MA Documentary Practices

This programme has been suspended for September 2010 entry.

See examples of student work from the BA Film Studies and Screen Practice programme, including Behind the Banner, winner of a Royal Television Society Award.

General programme information

This is a programme in the theorised practice of documentary through digital video, photography and journalism. It draws on a range of disciplines such as film studies, documentary photography, journalism and human rights, to contextualise the processes of researching, developing, writing, shooting, editing and exhibiting the documentary.

The programme is intended for those looking to enhance and develop their production and critical skills in direct relation to documentary practices in their chosen medium but there is also an option in documentary history and theory.

Key areas of study

Documentary research
Independent documentary production
Documentary and journalism
Documentary photography
Documentary and human rights
Histories and theories of documentary
Film studies
Production management, promotion and distribution

Special features

This project-based MA requires you to develop a documentary project in your chosen medium and while doing so reflect on your practice in relationship to issues of human rights, journalism, documentary photography and film studies. All of the lecturers and associate lecturers teaching on the programme are either practising film makers or researchers active in the field, and include visiting lecturers from the industry.

Research areas

Documentary research; documentary production; documentary ethics; international documentary production; producing; documentary cinematography; editing; sound design; human rights; journalism; film studies; documentary photography; exhibition.

Entry requirements

A good second-class honours degree (or above) in a relevant subject, or equivalent experience.

Relevant experience includes anyone who's worked professionally in film, television, video, journalism, photography. It also includes work in these fields not undertaken professionally, and could also include people who have worked in a related artistic field (music, dance, theatre, design, etc). You should clearly demonstrate this experience in the portfolio you will need to submit with your application – more details below.

If you are a Roehampton graduate, you will need a second-class honours degree (or above) together with a letter of recommendation from your tutor if the subject you have studied does not include film, photography or journalistic practice.

Applicants will also need to provide:

a one-page written proposal for a possible documentary project; and
a portfolio of work where appropriate. If you don’t have a portfolio of creative work, or if you’re applying for the History & Theory option (and thus proposing to write a dissertation rather than make a piece of practice), then you should send a piece of written work.

The portfolio, if sent in the form of a DVD, should be a DVD-R (ie not DVD+R, because these often don't read). Items not in English should be subtitled or accompanied by a dialogue script in English, or whatever. There should be a clear indication of the role you performed in the piece(s) of work submitted.

For those presenting written work (ie wanting to follow the theory/practice option), this can include coursework from a first degree, and should be between 2,000 and 4,000 words.

For students whose first language is not English, the IELTS requirement for MA Documentary Practices is 7 overall with a minimum of 7 in the writing band.

Length of programme: Full-time: 1 year; part-time: 2 years
Number of places: Full-time: 15
Number of Credits: MA: 180
Fees: Band 1
Contact the course convener: Prof Michael Chanan
Further information: Michael Chanan
Tel: 020 8392 5043
Email: m.chanan@roehampton.ac.uk
Programme details
Module details

Fee reductions for alumni and international students