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[airguitarist]

Hello everyone.

I am a recent graduate of a MFA program in Film and Video Production from one of the large state universities in the U.S. In a few months I will be moving to U.K. trailing my spouse who is relocating there for career purposes.

My understanding is that a MFA degree is virtually unknown in the U.K. so I was wondering what are the minimum academic qualifications for teaching film/video production courses in the U.K.? Or are they any at all? In other words, would it be (theoretically, or practically) possible for me to apply as a full-time instructor or a lecturer in that field without a doctorate (but MFA degree from the U.S.?)

Visa is not a problem as I will also fall under Tier-1 category due to my wife's qualification. Hence, I will be moving there anyway.

Any advice or tips would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[airguitarist]

Sorry, "Are theRE any?"

[wegie]

Er, you have been reading our speculative thread about the impact of the 40% cut in teaching funding to HE in England, haven't you?

Moving onwards, we do know what MFAs are over here, we just don't award them ourselves. If you apply for a job where an MFA would have got you into the interview pile on your side of the pond, the chances are that it will be the same here. But do stress that your MFA is a terminal degree.

The bad news is that film, despite the importance of the creative sector to the UK's balance of trade, counts as an arts subject, so all government funding for undergraduate students wanting to study film in any aspect (note, this is only England; the devolved governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland currently do things a bit differently) heads down the drain in 2011/2012.

Having got the bad news out of the way, there are still jobs out there. A lot of the more practically-oriented courses are at the post-92 universities, and most of the departments that I know about tend to be structured around a small core of permanent staff and a much larger penumbra of practitioners teaching more specialised courses -- but I'm in London, and it's a lot easier to get people on a one-off or semi-contract basis round here. Your best bet will be to apply widely for contract teaching posts (and anything else that you see) whilst building up a professional network and getting as much professional work as you can.

[dellaroux]

You might also see about getting a "both sides now" type production going, if you could get funding from a US group (or a UK group, or a joint production group, for that matter) to create a film comparing the work and professional group situations in both places at present.

It would both give you a reason for talking with your cohorts and a basis for learning about the situation first-hand, if you could get funding.

[wegie]

The other thing to note is that central and local government funding for the arts in general in England is going to be as badly hit as teaching funding, perhaps more so for grants to smaller/experimental groups. The Film Council has already gone in the Bonfire of the Quangoes, the BFI has had its budget cut by 15% and some of the local government proposals are hair raising.

[expatinuk]

Actually the UK does now award MFA degrees. As Wegie points out most TV courses are in the post-92 universities and with the MFA and industry experience you'll be fine.... erm... if you can find any openings.

[airguitarist]

The situation seems to be depressing to say the least. Nevertheless, many thanks to all of you for your informative replies.