BA (Hons) Media Production

UCAS CODE: MED1 (Full-time) or MED4 (Foundation Year)
TARIFF: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)
  • Study Mode: Full Time
  • Location: High Wycombe / BNU based at Pinewood Studios
  • Duration: Three or Four Years
  • Start Date: September 2024
This industry facing course will help provide you with an in depth skill base in media production, incorporating a wide range of disciplines and practices. You’ll use state-of-the-art industry standard facilities and be taught by media professionals as you create and produce content across a range of platforms, from video and audio to photography and online.
You will spend the majority of your time studying at our High Wycombe Campus to develop the knowledge and skills you will need to seamlessly transition from university into employment.  However, you may also have the opportunity to study at our teaching base at Pinewood Studios, putting you right in the heart of this world famous creative hub.
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Why study this subject?

Whether it’s TV, film, video, journalism or social media content, the media industry has evolved with a focus on digital formats. Today media is expected to be 'on-demand' and media organisations need agile and flexible people with the expertise to produce high quality media content in a range of forms and across different platforms.

From podcasting to sound design, screenwriting to content creation – the on-going changes in technology, regulation and societal uses of media will mean that you will need to be equipped with the skills to turn your passion into a rewarding and successful career. On this course we aim to do just that.

This course is also offered as a four-year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate programme. 

 

 

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

Buckinghamshire New University is a great place to start. When you’re surrounded by so many creative students and lecturers, you can’t help but be inspired to dream big. You will get the chance to collaborate with other BNU courses that make up the team that sit behind creating media.

During your time with us you’ll learn hands-on practical skills to help you stand out to potential employers. You’ll get to grips with industry-standard equipment including cameras, lighting and sound, ensuring upon graduation you are prepared for your first role. You’ll have the chance to engage with our dynamic programme of visiting lectures and can benefit from live project briefs, master classes, and plenty of networking opportunities. You’ll also benefit from our expert lecturers who have a wealth of knowledge and experience within the industry.

Media organisations are increasingly reliant on higher education to produce graduates who are agile, flexible and resourceful. On this course you will gain the experience and expertise to produce high quality media content in a range of forms and across different platforms, responding to the on-going changes in technology, regulation and societal uses of media.

Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in your first year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers.

What facilities can I use?

 

 

Whilst studying with us you will create Film & TV content in our industry-standard studios where we use professional Panasonic and Canon cameras. Furthermore, in our private and communal editing suites, you will get the chance to become skilled with all our post-production software including:

  • Final Cut Pro X
  • Avid Media Composer
  • Adobe Creative Cloud.

You'll also learn in our state-of-the-art recording studios, from individual edit rooms up to large Pro Tools HD studios with attached live rooms and vocal booths.

  • Studios 1 and 2 boast Avid D-Command control surfaces and 24 channels of Focusrite ISA828 microphone preamps
  • Studios three and four (Edit 6) are based around Digidesign C|24 surfaces
  • The edit booths are equipped with microphone preamps from Digidesign (HD Omni).
  • Our microphone stock includes Sennheiser, Neumann, AKG, Shure, Rode and Electrovoice
  • Studio monitoring includes 5.1 systems by Genelec and stereo systems by KRK
  • All studios feature a full range of plug-ins including RX3, Ozone6, Komplete and Speakerphone.

You'll also have access to industry-standard photography facilities, to build your confidence in using professional equipment.

What will I study?

On our BA (Hons) Media Production programme you will develop a range of media production techniques that can be used for online and offline media, with a particular emphasis on content creation related creativity, theory and technologies. We cover a broad range of media which you’ll combine theory and practice in.  Some of these areas include:

  • Recording techniques
  • Photography
  • Journalism
  • Sound design
  • Podcasting
  • Video
  • Screenwriting.

Technical skills taught on the course include film and television production, sound design, photography and podcasting.  You’ll also gain an understanding of the creative and editorial process in creating content for different platforms. Optional modules allow you to explore the latest technologies such as Virtual Production.  

You will be introduced to fundamental and advanced creative production and content creation techniques. Creative and technical areas of advanced editing and post production will be explored, including software, and standards for media production delivery and workflows. You will also have the option to study advanced lighting techniques for specific environments that include studio, greenscreen and location. Other options include the opportunity to study virtual production which will prepare you for a crucial, developing area of the industry; news and current affairs; music; and art films. You will also collaborate throughout the course on creative major production work.  

Your modules offer plenty of options, so you can begin to specialise in the areas which interest you most or which might prove valuable for your chosen career. Depending which modules you choose, you will also spend time studying at our teaching base at Pinewood Studios, putting you right at the heart of the UK Film and TV industry.

You will be learning from innovative, forward-thinking and highly motivated expert lecturers. Our lecturers have close industrial links and all work together to ensure that you have the best possible enriched and stimulating learning environment. To further enhance your education, we invite guest lectures to share their experience and expertise. You can also expect masterclass events which will give you the chance to put their knowledge into action on live briefs. You’ll have opportunities for applied learning in real or simulated work contexts; working in production teams on major film projects simulates real-world environments and exposes you to the complexity of collaborative working.  

We will help you to develop skills highly valued by employers, including working flexibly, communication, understanding of IT, team working and creating shared understanding. You will also be invited to show your work to industry VIPs at our end of year show in the John Barry Theatre at Pinewood Studios, giving you a chance to impress industry professionals with the quality of your work.

 

How will I be taught and assessed?

On our course the teaching will feature a variety of approaches and technology, blended together to engage your learning in class and beyond, and to encourage your full participation. The teaching and learning strategies have been designed to ensure that there is progression from formal teaching through to independent learning as you progress through the levels of the programme. Guided independent study will include activities such as reading and research, planning for productions, and self-guided production activity on location.

A variety of assessment vehicles will be used as appropriate to the modules you take, including assignments carried out in your own time, in-class assignments, workshops and presentations. Assessments will be appropriate to the task, achievable, motivating and vocationally focussed, forming a constructive part of your learning process.

Assessment approaches include:

  • group and individual portfolios of written work and media content that will include research, pre-production, production and post-production work submissions
  • critical self-evaluation and role analysis in the form of individual reflective written evaluations
  • peer evaluation in the form of discussion of work in groups
  • opportunity for external placement and work-based learning reports that will enhance each student’s capacity to adopt professional working practices
  • tasks aimed at the assessment of specific production skills which will target each individual’s career aspirations.
  • Independent work at the culmination of the degree comprising a short media production.

BA (Hons) Media Production Programme Specification

What are the course entry requirements?

A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 88 - 112 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.

A minimum of two full A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.

For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the three-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a degree course, can apply for a four-year programme including a Foundation Year; find out more.

Modules

This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.

This course has Opportunity modules.

Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in your first year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers. Find out more.

What are the tuition fees

Home

Home, Academic Year 2024 - 2025

£9,250 per year

International

Overseas/International, Academic Year 2024 - 2025

£15,150 per year

Additional course costs and financial support

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.
You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

Questions about fees?

If you have any questions about the fees above, contact our Enquiries team by calling 0330 123 2023 or emailing advice@bnu.ac.uk.

What are my career prospects?

Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.

Our BA (Hons) Media Production course will help prepare you for a range of career possibilities in areas such as:

  • TV
  • Film
  • Video
  • Journalism
  • Social Media
  • Podcasting
  • On-demand
  • Scriptwriting
  • Content creation
  • Screenwriting

Graduates can also choose to study for a postgraduate course.

Course leader

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Simon Fox
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Carson Black
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Charles Brescia
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BA (Hons) Media Production
BA (Hons) Media Production with Foundation Year