HOLLYWOOD'S next Steven Spielberg or Martin Scorsese could be honing their skills at Bolton Institute.

The North-west's newest university has announced five screenwriting bursaries for its three-year media writing and production BA (Hons) course.

Funded by the Skillset Film Skills Fund, the bursaries are aimed at students who want to embark on a career in the UK film and television industry and who would otherwise find it difficult to complete a sustained period of study.

The bursaries will provide help with living expenses for students.

Course leaders are looking for students who can demonstrate aptitude and enthusiasm for screenwriting and for moving image production, as well as the willingness and ability to think critically and analytically about their own work and about the film and television industries.

Course leader Jenny Shepherd said: "These qualities are more important to us than formal qualifications at A-level or equivalent.

"The flexible, imaginative and professionally rigorous teaching offered by course lecturers and visiting filmmakers, actors and screenwriters means that students' creative and theoretical work attains a high quality."

For the first 18 months of the course, students are able to develop a broad base of skills and knowledge in screenwriting, digital film making and theoretical film.

In the second half, students are free to decide on their individual route to graduation, either specialising in a particular skill or continuing to combine various creative and critical roles.

The course has state-of-the-art broadcast, quality production and editing facilities.

Some places are still available, and applications should be made as soon as possible.

Mrs Shepherd added: "Bolton Institute welcomes students from all backgrounds, including those where there is no previous tradition of participating in a university education.

"This has made us one of the most socially inclusive universities in the country."

For details about the bursaries, contact Mrs Shepherd on telephone 01204 903236, email her at Drop a line...jms3@bolton.ac.uk.