Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £16,655 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
Student satisfaction
This course scored 91% for teaching satisfaction in the 2023 National Student Survey.
Course summary
- Learn how to write scripts for film and television.
- Gain insights from real industry figures into how to sell your screenplays.
- Learn from a team of established screenwriters.
- Benefit from excellent facilities for film study including a purpose-built cinema
- Join at the foundation year and develop your personal skills, awareness of resources and commitment to the subject
This course focuses on the practical and critical elements of screenwriting. Through practice-based learning and theoretical study, you'll gain the knowledge and confidence to fulfil your potential in the world of film and TV.
Find out more about out screenwriting and film courses, facilities and student projects on the SHU Screen website.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
During the foundation year, you will develop a good base of knowledge, but also the personal skills and awareness of resources that will help you manage your studies effectively and be self-motivated.
You will attend writing workshops, lectures and screenings. You will gain a knowledge and understanding of the subject, but also hone your writing skills. At every level of this course you will have the opportunity to write scripts and work with other students to create content.
You will also have the chance to work with industry professionals. Previous guests have included screenwriters, directors, agents and producers.
You learn through
- workshops
- lectures
- seminars
- group work
- industry visits and field trips
- independent study
- attending film festivals and special screening events
You may also be able to work or study abroad with the possibility of funding through the Turing scheme.
Course leaders and tutors
Fraser Stevens
Lecturer in Performance, Course Leader for the Foundation Year in HumanitiesFraser is artist/scholar and lecturer in Acting and Performance.
Applied learning
Work placements
You’ll collaborate with a wide network of industry, charity, and community partners — showcasing your knowledge and skills.
In the foundation year, you will undertake a series of projects that respond to real world debates. In your second year you’ll have the opportunity to work on a radio serial drama or short film production as part of your second year work placement module.
Field trips
We run regular field trips to the Bradford Widescreen Weekend film festival, Berlin International Film Festival, the BFI and BBC Media City, and we also have a writers' retreat residential trip as part of the third year of study. Trips start from the beginning of the foundation year and continue throughout your studies
Networking opportunities
We have a variety of networking opportunities with organisations such as the BBC, Warp Film, BFI Film Hub North and Sheffield Live. We also bring in a wide range of industry professionals to deliver masterclasses and offer one-to-one guidance in some cases.
Previous visiting professionals have included: screenwriters, agents, directors, producers, new talent co-ordinators and festival organisers.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- TV and film screenwriting
- storylining
- script reading
- academic research
- teaching
- film programming
- festival/events planning
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for
- BFI
- Children's Media Festival
- The Showroom
- Doc/Fest
- ITV
- BBC
- Channel 4
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour | Keeping safe on Campus
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with
- exclusive access to industry standard screenwriting software Final Draft
- specialist cinema equipped with state-of-the-art 4K digital projection, twin 35mm film projectors, DCP projector, large screen and surround sound
- an extensively stocked learning centre with 10000s of DVDs and film books/journals
- a unique collection of archival material on microfiche
- individual viewing facilities for private study with access to the BFI's SIFT database
- dedicated co-working space equipped with flexible desks, large screens, laptop library, comfy seating, and a shared kitchen where you can collaborate with other students in the Department of Humanities, to shape your next big idea
- our Performance Lab with two theatre studios, state-of-the-art lighting and audio rigs, and green room facilities.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 48
This must include at least 24 points from one A level or equivalent BTEC National qualifications excluding general studies. For example:
- DD at A Level
- PPP in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- Pass from a T level qualification with D or E from core
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels and EPQ.
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
- English Language at grade C or 4 or equivalent
Prior learning options available for students that have been out of education for a number of years, but can show some commitment to the subject (e.g. evidence of some creative writing when applying to Creative Writing course).
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
Important notice: The structure for this course is currently being reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment are all likely to change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Once the changes have been confirmed, updated module information will be published on this page.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Talent Accelerator | Credits: 120 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Cinema And Genre | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Film Analysis | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Film Consumption | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Reading Scripts | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Writing For The Screen | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Writing Visual Stories | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 3
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Developing The Premise | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module: Half Hour Script | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Ideas Into Action | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: British Cinema | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: On The Box | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Rights, Camera, Action | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Screen Storytelling | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Show Business | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
Year 4
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Final year
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Final Script | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Scratch Night | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Film Education | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Film Programming | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Games Narratives | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Making Comedy | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework Practical |
| Module: Professional Film Writing | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fees for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2024/2025 are regulated by the UK government and are yet to be confirmed. For an indication, our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2023/2024 is £9,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2024/25 is £16,655 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Acting, screenwriting and film courses (PDF, 236.1KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
