External summary

Film’s circulation is often neglected, by producers and by theorists, yet remains central to the medium's ability to find and communicate with an audience. Exhibition is key to the survival of independent film-making and the alternative visions of the world this can carry.

Film, Exhibition and Curation offers a guide to the ways in which the moving image has been shown historically and a practical exploration of emerging and expanded ideas of film exhibition and audience outreach. The programme understands film as a material object, as a carrier of representations, and as a series of economic and cultural relations. At the heart of its teaching is the understanding that film functions both symbolically and materially; and this integrated approach to theory and applied practice is embedded in its innovative teaching, its varied assessment and the opportunities it offers for student experience professional and project work. Edinburgh’s culture of film, art and festivals provides a rich context for study and for student experiments in exhibition and curation.

The programme is suitable for those wishing to extend their knowledge of film through the development of professional and analytical expertise in film exhibition and those who wish to gain an informed understanding of film curatorship. Its distinctive approach offers specialist skills to those who already have some formal film education and/or professional experience, and will also appeal to those with other disciplinary backgrounds who wish to learn how to use film as a form of communication.

Educational aims of programme

This programme aims to educate and inform future professionals about the significance of this crucial field and to instruct students on ways to manage delivery in a rapidly transforming environment. The programme will enable students to engage with new audiences and develop modes of outreach and accessibility, to generate and manage collaborations, and be a valuable presence and resource within the film community.

Students learn about historically and geographically diverse forms of film exhibition; about film’s migration across different exhibition spaces and media platforms; and about the importance of the film festival, of programming and of different models of curation. They consider a variety of theoretical models which encourage the development of critical approaches to established and emergent forms of film exhibition.

Weekly workshop assignments ensure students gain experience in researching case studies and current practices; in presenting their work publicly and in applying critical thinking to professional contexts.

Visiting professionals contribute significantly to the programme and share expertise in areas including curatorship, creative industries policy, copyright, programming and festival management. Along with site visits and mapping exercises, this helps students build a grounded picture of current exhibition and curatorial practices; and a considered understanding of the skills and vision required in this field.

Students are encouraged to seek out and undertake project work – in collaborative research with host institutions, in event volunteering, in festival attendance and critique, in event organisation and planning – both through managed projects and, particularly within the Final Project, through supervised independent research and practice.

The programme aims to build students’ skills and confidence over time and through applied work adapted to students’ knowledge bases and aptitudes. There is intensive supervisory support and feedback built in across the programme to help students identify and pursue their individual intellectual and professional interests. The design and the weightings of assessed work has been developed to ensure we can value experimentation and the capacity to take risks without compromising students’ capacity to produce structured formally assessed work that shows the ability to reflect upon and learn from failure as well as success.

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

The course will furnish the students with a broad understanding of the patterns, mechanisms and implications of the modes of distribution and exhibition of moving image based works, with a focus on art, experimental, and independent film as well as related (expanded cinema, installation work) media arts.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

Graduates of this programme will be able to:

• search for, evaluate and use information relevant to their field of study using library resources including databases
• identify, conceptualize and define new and abstract problems and issues
• plan and execute a significant project of research, investigation or development
• clearly communicate their research plans and the rationale underpinning them to specialist and non specialist audiences

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

Graduates of this programme will be able to:

• exercise substantial autonomy and initiative in activities, including decision making on the basis of independent thought.
• be open to new ideas, methods and ways of thinking
• develop, maintain and sustain intellectual rigour and application
• be intellectually curious with that curiosity leading to professional, personal and academic goals
  develop the skills, confidence and resilience to work towards these goals

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

Graduates of this programme will be able to:

• communicate to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge
• communicate with peers, more senior colleagues and specialists
• communicate orally, or visually and through a range of written forms demonstrating clarity and coherence
• engage in debate, demonstrating skills of active listening, critical reading and the ability to advance an argument and to develop that argument in the light of new evidence
• seek and respond to feedback

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

Graduates of this programme will be able to:

• plan, execute and critically evaluate a significant project of research investigation or development
• work collaboratively while recognizing the diversity of the group, the complexity of the specific context and the complexity of the process of collaboration itself
• transfer learning, skills and abilities from one context to another

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

Film, Exhibition and Curation will provide MSc students with those insights and skills essential for a career in film programming and festival organisation, furnishing them with the ability to extend their theoretical expertise in managing practical and professional tasks. These include:

• establishing links with the industry,
• building commercial and non-profit partnerships,
• fundraising,
• effective planning and co-ordination,
• marketing,
• contacting filmmakers,
• sourcing films,
• budget management,
• compiling a programme, and
• reaching new audiences.

