Program Overview

Do you have an idea for a film or television show? Have you been inspired by the latest cinematic blockbuster or hit streaming series? The BA (Hons) Screenwriting course at the University of Suffolk is the perfect way to launch an exciting career writing for the big (or not so big) screen.

Here at University of Suffolk we specialise in writing for film and television. Our dedicated tutors and visiting lecturers are award-winning screenwriters and filmmakers, who provide expertise, practical techniques, and insider knowledge of the film and TV industry. You will receive unparalleled personal support and rigorous training to ensure that you graduate with all the skills and confidence you need to embark on a career as a professional screenwriter.

The degree will teach you how to write compelling and highly professional scripts for film, television and digital platforms. With assignments designed to mirror current industry practice throughout, we will show you how to nurture a story from initial idea to a polished final draft by using key development documents such as loglines, premises, character profiles, synopses, step-outlines and treatments. Along the way, our small workshop sizes ensure that you receive substantial and frequent feedback on your writing. You will also learn from some of the greatest screenplays ever written and hone your critical skills by evaluating your own and other students’ scripts.

The first year provides skills that will be invaluable during the rest of the course and beyond. You will learn about professional script formatting, how to structure an effective story and how to create characters that spring off the page. You will also interrogate the key differences in writing for television and radio and explore a range of different genres, audiences and styles.

During year two you will enhance your creative and critical abilities, resulting in the creation of a diverse range of scripts, exercises and essays. You will be taught how to negotiate the challenges of writing adaptations and short films, produce a complete TV drama episode and series bible, learn about writing for sitcoms, docudramas and soaps, and begin to master longer script sequences. There is also the opportunity to have your work made by our Digital Film Production students and receive your first production credit.

In the third year, there is a stronger focus on the interests you have developed throughout the course, and preparation for your writing career post-graduation. Throughout your final year, we will support you to produce either a full-length feature film screenplay or a television pilot script and an outline for the remaining episodes - an aspect that sets us apart from many other undergraduate screenwriting courses. We also equip you with all of the knowledge you need to succeed in your career as a screenwriter, including how to market yourself, find an agent, manage your income, and get your work produced.

In an era where streaming services dominate our viewing habits, the demand for innovative content, fresh voices and intelligent storytelling is stronger than ever. Join us here and discover the secrets to creating stories that producers want to commission and audiences will fall in love with.