Study information

Programme Specification for the 2023/4 academic year

MA International Film Business

1. Programme Details

Programme nameMA International Film Business Programme codePTA1EGLEGL13
Study mode(s)Full Time
 Academic year2023/4
Campus(es)Streatham (Exeter)
Other
 NQF Level of the Final Award7 (Masters)

2. Description of the Programme

The first of its kind in the UK, the MA in International Film Business (MAIFB) is designed to train you to become one of a generation of future industry professionals and executives bringing excellence and innovation across the film and entertainment value chain. Taught jointly by leading film academics and international film business experts at the University of Exeter, and specialist tutors and practitioners at the renowned London Film School the MAIFB looks at the business and consumer context of the international film industry at all stages of the value chain.

The MAIFB offers you the opportunity to learn about the international film industry of the 21st century, its practice, history, structure, innovations and challenges. It will equip you with the business, production, financial and programming knowledge and skills to bring an informed outlook to bear on many areas of the international film business, including (but not limited to) the independent sector. The programme also includes an element of networking. Through a combination of guest speakers and specialist tutors from the industry, the programme introduces you to the professional groups and individuals who may offer future opportunities in the film business, and includes a group expedition to a major European film festival and film market (such as the Berlinale and European Film Market). In the final term, as part of the dissertation or dissertation project module, each student will be assigned an industry mentor. The industry mentor, working in conjunction with the academic supervisor, will meet with the student to discuss their work, their professional ambitions and the development of their final dissertation project. Drawing on a unique range of specialist expertise and resources at both the University of Exeter and the London Film School, the MA in International Film Business equips you with the tools to become a versatile and innovative 21st century film professional.

3. Educational Aims of the Programme

The programme offers a precisely designed, stimulating curriculum, combining academic study with the acquisition and development of practical skills applicable to a career in international film business. It aims to develop an excellent overall understanding of international film business. Specific programme aims are to:

  • Offer you specialised training in international film business and an understanding of specific roles across the film value chain.
  • Develop your understanding of the historical development of key markets and national cinema in the international film business.
  • Involve you in a dual campus teaching programme with highly detailed coverage, content, and methodology.
  • Develop your current skill set to facilitate professional development, including technical competence, business and management models, and the legal and ethical principles involved in international film production.
  • Develop your professional and research abilities and your understanding of the relationship between conceptual tools, theoretical framework and practical approaches.
  • Engage you imaginatively in the process of understanding and analysing issues in film business.
  • Provide an intellectually stimulating and satisfying experience of learning and studying, whilst encouraging a critical awareness of this distinctive subject area.
  • Develop your awareness of key issues and debates in international film, and to equip you with the skills necessary to engage in these issues creatively.

4. Programme Structure

5. Programme Modules

The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.

https://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/humanities/studying/postgraduatetaught/modules/

https://lfs.org.uk/full-time-study/ma-international-film-business

Term 1 is based at University of Exeter, Streatham Campus; terms 2 and 3 are based at the London Film School, Covent Garden but with planned visits to the University of Exeter for supervision and/or MA dissertation conference.

Stage 1

180 credits of compulsory modules.

a You must take either EAFM203 Dissertation or EAFM204 Dissertation Project.

Compulsory Modules

CodeModule Credits Non-condonable?
EAFM203 Dissertation [See note a above]60Yes
EAFM204 Dissertation Project [See note a above]60No
EAFM200 Distribution and Markets Taught in term 1 at UoE30No
EAFM201 The Entertainment Value Chain Taught in term 2 at LFS30No
EAFM202 Models of Innovation Taught in term 2 at LFS30No
EAFM205 The International Film Business: Approaches, Concepts and Strategies Taught in term 1 at UoE30No

6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods

Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of key/current debates in international film business
2. Understand key issues which have a bearing on international film business.
3. Understand a variety of critical and professional approaches to international film business.
4. Develop and enhance practical and technical skills in the international film business.
5. Demonstrate an understanding of professional business tools applicable to the international film industry, including management and advertising models, and legal and ethical frameworks.

ILOs 1-5 are requirements of all modules. They are introduced and developed through the core modules and in particular the dissertation. Teaching methods and strategies are seminars involving group discussion, individual and group presentations, and individual written assignments.

Acquisition of these skills is assessed through written assignments and the dissertation.

Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

6. Think independently at an advanced level.
7. Plan work efficiently to achieve realistic goals within constrained time frames.
8. Construct and defend a sustained and sophisticated argument, both in written form and orally, using sophisticated primary and secondary materials.
9. Work as an individual on challenging material.
10. Work as part of a team in an independent, constructive and responsive way.
11. Develop or enhance practical and technical skills in the subject area.

ILOs 6-9 are core requirements of all modules and especially the dissertation.
ILO 10 is developed through seminar work.
ILO 11 is developed throughout the programme but particularly through work on the dissertation.

ILOs 6-9are assessed through written assignments and the dissertation.
ILO 10 is reflected in seminar work and presentations.
ILO 11 is reflected in the dissertation.

Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
On successfully completing this programme you will be able to:		Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be...
...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class):...and evidenced by the following assessment methods:

12. Apply advanced literacy and communication skills in appropriate contexts and present sustained and persuasive written and oral arguments.
13. Analyse and critically examine diverse forms of material, both textual and visual.
14. Acquire and interrelate substantial quantities of complex information of diverse kinds, in a structured and systematic way, and involving the use of the distinctive methodological and interpretative skills of the subject areas.
15. Apply research skills for the retrieval of material, and gather, sift and organise this material independently and critically, evaluating its significance.
16. Interrogate and apply a variety of theoretical positions, and weigh the importance of alternative perspectives in a critical and self-reflective manner.
17. Exercise independent thought and judgment.
18. Engage with others through the presentation of ideas and information in groups, and work towards the collective negotiation of solutions.
19. Plan and execute written and other forms of project-work over both short and long timescales.
20. Complete tasks under time-constrained conditions and effectively manage deadlines and targets.
21. Employ information-technology skills, and access and assess electronic data via the internet and through other forms of interactive media.
22. Adapt and transfer the critical methods of the disciplines into unfamiliar contexts, including a variety of working environments.

Personal and key skills are delivered through all modules, and developed in lectures, workshops, study groups, tutorials, work experience and other learning activities throughout the programme.

The assessment of these skills is through a combination of presentations and participation in seminars, log-books, web-based assessments, essays, exams, other written reports/projects, and a dissertation.

ILOs 12-17 are also strongly developed in the course of the portfolio of assessed essays and other written work produced throughout the programme. These assessments work on the principle of offering formative feedback to support the development of your written work within as well as between modules. Feedback on one assignment is intended to inform the next piece of work you undertake on the module; the next piece of work on the programme, or the future learning of graduates.

ILO 18 is associated especially with the range of group presentations taking place in modules on the programme. Group presentation assessment brings into focus an important range of skills for you, including sharing workloads, responsibility for tasks, team-working, collaborative and communicative skills. Individual contributions to group work are also assessed individually, most often in the form of a reflective presentation report.

ILOs 19-21 are also accomplished in the course of ‘real-time’ formal assessments such as presentations and end of module exams, which occur through the programme.

7. Programme Regulations

Classification

Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.

8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning

Exeter has unique resources which make it ideally positioned to support the advanced study of film. The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum for the History of Cinema and Popular Culture holds a wide ranging collection of more than 70,000 film related artefacts. The collection is accessible for all postgraduates to use as a research and study resource. Housed in the University’s state-of-the-art study facility, the Research Commons, the diverse collection includes objects relating to the history of the moving image. These include optical toys, magic lantern slides, a Lumière cinematograph; film publicity such as posters from the Hollywood era to contemporary film; material on film stars such as Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn; and material on animation, particularly Disney films. Many of our film modules exploit these resources giving students a highly distinctive and valuable experience of studying and researching film using primary materials, documents and artefacts.

The main library also has significant holdings in the area of film studies including books, journals and more than 10,000 films and television programmes on videotape and DVD. Our Audio-Visual collection in the University library comprises over 12,000 film titles, in addition to books and recordings of American music of all kinds.

9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning

Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.

10. Admissions Criteria

Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.

Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.

11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards

Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.

The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.

(Quality Review Framework.

14. Awarding Institution

University of Exeter

15. Lead College / Teaching Institution

Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)

16. Partner College / Institution

Partner College(s)

Not applicable to this programme

Partner Institution

London Film School

17. Programme Accredited / Validated by

0

18. Final Award

MA International Film Business

19. UCAS Code

Not applicable to this programme.

20. NQF Level of Final Award

7 (Masters)

21. Credit

CATS credits ECTS credits

22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group

23. Dates

Origin Date

11/07/2013

 Date of last revision

28/11/2018