Master of Arts Screen: Cinematography

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FAST-TRACK YOUR CAREER IN THE GLOBAL SCREEN INDUSTRY

Accomplished cinematography requires the mastery of visual language, high-level collaboration and creative leadership. In this course – Australia’s only full-time Master in cinematography – you will undertake learning through intensive small group workshops using professional equipment, state-of-the-art studios and support staff, all accompanied by ongoing one-on-one mentoring.

Through extensive production experience, you will learn to critically evaluate the theory, techniques and technologies of cinematography, strengthen your ability to collaborate effectively and refine your understanding of cinematic storytelling across screen platforms. In the final year, you will work collaboratively with other Master of Arts Screen students to create major projects and conduct key research into your own creative practice. During the course, there will be an opportunity for a professional placement, which aims to support your transition into the industry upon graduation.

A range of scholarships are available to successful applicants of the Master of Arts Screen; you will be prompted to apply for them following your submission.

AFTRS scholarships

Go behind the scenes of the Master of Arts Screen: Cinematography

Is the Master of Arts Screen: Cinematography right for you?

WHY DO THIS COURSE

AFTRS’ cinematography department is committed to maintaining the excellence we have established over nearly 50 years. This excellence is built upon the quality of our teachers and our close industry links. Our network provides significant opportunities for students within the industry.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

Industry practitioners will contribute to the coursework program, and you will collaborate with your fellow Master of Arts Screen students in small cross-disciplinary groups.

In your final year, you will create a major project using AFTRS’ extensive production facilities.

During the course, there will be an opportunity for a professional placement, which aims to support your transition into the industry upon graduation.

Overall, the course will allow you to consider who you are as a creative practitioner with an adaptable skill set. Learning to analyse your process through the development of a practice-based research project, you will understand how your practice is informed by the past and how it engages with contemporary screen culture and emerging trends and technologies.

For more information download the Master of Arts Screen course guide.

Download MAS Course Guide

Career opportunities

Studying the Master of Art Screen: Cinematography at AFTRS will allow you to confidently create impactful screen images in a variety of professional settings and across a wide spectrum of formats and styles. This course is dedicated to the enhancement of your career with our graduates continuing to be highly represented at the Australian Cinematography Society (ACS) Awards, both at the State and National levels.

Celebrated AFTRS cinematography alumni include Warwick Thornton (The Sapphires, 2012; Sweet Country, 2017) and Bonnie Elliot ACS (Seven Types of Ambiguity, 2017; Stateless, 2020). Academy Award winners include Andrew Lesnie ASC ACS, Best Cinematography for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), and Dion Beebe ACS & ASC, Best Cinematography for Memoirs of a Geisha (2006).

Meet Your Lecturers

Simon Smith

Simon Smith ACS has been appointed to the MAS teaching team as Discipline Lead Cinematography. Simon is an award-winning AFTRS…

Learn More

Tom Gleeson

Tom Gleeson is a cinematographer initially trained at ABC TV. He has gone on to work internationally in feature films,…

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You will learn to

Demonstrate advanced knowledge of theory and practice as a cinematographer

Apply a deep understanding of cinematic storytelling to create audience-engaged work for the screen

Implement a creative practice that synthesises specialist knowledge and an understanding of personal process

Apply an adaptable skill set

Demonstrate an ability to collaborate across a diverse range of projects

Get Answers

How to apply

Admission into the Master of Arts Screen is a competitive, merit-based process. All applicants must meet the Admission Requirements, and submit the required Application Tasks.

Submitting your application is an easy, online process. The Application Portal will guide you through each stage and allows you to save and come back to your application any time before the close date.

Applications for the 2026 intake are expected to open on Monday 16 June and close on Tuesday 23 September.

We are committed to accessibility and providing reasonable adjustments through our admissions process. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments, please contact our Admissions Team.

For more information on how to apply, including admission requirements, evidence required, application tasks and what we’re looking for, review the Master of Arts Screen 2025 Application Guidance Notes.

Admission requirements

Admission into the Master of Arts Screen requires you to meet the following:

Prior Education
You are required to meet one of the following categories:

A relevant undergraduate degree at bachelor level or higher OR
Equivalent work experience and/or training

Citizenship/Residency
Admission into the Master of Arts Screen is available to domestic and international students.

You are considered a domestic student for application purposes if you are:

An Australian citizen
A New Zealand citizen
An Australian permanent resident
An Australian permanent humanitarian visa holder

If you do not meet one of these criteria, you will apply as an international student.

English Language Proficiency
International applicants must also demonstrate English language proficiency.

The minimum requirement is an overall IELTS score of 7.0 or the equivalent score in an equivalent approved test. English language proficiency test results must be valid within two years at the time of application submission.

For more information on Admission Requirements, and the evidence you’ll be required to submit, review the Master of Arts Screen 2025 Application Guidance Notes.

Application tasks

Admission into the Master of Arts Screen is a competitive, merit-based process. As well as meeting the Admission Requirements, you will need to submit the following application tasks.

Creative Statement
In no more than 3-minutes of audio and/or video, express your approach to audio visual storytelling.

