If you’ve had a life-long fascination with the world of science fiction and fantasy, you are probably aware that eight out of the top 10 grossing films of all time are in this genre, with Avatar and Avengers: Endgame taking the top two spots, alongside Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and many other Marvel Avengers instalments (Age of Ultron, Infinity War, Black Panther, Avengers Assemble), as well as Jurassic World.
It’s a multi-million dollar industry, with increasingly spectacular special effects and big name directors, stars and celebrities in these films providing a seemingly unstoppable rise in popularity and success. Now also dominating streaming platforms such as Netflix, HBO, Disney+ and Apple TV, as well as games, comics, animation and so much more, sci-fi and fantasy are currently the most lucrative products of popular entertainment.
This rapidly changing environment is what makes our MA Film: Science Fiction and Fantasy so exciting.
Take your passion to a whole new level with this programme, the only Film Masters of its kind in the UK inspired by science fiction and fantasy across film, television, comics, games, animation and other visual media in which you will graduate with both a UK and US postgraduate degree, opening up doors to global industry opportunities.
Explore this genre from an intercultural perspective in a truly international environment in Kensington, located centrally within London and just a few short tube stops away from the world’s top entertainment production companies and film industry locations.
It will equip you with the professional skills and experience to work successfully in a variety of arts, film, television and cultural industries, from pre-to-post production, to professional project and studio management.
You will explore whether you wish to be a writer, producer, director, editor, visual effects artist and digital storyteller, actor, set technician or involved in the advertising and distribution of science fiction and fantasy entertainment products. Or you may wish to continue with more study and research in the same field.
Our MA Film: Science Fiction and Fantasy programme equips you with both the practical and theoretical learning you need to create outstanding films and screen productions in a professional context, supported by expert academic and technical staff. Our faculty include internationally renowned science fiction and fantasy writers in both fiction and academia, having received and been nominated for over 40 awards (such as the Arthur C. Clarke Award, as well as World Fantasy and British Fantasy Awards).
Our teaching team specialise and are published in genres such as Superheroes (Marvel, DC), Post-Apocalyptic Worlds and Dystopias, Cyberpunk and Steampunk, Alternate and Future Histories, Colonisations of Other Worlds, Planetary Romance, Time Travel, Uncanny Horror, the History of Witchcraft, also having written for BBC’s Doctor Who and more.
Complete our Enquiry form and find out more
Why Study at Richmond?
Our first module Science Fiction and Fantasy: Industry explores professional skillsets in depth, including creative pitching, commercial networking, project management leadership and team working to help build up your own portfolios based on class workshops given by key figures in industry. By the end of the course, you will have gained an understanding and ability to competitively negotiate the fantasy film and entertainment industries.
Storytelling is central to science fiction and fantasy film, and you will also take the module Digital Storytelling that explores how digital technology is now evolving our understanding of how story-worlds are profoundly changing, as well as how to achieve maximum impact in an increasingly digital landscape.
These courses are then complemented by the module Research Methods that will help you to plan and prepare for your final specialist project on a science fiction and fantasy topic of your choice later on in the summer.
During the second semester you will continue to investigate science fiction and fantasy’s cultural, political, historical and industrial development across film, television and media.
To develop the skills gained in digital storytelling, we take an intensive focus on narrative in the course Science Fiction and Fantasy: Storytelling to see how, although plots have always been central to human experience, today’s media-savvy audiences are looking for ever more innovative kinds of engagement.
Students will write stories, screenplays, and examine issues critical to key genres including gothic, horror, utopia, dystopia, superheroes, fairy tales, folklore, mythology, magic, post-apocalyptic fiction, space operas, anime, magical realism and more.
To continue preparing for your summer research projects, the module Visual Cultures carefully unpacks how to interpret and analyse films and television via the artistic movements that influenced these visual mediums. Learning in an international environment with students and academics from throughout the world will also help to expand your own knowledge and entrepreneurial perspective dramatically.
We then link together education and entertainment in the module Edutainment Video Essays that explores how to combine learning and storytelling by creating your own short films that interrogate popular cultural fantasy and sci-fi products of your choice.
This course will really help you to find new ways of incorporating technology and fun into the learning process, alongside how best to become highly versatile in a work environment that increasingly demands the application of practical knowledge. We will also guide you in promoting a unique and influential ‘brand’ online that proves so beneficial for any career.
Fall Semester
> Research Methods
> Science Fiction and Fantasy: Industry
> Digital Storytelling
Spring Semester
> Visual Cultures
> Science Fiction and Fantasy: Storytelling
> Edutainment Video Essays
Summer Semester
Either
> Thesis Research
> Internship
Or both
> Final Film Project
> Internship
Or only
> Extended Thesis
To finish the programme, you have the option to do either a research project alongside your internship, or a final film/practical project together with your internship. This will allow you to build and finalise your professional portfolio and film network (built up from our industry master-classes and guest lectures offered throughout the year) to become fully ready for the vocational marketplace. Alternatively, you can do a much larger thesis on its own, the choice is yours.
Our use of case studies within seminars also encourages the application of knowledge to real life situations, independent learning, imagination and original thinking.
Am I eligible for this programme?
You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in a relevant/related subject as well as a level of practical experience from work in the arts or the media. Some filmmaking skills would be an advantage but are not essential.
You might also be considered for this programme if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.
When can I start?
The programme is delivered over one academic year full-time or two-years part-time from the start of September to the end of August. It is also available for a January start-date.
View the MA Film: Science Fiction & Fantasy Programme Specification
Below is information on our entry requirements for this programme as well as standard English language entry requirements.
We’re delighted to offer this new BA programme from September 2020, which provides students with the skills they need to succeed in the dynamic world of digital communication and social media. This flexible, versatile, and rigorous programme seeks to future-proof graduates for the intellectual and professional opportunities offered by new technology.” – Sam Brooker, Programme Leader
These are the Postgraduate tuition fees for students starting their programme in the 2019/20 academic year.
Fees featured above are inclusive of Fall 19/Spring 20 academic year only. Postgraduate Tuition Fees for the Fall 20/Spring 21 academic year are different to those above. Please see our dedicated Tuition fee page for more details.
For more information visit our Tuition Fees & Funding webpage >>
Download our Postgraduate prospectus
Career services
The University offers personal development seminars, leadership opportunities and access to work experience, volunteering and internships. There is also a dedicated, personalised service for assistance with CV writing, interview preparation tips and much more. Throughout your studies, you will have the opportunity to build links with industry experts and Richmond alumni, connecting you to a vast and influential worldwide network.
Peer mentoring
Every year a group of committed and involved students volunteer to become peer mentors, working closely with the faculty and helping to guide first year seminars. The scheme benefits both parties; the new students are able to talk to someone who knows what they are going through, and the mentors improve their personal and communication skills while enhancing their CV.
Peer tutoring
We also like to encourage peer tutoring. Students who have excelled in a subject and have received a recommendation from a professor are able to tutor other students. The peer tutoring service is free for students.
Atlantic House, Kensington
You apply one of two ways, either apply directly through us, or apply through UCAS.
In order to submit your application you will need the following information
When to apply
We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you are completing your undergraduate programme of study. In this case you will be offered a place that is conditional on successfully completing a specified qualification and English language qualification if applicable.
If you would like your application to be considered for a Richmond bursary, an early application is strongly recommended.
Application process
Admission is by interview unless you live outside the UK when we may interview you via Skype or by telephone. We may also determine your suitability on the basis of their application and qualifications alone.
Kensington Campus
1 St. Alban’s Grove
London
W8 5PN
England
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7368 8500
