MA in Film and Cultural Management
Southampton, United Kingdom
MA
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 28,700 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* EU and international students | £11,000 - UK students
Combine the study of film with a knowledge of cultural management on this MA Film and Cultural Management degree at the University of Southampton. You'll gain an in-depth understanding of the film industry, film theory, and the modern cultural sector, focusing on how cultural management affects visual media. Prepare for a career in film, media or the arts.
On this UK master's course in film and cultural management, you'll examine the importance that film has on society.
Depending on your choice of modules, you could study film-related topics such as:
- festivals and specialist programming
- policy
- exhibition
- marketing and audience development
- the role of film agencies
You'll gain real-world insight through case studies that draw on local, national and international examples, and study the subject in both national and global contexts.
The cultural sector plays an increasingly significant role in political, social and economic policy because of its potential to enhance cultural life while generating wealth.
Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship
There are 40 scholarships available to international students applying to study an undergraduate or postgraduate master's degree in an arts or humanities subject. Successful applicants will get £10,000 towards their tuition fees.
Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply, on our website.
On the full-time master’s course, you’ll study for 12 months.
In the first 8 months (semesters 1 and 2), you'll study the taught part of your course.
This is made up of modules that everyone on the course takes, and modules we’ll ask you to choose from a list of options.
During semester 2, you’ll begin preparing for your dissertation.
For the last 4 months, over the summer, you’ll work independently to research and write your dissertation. You’ll have one-to-one meetings with your supervisor during this time to discuss your progress.
Modules
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
You must study the following modules:
- Classical Film Theory and Textual Analysis
- Current Issues in Film Distribution and Exhibition
- Film Policy: National and Global Contexts (Research)
- Film Studies Dissertation
- Post-Classical Film Theory: Film History and Cinephilia
- Preparing for the Dissertation
- Research in Film Studies
You must also choose from the following modules:
- Auteur filmmakers: case studies in cinema
- Digital Screen Cultures
- East Asian Noir: Crime and the City
- Film Stardom and Celebrity Culture
- Film Studies Individually Negotiated Topic
- The Supernatural in Audiovisual Culture
Dissertation
You'll research and write a 15,000-word dissertation on a subject of your choice. This will demonstrate the skills and knowledge you’ve developed during the course.
Your course tutor will provide advice and feedback on your progress.
Employability Skills
This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.
The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:
- Research
- Critical thinking
- Commercial awareness
- Self-management
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Creativity
The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us, you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit from your career development and progress.
Career Pathways
Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors, including: Self-employed, Arts Organisations, museums, Galleries, Heritage Services, Digital and Print Media, Broadcasting, Journalism, Events Organisation, Theatres, Television Stations, Film Production Companies, Radio Stations, universities, Social Media Platforms, Advertising Agencies, PR Companies.
Careers directly related to this course:
- Film director
- Film and video editor
- Location manager
- Production designer
- Programme researcher
- Runner
- Camera operator
- Producer
- Production coordinator
- Screenwriter
Wider career opportunities:
- Advertising art director
- Arts administrator
- Community arts worker
- Event manager
- Journalist
- Marketing executive
- Public relations officer
- Special effects technician
- Talent agent
- Journalist
Example job titles of Southampton, MA Film and Cultural Management graduates*:
- Marketing assistant
- Project manager
- Product content specialist
- Client services assistant
- Editorial assistant
- Content and channel manager
- Studio assistant
- Filmmaker
- Video editor
- Videographer
Flexible Study
If you prefer, you can apply to study this course as:
- a part-time master's - study the same course content over 2 or more years
Your modules and fees may vary if you choose a different study option.
Learning
You’ll learn by a variety of methods. These include:
- seminar discussion
- oral presentations
- tutorial consultations
- essays
- independent learning
Assessment
You’ll write a 4,000 to 4,500-word essay for each module.
We'll also assess you on oral presentations delivered as part of the cultural management and research skills modules.