Programme structure and features

The MSc in Film, Exhibition and Curation consists of 180 credits allocated as follows :

In order to progress to the Masters dissertation candidates must:

• attain at least 80 credits with a mark of at least 50% in each of the courses which make up these credits; and
• attain an average of at least 50% for the 120 credits of study examined at the point of decision for progression; and
• satisfy any other specific requirements for the Masters degree programme, that are clearly stated in respective programme handbooks.

When all the marks for the taught components of the programme (120 credits) are available, if the student has achieved PASS marks (40%) in at least 80 credits and has an overall average of 40% or more over the full 120 credits, then they will be awarded credits on aggregate for the failed courses.

In keeping with the programme’s integration of theoretical and applied models of knowledge assessment across the core courses enables students to combine different kinds of learning and research. End of semester written assignments in Exhibiting film and Mediating Film offer a range of approaches which will allow students to develop particular skills in research and writing and to exercise a high degree of choice in identifying and examining particular topics within the subject area. In order to acquire professional skills students undertake regular short research activities, presentations and managed and individual project work, working individually and in groups. These activities form important elements of Exhibiting film and Mediating Film and especially Project Planning and Research Skills. Some are formally graded, others receive more informal formative feedback. The structure of these activities is designed to enable students to develop skills over time, to create space for experimental thinking and practice, and to move from a relatively safe and supervised environment to more challenging independent project work.

The degree is available in full-time and part-time modes and dependant on required credits, students are able to exit the programme at different stages with a Postgraduate Certificate, a Postgraduate Diploma, a Masters Degree or a Masters Degree with Distinction.

Please see the regulations below for clarification on the requirements for different awards:

In order to be awarded a Masters degree students must:

• have satisfied any requirements for progression, as laid out in taught assessment regulation 52 and
• attain an additional 60 credits, by achieving a mark of at least 50% for the dissertation or project component and
• satisfy any other specific requirements for the Masters degree programme, that are clearly stated in respective programme handbooks

Taught postgraduate degrees may be awarded with distinction. To achieve a distinction, a student must be awarded at least 70% on the University’s Postgraduate Common Marking Scheme for the dissertation, if the programme has a dissertation element, and must pass all other courses with an average of at least 70%. Borderlines, for both the dissertation and course average elements, are considered for distinctions. Borderline marks are defined as marks from two percentage points below boundary up to the boundary itself, e.g. 68.00% to 69.99% for the dissertation and for the average of other courses.

Where only one of the dissertation mark or the coursework average is at least 70% but the other is borderline, the MSc may still be awarded with distinction. The decision whether or not to award a distinction in such cases is at the discretion of the Board of Examiners. Factors which will be taken into account in such cases will be (a) the student's credit-weighted average across the degree as a whole; (b) any special circumstances, such as illness or other adverse personal circumstances, which have been brought to the attention of the Board of Examiners.

In order to be awarded a diploma students must:

• pass at least 80 credits at SCQF level 11 and
• attain an average of at least 40% for the 120 credits of study examined for the diploma and
• satisfy any other specific requirements for the named diploma that are clearly stated in respective programme handbooks.

In order to be awarded a certificate students must:

• pass at least 40 credits at SCQF level 11 and
• attain an average of at least 40% for the 60 credits of study examined for the certificate and
• satisfy any other specific requirements for the named certificate that are clearly stated in respective programme handbooks.

The development of the Film, Exhibition and Curation programme is in line with the University’s strategic goals of innovation and excellence in education.

The programme has opened up a new approach within film studies – examining the neglected field of exhibition – and in terms of its models of teaching – which integrate rigorous academic study with innovative applied approaches to teaching and learning. The programme has been recognised as providing a valuable and exceptional approach to film by professional and academic colleagues.

The programme is delivered through small group seminars, and offers a close attention to individual learning and the development of students’ skills and learning. Our approach to the design of teaching and assessment enables students to identify and pursue their own lines of independent research; whilst supporting their development across areas of strength and weakness through supervision, guidance and feedback. The commitment to our students’ experience has been awarded by student commendations for excellence in teaching, and remarked upon by the external examiner.

The development and maintenance of external collaborations are central to this programme and in line with the university’s strategic theme of partnership. The way in which this is incorporated into student learning can be seen from Susan Kemp’s award for Developing Student Employability in the EUSA Teaching Awards 2012.

The programme is highly international in its intake and in its teaching scope. Its commitment to exploring how imaginative exhibition and curation can nurture the diversity of film culture –through maintaining connections with archive film and through the supporting low-budget, small nation and experimental cinemas – is in line with the University’s wider commitment to diversity.

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

Teaching and Learning strategies employed at the University of Edinburgh consist of a variety of different methods appropriate to the programme aims. The graduate attributes listed above are met through a teaching and learning framework (detailed below) which is appropriate to the level and content of the course.

