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Master of Film and Television

Postgraduate coursework

Bring your stories to life and develop your production skills in world-class facilities. You'll graduate with a portfolio to stand out from the crowd. The next intake into this course will be Trimester 2, 2024.

Key facts

Duration

The time and cost could be reduced based on your previous qualifications and professional experience. This means you can fast track the masters degree from 2 years down to 1.5 years, or even 1 year duration. See entry requirements below for more information.

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course overview

Prepare yourself for the diverse challenges of the film and TV industry with our new Master of Film and Television. From finding roles that match your interests to pitching your ideas and, ultimately, bringing your stories to life on screen and develop industry-focused expertise, build highly sought technical skills in world-class facilities, and gain practical knowledge about the business side of the entertainment industry. You'll graduate with an impressive portfolio guaranteed to impress your future employers and industry peers.

Are you an emerging screen practitioner wanting to take your career to the next level?

Through the new Master of Film and Television, you’ll develop extensive practical expertise, your own unique style of storytelling across different platforms, and expand your network and experience with internships.

Hit the ground running in year one with a group project on a short digital series developed in a writer’s room – the heart of many TV and film productions. Collaborate and receive feedback in a supportive environment before diving into production and learning to write with the camera. Additionally, you’ll get to make your own short documentary and trailer in the post-production unit, where you’ll also develop editing and colour grading skills.

Year two centres on an individual project: writing a script and making a short film. Here, you’ll hone your business skills - from pitching stories and managing timelines, to understanding audience, distribution and promotion. You may even like to submit your own produced and directed films to film festivals.

Learn with our world-class academics, who are practising creative professionals, and master your craft in our industry-grade facilities. You’ll gain access to Deakin Studios (Burwood); a virtual production, TV, and film studio, where you’ll get hands-on experience in grading and editing rooms, using professional equipment and the very latest technologies.

Along with technical skills, you’ll also develop transferable skills crucial for success in media industries, like collaboration, problem-solving and personal organisation.

Plus, if you choose to undertake an internship you’ll have the opportunity to expand your network and gain real-world experience before you graduate.

Study our Master of Film and Television and get ready to enter the workforce with a range of highly sought-after technical skills and an extensive creative portfolio. 

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Course information

Award granted
Master of Film and Television
Year

2025 course information

Deakin code
A706
CRICOS code?
0100300 Burwood (Melbourne)
Level
Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9

Course structure

To qualify for the Masters of Film and Television, a student must successfully complete 16 credit points of study comprising:

  • 14 credit points of core units
  • 2 credit points of electives from the Master of Communication, Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or Master of Creative Arts
  • Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin DAI001
  • Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

Year 1

  • Writing with the Camera
  • Studio 1:  The Writer's Room (2 credit points)
  • Documentary Production Practice
  • Post Production
  • Studio 2: Production (2 credit points)
  • Plus 2 credit points of electives from:
    The Master of Communication, Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or Master of Creative Arts

    Year 2

  • Screen Business
  • Studio 3: Essay and Screenplay (2 credit points)
  • Motion Graphics and Titles
  • Studio 4: Production (2 credit points)
  • Communication and Creative Arts Internship
  • Intakes by location

    The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

    Trimester 2 - July

    • Start date: July
    • Available at:
      • Burwood (Melbourne)

    NOTE: The Master of Film and Television requires students to be on-campus for discipline specific equipment, software and assessment activities.

    Course duration

    Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.

    Assessment methods

    Assessment will take place at the unit level and has been designed to ensure successful attainment of all 8 Course Learning Outcomes and corresponding Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes over the duration of the course. In particular, assessment of the core units focuses the application of skills and knowledge to produce work that reflects industry practices and standards.

    Mandatory student checks

    Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

    Participation requirements

    Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

    Compulsory learning experiences

    International students studying online may not be granted a visitor visa to complete mandatory components of the course at a campus.

    Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning and collaborative research training arrangements.

