Master of Fine Arts Programme in Film

This program prepares students to develop an independent and inquiry-led film practice. Students are encouraged to critically engage with the world through their work and cultivate a socially and politically conscious approach to the medium. During their education, they will also explore how interdisciplinary dialogues can enrich their practice. A strong emphasis is placed on developing students' ability to critically reflect on their own and others’ artistic practices. Upon completing the degree, students will have a deep understanding of the film medium’s societal significance and potential.

Studies are based on an expanded view of the film field, highlighting emerging professional roles and opportunities driven by technological and societal advancements. Through their practical artistic work, students contribute to creating new knowledge in the field, exploring ethics, methodologies, technologies, and aesthetics.

Upon graduation, students can pursue diverse paths, including industry roles, independent filmmaking, research, and teaching. The program equips them for advanced research and enables them to shape new professional roles in the evolving landscape of film and society.

Bachelor's degree in film of at least 180 credits or equivalent. Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English 6/English B from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognised test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.

This programme leads to a Degree of Master of Fine Arts (120 credits) in Film (Konstnärlig masterexamen i film).

The first and second semesters focus on expanding students’ understanding of film practices by introducing them to a wide range of theoretical, artistic, and filmic propositions. Through practical exercises and discussions, students are invited to explore and experiment with these propositions. In addition, students are introduced to various modes and methods of inquiry-led film practices.

The first two semesters also focus on students improving their skills in researching, collecting, assessing, and reflecting on relevant references for their practice. Moreover, they learn to document and communicate critical reflections. Throughout the first year, students develop individual inquiries with structured pedagogical support and also advance their technical and production-related skills.

In the third semester, along with honing skills in organising and executing independent film work, students plan, develop, and make an inquiry-led work for public screening. Alongside production, teaching also focuses on critical reflections on the chosen subject matter, including ethical, methodological, and aesthetic considerations.

In the fourth semester, students write a reflective essay on their independent film project. In addition to this, the fourth semester also focuses on the dissemination and communication of completed audiovisual works in public contexts and developing students’ knowledge of professional contexts and specific fields for their own film practice.

About Elective Programme Courses

The programme includes elective courses organised by the department. These courses give students the opportunity to explore practice-based methods, theories and perspectives within the artistic field, and to develop experience relevant to their future professional practice. In these courses, students from different programmes come together, creating space for the exchange of experiences related to artistic processes and working methods. Students apply for elective courses based on an annually established course offering.

The programme includes the following required courses:

Year 1 

Semester 1 

Film Practice I, 15 hp

Reflection and Process I, 15 credits

Semester 2 

Film Practice II, 15 hp

Reflection and Process II, 7,5 hp

Elective Course, 7,5 hp

Year 2 

Semester 3

Film Practice III (Contains the Master's Degree project), 30 hp

Semester 4 

Film Practice IV, 15 hp

Reflection and Process III (Contains the Master's Degree essay), 15 hp

General outcomes for Degree of Master in Fine Arts (120 credits)

According to Higher Education Ordinance (see SFS 1993:100, System of Qualifications, Annex 2):

For a Degree of Master in Fine Arts (120 credits) the student shall:

Knowledge and Understanding

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in areas of the field as well as specialised insight into current research and development work
• demonstrate familiarity with methods and processes for dealing with complex phenomena, issues and situations in the field

Competence and Skills

• demonstrate the ability to formulate new issues autonomously and creatively and contribute to the formation of knowledge, solve more advanced problems, develop new forms of personal expression as well as to reflect critically on their artistic approach and that of others in the main field of study
• demonstrate the ability to create and execute their own ideas with their own personal expression, to identify, formulate and solve artistic and creative problems autonomously and also to plan and undertake advanced artistic tasks using appropriate methods within predetermined time frames
• demonstrate the ability both nationally and internationally to clearly present and discuss
  their works and artistic issues in speech, writing or in other ways and in dialogue with different audiences
• demonstrate the competence and knowledge required to work autonomously in a professional capacity

Judgement and Approach

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant artistic, social and ethical issues
• demonstrate insight into the role of art in society
• demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge and take responsibility for their ongoing learning.

This programme syllabus (GU 2025/1243) applies to students admitted to the programme in the autumn semester 2024 or later.

Students who began the programme before the autumn semester 2024 and have unfinished courses according to the older version of the programme syllabus have the right to complete these through additional examinations, at most two years after the courses have been changed or discontinued.

Students who thereafter still have unfinished older courses may complete the programme according to the current programme syllabus and course structure. An individual study plan for the remaining parts of the programme may be required.

The study programme will be followed up and evaluated in accordance with the applicable Policy for the Quality assurance and Quality Development of Education at the University of Gothenburg.

A student who follows the programme at the normal pace is guaranteed admission to the programme courses. Guaranteed admission at University of Gothenburg consists of two kinds, it can be general or limited.

The programme applies a limited guaranteed admission to the elective programme courses, which means that it is not possible to guarantee admission according to the student’s ranking order of selected elective courses. However, the student is always guaranteed admission to one of the elective courses given at the department the current semester.