Prepare for an exciting career in film and television distribution on this brand-new, innovative Masters course.

  • This Masters course in Film and TV Business and Distribution is your backstage pass to understanding how film and television projects get financed, sold, and seen.
  • You’ll explore the business behind the stories, including how deals are made and rights are negotiated. You'll learn how to navigate international markets, streaming platforms, and theatrical releases with confidence, creativity, and commercial savvy.
  • Blaze a trail on a truly unique, industry partnered course which combines the strengths of Bath Spa University's widely successful Film, Television and Digital Production programme and its internationally renowned Business School.

Whether you're an emerging filmmaker, a media graduate, or a professional looking to break into the business side of screen content, this MA in Film and TV Business and Distribution equips you with the tools to thrive — from finance models and distribution strategies to pitching and packaging projects for success.

You’ll learn about business practices across the vast and rapidly expanding world of film and tv business in one of very few such courses in UK Higher Education. This pioneering, industry facing Masters degree is designed to equip students with specialist knowledge of the entertainment business and digital creative industries, leading to a career in one of the UK’s richest strongest economic sectors.

Taught by an industry experienced team, you’ll learn how to negotiate the world of film and tv from the perspective of business. You’ll develop the skills needed to commission creative projects, navigate the world of studios and networks and generate revenue in a fast changing entertainment sector.

If you’re looking to build a career in the incredibly competitive but richly rewarding creative industries as a film and television business and distribution specialist, we want to hear from you. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree but have five or more years of work experience in the creative industries sector and are looking for the next step in your career, we want to hear from you too. 

What you'll learn

This Film and Television Business and Distribution Masters programme aims to provide specialist understanding of the business and distribution of digital narrative content. Key topics include market research, finance and management accounting, financial decision making, digital marketing, marketing communications, logistics and planning, sustainability and governance, copyright law, strategic management, and digital business development.     

The programme will be delivered in three Trimesters. Trimesters one and two will cover a wide range of topics on Film and TV business and distribution.

Business and Marketing topics will include

  • International Business Management
  • Marketing Communications
  • Governance, Ethics, and Risk Management
  • Finance and Management Accounting.

Specialist content on Commissioning Creative Projects will cover

  • IP Assets
  • Project Development
  • Studios, Networks and Financing Productions.

Students will be taught methods of revenue generation through distribution models for theatres, television, streaming and other avenues. Surgery-style collaborative learning opportunities with Filmmaking students and industry partnered learning opportunities are key features of the programme.

This learning in the first two trimesters leads up to the final project in trimester three which will be conducted under tutor supervision and/or industry mentoring.  

You'll be assessed in a variety of methods, including portfolios, client work, industry focused assignments, critical pieces, projects, analytical exercises, research reports and presentations.

You'll learn through a variety of lectures, workshops, task based assignments, group activity and peer informed learning exercises, industry-facing projects, real-life case studies, and guest sessions by experienced professionals. 

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our information on Your Learning and Teaching at BSU.

Opportunities

Students will have significant access to industry-led learning opportunities. This may include workshops, specialist visiting speaker sessions, field trips and other opportunities.

It's a very exciting time for the industry as there's been a huge increase in the Video Streaming market, with the number of users worldwide expected to grow to 1.7bn users by 2029. User penetration is projected to increase from 19.3% in 2025 to 21.7% by 2029. 

This course aims to equip graduates for employment in this rapidly growing market and is aligned with high sector demand. The programme is designed with clear entry routes to skilled employment. 

Graduate destinations include film, television, media and the creative industries. 

 

Adobe Creative Campus

Develop a wealth of indispensable digital skills that you can take into your future career. One of only three Adobe Creative Campuses in the UK, we provide all Bath Spa students with access to the full Adobe Creative Suite, giving you the tools to communicate creatively, whatever your course or chosen professional field.   

Facilities and resources

Based at our Newton Park Campus, you’ll have access to specialist TV and film facilities, including state-of-the art television studios.

You'll also have opportunities to engage with industry as part of your learning and assessment, including

  • an impressive visiting speaker programme
  • case study and analysis based modes of learning
  • development of professional level expertise
  • the opportunity of being taught by sector leading practitioners. 
  • Newton Park Library, including a large collection of books, periodicals and CDs with extensive eBook and online journal access.
  • Support for your academic work from the Writing and Learning Centre, including feedback on written drafts and help with academic writing.
  • English Language support from the English Language Unit, which can help you improve your English, reach your potential and boost your confidence.
  • Virtual Learning Environment, which provides online access to learning materials such as lecture slides, assessment information, discussion boards and other resources.
  • The Careers team run networking events and advisory workshops that explore your future options and the essentials of the job application process. They help you get experience by assisting with your search for work placements and paid part-time jobs while you're studying. When you're ready to progress into your chosen career, they can help you secure graduate-level employment, freelance opportunities, and funding for your own business ideas. Career support continues for years after you graduate with the dedicated Grad Support Unit.
  • Free equipment loan service, which provides a huge variety including field recording, film and other audio related equipment.
  • Access to thousands of business, design and tech courses online via LinkedIn Learning.
  • Access to the full Adobe Creative Suite.

Interested in applying?

We’re looking for creative individuals who have a clear focus for professional development and a passion for the industry. 

This programme is open to Bachelors degree holders in any Film and/or Media related programme, as well as those from Creative Arts and Humanities and Business programmes.

For non Bachelor's degree holders, we welcome applications for those with 5 years or more industry experience in a relevant area. See our Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) web page to learn more.

Ready to apply? Click the "apply now" button in the centre of this page.

Need more guidance? Head to our how to apply webpages.

Pre-course reading we'd recommend:

  • Stafford, Roy 2014. The Global Film Book. London:Routledge

When to apply

Many of our postgraduate courses have a limited number of student spaces. To avoid the disappointment of the course being full, we recommend that you apply now.

Late applications (generally those made after 31 July) will only be considered if places remain on the course.

Need more information or still have questions? Contact us to discuss your situation.

Course leader: Suman Ghosh
Email: s.ghosh@bathspa.ac.uk