cinemas only has one assessment.)
Research Methods is a two-and-a-half term course and European Cinemas a one term course - so after Christmas the workload decreases accordingly. Some students manage both modules and then go on to do an optional module alongside term two of Research Methods. Others feel that the two modules are too much for their first term after what may have been a lengthy break from academic study - in which case it is perfectly normal for students to opt to study Research Methods alone in the first year (they are given an alternative option for assessment five).
Students who only wish to study one module in their first year should select Research Methods, rather than European Cinemas, simply because the first term of Research Methods gives students guidance they will need in order to complete their European Cinemas assessment.
We would like to emphasise that the modular nature of the programme means students should tailor the programme to suit their circumstances. The only expectations are that Research Methods and European Cinemas will be taken first, the Dissertation last (for the full Film MA), and that - how ever many modules students take - their whole programme of study must be completed within four years.
I'm still not sure how it might work - can you give me any examples of the kind of programmes that students select?
Below we have provided three examples of a typical programme that a student taking a Film MA might choose. Please note that these are not prescriptive - they are provided merely to demonstrate how modules could be selected and you may well choose a pattern that doesn't match any of these. Points showing where the student would be eligible for a PGCert. or PGDip. in Film Studies are indicated so that you can see how they could still gain an award if their circumstances changed and they needed to withdraw at that point. (Please see also explanation of the way PGCert / PGDip and Masters options work.)
Example A - Evenly Paced
Year One
Terms One, Two and Three: Research Methodologies in Film Studies (30 credits)
Year Two
Term One: European Cinemas in Context (30 credits)
On completing this module the student would be eligible for a PGCert in Film Studies (total credits gained = 60 credits)
Term One or Term Two: Optional Module (30 credits)
Year Three
Term One or Term Two: Optional Module (30 credits)
On completing this module the student would be eligible for a PGDiploma in Film Studies (total credits gained = 120 credits)
Year Four
Final Year: Dissertation (60 credits)
On completing this module the student would be awarded their Masters in Film Studies (total credits gained = 180 credits)
Example B - Year Out
Year One
Terms One, Two and Three: Research Methodologies in Film Studies (30 credits)
Term One: European Cinemas in Context (30 credits)
On completing these two modules the student would be eligible for a PGCert in Film Studies (total credits gained = 60 credits)
Year Two
Term One or Term Two: Optional Module (30 credits)
Term One or Term Two: Optional Module (30 credits)
On completing these two modules the student would be eligible for a PGDiploma in Film Studies (total credits gained = 120 credits)
Year Three
Break from study - the student takes no modules this year.
Year Four
Final Year: Dissertation (60 credits)
On completing this module the student would be awarded their Masters in Film Studies (total credits gained = 180 credits)
Example C - Fast Track
This example is given to show how the Film MA can be achieved in two years. Please note that this is a very work-intensive example and students should carefully consider their circumstances before embarking on a two-year plan. Having said this, students are not committed to completing in two years, and can slow down the pace of study to complete in three or four years if they find they are struggling to keep up.
Year One
Terms One, Two and Three: Research Methodologies in Film Studies (30 credits)
Term One: European Cinemas in Context (30 credits)
On completing these two modules the student would be eligible for a PGCert in Film Studies (total credits gained = 60 credits)
Term One or Term Two: Optional Module (30 credits)
Year Two
Term One or Term Two: Optional Module (30 credits)
On completing this module the student would be eligible for a PGDiploma in Film Studies (total credits gained = 120 credits)
Final Year: Dissertation (60 credits)
On completing this module the student would be awarded their Masters in Film Studies (total credits gained = 180 credits)
I don't really understand how the PGCert / PGDip / Masters options work - would I get all three?
No. Whilst we hope most students will go on to complete the full MA, we also appreciate that four years is a long time and that personal circumstances and commitments may change during that time. Therefore the options of PGCertificate and PGDiploma are available. These would be awarded either at the end of the academic year that the student withdrew (providing there was no likelihood of them continuing study, and that it was a definite withdrawal from the whole programme rather than a study break) or at the end of four years, when the student would not be permitted to continue accumulating credits. Provided the student had successfully completed Research Methodologies in Film Studies and European Cinemas in Context, they would be given one award (PGCert, PGDip or Masters) and it would reflect the number of credits gained at that point.
