Master's Programme in Film and Television - Film and Television Producing

Study objective

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.

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.

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.

Education content

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 his/her 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.

For further details on the education content, see the study guide for the academic years 2020-2022.

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.

Study-option-specific evaluation criteria

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

Phase II

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.

Study-option-specific documents requested

The documents requested 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 requested 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 system as one PDF file before sending the application.

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 2025, 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.

The study option does not consider recommendation letters.

Other documents

The preliminary assignment attached to the portfolio is as follows: Describe your relationship to television drama as a film professional, student, consumer and citizen?

Language of application documents

Application documents must be written in one of the following languages: Finnish (Swedish) or English.