Postgraduate Studies at Raindance

Your degree, on your terms.

 

Raindance Film School’s postgraduate programme offers a flexible learning environment and a bespoke curriculum tailored to your aspirations. Book a FREE taster session below to see how our MA programme can help you create successful projects.

 

Book a 1-to-1 taster sessionApply to the Raindance MA

A unique, mentor-based experience

Our postgraduate programme follows the same collaborative approach found in our undergraduate programme. MA students are often working professionals, looking to transition permanently into the entertainment industry, or fulfil a single dream of making films. These situations and more bring a diverse array of students who create a special and thriving programme.

 

Discover your creative power with the Raindance MA in your chosen discipline:

 

MA in Filmmaking

The MA in Filmmaking is unlike any other postgraduate filmmaking programme in the world. This innovative degree allows you to set your own goals, develop your own learning activities, and benefit from the expertise of our award-winning team of industry mentors.

Learn more > 

The Raindance MA in Filmmaking is like a dream factory and the hits just keep on coming!

Miles Crossman

Additional details

Schedule and course contents
You can start on the MA course in any of our three intake periods: September, January, or May. The majority of classes are held over weekends to ensure your education fits in with your schedule.

Both the MA in Filmmaking and the MA in Screenwriting will train you on how to navigate the film and TV industry as a filmmaker. You will learn how to self-market, network, pitch, and develop agile ideas that respond to changing industry tastes.

MA Frequently Asked Questions

About the MA programme: This is a two-year degree which can be completed online anywhere in the world, or in person from our London or Dubai campus. As with all of our degrees, the MA programme is recognised worldwide, validated in partnership with De Montfort University.

This is a mentor-based programme, which means you’ll be paired with an industry professional as a your tutor for the length of your course.  Together, you will look at how to use everything from your transferable skills to your creative abilities to design a roadmap for reaching your filmmaking goal. The hybrid independent-supported model lets you to find your own style and voice through the work, while providing a solid support network from tutors and fellow students. See more details in Negotiated Learning below.

What are the entry requirements for this degree?

Raindance considers multiple criteria to assess an applicant’s suitability for this programme. This criteria can include an academic, post-secondary degree, industry experience or transferrable professional skills.

The following supporting evidence combine to determine an applicant’s suitability for this programme:

      1. Diploma(s) or certificate(s) of your prior learning from and accredited UK university or international equivalent, higher education institution, college or training programme together with the transcript
      2. Your up-to-date employment CV or student resume
      3. A 500-essay, either reflecting on a project you were involved in, or analysing a film that you find inspirational.
      4. A written Learning Plan that briefly outlines your chosen focus of study, skills development, activities and resources to develop your knowledge.
      5. A sample or artifact of creative work in which you undertook a key creative role (writer, director, producer, cinematographer, composer, editor etc.)
      6. An interview with one or more faculty members

Other supporting evidence may be required for some students, in addition to the above, and can be requested by the Registrar:

      • Proof of UK residence, Visa, or EU passport (for London-based students)
      • Additional course certificates or diplomas (if requested by Registrar)
      • IELTS 6.0, with a minimum of 6.0 in reading and writing (for students who have completed a degree outside UK, in another language)
      • Sample of academic writing (if requested by Registrar)

Please visit our application page for the full details.

How much does it cost?

Fees for both + deposit

What does Negotiated Learning mean?

Structure and Content

This programme is not based on a traditional, pre-determined curriculum that provides what you need to know or tells you what to do.  It requires a high level of personal goal-setting, planning, research and resourcefulness to design your own learning pathway. You will:

  • negotiate the content of your learning with your mentors and advisors
  • drive your own independent study throughout
  • engage in peer-to-peer group study
  • choose open courses or Project Skills Labs that augment your learning, and, 
  • take responsibility to initiate, develop and execute a strategic learning plan that you’ve designed and negotiated to meet both your learning needs and university postgraduate requirements.

Marks and study credits are given for work which students submit at the end of each of six modules. The first two module assignments are Staffordshire University requirements. Students then negotiate the remaining modules.

What is a Negotiated Module?

For the negotiated modules, students can:

a) choose their own hands on projects, such as submitting a short film, short or feature scripts, mood board, marketing or business plan, marketing or crowdfunding campaign, etc. accompanied by a Reflective Report exploring a key learning and mastery area for the student in each module or

b) choose qualitative/quantitative research projects, data analyses or theoretical business, financing or distribution model development to gain industry expertise.

What is a Reflective Report?

Each negotiated module in which a student submits a creative artifact, production plan or business document must also be accompanied by a Reflective Report. This report forms the foundation of learning in this degree. Through this Reflective Report students consolidate their learning and reflect meaningfully on their decisions and what they’ve learned. The Reflective Report can comprise 50% or more of the assessment mark for each negotiated module.

The Reflective Report is a written work expected at postgraduate level, which must include proper academic referencing, engagement with theoretical or industry context, and is marked according to British standards and conventions of postgraduate level writing and research.

How do I learn in this programme?

  • Weekly study groups with a module leader
  • Tutorials with both an Academic Advisor and Industry Mentor
  • Independent Study and Research (ongoing)
  • Industry outreach (ongoing)
  • Online Cohort Community Posting and Discussion Groups (ongoing)
  • Monthly industr-focused seminars
  • Raindance Open Courses (as selected)
Course structure and hours

The Programme provides a structure for your learning. You will be able to negotiate the content of your modules.

1. Learning Plan -15 credits, 150 hrs.

In this first module, the student is expected to develop and pitch to the university a Learning Plan that will act as a roadmap of individual study over two years part-time. The Learning Plan will form the link between the individual’s project & career goals and the Programme’s academic and modular frameworks.

2. Research Paper -15 credits, 150 hrs.

This second module focuses on understanding proper research techniques, a lifelong skill to support a filmmaking, media and storytelling career. Students investigate a topic that is foundational to their chosen area of study.

3. Negotiated Modules (x 3) -30 credits each, 300 hrs each.

Students design 3 separate modules negotiated with their mentors and advisors. Together these modules lead developmentally toward the student’s final masters project. The negotiated modules typically combine research and applied practice, testing or executing some aspect of writing, directing or producing.

4. Negotiated Masters Module -60 credits, 600 hrs.

The final Masters is the culmination of the student’s work in the Programme and brings together the learning done in the previous modules.

Raindance Postgraduate Team
Elliot Grove

Elliot Grove

Programme Founder

Justin Shevlin,

Academic Director

Paul Laight

Academic Administrator

Laura Gregory

Academic Administrator
Where next - what are my career opportunities after completing the Raindance MA?

Raindance’s MA in Filmmaking or MA in Screenwriting empowers students, giving you the tools you need to be successful in the film industry. The practical skills developed over the course of the MA are applicable in a wide range of careers related to visual arts and media — for example, film and TV production, screenwriting, film programming, distribution, film design, arts management, teaching and post-production.

Graduates include:

How To Apply

How do I apply?

Step 1:   Go to our online application page and fill out the application form. This application will be acknowledged by the Registrar, once you submit the accompanying deposit.

Step 2:   Pay the £500 deposit directly from the online application page. We will need to receive your £500 deposit at the time of application, in order for us to process any documents and consider your application for this programme.

Step 3:   Send your supporting documents to: registrar@raindance.co.uk. Please be advised that acknowledgement of your application may take between 3 to 5 business days.

How do I send the deposit*?

If you experience any problem with your online application please contact the Programme Registrar: registrar@raindance.co.uk