Master's Degree Programme in Serial TV Scriptwriting
Qualification Awarded and the Level of Qualification
Master of Culture and Arts, EQF 7
Contact Information
Teppo Nuutinen, Head of Degree Programme
firstname.lastname@tuni.fi
Maija Joensuu, Student Councellor
firstname.lastname@tuni.fi
Special Admission Requirements
Bachelor of Culture and Arts or other suitable higher education degree and a minimum of three years' work experience in the field after completion of the degree.
Recognition of Prior Learning
It is possible for students to have their prior competence recognised.
See TAMK’s credit transfer guidelines
Qualification Requirements and Regulations
Completion of curriculum studies and achievement of related competence objectives.
Further information:
TAMK Degree Regulations.
Ministry of Education and Culture.
Profile of the Programme
The degree is a master-level professional higher education degree. The degree complies with the criteria set by the Finnish national degree system as well as with the European framework for degrees and other competence.
Key Learning Outcomes
The degree programme will provide specialised expertise in the analysis, ideation, conceptualisation, writing, presentation, and sales of serialized TV scriptwriting. The student knows the job roles in TV series scriptwriting and can work in a collaborative Writers' Room environment.
In the thesis project, the student plans and creates a concept package for their own television series, summarising the idea and key elements of the series. Additionally, the student will compile a thesis report critically analysing their creative process, the themes of the series, and the content choices.
Occupational Profiles of Graduates with Examples
After completing their studies, students can work as scriptwriters in various series projects. Upon graduation, they can work as freelancers, entrepreneurs, or employees in various employment relationships in companies within the industry.
Access to Further Studies
The student may apply for doctoral studies at a university.
Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading
Assessment of study performances is based on TAMK’s assessment criteria The detailed assessment criteria can be found in course implementation plans. The teaching and assessment methods are agreed on with students at the beginning of each course.
TAMK Degree Regulations
Graduation Requirements
Completion of studies and achievement of competence objectives in the extent set by the curriculum.
Mode of Study
Television series are developed in writer groups, which is why collaborative work is a central learning method in the studies. Students operate in a so-called Writers' Room, an internationally recognised practice for group writing of series.
The courses of the program are organised within one academic year, with 2-4 teaching days per month. These sessions can be either in-person or conducted through remote teaching.
Development of the Programme
The curriculum follows the European and national framework for higher education qualifications (NQF and EQF). Education is planned and implemented in close collaboration with the working life. Student and alumni feedback survey results are also taken into account.
Master's Degree in Serial TV Scriptwriting
Enrolment period
02.07.2024 - 02.10.2024
Timing
01.08.2024 - 31.12.2024
Credits
5 op
Virtual portion
2 op
RDI portion
3 op
Mode of delivery
60 % Contact teaching, 40 % Online learning
Unit
MD in Serial TV Scriptwriting
Campus
TAMK Mediapolis
Teaching languages
- Finnish
Seats
0 - 21
Degree programmes
- Master's Degree Programme in Serial TV Scriptwriting
Teachers
- Tuomas Niemi
- Media-ala Virtuaalihenkilö
- Teppo Nuutinen
Person in charge
Teppo Nuutinen
Groups
-
24YTVKAS
Objectives (course unit)
The aim of the course is to enhance students' ability to analyse the structures, contents, and themes of serialized formats, understand their worlds and characters, and dissect methods for conveying and developing tensions.
After completing the course, the student
- can analyse the substantive differences and similarities of various serialized formats and break them down into smaller structural components
- understands the worlds of series and the characters operating within these worlds
- can analyse the core themes of series and the questions they generate
- can dissect various methods for conveying and developing tensions in varying lengths of narratives
Content (course unit)
Structures of various serialised formats. Structures of acts, episodes, and scenes. Characters and tensions. Worlds, subjects, and themes.
Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)
The student demonstrates the ability to compare the substantive differences and similarities of various serialised formats to a limited extent. They can partially break down these differences and similarities into smaller structural components. The student shows a fundamental understanding of the worlds of series and the characters operating within them. They can partially analyse the core themes of series and the questions they generate on a superficial level. The student recognises various methods of conveying tensions in narratives of varying lengths, but the analysis is incomplete. Work and interaction related to the analysis of serialised formats are also lacking.
Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)
The student is adept at thoroughly analysing the substantive differences and similarities of various serialised formats. They can break down these differences and similarities into smaller structural components. The student demonstrates a strong understanding of the worlds of series and the characters operating within them. They can deeply analyse the core themes of series and the questions they generate. The student can delineate various methods for conveying and developing tensions in narratives of varying lengths. They are developing their work and interaction skills in the analysis of serialised formats.
Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)
The student demonstrates excellent ability to analyse the substantive differences and similarities of various serialised formats and breaks them down with great precision into smaller structural components. They exhibit a profound understanding of the worlds of series and the characters operating within them. The student excels in analysing the core themes of series and the questions they generate. They adeptly delineate various methods for conveying and developing tensions in narratives of varying lengths. The student actively develops their work and interaction skills in the analysis of serialised formats.
