Learn about the entire process of documentary film production on this course which blends theory and practical experience.

Today there is an explosion of interest in documentary film production. The digital revolution has brought new ways of organizing production, exhibition and distribution of documentary films in the broadcast, independent and web-2 media. Career progression in documentary film is significantly enhanced by developing skills as a producer, director, camera operator, sound-recordist or editor. We offer a broad grounding in the entire documentary film production process in each of these roles including practice and guidance to pitch and compete for funding and commissions.

At the heart of MA Documentary Film are strong ideas - yours - explored critically in a supportive environment which enables thinking, writing, reflection alongside making your films, from identifying characters, stories and locations to shooting and editing with visual style.

The course provides opportunities to create films emerging from your passions. From investigation or activist films through to the traditions of verite and observational filming or approaches that embrace documentary film as a fine-art practice in galleries. The Course Director has extensive experience in documentary filmmaking - over 30 films for BBC TV, Channel 4, the British Council and for art galleries. This MA weaves industry experience with academic insight across the field of documentary production. We focus on your creative and academic development to nurture documentary ideas. The couse culminates in you directing your own film.

Whilst exploring the great traditions of international documentary film, the course offers modern documentary production facilities. You will be trained in areas including shooting and directing on high-definition cameras and editing in final cut pro. Practice is integrated with theory so that filmmaking is explored within the context of critical and conceptual thinking and the history and practice of documentary film.

Teaching is led by practising documentary filmmakers and academics including award-winning directors on the teaching team.

Working in teams, you will produce a short film project in the first term, In term two you will have more room to explore your own ideas and create a 'taster tape' as part of a pitch for the main film, which you make in Phase 3.

The major MA project follows in Term 3 during which you will make a short documentary film (15-20 minutes). Production work is interwoven with academic study. The MA draws on strengths of research and critical evaluation which are assessed in essays.

Some may choose this course in order to pursue further academic studies in film and develop research ideas for MPhil and PhD studies in the context of a practice-based understanding of film. LCC has several PhD candidates in film and there will be opportunities to develop further postgraduate interests.

This course is taught within the School of Media

Who teaches the course

The Course Director, Pratap Rughani, has extensive experience in documentary film-making (over 30 films for BBC TV, Channel 4, the British Council and for art galleries). Other teachers on the course include a mix of academic and industry professionals with significant broadcast and academic experience. In previous years, teaching has been delivered by Gavin McFadyen (Director of the Centre for Investigative Journalism), Nancy Platt (documentary maker), Roy Davies (former editor of Timewatch and scriptwriter) and Peter Matthews & Chris Sams (experienced lecturers in film theory). There will also be a programme of guest speakers. Speaks in previous years have included Peter Kosminsky, Andrew Gilligan, LCC alumna Molly Dineen, Kim Longinotto and Jane & Louise Wilson.

What students say about the course

"One of the aims of our course is to provide students with the skills to go into the very competitive field of creative industries. Practitioners - to have a chance at all to get into work - must be multi-skilled. Practical film-making makes the course a much more attractive proposition to prospective students... Without having experience of the practical work of filming I doubt that I could really understand what is required of a researcher in the industry. The theory informed the practice and the practice informed the theory."

"The course gives you both the theory and the practical experience. For our main project we have to make a feature length film based on our own research. The course director is passionate about his subject and really encourages us. In my applications for work people always respond well when they know that you are from LCC. During my work placement for my MA I got to work in the BBC's documentary and specialist factual unit. It was the best placement I could have got. I worked there for a month and at the end they offered me a job."

Visit the Lotus Films website

Phase 1

• 1.1 Documentary: Process & practice

This unit introduces documentary film making to equip you with the core skills of documentary film production.

• 1.2 Documentary: history & theory

This unit seeks to position documentary production within a historical context.

Phase 2

• 2.1 Documentary Practices: taster tape & pitch & critical context

This unit further develops skills in camerawork, producing, directing and editing, now in a more exploratory and individually authored context.

• 2.2 Documentary: ethics & methodologies

Building upon your study in unit 1.2, you will have the opportunity in this unit to study the ramifications of contemporary theoretical debates, documentary history and theory in relation to a chosen approach and research methodology.

Phase 3

• 3.0 Major Project

Unit 3.0 allows you to develop your own specialist interest in documentary through the completion of a Major Project involving the production and direction of an individually authored documentary film, accompanied by a research dossier, a proposal and a treatment.

• Graduation screening

Students go on a range of production and academic research and film-making options. Alumni have gone on to research and associate producer contracts and commissions for their ideas in broadcast and independent sectors. Much depends on individual focus and aspiration.

You should have a keen interest in documentary films and a keen desire to make your own documentary films. A portfolio is not essential but many applicants send links to documentary work they have already made. You should know what kinds of documentary interest you and why you have an ambition to deepen your involvement in documentary film study and production. A first degree is desirable but not essential, as equivalent professional experience can be considered.

An awareness of and interest in current developments in documentary film is expected. Knowledge of film and media history and theory is not a requirement but we expect candidates to be interested in studying such questions.


International and EU students: If your first language is not english you should check you have achieved the correct IELTS level in english.

Portfolio advice

Your application should be accompanied by an original documentary film idea. This is very much a way for us to assess your understanding of the documentary form so unfortunately we will be unable to advise you on its content. You are encouraged to submit a short showreel of existing documentary film production work with a clear note of your role in each productione

Application route

In order to apply you must complete an application form (4MB PDF).

Please also enclose a 2-3 page treatment for an original documentary. This is very much a way for us to assess your understanding of the documentary format, so unfortunately we will be unable to advise you on its content.

Please send completed application form and supporting work to: Postgraduate Admissions, Central Administration Office, 5th Floor Tower Block, London College of Communication, Elephant and Castle, London, SE1 6SB.

International students should use the international postgraduate application form which is available to download on the international office's web pages.

Home/EU student fee discounts

If you have successfully completed a UAL undergraduate degree, PgDip or PgCert, you will qualify for a £1000 discount from your tuition fees. For further information please contact pgadmissions@lcc.arts.ac.uk

Admissions enquiries

For enquiries about admissions please call the postgraduate admissions team on +44(0)20 7514 6569 or email pgadmissions@lcc.arts.ac.uk (for UK and EU student enquiries) or v.gavulic@lcc.arts.ac.uk (for international enquiries).