Helen Lavelle,Carol Beecher and Niall Deering

Carol Beecher, Niall Deering and Helen Lavelle,  the first full time University of Ulster students to complete the MA in Film and Television Management and Policy, graduate this week at UU’s winter graduation ceremony in Coleraine.

The MA was devised and set up with the support of the Northern Ireland Film and Television Commission (NIFTC) is to help meet the needs of the growing film and television industry.  A notable feature of the MA programme is a series of masterclasses with leading industry professionals, organised by Niki Hinman of the NIFTC.

Carol Beecher, who now works with Setanta Sports Ireland, the Irish TV Sports channel, said the course helped her get into a career in film and television.

"The MA in Film and Television Management and Policy is a prestigious and beneficial qualification and definitely helped my career.

“I found that it gave a great grounding in film and television theory and practice with classes on scriptwriting, web design, pitching ideas and film and television in a global context. We had lectures from media lawyers, writers, producers and also went on trips to the Brand Licensing Exposition in London’s Earls Court and the MIPTV Exposition in Cannes.

“The course had a cheerful and industrious atmosphere and I found university staff to be experienced, supportive and friendly.”

Course Director Anne Crilly says it represents an exciting development for the university’s School of Media and Performing Arts.

“This unique course aims to give the students enhanced professional training with the necessary project management skills for the audio-visual sector in the North, underpinned with an academic understanding of film and television in a global context.”

The MA in Film and Television Management and Policy  has also received endorsement from the top of the industry: 'The first graduation from the MA in Film & Television is a real landmark.  The NIFTC is delighted that this innovative and vocationally focused course has already proven itself such a success,” said Richard Williams, Chief Executive of the NI Film and Television Commission

The NIFTC operates a Bursary scheme which enables industry professionals to undertake the MA and the Irish Language broadcast fund also financially supports Irish language producers.

“We have a range of students from the BBC, Irish language production companies and independent production companies on the course. Many of our MA students are studying on a part-time basis while working in the industry. We are delighted that three of our full time students are graduating this winter and wish them every success in their future careers.”


Winter Graduation News 2005

For further information, please contact:

David Young
Telephone: 028 90366074
Email: David Young