What is it?

TV drama is in a state of perpetual growth. David Chase and The Sopranos created new avenues for creative writers to express their craft. Audiences are hungry for serialised drama where the plot lines and characters evolve over a number of episodes with increasing complexity. Writers have become the creative drivers of productions – the showrunners – the creative leaders of productions where in film the director is often that person.

Working with Eilish Kent, a recognised educator in this area with extensive industry expertise in writing for television, we have developed this new course that focuses on TV Drama writing. It covers original drama writing and writing for TV soaps – two distinct skillsets.

What will I do?

This course is designed to guide the learner writer through the development and writing process for television drama. You will be taught the craft of TV drama writing that will enable you to complete a pilot or episode of a TV drama to a professional standard.

The curriculum will map the development stages of any TV drama concept so that you can apply those skills to future projects. You will be required to evaluate a personal and professional strategy for the development of any work in the context of the screen industries.

The course will:

• Enable you to complete a pilot or episode of a TV drama to a professional standard
• Provide a supportive and critical environment for the development and creation of new work
• Hone your scriptwriting skills and talent in TV drama
• Develop a disciplined and professional approach to writing for TV drama
• Enable you to develop a personal strategy for the development of your work
• Familiarise you with the process and business of writing for television – including matters relating to contracts and copyright, career opportunities and career pathways.

What modules will I study?

This is a single module certificate.

This two-month course sits alongside our MA in Screenwriting for Film + Television which has been running successfully for 18 years. More than 200 students have so far graduated with Master Degrees in Screenwriting.

Who can apply?

This course is suitable for students who have an undergraduate qualification of 2nd Class Honours or higher at Honours Degree level.

Applicants without a Level 8 qualification may be considered provided they can demonstrate Honours Degree equivalence which can be verified through the RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) process.

Two references must support your application. You may also be asked to attend an interview.

Future Careers

Graduates from the MA in Screenwriting for Film + Television have gone on to work as full-time screenwriters, script-editors, writers for television and third level teachers in film and on writing programmes. A number of the projects developed on the MA have attracted finance and production teams.