Man laughing at his laptop while holding a patterned mug and reading a script in a bright home kitchen.

Comedy Writing MA

Unleash your creativity and transform laughter into a career with Falmouth’s Comedy Writing MA. Explore comedic storytelling, collaborate with top talent, and pitch industry-ready scripts. This is your stepping stone to becoming a pivotal voice in comedy.

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Time investment: 2 years

Location: Online

Cost: £12,150

Language: English

About this degree

Become the comedy writer everyone is talking about

Jump into the world of comedy writing and transform your passion for humor into a professional career. Delve into the intricacies of comedic storytelling and discover the key to creating scripts that captivate audiences across various platforms. With industry insights from Falmouth University, award-winning producers and writers, you’re just a script away from making your dream a reality.

Discover the foundations of comedy writing

Begin your journey by exploring the essential elements that make comedy tick. You’ll learn what comedy truly is and how to craft narratives that engage and entertain. From understanding the basics of comedic timing to constructing scenes and developing unique characters, this course equips you with the fundamental skills needed to excel in comedy writing.

Explore the art of combining comedy with drama

On this MA degree, you’ll experience the fast-paced environment of a writers’ room, where teamwork leads to creative breakthroughs. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in collaborative script development and gain firsthand experience in producing proposal documents. As you progress you’ll develop the critical skills needed to evaluate and green-light projects from a commissioner’s perspective.

Collaborate in a comedy writers’ room

Throughout the course you’ll delve into the dynamic world where humour meets narrative depth. The degree teaches you to sustain comedic themes across different mediums and explore how comedy can enhance dramatic storytelling. You’ll critically analyse works by renowned scriptwriters and directors to deepen your understanding of this delicate balance.

Pitch your comedy projects successfully

Next up, you’ll culminate your learning journey by mastering the art of the pitch. Learn to formulate robust pitch documents and proposals that speak to industry needs. As you process regular feedback, it will ensure your final project is polished and pitch-ready, positioning you to make a mark in the comedy writing industry.

As the degree wraps up, you’ll embark on an enriching experience with Falmouth University’s MA Comedy Writing online, where creativity meets career advancement. From foundational skills to professional industry insights, this degree is your gateway to becoming a sought-after comedy writer.

Where you’ll be studying

Studying at Falmouth University

Creativity is not just confined to campus. Falmouth University has been a leading creative institution for over 100 years and a pioneer in online study since 2016.

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Learning outcomes

Master the craft of comedy writing through exploration of comedic techniques and storytelling fundamentals.

Develop a versatile portfolio showcasing your ability to write across different comedic formats, such as sketches, sitcoms, and dramas.

Collaborate effectively within a writers’ room setting, gaining real-world insights into group script development processes.

Pitch your comedic ideas professionally, employing industry-standard practices to attract interest from producers and commissioners.

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Additional information

An honours degree or Level 6 equivalent qualification is desirable. However, candidates without a degree or formal qualification are still encouraged to apply. For more information about entry requirements and Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL), speak to an advisor.

You'll need to submit up to five pages of a script for either radio, TV or film. It's your choice, but it must be a comedy script, not any other genre, that best shows off your comedy writing.

Please also submit a 300-word piece of writing considering an old sitcom, which is no longer running. The piece of writing should clearly tell us why you've picked this show for reinvention now. Please describe how you'll modernise and reinvent the show to be a relevant must-watch for today's audience. You should give consideration as to who will star in this production, and your vision for the show.

This course is offered as a part-time program, allowing for flexible study options. Students are expected to dedicate approximately 20-25 hours per week to their studies, enabling them to balance coursework with other commitments.

Assessment in the Comedy Writing MA programme includes a combination of practical assignments, portfolio submissions, and collaborative projects. Students will be evaluated on their ability to develop and pitch comedic projects, create polished scripts, and engage with industry-standard practices.

Screenwriter: Develop scripts for television shows, movies, or web series, bringing comedic stories to life.
Comedy Producer: Oversee the production of comedic content, managing everything from initial concept to final release.
TV and Film Development Executive: Work with networks or studios to identify and develop new comedic projects.
Freelance Comedy Writer: Write comedic material for a variety of formats and outlets, offering flexibility and creative freedom.
Comedy Script Editor: Refine and polish scripts, ensuring they maintain comedic integrity and audience appeal.