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Master of Arts Screen: Directing

Still from 'MumLife' | Dir. by Ruby Challenger | Cin. Benjamin Bellette

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FAST-TRACK YOUR CAREER IN THE GLOBAL SCREEN INDUSTRY

In today’s world, the skills and capabilities demanded of the screen director are multifaceted. Unique in its structure, the Master of Arts Screen: Directing provides the opportunity for emerging directors to develop towards a mastery of screen directing through a program of carefully scaffolded collaborative workshops, research projects and mentorships.

For 50 years, AFTRS’ directing graduates have enjoyed successful and celebrated careers across the screen industries, locally and globally. AFTRS has repeatedly been named among The Hollywood Reporter’s top 15 film international film schools in their annual roundup.

You will gain access to world-class mentors and lecturers for practical and theoretical insights into screen directing skill sets and leadership. This course gives you the opportunity to work alongside cinematographers, writers, producers, production designers, editors, sound designers and composers in the development of creative projects. Through it you will build ongoing relationships within future industry networks.

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 AFTRS’ Master of Arts Screen: Directing

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

WHY DO THIS COURSE?

You will gain access to world-class mentors and lecturers for practical and theoretical insights into screen directing skill sets and leadership.

You will have the space, time and resources to develop, challenge and realise your vision. This course gives you the opportunity to work alongside cinematographers, writers, producers, designers, editors and composers in the development of creative projects. Through it, you will build ongoing relationships within future industry networks.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

The Master of Arts Screen: Directing supports and develops your creative voice while proposing an active engagement with emerging technologies, screen culture and audience.

Your creative leadership will be exercised through intensive practical workshops, underpinned by an investigative approach to contemporary screenplay analysis, screen language and best-practice collaborations with actors and other screen disciplines.

Throughout the first year of the Master of Arts Screen: Directing, you will develop practical directing skill sets, learning from leading industry practitioners. In the second year, using AFTRS’ world-class facilities, you will direct a major project and a strategically aligned creative practice research project.

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

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

Download MAS Course Guide

Career opportunities

The Master of Arts Screen: Directing will equip you with specialist knowledge and practical experience, propelling you towards a professional role directing TV series, feature films, TVCs, gaming, VR, AR and web-based screen projects. The course suits highly collaborative directors who aim to be creative interpreters of other writers’ scripts in the dynamic episodic space, as well as those whose focus is to be a writer-director.

The course suits highly collaborative directors who aim to be creative interpreters of other writers’ scripts in the dynamic episodic space, along with those who may choose to pursue their own story ideas. Award-winning alumni include Jane Campion, winner of the Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe and Venice Silver Lion for The Power of the Dog (2021), nominee of BAFTA and Emmys for Top of the Lake (2013, 2014) and Academy Awards for The Piano (1994); Gillian Armstrong, winner of AFI Awards for My Brilliant Career (1979); Chris Noonan, Academy Award-nominee for Babe (1996); Cate Shortland, director of Marvel’s Black Widow (2021), Berlin Syndrome (2017) and the AACTA Award-winning Somersault (2004); and Shannon Murphy, BAFTA-nominee for Babyteeth (2019), and whose episodes of Killing Eve were nominated for multiple Emmys.

Read more about AFTRS alumni

Meet Your Lecturers

Pearl Tan

Pearl Tan is the founder and director of Pearly Productions, a creative boutique creating content with a focus on diverse…

Learn More

Hannah Hilliard

Hannah Hilliard is a multi-award winning AFTRS graduate who has worked as a director in film, television, and commercials. She…

Learn More

Megan Simpson Huberman

Megan Simpson Huberman is a writer, director, development consultant, script editor, story producer and senior development, production, and creative executive…

Learn More

You will learn to

Demonstrate advanced knowledge of theory and practice as a director

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 diverse 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 2025 intake have now closed.

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
2

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.

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 2025 intake have now closed.

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
2

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.

AFTRS graduates are

Storytellers

Practitioners

Creators

Cultural leaders

Storytellers who possess the courage and integrity to embrace and reflect Australian perspectives.

Practitioners skilled for the screen and audio industries.

Creators who can effectively communicate ideas, problem-solve and collaborate inclusively.

Cultural leaders able to apply positionality and ethics in their practice.

Storytellers

Storytellers who possess the courage and integrity to embrace and reflect Australian perspectives.

Practitioners

Practitioners skilled for the screen and audio industries.

Creators

Creators who can effectively communicate ideas, problem-solve and collaborate inclusively.

Cultural leaders

Cultural leaders able to apply positionality and ethics in their practice.

DISCLAIMER: Changes in circumstances may impact upon the accuracy or currency of information. While AFTRS takes all due care to ensure that the information is accurate, it reserves the right to vary any information described here without notice.