Virtual production and real-time 3D technology
Support to showcase your work at film festivals
Industry internships in live broadcast
Why choose film and television at Deakin
Prepare for the challenges of the film and TV industry with Deakin’s Master of Film and Television. In this experience-rich course, learn with world-class academics in industry-grade facilities at Deakin Studios (Melbourne Burwood Campus), a virtual production, TV and film studio. Deakin is the #1 university in the state of Victoria for facilities. Grow your transferable skills for success in media industries, including collaboration, problem-solving and personal organisation. Work in a writers’ room on a digital short series, learning to write with the camera. Create your own short documentary and trailer, building skills in editing and colour grading. Develop an individual short film in your second year and hone business skills, from pitching stories to understanding audience, distribution, promotion and film festivals submissions. Intern, volunteer, network and build your personal brand with our support. Graduate with a portfolio for careers as a director, editor, producer and more.
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Learn by doing
Start in a writers’ room, then make a documentary, trailer, script and short film as your skills grow.
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Create in pro studios
Train in Deakin Studios (Melbourne Burwood Campus), with virtual production, TV and film spaces, plus grading and editing rooms.
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Gain essential business skills
Learn to pitch stories, manage timelines and understand audience, distribution and promotion.
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Graduate with a strong portfolio
Choose an internship, grow your network and finish with an extensive creative portfolio.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build practical and creative skills for careers across film and television. You could develop screen projects, manage productions, capture and edit footage, or contribute to post-production and festival programming.
Producer
Plan and oversee film, television or other media productions from development to distribution. You may coordinate creative teams, locations, schedules and budgets, pitch projects and support their promotion and release.
- $95k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 4.5/5
Job satisfaction
Creative director
Lead the creative vision for screen and media projects, shaping visuals, messaging and design while guiding creative teams, budgets and timelines from concept through delivery.
- $130k
Typical annual salary in Australia
- 9.7%
Projected job growth in 5 years
Other jobs
- Videographer
- Editor
- Colourist
- Post-production coordinator
- Production manager
- Sound designer
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
FAQs
A Deakin postgraduate degree can help you advance your career, deepen your expertise in a specialist field, pivot into a new industry and stand out in a competitive job market. Every course is built with industry input and taught by academics who are active practitioners, so the skills you gain are immediately applicable. Postgraduate study at Deakin is also your chance to connect with leaders in your field and build a network of industry contacts who become valuable professional connections, giving you an advantage that goes well beyond the qualification itself.
Most Deakin postgraduate courses are fee-paying, but there are practical ways to manage the cost of study. You can defer fees with a FEE-HELP loan, repaid through the ATO once you earn above the income threshold. A number of courses have Commonwealth Supported Places where the government covers part of your tuition. Deakin scholarships recognise academic achievement, professional experience and financial need. If you've studied at Deakin before, you may be eligible for a 10% alumni discount. Recognition of prior learning can also reduce costs by crediting past study so you finish sooner.
Yes to all three. Most Deakin postgraduate degrees can be studied online, on campus or a blend of both, and you may be able to switch between full and part time at the start of each trimester to suit your life. If you want to move faster, select courses offer a one-year masters degree designed for working professionals. With three start dates each year for most courses – March, July and November – you don't have to wait long to begin.
The main differences are depth, duration and career outcomes. A graduate certificate is a short, focused qualification, typically six months full time, ideal for upskilling quickly in a specific area. A graduate diploma offers broader knowledge or supports a career change, usually one-year full time. A masters degree delivers advanced expertise and professional recognition, typically one to two years full time. You can also stack qualifications – complete a graduate certificate and use the credit towards a masters.
Each Deakin postgraduate course has a unique structure, check the course stucture section of the course page to see compulsory units, electives and any specialisation streams available. All courses are shaped by industry, so content reflects real challenges in your field. Many courses let you tailor your studies through elective units or specialisations, and some include a capstone project where you apply your learning to a genuine workplace problem.
Entry requirements vary by course, so check this tab on the course page for specific criteria. Most Deakin postgraduate courses require a relevant bachelor degree, though some may accept significant demonstrable work experience as an alternative. You may also be able to build eligibility through a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, which in many cases could count towards a masters degree.
Deakin postgraduate courses are built with industry input, so you're learning skills employers are actively looking for. Depending on your course, you may access work-integrated learning through placements, internships or industry projects with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, National Australia Bank and the Geelong Cats Football Club. DeakinTALENT, Deakin's career service, supports you throughout your studies and for life, helping you grow your network and connect with opportunities in your field.
Yes. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) may turn your previous study or work experience into course credit, reducing both your study time and tuition costs. For some masters degrees, you may be able to receive credit for up to two-thirds of the course, if eligible. Use the RPL calculator to get an indication of what you might receive, and note that prior learning must generally be within the last 10 years, although some courses have a shorter time limit. You can apply for RPL as part of your course application.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Master of Film and Television?
This course takes you from collaborative screen-making foundations to more independent, industry-facing creative practice. Build practical production capability, develop your own storytelling voice and graduate with a body of work that reflects contemporary screen industry expectations.
Screen foundations
Develop stories for the screen
Build confidence in generating and shaping ideas by working in a writers’ room that mirrors industry practice, with an emphasis on collaboration and feedback.
Start making and editing work
Get hands-on early at Deakin Studios (Melbourne Burwood Campus) with production and post-production, creating and editing screen content.
Practise professional habits early
Strengthen teamwork, feedback, problem-solving and self-management as you work through projects.
Industry transition
Develop an independent project
Combine research, script development and production planning for your independent film.
Understand the business side
Build commercial awareness to pitch ideas, manage timelines, distribution and promotion and how to submit to film festivals.
Build your industry readiness
Complete your portfolio of work and, if you choose an internship experience, extend your networks.
Course structure
To complete the Master of Film and Television, you must pass 8, 12 or 16 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Choose 4 credit points of units from ONE specialisation/discipline within the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature), Master of Communication, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice
Electives are to be chosen from units within the specialisations/disciplines of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature), Master of Communication, Master of Fine Arts or Master of Artificial Intelligence for Design and Creative Practice.
Course electives may be used to form a specialisation/discipline by selecting 4 credit points from the ONE specialisation/discipline.
The internship unit ACC700 is also available.
Please Note: Course elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Assessment will take place at the unit level and has been designed to ensure successful attainment of all 8 Course Learning Outcomes and corresponding Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes over the duration of the course. In particular, assessment of the core units focuses the application of skills and knowledge to produce work that reflects industry practices and standards.
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Compulsory learning experiences
Elective units may be selected that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning and collaborative research training arrangements.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Apply specialist knowledge and skills in film making practices and competitive positioning in the industry. |
| Interpret, convey, present and pitch complex ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences. |
| Exhibit high level skills in the use of digital technologies to produce, document, present, publish and research in Film and Television. |
| Rationalise and substantiate creative decision making in film and television practice. |
| Identify, evaluate and resolve practical, theoretical and methodological challenges in film making practices. |
| Exercise autonomy, expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility in film making practices. |
| Employ advanced interpersonal skills in collaborating in film making practices. |
| Consider, reflect on and apply an ethical approach to film making practices including openness and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges and perspectives as well as diverse communities and cultures in a global context. |
- Award granted
- Master of Film and Television
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- A706
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$25,000
for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a FEE-HELP loan to defer all or part of your tuition fees.
Save 10% as a Deakin alumni
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Alternate exits
- Graduate Certificate of Film and Television (A506)
- Graduate Diploma of Film and Television (A606)