Creative Work
Submit a curation of your work as a key creative with a total run time of up to 15 minutes and 20 pages. Your creative submission should demonstrate your best work in the discipline area you are applying for.

Personal Statement and CV
Submit up to 300 words outlining why you want to study at AFTRS in your chosen discipline, and an updated CV of up to 3 pages.

For more guidance on your Application Tasks, and what we’re looking for, review the Master of Arts Screen 2025 Application Guidance Notes.

Adjustment factors

To ensure AFTRS reflects Australian society, we support the best talent, from all backgrounds into our courses and careers in the screen and audio industries.

Admission into the Master of Arts Screen is based on the competitiveness of your final score, which is your assessment score plus any adjustment factors you may be eligible for.

Adjustment factors are applied automatically based on the information you submit in your application. AFTRS may request documentary evidence to verify your eligibility for Adjustment Factors.

A maximum of 10 adjustment factors applies.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Persons Applicants who identify as being of Aboriginal descent, Torres Strait Islander descent or of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Descent.	10
Persons with Disability Applicants who identify as living with disability (as defined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992)	2
Remoteness Applicants whose residential address outside NSW and/or identified by the Australian Bureau of Statistics as being in Inner Regional Australia, Outer Regional Australia, Regional Australia, Remote Australia or Very Remote Australia.	2
Socio-Economic Disadvantage Applicants whose residential address is identified by the Australian Bureau of Statistics as being in the lowest 25% on the Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage.	2
Women and Gender Diverse Persons Applicants who identify as Female or Intermediate/Intersex/Unspecified	5

Fees and scholarships

Tuition Fees
The tuition fees shown above are the indicative course tuition fees, expressed as both a total course cost and per annum cost. They are reviewed each year and you are liable for the additional tuition costs if the tuition fees rise during the course of your enrolment.

FEE-HELP
This course is FEE-HELP approved. Refer to the Study Assist website for details.

Scholarships
A range of scholarships are available to successful applicants of the Master of Arts Screen; you will be prompted to apply for them following your submission.

AFTRS scholarships

FEE-HELP and scholarships are available for eligible domestic students only.

International students

AFTRS welcomes international students to apply for this course. You must be aware of your English language proficiency, visa conditions, health insurance and financial obligations you are required to meet as an overseas student.

Please refer to the International Students section for further information.

Admission Requirements
International applicants must meet:

(a) the same academic admission requirements as domestic applicants, and
(b) a minimum English proficiency equivalent to an overall band score of 7.0 IELTS (exemption categories apply).

How to Apply
To apply as an international student, there are several steps you will need to go through:

1. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Ensure that you meet the admission requirements above.

2. GATHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
You must provide the required application documents when you submit your application. These documents include:

(a) all application tasks,
(b) resume,
as well as certified copies of your:
(c) highest educational qualification,
(d) passport, and
(e) English language proficiency test results.

Documents submitted in a language other than English must be accompanied by a complete English translation made by an accredited translator.

3. APPLY FOR THE COURSE
Click on Apply Now and set up your account. Once you have your AFTRS login, follow the below steps:

1. Answer all mandatory questions marked with an asterisk (*).
2. Upload supporting documentation.
3. Upload specific application tasks relevant to the course for which you are applying.
4. Agree to the terms and conditions at the end of the application.

You do not have to complete your application in one sitting. Save your application and log back in at any time prior to the closing date to pick up where you left off.

When uploading application tasks that are media/video files, please be patient as this can take some time.

If you require assistance, please contact applications@aftrs.edu.au.

4. WAIT FOR YOUR OFFER
Assessment of your application will take place once the closing date has passed. You will be notified if further documents or additional information is required. All international applicants who are considered for a place in the course will be required to attend an interview either in person (if already in Australia) or via online conference call (e.g. Skype).

5. RECEIVE AN OFFER
If your application is successful, you will receive an email with an Offer and Enrolment Guide comprising of:

1. Letter of Offer
2. How to accept your offer
3. How to pay your fees
4. How to obtain health cover
5. Enrolment information
6. Other related material

AFTRS also emails unsuccessful applicants.

6. ACCEPT YOUR OFFER
When you receive your Offer and Enrolment Guide, review your Letter of Offer and make sure all details are correct (including the exact spelling of your name). Accept your offer as per the instructions supplied.

7. PAY YOUR FEES AND OBTAIN HEALTH COVER
Make arrangements to pay your fees and apply for Overseas Health Insurance Cover (OSHC). Provide a copy of your OSHC to the Student Centre. You will then receive an email that confirms your enrolment, called a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).

8. APPLY FOR A STUDENT VISA
Apply for a student visa with the Department of Home Affairs. You will need to provide your OSHC & CoE as part of this application.

9. RECEIVE STUDENT VISA
Advise the Student Centre studentinfo@aftrs.edu.au once you have been successful in obtaining a student visa. We will then send you additional information regarding commencing your enrolment in your course.

If you require assistance with any of the above steps, please contact the Admissions team on 1300 223 877 or applications@aftrs.edu.au.