Study-option-specific evaluation criteria
We value the following skills and competences: an understanding of drama, visual storytelling ability, process work skills, group work skills, understanding details as well as the bigger picture, and a readiness to observe, recognise, and create special and important works in the field of screenwriting for film and television.
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. Applicants without a previous degree or with a degree from another field are taken into account.
The applications to Master’s programme in Film and Television - Screenwriting will be evaluated based on the following criteria.
Phase I
Artistic and/or design practice
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What is evaluated
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Demonstrations of artistic work
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements
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Artistic work evaluation criteria: originality, creativity, a sense of drama and visual storytelling skills.
Taiteellisen työn arviointiperusteet: omaperäisyys, luovuus, draaman taju ja visuaalisen tarinankerronnan taidot.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Portfolio
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Relevance of previous studies
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What is evaluated
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Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements
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A degree in the field of film and television practice or a similar/relevant area
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s)
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Suitability
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What is evaluated
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Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements
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Applicant explains what their special interests are in screenwriting for film and television, and what their objectives and hopes are for the MA studies. The applicant describes their possible career plans after graduation.
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Motivation letter
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Other areas of competence
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What is evaluated
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Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. publications, non-formal education, competitions
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements
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Experience in the field of film and television or writing: work, publications, non-formal education and/or non-professional activities in the field – especially applicable if the previous degree is NOT in the field of film and television practice or a similar/relevant area
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Curriculum vitae, publications
The study option does not consider recommendation letters.
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Phase II
Suitability
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What is evaluated
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Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills/ assessment of second phase assignments
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What we look for in an applicant/Admission requirements
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Motivation and the quality of artistic work in the second phase assignment
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Method of demonstrating competence
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Interview and 2nd phase assignments
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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 applicants who meet the general eligibility criteria comprises of two phases:
Phase I
In Phase I, the applicants are evaluated based on the following criteria
- Artistic and/or design practice
- Relevance of 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 and second phase assignments
Part of the applicants are invited to the second phase. The invitation to the second phase is sent to the applicants latest seven days in advance.
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
Applicant submits a 10-12 pages long work sample of either an entire short film screenplay or a screenplay that is part of a Television series. The screenplay can be from a short film or it can be part of a Television series that has already been executed, or the screenplay can be a sample that has not been executed yet.
Maximum size of the file is 1.0 GB. Name the file Portfolio-lastname-firstname.pdf.
CV
In the CV, the applicant provides the following information:
- Personal information
- Education
- Work experience
- Applicant's works as a screenwriter, including student projects
- Possible screenplays currently in production or otherwise in progress
- Non-formal education and non-professional activities related to the field (adult education e.g. Adult Education Centre or Folk High School, Open University, other courses)
- Possible publications, articles, prizes and grants, other information considered relevant to the application
The study option does not consider recommendation letters.
Motivation letter
The applicant explains what their special interests are in screenwriting for film and television, and what their objectives and hopes are for the MA studies. The applicant describes his/her possible career plans after graduation.
The maximum length of the motivation letter is 4000 characters.
Language of application documents
The application documents must be submitted in Finnish (Swedish) or English.