    Entry requirements

    Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

    Depending on your professional experience and previous qualifications, you may commence this course with admission credit and complete your course in 1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent).

    Academic requirements

    1 year full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 8 credit points

    To be considered for admission to this degree (with 8 credit points of admission credit applied^*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

    • completion of a bachelor degree in a related discipline and at least two years' of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
    • completion of a graduate certificate in a related discipline and at least two years' of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
    • completion of a graduate diploma or higher in a related discipline

    1.5 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 12 credit points

    To be considered for admission to this degree (with 4 credit points of admission credit applied^*) you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

    • completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline and at least two years' of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
    • completion of a bachelor degree or higher in a related discipline

    2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) - 16 credit points

    To be considered for admission to this degree (without admission credit applied*) you will need to meet the following criteria:

    • completion of a bachelor degree or higher in any discipline

    ^Recognition of prior learning into the Master of Film and Television may be granted to students who have successfully completed appropriate postgraduate level studies.

    Examples of related discipline areas include, but not limited to Previous Higher Education study in Film and Television Production including a major in Film Production or Television Production.

    *Recognition of prior learning will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. Learn more below.

    English language proficiency requirements

    To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

    Admissions information

    Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

    Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.

    Recognition of prior learning

    The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning. 

    You can refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.

    Fees and scholarships

    Fee information

    Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place

    The tuition fees you pay are determined by the course you are enrolled in. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical first-year tuition fees for students enrolled in this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of prior learning you have.

    Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for this course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.

    You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the handbook.

    Learn more about international student fees.

    Scholarship options

    A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.

    Search or browse through our scholarships

    Postgraduate bursary

    If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.

    Learn more about the 10% Deakin alumni discount

    Apply now

    Apply directly to Deakin

    Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service.

    We recommend engaging with a Deakin Authorised Agent who can assist you with the process and submit the application.

    Need more information on how to apply?

    For information on the application process, including required documents and important dates, see the How to apply webpage.
    If you need assistance, please contact us.

    Careers

    Career outcomes

    Join a growing industry: film, television, radio and stage director job opportunities are expected to grow 11.1% by 2028 (Jobs and Skills Australia).

     Exciting roles that may lie ahead for you include:

    • cinema and festival programmer
    • corporate content producer
    • director
    • editor
    • colourist
    • environmental artist
    • film critic
    • post-production coordinator
    • production manager
    • sound designer
    • videographer
    • writer

    For more information go to DeakinTALENT.

    Course learning outcomes

    Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.

    Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes Course Learning Outcomes
    Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities Acquire advanced and integrated understandings of contemporary production practices and contexts of Film and Television making. Acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to undertake a film or television project or to devise a new, cross disciplinary hybrid. Reflect on practice, situating it within the emerging media forms and opportunities.

    Communication

    Use specialist Film and Television technologies and skills to interpret and communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences in academic and non-academic contexts. Formulate ideas and engage in discussion of the creative decision-making processes and relevant contemporary ideas in film or television production. Develop and communicate research ideas and proposals using written, oral and digital communication.

    Digital literacy

    Develop high level skills in the use of digital technologies to produce, document, present, publish and research in Film and Television.

    Critical thinking

    Use expert and specialist knowledge in Film and Television to design and evaluate proposals for projects. Evaluate and interpret complex ideas through Film and Television practice.

    Problem solving

    Identify evaluate and resolve theoretical and methodological challenges in designing and executing Film and Television productions.

    Self-management

    Acquire the knowledge, skills and initiative to participate in the production of film or television. Use advanced skills and knowledge to lead production in Film and Television projects.

    Teamwork

    Acquire advanced interpersonal skills and experience in collaborating with colleagues, technicians and others to successfully complete film or television projects.

    Global citizenship

    Identify, interrogate and communicate the relevance of the ideas and issues in Film and Television practice for communities and cultures and in a global context.