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Screenwriter

Alternative titles for this job include Screenplay writer, script writer

Screenwriters write the stories for feature films, TV programmes, animations and computer games.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 variable

You could work

freelance / self-employed managing your own hours

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • applying directly
  • specialist courses run by private training providers

University

You could do a degree or postgraduate qualification to improve your job prospects, though this is not essential.

Useful subjects include:

  • creative writing
  • English
  • media and communications
  • film studies
  • journalism
  • psychology

Your university careers service can give advice on societies, work experience, internship and year placement opportunities that will help you build your creative network and develop your skills.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

College

When you're starting out you may find it useful to take a college course to help develop your skills.

Courses are available in:

  • creative writing
  • scriptwriting
  • creative and digital media

Adult education centres, colleges and universities sometimes run short courses in writing for screen.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Direct Application

If you want to get directly into this job, it will be useful if you have writing experience, for example, from journalism, advertising copywriting or acting.

You'll normally start by coming up with your own screenplays and ideas, and trying to sell them to agents and producers. Once you've had some work accepted and started to build a professional reputation, producers might then commission you to produce scripts for them.

Other Routes

You could take short courses in screenwriting run by film schools, regional screen agencies and private training providers.

More Information

Career tips

As a new writer, you could get yourself noticed by entering screenwriting competitions. These competitions are run by broadcasters and regional screen agencies to discover new talent.

You can also find advice about submitting your work through schemes like:

You might also write scripts for short films appearing online as part of film or animation festivals.

Create a LinkedIn profile to connect with people in the industry and make sure you have a portfolio to show off your writing skills.

Further information

You can get more advice on writing careers in film and TV from ScreenSkills.

You can get more information on working in creative careers from Discover Creative Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of English language
  • excellent written communication skills
  • persistence and determination
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • ambition and a desire to succeed
  • knowledge of media production and communication
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a screen writer, you could:

  • research background material and come up with ideas
  • develop plots and characters
  • lay out the screenplay to an agreed format
  • prepare short summaries of your ideas
  • sell your ideas or ‘pitch' to producers
  • get feedback on your work from producers or script editors
  • rewrite scripts (often several times) before arriving at a final version
  • network with agents and producers
  • handle your own tax and accounts, if freelance

Working environment

You could work in an office, from home, at a film studio, at a TV studio or on a film set.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

Most screenwriters are freelance so to develop your career you'll need to network widely in the industry.

You could combine screenwriting with other forms of writing work like:

  • teaching
  • lecturing
  • editing

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a screenwriter right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Creative Writing

  • Provider: SANDWELL METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL
  • Start date: 06 January 2026
  • Location: TIPTON

Creative Writing

  • Provider: EALING LONDON BOROUGH COUNCIL
  • Start date: 10 January 2026
  • Location: EALING
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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