I've studied postgraduate film at another institution - can I transfer my credits towards this Film MA programme (also know as APL - accreditation for prior learning)
Possibly - it depends on the modules you've studied. Students who are interested in transferring credits are welcome to email us with an APL request to see if this will be possible.
Do I have to be resident in the UK to study the Film MA?
No - the programme is available to students worldwide and the discussion forums are asynchronous so you can read and add messages according to your time zone. We currently have students from the UK, Eire, Greece, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Germany, the USA, South America, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
If I needed to negotiate a deadline extension for an assessment would I be penalised?
Our students come from a variety of locations and circumstances - some are full time carers (of children or older relatives), some have very demanding jobs, some travel a great deal, some have medical problems, others have a mixture of these. We appreciate the demands placed on adult learners, and are responsive to these. If you needed to negotiate a deadline extension you would not be penalised, providing you had a valid reason (e.g. ill health, unforeseen child care responsibilities, additional pressures at work, unexpected personal circumstances etc..) - naturally we can't give out extensions without a reason. You might be penalised if you simply let a deadline slip by, or you were granted an extension and failed to meet your extended deadline. It is always better to talk to us at the earliest opportunity if you are having difficulties.
How will I submit assessments?
All assessments are submitted as rich text format (rtf) word processed documents, by email. Instructions relating to format and the submission email address will be provided with the course material.
Can I access the online courses using a mac?
Yes. Our online courses use a system called WebCT. To check you will be able to access the online courses before signing up, please go to http://webct.ex.ac.uk using the computer you intend to use to access your course (whether this is at home, on a laptop, at work etc...), and click on 'Check Web Browser'. This will show you if there are any obvious issues with the computer, or the way it is set up, which may prevent access to the course online as well as advice on what to do to resolve these issues. However webct is designed to work with PCs and Macs.
Can I study the MA in Film on campus at Exeter, or do you only offer it via distance learning?
The MA in Film is also available on campus for students who would prefer to attend a classroom-taught programme. If you would like to know more about this option please visit the website of the Department of Modern Languages.
The distance learning programme does not require any University attendance. However, distance learning students do have the option of taking the Video Making module on campus or at a distance according to preference. In this way distance students have the option of experiencing a short spell of postgraduate life at the University if they would like to take advantage of this.
Is the MA in Film Studies by distance learning considered to be the same standard as the MA in Film Studies taken on campus?
Yes. Both programmes are overseen by Professor Susan Hayward and are taught by the same tutors. The same academic standards are expected from both on-campus and distance learning film MA students. All students on this programme, whether on or off campus, must achieve the same number of credits, marked at the same level, in order to gain their awards.
Will it say 'distance learning' on the certificate I get for my PGCert / PGDip / MA at the end of my studies?
No. As there is no academic distinction between the on-campus and distance learning versions of this programme, no reference is made to the method of study on the award certificate.
Why are some students studying 30 credit modules and others studying 20 credit modules? Why are students either in Group A or Group B?
During the summer of 2006 the University reaccredited the modules of the Film MA programme so that they could be offered in credit multiples of 15. This took place because the University wishes to make all modules adhere to this credit structure throughout the institution.
Students who began their studies with us prior to 2006 had registered on a programme with a 20-credit structure and therefore these modules will continue to be available to them until they complete their studies with us. All new students will take the new 30 credit modules. The easiest way to manage this was to 'group' students and refer to the appropriate modules accordingly - hence Group A for new students and Group B for existing students.
All modules are available in 20 or 30 credit versions - but they will have different assessments, different prices and different module codes - which is why it is important that students register on the correct module for their group.
Which School will I be a student of?
Students studying on this programme are distance learning students of the Department of Modern Languages within the School of Arts Languages and Literatures (SALL) at the University of Exeter. The distance learning programme is set up and run on behalf of SALL by the School of Education (E-Learning and Communications) - so you will also have contact with them - but you will be taught by tutors from SALL.
Do you supply the films that will be studied?
No. Students will be responsible for finding their own copies of the films studied. In many cases it is not a requirement that students see all the films listed on a particular module - we appreciate that access will vary according to DVD region. At the moment we are in discussions to investigate the possibility of loaning hard-to-obtain films to UK students. Copyright restrictions unfortunately prevent us from providing the same service to students overseas.
Where can I get hold of Spanish Films?
http://www.dvdgo.com is a student-recommended site for finding most of the Spanish titles on our modules.