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Film and Television Producing - Film and Television, Master of Arts (Art and Design)
The goal of the Master’s Programme in Film and Television, major in Film and Television Producing, is to deepen the student’s skills in their chosen direction – towards independent audiovisual entrepreneurship, a research or development project in the film producing field, a deeper understanding of artistic leadership or some corresponding advanced competence planned together with the student. Some courses offered as part of the programme combine the teaching of production, screenwriting and film directing with the goal of enhancing the students’ competence in television drama.
Degree:
Master of Arts (Art and Design)
Application period:
28 Nov 2024 – 27 Dec 2024
Language of instruction:
Finnish
English
Swedish
Duration:
2 years,
full-time
Eligibility:
Relevant Bachelor's degree
Field of study:
Art and Design
Credits:
120 ECTS
Organising school:
School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Tuition fees:
For non-EU/EEA citizens, €20000/y (Master’s studies)
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Applying to master’s programmes
Description
The goal of the Master’s Programme in Film and Television, major in Film and Television Producing, is to deepen the student’s skills in their chosen direction – towards independent audiovisual entrepreneurship, a research or development project in the film producing field, a deeper understanding of artistic leadership or some corresponding advanced competence planned together with the student. Some courses offered as part of the programme combine the teaching of production, screenwriting and film directing with the goal of enhancing the students’ competence in television drama.
After the studies, the student possesses the skills needed to realise and lead high-quality film and television productions and has acquired special competence in his/her personal area of specialisation that makes possible work in a changing profession and visionary development of operating methods in the field. In addition to the teamwork skills essential to the job description, studies emphasize the importance of personal time management and stress tolerance.
Major's intended learning outcomes
A student who graduates from the major in Film and Television Producing:
- can conceive, develop and lead the creation of high-quality film and television scripts
- is able to identify personal expression and original artistic works and help develop them into project form
- knows the means and tradition of film narration and is able to create new working methods
- can work in long term projects, both independently and as part of a team, including in leadership and specialist positions
- is able to prepare and implement a funding and distribution strategy for a production in cooperation with other actors
- knows the different professional roles of the producers and the agreements and practices of the profession
- is familiar with the artistic and production processes and operating culture of film, television and other moving images and can develop them
- knows the principles of operating in international co-productions
- is familiar with the main theoretical issues of the field and has the ability to carry out research activities
Language of instruction
The language of instruction in the Master’s Programme in Film and Television, major in Film and Television Producing is Finnish. However, part of the courses are taught in English. The degree can be completed in English.
Tuition fees and scholarships
The tuition fee for this programme is 20 000 euros per academic year. Citizens of European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland do not pay tuition fees. Citizens of other countries must pay tuition fees.
Aalto University offers a small number of scholarships in the form of tuition fee waivers to fee-paying students. Scholarships can be awarded to the highest-achieving applicants based on the programme's evaluation criteria. Applicants are ranked according to the criteria outlined on the programme's webpage.
More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.
Structure of studies
The teaching staff and students plan the education content by means of the PSP discussions. The starting point for the education is the student’s own desire to develop and direct their professional skills in the field of film and television producing as well as the modules built around this. At the beginning of master’s studies, a plan is made concerning the projects included in the studies and realised at the school and the general topics, realisation method and schedule for the reports and essays written in conjunction with the studies.
Master’s students become familiar with the specialisations of their fellow students and participate in courses dealing with these areas.
The main responsibility for planning studies and formulating a suitable module lies with each individual student. Although the study plan is unique for each student, the student does not compile it alone but in cooperation with the teaching staff. Studies in the master's programme include departments joint courses (30 ECTS) which are obligatory. These courses deal with entrepreneurial and working life skills, analytical skills, and provide research skills.
The studies include at least one minor. For example, Documentary Film, Screenwriting and Entrepreneurship are popular minors. As every MA with a major in Film and Television Producing is unique and based on a plan drawn up in cooperation with the student, minors that differ from those recommended are also possible.
More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student guide.
Master's Programme in Film and Television
Specialisations
Specialisation is built mainly through advanced studies, where students may choose courses.
Internationalisation
Producer students in MA studies take part in international events in the field of film. If desired, the student has the opportunity to take part in an exchange or complete an international internship. The department has many international projects through which the student can also internationalise. The majority of teaching is provided in English, because the study option is also open to international degree and exchange students.
Further study opportunities
The programme qualifies for doctoral studies in an applicable field. More information on the Aalto Doctoral Programme in Arts, Design and Architecture: Doctoral programmes.
Career opportunities
Graduates become film producing entrepreneurs, screenwriters and producers working in television. The student’s degree can also include an internship period in working life, either in a film or television production. He/she can also find a tutor producer working in the profession, with whom the student can discuss his/her authorship and career. The students maintain close contacts with people in the field.
