About Edinburgh Skillset Screen and Media Academy

What is the Edinburgh Skillset Screen & Media Academy?

Edinburgh Skillset Screen and Media Academy (ESSAMA) is one of only three dual-status Skillset Screen & Media Academies in the UK. A collaboration between Edinburgh Napier University and Edinburgh College of Art (eca), the Academy is recognised by the industry as a UK centre of excellence in film practice education.

Since it was established in 2005 as Screen Academy Scotland, we have helped over 200 writers, directors, producers and animators to make their mark on the page, on the set and on the screen.

In 2008 we added Media Academy status to become the Edinburgh Skillset Screen and Media Academy, adding a broadcast and interactive focus to our established reputation as a centre for excellence in film skills. The new combined Academy offers an integrated suite of broadly-based undergraduate programmes ranging from undergraduate film, photography, journalism and television to specialist postgraduate programmes in screenwriting, production and direction.

We are working closely with industry and with the Further Education sector to offer a seamless transition from further to post-graduate education, helping to ensure that Scotland’s screen and media industries get the graduates they need and that our graduates get the opportunities they need. Our programmes develop personal creativity and professional skills through direct contact with industry practices, personnel and expectations. The Academy offers a range of post-qualification support including career planning, further training opportunities and help with starting up in business.

In the past year we provided over 600 days of Continuing Professional Development courses for practitioners including an international programme ENGAGE in partnership with the national film schools in Ireland and Estonia. This EU MEDIA Programme funded project is running again in 2009 with a further partner, Finland. The Screen & Media Academy Scotland provides a space to learn and a gateway to fully independent professional practice for students and, for the screen industry, a gateway to the next generation of ideas, talent and skill.

Edinburgh Skillset Screen and Media Academy also offers short courses in Screenwriting as well as other specialist training. Please see the Courses section of our website for more information.

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