• Seminars
• Workshops
• Screenings
• Screening Discussions
• Field Work
• Visiting Professionals
• External Visits
• Independent Research and Presentations
• Group Projects
• Pitching Workshops
• One to one meetings with programme directors to plan assignments and project work
• One to one meetings with programme directors to receive feedback on presentations and workshop assignments
• Final Project Research Workshops
• One to one meetings with final project supervisors

Alongside the university’s central library and computing facilities, the School has a number of specialist libraries within its subject areas such as the School of Scottish Archives, the European languages library, and the Language and Humanities Centre which provides language laboratories. The Graduate School has its own computer lab at 19 George Square for the exclusive use of its postgraduate students.

The University of Edinburgh Innovative Learning Week is scheduled in Week 6 of Semester 2. During this week ‘normal’ teaching is suspended which provides space outwith the curriculum for staff and students to explore new learning activities. Some examples of the types of activities held in the School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures were language taster sessions, workshops on essay writing and dissertations, a German play, a Russian folklore concert, careers sessions, poetry and drama workshops as well as various film screenings and readings.

Innovative Learning Week enabled FEC students to learn from the expertise of a range of invited industry professionals: including promo directors, film-makers, international television executives and BBC graphic designers. In 2011 FEC students participated in intensive experimental film-making workshops led by artist Naheed Raza; and later staged a public exhibition of their productions.

Assessment methods and strategies

Courses can be assessed by a diverse range of methods and often takes the form of formative work which provides the student with on-going feedback as well as summative assessment which is submitted for credit.

Film, Exhibition and Curation makes use of the following:

• Coursework including Student Presentations
• Workshop Activities
• Student Screening Project
• Applied Project Work
• Reflective Individual Project Log
• Written Assignments – essay, report, exhibition proposal, industry research
• Final Project – dissertation or industry report or group portfolio

Career opportunities

Your MSc in Film, Exhibition and Curation gives you the opportunity to expand your understanding and knowledge of the theory and practice of film exhibition; to cultivate an informed passion for cinema; and to develop professional skills in film exhibition and curation. Alongside tuition in research skills specific to the moving image, and the preparation and delivery of individual and group projects, you will produce a range of creative and critical written assignments exploring a range of models of writing; you may also have taken the opportunity to make a digital presentation, work on an exhibition, project or festival; and to engage with journalists, film directors, festival organizers, programme-makers and publishers. In addition to preparing you for careers in film exhibition, film programming, curation, moving image education and outreach; the study of cinema can help to prepare you for a career in different areas of the film and arts industry, including arts and events management, marketing, journalism and film production.

Alternatively, you could use your qualification to move on to further academic study by taking a PhD in Film Studies, either at Edinburgh or by moving to another university. Increasingly careers within the moving image see practitioners moving between cultural institutions and academia. This programme is designed to enable you to recognise and navigate the opportunities offered within distinct professional environments.

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Professional Links, Public Engagement and Employability

A key element of the programme’s value and appeal is generated through the connections it can offer with professional practitioners and with audiences. The programme enhances and expands upon the University of Edinburgh’s existing strong networks with national and international film festivals and with other professional bodies. The programme also works to develop new partnerships with practitioners in film production and marketing, exhibition and curatorship, and build relationships with archival organisations and policy-makers. Students have the opportunity to benefit from these connections through a number of initiatives:

a) the core teaching on Film, Exhibition and Curation incorporates the skills and knowledge of invited speakers from industry and other moving image organisations

b) the organisation of themed workshops with invited professionals are also open to MSc and PhD students from Edinburgh and participants from partner organisations; these have included talks with the director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival; and with film-maker and curator Mark Cousins

c) students participate in managed project work as part of their studies in Project Planning and Research Skills. This builds their skills in film exhibition and their understanding of the demands of collaboration and of working within professional environments in a relatively safe structure managed by programme directors or professional mentors. For several years this has taken the form of a curated event hosted by the Glasgow Film Festival. Within this part of their course work MSc FEC students have additionally worked on curating programmes of short student films for the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

d) Project Planning and Research Skills is designed to create opportunities for students to build connections between their academic study and how film operates in the professional sphere of film exhibition and curation. In the latter weeks, students will use this learning to inform the conceptualization and initial planning for their final projects.

e) students on the programme are supported in developing collaborative projects with partners outwith the University. Students are able to contribute to existing projects and to gain work experience in professional contexts. Projects have included a successful collaborative event hosted by MSc FEC students in the 2012 Edinburgh International Film Festival; audience research on the first Hippodrome Festival of Silent Cinema; and ethnographic research into users of the social enterprise Open Cinema.

f) the support of our external networks has also enabled students to participate in events such as Stills Gallery study days; academic conferences on film; and specialist conferences on film festivals, organised by the Film Festival Research Network; professional seminars on film distribution and exhibition organised by Creative Scotland.

g) previous students have undertaken internships as part of their studies including working in the American Pavilion at Cannes International Film Festival and working as archivist within Chicago International Film Festival.