COURSE OVERVIEW
Launch your career in film exhibition, programming, criticism or archival work.
Delivered in partnership with the British Film Institute (BFI), this innovative MFA will develop your professional practice in film curation and related fields. The course is delivered by film professionals working in exhibition and distribution, festivals, archives and film criticism, alongside academics and filmmakers, equipping you with everything you need for this industry.
Content Tabs
You’ll learn about the practicalities of film exhibition in a wide range of environments, and how this intersects with other areas of film culture and industry, including distribution and archives.
You will also study the practice of film criticism and comment - including reviewing and critically writing about films, filmmakers and the broader culture. You will also create a video essay to develop your skills in audiovisual criticism. The unique learning environment of the NFTS encourages creative dialogue between makers, curators and critics.
As part of the course, you will also attend film festivals and will have the opportunity to curate or contribute to festivals, seasons, pop up screenings and other events.
We are excited to announce this MFA course is part of an innovative slate of new qualifications from 2025/2026. Our A Fresh Take page tells you all you need to know!
A rigorous academic framework is combined with practical and real-world applications, enabling you to develop your own skills, knowledge and understanding to provide a strong foundation for a career in film and media.
Throughout the course, you’ll be devising and contributing to programming projects; writing film criticism and reviews and researching and producing video essays. You will also be receiving professional tuition on the theoretical, historical and critical understanding of film, to bring much greater depth to your projects.
You will gain a thorough understanding of the process by which a film moves from a creative idea to an audience experience, and explore the history, theory and critical contexts of film and look at a variety of critical writing.
Professional Work Experience
At the start of the second year, you will undertake a six-week professional work experience engagement at the BFI or an associated organisation. Students are also encouraged to find second work experience opportunities which are aligned with their own interests, with the support of the Head of Department.
We invite applications from students with a BA (Hons) degree (or equivalent) in arts, humanities or science. Film and media related degrees, while welcome, are not essential for admission.
Applicants without a degree but with professional experience may also be considered for admission.
International students Visa and English language requirements
If you have any questions, please email info@nfts.co.uk
The following item(s) should accompany your online application:
- Please submit a brief essay on either a) The preservation of film culture, through archiving, exhibition and restoration, or b) The changing forms of cinema distribution and exhibition.
- Choose a movement in cinema or one particular national cinema that is important to you. Briefly discuss your personal response to it.
- Discuss one author or film critic, or one book of critical writing on film that has influenced you. Discuss why you have found this author/book of value to you.
- The above items must not exceed 1000 words each
- Submit a review of either a) a contemporary film that has impressed you or b) an earlier film that you believe to be of artistic or historical importance. This can either be a written review (not to exceed 500 words) or a filmed or audio review (not to exceed 4 minutes). Filmed or audio recorded reviews should be uploaded as a viewable link such as YouTube or Vimeo.
Applications will close at midnight on the day of the deadline, shown at the top of this page.
Funding Available
The NFTS awards more scholarships and bursaries to British students, relative to the size of our student body, than almost any other educational institution in the UK. If you’re successful at gaining a place on the course, you will be contacted by our funding team with details on how to apply for one of these scholarships.
Tutors
Showcase
Second year students complete a graduation project putting their curatorial skills into practice. This year, they have programmed a range of film seasons and events running from September to December. Read more about them in our news article
Hear from the British Film Institute (BFI)'s Ed Humphrey and course graduates, Taryn Joffe and Maureen Gueunet, about the Film Studies, Programming and Curation MA which is run in partnership with BFI.
Graduate Success
Film Studies, Programming and Curation MA students graduate with the expertise to quickly take on a wide range of roles in the industry, including programming, curating, film exhibition, criticism and archiving.
Recent graduates include...
Nicolas Raffin
Managing Curator, Cinema at ICA London
Graduate Success
Film Studies, Programming and Curation MA students graduate with the expertise to quickly take on a wide range of roles in the industry, including programming, curating, film exhibition, criticism and archiving.
Recent graduates include...
Jade Turner
Film Programmer at the Independent Cinema Office
Graduate Success
Film Studies, Programming and Curation MA students graduate with the expertise to quickly take on a wide range of roles in the industry, including programming, curating, film exhibition, criticism and archiving.
Recent graduates include...
Viknesh Kobinathan
Film Programmer at the Asian Film Archive, Singapore
Graduate Success
Film Studies, Programming and Curation MA students graduate with the expertise to quickly take on a wide range of roles in the industry, including programming, curating, film exhibition, criticism and archiving.
Recent graduates include...
Maureen Gueunet
Global Programming Manager at MUBI
Graduate Success
Film Studies, Programming and Curation MA students graduate with the expertise to quickly take on a wide range of roles in the industry, including programming, curating, film exhibition, criticism and archiving.
Recent graduates include...
Eleonora Pesci
Acquisitions Manager at Curzon