Assessment scale
0-5
Enrolment period
02.07.2024 - 10.11.2024
Timing
01.08.2024 - 31.12.2024
Credits
5 op
Virtual portion
2 op
RDI portion
3 op
Mode of delivery
60 % Contact teaching, 40 % Online learning
Unit
MD in Serial TV Scriptwriting
Campus
TAMK Mediapolis
Teaching languages
- Finnish
Seats
0 - 21
Degree programmes
- Master's Degree Programme in Serial TV Scriptwriting
Teachers
- Media-ala Virtuaalihenkilö
- Teppo Nuutinen
- Arto Koskinen
Person in charge
Teppo Nuutinen
Groups
-
24YTVKAS
Objectives (course unit)
The goal of the course is to enhance the student's ability to dramatise personal experiences and conceptualise series for different target audiences from the surrounding world. Additionally, it teaches diverse and effective background research methods.
After completing the course, the student
- can assess ideas within a group and justify choices from different perspectives
- can utilise and dramatise personal experiences, reflecting them in the ideation of previously unfamiliar worlds and topics
- recognises the surrounding world and culture as sources of ideas for series
- understands the significance of conducting background research in the ideation of series and can conduct comprehensive background research
Content (course unit)
Collaborative work and ideation. Utilising personal experiences and the surrounding culture in brainstorming. Different forms of background research and its utilisation. Understanding target audiences.
Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)
The student demonstrates the ability to evaluate ideas within a group, but there are shortcomings in considering different perspectives in justifications. They use personal experiences in ideation, but the dramatisation is superficial and limited. The student recognises sources of series ideas from the surrounding world and culture, but these sources are narrow and incomplete. They understand the significance of background research in the ideation process but engage in it only partially and superficially. Work and interaction related to the ideation of serialised formats are lacking.
Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)
The student can systematically evaluate ideas within a group and justifies their choices comprehensively from various perspectives. They leverage personal experiences in the ideation process and dramatise them, enriching the ideas for series. The student recognises a diverse range of influences from the surrounding world and culture in the ideation of series. They understand the importanse of background research and conduct it comprehensively. The student is actively developing their work and interaction skills in the ideation of serialised formats.
Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)
The student demonstrates excellent ability to critically evaluate ideas within a group and justifies their choices comprehensively from various perspectives, thereby promoting the development of ideas. They creatively leverage their personal experiences and skillfully dramatise them, bringing new depth and innovation to the ideation of series. The student has extensive knowledge of the influences of the surrounding world and culture in the process of ideating series and can apply them fearlessly. They conduct comprehensive and versatile background research, supporting the deepening and diversification of series ideation. The student actively develops their work and interaction skills in the analysis of serialized formats.
Assessment scale
0-5
Enrolment period
24.09.2024 - 20.11.2024
Timing
24.10.2024 - 31.12.2024
Credits
5 op
Virtual portion
2 op
RDI portion
3 op
Mode of delivery
60 % Contact teaching, 40 % Online learning
Unit
MD in Serial TV Scriptwriting
Campus
TAMK Mediapolis
Teaching languages
- Finnish
Seats
0 - 21
Degree programmes
- Master's Degree Programme in Serial TV Scriptwriting
Teachers
- Tuomas Niemi
- Media-ala Virtuaalihenkilö
- Teppo Nuutinen
- Arto Koskinen
Person in charge
Teppo Nuutinen
Groups
-
24YTVKAS
Objectives (course unit)
The objective of the study module is to enhance the student's ability to develop serialised concepts for various target groups and understand the creation of tension.
After completing the course, the student
- recognises differences and similarities among various serialised concepts
- demonstrates the ability to conceptualise and create methods for conveying and developing tension in a serialised work
- identifies the significance of target audiences in the creation of concepts
- learns to collaboratively construct the concept for a serialized work within a group
Content (course unit)
Understanding different target audiences and their requirements. Differences and similarities in serialised concepts. Creating and conveying tension in serialised storytelling. Content, readability, and layout of an effective concept package.
Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)
The student demonstrates an awareness of some differences and similarities among various serialised concepts, but the proficiency is situational and limited. They can partially conceptualise methods for conveying and developing tension.
Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)
The student extensively identifies differences and similarities among various serialised concepts, organising them. They effectively conceptualise methods for conveying and developing tension in serialised works and apply them in practice. The student understands the significance of target audiences in concept creation and can take it into consideration. They can actively and constructively participate in a group in building the concept for a serialised work.
Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)
The student excels in recognising differences and similarities among various serialised concepts and is capable of analysing them deeply. They creatively and diversely conceive ways to convey and develop tension in serialised works, innovatively enhancing them. The student possesses a profound understanding of the significance of target audiences in concept creation and can generate concepts that effectively consider different target groups. They actively and effectively lead the group in constructing the concept for a serialised work, promoting teamwork interaction and productivity.
Assessment scale
0-5