Design for Film and Television BA (Hons)

Here’s how experiential learning comes to life in the BA (Hons) Design for Film and Television at Nottingham Trent University — and why it’s one of the most hands-on, practice-driven degrees you can choose:

Learning by doing — from day one

You won’t just sit in lectures or study theory. From the very start, you’ll be designing, building, visualising, model-making, and responding to real production design briefs. The course is built around practical experience, helping you develop both creative and technical skills that mirror what professionals do in the industry.

Professional-standard facilities

You’ll learn in spaces that replicate real production environments — including professional camera equipment, a 37 m² green screen VFX studio, audio post-production booths, and specialist software suites for editing, compositing, 3D modelling, and visualisation. The facilities are exactly what you’d expect to find in a professional studio.

Industry connections that count

The course has deep links with the film and television sector. You’ll regularly hear from guest designers and art directors who’ve worked on major films and TV productions. Their insights, feedback, and project collaborations help you understand how the creative process works in real studios.

Work placements and real-world briefs

You can take on an industry placement of up to one year during your degree — a fantastic way to gain on-set experience and build your portfolio. Completing this can even lead to an additional Diploma or Certificate in Professional Practice.

You’ll also work on live projects and industry briefs, designing for real clients or creative challenges, and receiving feedback from professionals — an invaluable way to learn how to deliver designs under real-world constraints.

Collaborative learning through “Co Lab”

In the Co Lab module, you’ll team up with students from other creative disciplines to tackle design challenges together. It’s an exciting opportunity to experiment, share skills, and apply your ideas to meaningful, socially relevant themes.

Bringing your designs to life

You’ll use 2D digital visualisation and 3D modelling software to transform sketches into high-quality visuals and prototypes. Alongside this, you’ll master traditional craft skills such as technical drawing, model making, set dressing, and prop design — all fundamental to production design.

Experiencing the industry firsthand

Study trips are a key part of the course. You might visit major studios and film sets, including the Harry Potter Studios or top London film locations, to see how professional design teams work on large-scale productions.

Learn from award-winning professionals

Guest lectures and workshops with acclaimed production designers — such as Maria Djurkovic and Charles Wood — bring you face-to-face with the creative minds behind some of the industry’s biggest films.

Showcase your talent

Your journey culminates in the We Are Creatives exhibition, where you’ll showcase your final projects to industry professionals, potential employers, and the public — giving you real exposure and career opportunities.

Your creative home: the Waverley Building

You’ll be based in the historic Waverley building, home to the Nottingham School of Art & Design. It’s a space buzzing with creativity — offering dedicated design studios, workshops, and collaborative areas designed to help you experiment, create, and grow.

Progression & Future Opportunities
BA (Hons) Design for Film and Television — Nottingham Trent University

Graduates from this programme go on to build exciting and diverse careers across the screen industries. Many find themselves working as production designers, art directors, or taking on other creative leadership roles within art departments. With strong practical skills, hands-on experience, and valuable industry exposure, graduates are well-prepared to progress quickly into mid- to senior-level positions within a few years.

Typical Career Paths

• Production Designer

• Art Director

• Set Designer / Set Decorator

• Visual Development Artist / Concept Artist

University Support & Career Services

• Employability & Careers Service: Offers one-to-one career guidance, workshops, portfolio and CV reviews, and interview preparation to help you confidently step into the industry.

• Employability Promise: Every undergraduate course includes an assessed “work-like experience” of at least 8 weeks, with many programmes offering the option of a full placement year.

• Professional Student Wardrobe: Provides free styling advice and interview-ready attire — a thoughtful service, especially helpful for creative industry interviews.

• Creative Collaboration Opportunities: As part of NTU’s School of Art & Design, students have access to specialist studios, workshops, digital labs, and opportunities to collaborate with filmmakers, animators, and designers.

Employment Stats & Graduate Success

• NTU reports that 94% of graduates progress into employment or further study within six months of graduation.

• Ranked 1st in the UK for Employability (Uni Compare 2025) — a recognition voted for by students.

• While salary data for this specific course is emerging, related NTU media and design graduates typically start around £20,000–£23,000, progressing to £25,000–£27,000 after gaining industry experience.

Industry Connections & Accreditation

• The programme is approved by ScreenSkills Select, the UK’s industry standard for screen-related education, confirming that it meets professional quality benchmarks.

• Students engage with live briefs and guest lectures from leading industry figures, including Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning designers such as Maria Djurkovic and Charles Wood.

• The course offers work experience placements up to one year, which can lead to a Diploma or Certificate in Professional Practice depending on duration.

• International experiences include study trips to Luc Besson Studios in Paris, Harry Potter Studios, and behind-the-scenes visits to major London film sets and European partner institutions.

Long-Term Value & Professional Reputation

• The ScreenSkills Select mark adds real credibility to your qualification, helping you stand out when applying for roles or freelance work in the screen industries.

• NTU’s strong reputation for employability means employers recognize its graduates as highly capable and industry-ready.

• The School of Art & Design’s rich network — including connections through Confetti and local creative partners — helps graduates establish lasting professional links within the creative community.

Graduate Outcomes

• Many graduates move directly into roles within film studios, TV production companies, or independent projects, contributing to art departments from day one.

• Others pursue freelance or contract work across film, television, theatre, and immersive media.

• With experience, graduates often progress into supervisory or leadership positions, such as Head of Art Department or Production Design Lead.

Further Academic Progression

After completing the BA (Hons) Design for Film and Television, graduates have several options to continue their academic and creative journey:

• Pursue a Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Production Design, Film & TV Design, or related areas such as Visual Effects and Art Direction.

• Undertake research degrees (MPhil or PhD) focusing on film design, scenography, visual storytelling, or interdisciplinary media design.

• Broaden creative expertise by combining design studies with film production, directing, animation, VFX, or interactive media.

• Enrol in industry-partnered postgraduate or professional certificate programmes, especially in areas like immersive media and virtual production, to stay ahead in a fast-evolving industry.