BA (Hons) Screenwriting (Full Time)

Designed in collaboration with screenwriters working in film and television, this course covers all major screen genres.

Course overview

The BA (Hons) Screenwriting at Southampton Solent University is one of the only UK undergraduate degrees that specializes in writing for all major screen formats, including Feature film, Drama documentary, Sit-com, Comedy, and Television Writing. This is a practical degree with a strong emphasis on competitions, work experience and a knowledge of the shifting market for creative ideas.

A blend of academic study complements the practical emphasis, allowing you to examine wider cultural and social issues. Teaching is informed by practice, enabling you to apply theoretical knowledge to contemporary examples of work with the main emphasis being on the creative component. Lectures, seminars and workshops focus on self progression, ‘learning by doing’ and self/peer reflection. The strong focus on practical writing means that you are continually producing work and improving your writing abilities.

Screenwriting is a competitive industry, but ample opportunities for work placements and networking throughout the course will help students to greatly enhance their career options. Students will leave the course with not only the talent and ability to pursue a career as a writer, but with the knowledge and skills to work in a variety of other roles such as script researcher, script editor, storyliner and producer.

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Industrial focus

You will receive strong encouragement and guidance in seeking work experience – we have our own inhouse Production Company – Solent Productions – making industry contacts, entering competitions and preparing work for submission to producers and agents.

Our comprehensive guest speaker programme and live client briefs in class prepare you well for the screen and scriptwriting professions.

Course content

Year 1

Six core units:

• Introduction to Screenwriting Craft
• Introduction to Story
• Genre Writing
• Scripts into Performance
• Researching and Critical Theory
• Reading Screen Texts.

Year 2

Five core units:

• Understanding Media
• Authors and Audiences
• Writing the Fact-Based Script
• Scripts into Production
• Adapting for the Screen

• Options include: Writing Sci-Fi and Horror, Writing Serial Drama, British and Irish Theatre since 1945, Writing for Publication, Guerilla Film Making and Curriculum Plus.

Year 3

Four core units:

• Writing for Theatre and Radio
• Writing and Difference 
• Media Markets and Context 1 
• Media Markets and Context 2 
• Major Script.
• Options include: Writing Comedy and Sit-Com, Politics and Film, Documentary Film, Cinefantastic, Writing for Comic Strip and Animations and Curriculum Plus.

Assessment

Scripts, essays and presentations, pitching sessions, writing treatments and step-outlines, script reader/editor reports, performed readings and group production.

Key career skills

Writing, creative thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, presentation. 

Projects/work experience

Students past and present have participated in film productions from their own screenplays, had work performed in theatres and have also obtained Industry Placements.

Why choose this course?

• A variety of guest speakers are invited to give talks to students.
• All lecturers have relevant industry experience and many are developing their own projects.

Student profile

Julianne Watling

"If you want to write for the screen, then this is the degree for you. After studying for three years at drama school and then pursuing an acting career, I discovered that what I really loved was writing - creating something from nothing. As an actor I found it frustrating how much badly written stuff there was out there, so I thought I’d give it a go myself. I started writing and realised how much I
loved it.

"I decided to do the degree at Solent because I wanted to really focus myself as a writer and channel my energy into creating as much as I could. I find that the course definitely helps to stimulate my imagination and give me ideas about what to write. Being in a creative and supportive group environment means that we can all get the best from our own talents. It’s great to workshop ideas and get feedback from like-minded writers. For me, it’s the best way to get as much written as possible and to try out new ideas and get feedback, so that when I dive into the industry, I’ll be as prepared as I can be.”