Research focus
The research in this programme is linked to several focus areas in the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Additional information about research related to this programme can be found at the Department of Film website.
Co-operation with other parties
Aalto University and the departments involved in the programme collaborate with many high-quality universities worldwide.
The student can take advantage of the studies within other Aalto University Schools, studies within other universities as well as the major's international connections and student exchange possibilities.
Applying to master’s programmes
Study-option-specific evaluation criteria in Master’s admissions 2025
Applicants meeting Aalto’s general eligibility criteria for master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option. The applications to Master’s programme in Film and Television – Film and Television Producing will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Phase I
| Academic performance | |
| What is evaluated | Grades of the previous degree(s) and pace of studies |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | Sufficient and relevant academic background which will prepare the applicant for studying at a Master’s level. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
| Artistic and/or design practice | |
| What is evaluated | Demonstrations of artistic work or assignments. |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | An acceptable applicant demonstrates insight and originality in artistic work and assignments. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Portfolio and study-option specific pre-assignment |
| Relevance of previous studies | |
| What is evaluated | Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements |
Previous studies have prepared an acceptable student to the academic demands of this study option and resulted in relevant insight and knowledge to work as a basis for the studies. Applicants without a previous degree or with a degree from another field are taken into account. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) |
| Suitability/motivation letter | |
| What is evaluated | Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills/ assessment of second phase assignments. |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | Applicant shows ability to assess the multitude of fields of expertise this study option brings together and address a changing landscape within the industry and the art form. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Motivation letter |
| Other areas of competence | |
| What is evaluated | Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions. |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | An acceptable applicant may have relevant work experience or acquired knowledge to support the application. |
| Method of demonstrating competence |
Curriculum vitae, proof of employment, publications The study option does not consider recommendation letters. |
Phase II
| Suitability/interview | |
| What is evaluated | Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills |
| What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements | Applicant shows ability to assess the multitude of fields of expertise this study option brings together and address a changing landscape within the industry and the art form. |
| Method of demonstrating competence | Interview |
Evaluation process
The applicants will be first evaluated based on Aalto’s general eligibility requirements. Applicants meeting the general eligibility criteria for master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option.
The selection process for those who meet the general eligibility criteria comprises of two phases:
Phase I
In Phase I, the applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria
- Academic performance
- Artistic and/or design practice
- Relevance on previous studies
- Suitability/motivation letter
- Other areas of competence
Only the applicants who fulfill the requirements/are ranked highest in the preliminary evaluation will be invited to phase II in the selection process.
Phase II
In Phase II, the evaluation is based on the following criteria
- Suitability/interview
After the evaluation conducted in Phase II, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation from Phases I and II.
The documents required from all applicants are listed on the Aalto University website (https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes). In addition, applicants to this study-option are required to provide the following study-option-specific documents:
Portfolio
Written work or images and links to works with motion pictures in which the applicant has played a key role in terms of artistic work or production can be added to the portfolio. Regarding each work, we would like the applicant to write a short description of this role.
The electronic portfolio, including the preliminary assignment, must be uploaded to the application form as one PDF file.
The maximum size of the file is 1.0 GB. Name the file Portfolio-lastname-firstname.pdf.
Motivation letter
We would like applicants to explain in their motivation letter what knowledge and skills they aim to achieve in their studies, and how they will be implement these in practice in the five years following their graduation. Further, we would like applicants to write about the world of film and television producing in 2027, and about how people just like them will be successful in that world with the education provided by Aalto University in particular.
The maximum length of the motivation letter is 4,000 characters.
CV
The main purpose of the CV is to show that the applicant has acquired sufficient basic knowledge in film and television producing by providing a list of the applicant’s work experience in the field (work task, time period, employer and the employer’s contact details) and education (educational institution, degree/course, link to the educational institution’s curriculum). Experience and education in other fields should be mentioned.
Applicants without a previous degree or with a degree from another field are taken into account. The study option does not consider recommendation letters.
Other documents
The preliminary assignment attached to the portfolio is as follows: How do you stand out as an initiator, content developer and as someone working in selling ideas and expertise? Feel free to write as if this was a sales pitch of yourself as the producer you want to become.
Language of application documents
Application documents must be written in one of the following languages: Finnish (Swedish) or English.
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Contact information
Learning Services at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture
For enquiries regarding programme-specific application documents or studies in the programme, please contact Aalto ARTS Learning Services.
Admissions Services
Questions concerning the required application documents, the application process and the required English proficiency level may be sent to Aalto’s Admission Services.
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