| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year full time |
| Entry year | September 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Creative Industries |
| Contact |
| Typical offer | 2:2 Honours degree |
|---|---|
Overview
- Delivered in partnership with London Film School, you will be taught by leading academics, industry practitioners, specialist tutors and guest industry tutors
- Learn about the independent film industry of the 21st century: its practice, history, structure, innovations and challenges
- Become equipped with the business, production, financial and programming knowledge for a successful career in the international film business
- Our students come to study from across the world: you will be part of a truly international cohort, enriching your learning and broadening your future network
- Experience studying and living in two exciting and very different cities: Exeter is a vibrant cathedral city and UNESCO city of literature, London is a global cultural hub and the heart of a thriving film industry
- Opportunities to forge industry contacts and attend international film markets and festivals
Fast Track (current Exeter students)
Contact
Programme Director: Jezz Vernon
Course Leader: Victoria Thomas (London Film School)
Web: Enquire online
Phone: +44 (0)1392 72 72 72
1:1 dissertation support from an academic supervisor and an industry mentor
Home to the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum
The biggest film-related archive in the UK outside the British Film Institute
Industry networking via masterclasses, Q&As and events
Top 5 in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
For Drama, Dance and Cinematics
1:1 dissertation support from an academic supervisor and an industry mentor
Home to the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum
The biggest film-related archive in the UK outside the British Film Institute
Industry networking via masterclasses, Q&As and events
Entry requirements
We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree with 53% or above in a subject that includes any coverage of any of these courses: Film Studies, Drama, Business studies, Media and Communication or other creative or business disciplines.
Applicants may also be asked to submit a personal statement clearly indicating their motivation for studying this programme, and long-term career goals within the international film business market. However, this is not mandatory for your initial application. You are welcome to include a personal statement if you wish.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
I chose to study the MAIFB programme because it tackles all the processes of the international film business such as marketing, distribution, pitching and networking, business planning, and executive production.
The course increased my confidence and helped me develop the key skills to get into the business side of the industry.
The University’s campus, people, facilities, lecturers and cohorts were a perfect mix of excellence. My favourite thing about the programme was the combination of two cities, London and Exeter, which exposed me to very different lifestyles and perspectives.
Alexandra
MA International Film Business
Course content
- This unique programme is specifically designed to give you transferable skills, specialist knowledge and professional experience through interdisciplinary teaching with a broad range of experts. Teaching is split-site, with Term One spent at University of Exeter and Term Two at the London Film School.
- You will have plenty of opportunities to build an international network through your cohort, teachers, guest speakers, as well as trips to film festivals and markets. Recent trips have included the Berlinale and Cannes.
- The programme is divided into units of study called modules which are assigned a number of 'credits'. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload, with 1 credit being nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
180 credits of compulsory modules.
a You must take either EAFM203 Dissertation or EAFM204 Dissertation Project.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| EAFM203 | Dissertation [See note a above] | 60 |
| EAFM204 | Dissertation Project [See note a above] | 60 |
| EAFM200 | Distribution and Markets Taught in term 1 at UoE | 30 |
| EAFM201 | The Entertainment Value Chain Taught in term 2 at LFS | 30 |
| EAFM202 | Models of Innovation Taught in term 2 at LFS | 30 |
| EAFM205 | The International Film Business: Approaches, Concepts and Strategies Taught in term 1 at UoE | 30 |
Fees
2025/26 entry
UK fees per year:
£29,100 full-time
International fees per year:
£29,100 full-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*.
For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
*Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Facilities
At Exeter you will have access to world-class university resources and facilities including the world-renowned Bill Douglas Cinema Museum. The museum holds a unique archival collection with particular strengths in the area of British Film Producers. Housed in the University’s state-of-the-art Research Commons study facility the museum houses more than 70,000 artefacts and includes extensive archival material on selected British film producers. The main University Library also has significant holdings in the area of film studies including books, journals and more than 10,000 films and television programmes on videotape and DVD.
Our Audio-Visual collection in the University library comprises over 12,000 film titles, in addition to books and recordings of American music of all kinds. All our postgraduate students enjoy access to excellent computing facilities. The Postgraduate Common Room in the Queen’s Building provides a relaxing space where postgraduate students can meet and work together in reading and discussion groups.
While in London you will have access to the British Film Institute library and National Film Theatre as well as some of the facilities and expertise of the London Film School. For instance, there are weekly sessions on film aesthetics which you will be able to take part in as well as the industry mentoring programme for your dissertation, and opportunity to work as a producer for an LFS graduation film.
Teaching and research
As an MA International Film Business student you will have access to the world-renowned expertise of the London Film School and the academic excellence and research resources of the University of Exeter. You will also be taught by industry experts and guest tutors, ensuring that the teaching you receive is highly relevant to the sector.
First term
During your first term at the University of Exeter you will engage in a wide-ranging exploration of key markets in the international film business; analysing themes relating to distribution and exhibition, the role of festivals and the marketing of stars, event cinema and the notion of the producer as entrepreneur. Taught by leading academics and industry professionals, you will also learn about theoretical and practical concepts related to finance, investment, intellectual property, and business strategy - applying these concepts directly to the international film business.
Second term
During your second term at the London Film School you will study two modules exploring the innovative models being applied to the contemporary international film business. You will also visit an international film market or festival as part of an organised field trip where you will gain valuable experience.
LFS
At the London Film School you will participate in talks, seminars, master classes and question-and-answer sessions with film industry professionals; providing you with both the knowledge and contacts that few programmes can offer. You will learn about the entertainment value chain and, through a series of intensive full-day seminars, explore film business innovation.
Assessment
Alongside essays and research reports, we use a range of innovative methods of assessment. You will give presentations and make pitches, take part in negotiation exercises and deliver a pop-up cinema event. In your final term you will work on your dissertation or dissertation project under the supervision of an industry mentor who will meet with you regularly to discuss your work, your ambitions and the development of your project.
Making a film
While there is no requirement to make a film as part of the MA, you can take the initiative in the second and third term to work independently, outside of the programme, with other London Film School students who are studying on the MA screenwriting or MA Filmmaking.
Careers
One of the key benefits of the MA in International Film Business is the opportunity it gives you to create a network of contacts. You will be working alongside fellow students and established industry professionals with opportunities to meet big players in a variety of industry fields. The film industry more than any other is about contacts, as a graduate of our programme you will have built a good network of your own.
Career zone
As part of the wider College of Humanities at Exeter you will have the chance to use our Career Zone which can help you gain the skills, experience and expertise employers are looking for.
There are a wide range of opportunities to enhance your employability, along with the support you need to make important career decisions. You will be encouraged to speak to your personal tutor and academic staff about your future career, as they may be able to offer advice and guidance to assist your decision-making to help you achieve your goals.
Top 5 in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
For Drama, Dance and Cinematics
