BA (Hons) Media & Television Production (with Foundation Year)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Central Lancashire

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Media & Television Production (with Foundation Year) is a four-year, hands-on degree designed for creative storytellers who want to bring ideas to life on screen. From filming and sound recording to editing and visual effects, you’ll gain practical skills in every stage of media production. It’s perfect if you’re passionate about television, film, or digital content and eager to work on real-world projects in a collaborative, professional environment.

Curriculum Structure

Foundation Year

Your foundation year sets you up for success at degree level. You’ll get a feel for professional production environments—working in broadcast studios, audio studios, and editing suites—while exploring creative media concepts through practical projects. This year builds your confidence and technical grounding before moving into specialist study.

Year 1

In your first full year, you’ll develop the essential building blocks of production. Through modules like Production Skills, Introduction to Specialist Production Skills, and Scripts, Treatments and Pitching, you’ll learn camera techniques, sound design, editing, and the art of pitching ideas. It’s a creative, collaborative year where you start shaping your identity as a producer and storyteller.

Year 2

Your second year is all about refining your craft and working more independently. Modules such as Advanced Production Skills, Live Brief, and The Creative Entrepreneur (or equivalent) give you the chance to take on live or commissioned projects, often in partnership with external clients. You’ll also begin to explore the business and entrepreneurial side of media—learning how to position yourself and your work in a competitive industry.

Year 3

In your final year, you’ll bring everything together through major creative projects. Modules like Media and Television Production Specialist Practice, Project Proposal, Major Project, and Dissertation (or equivalent) allow you to design and produce a substantial professional-standard piece of work. This is your opportunity to showcase your specialist skills, build a strong portfolio, and prepare for your next step in the media world.

Focus Areas

Media production, television studio work, audio-visual editing, visual effects, scripting and storytelling, creative entrepreneurship, live broadcasting, and multi-platform content creation.

Learning Outcomes

By the time you graduate, you’ll be able to:

Operate and manage industry-standard production equipment.
Plan, produce, and deliver broadcast-quality media.
Apply professional workflows and creative problem-solving.
Collaborate across disciplines and work effectively in production teams.
Build a strong creative portfolio that demonstrates your technical and storytelling skills.
Adapt confidently to evolving media and digital platforms.

Professional Alignment

This course is led by industry practitioners and taught within the university’s purpose-built Media Factory, home to broadcast-standard studios and production facilities. It offers a truly practice-led learning experience, mirroring real industry standards and preparing you for careers in television, film, and new media production.

Reputation

The University of Central Lancashire ranks 1st in the North West for graduate prospects in Communication and Media Studies (Times Good University Guide 2024). Graduates leave with the skills, confidence, and professional experience to thrive in a rapidly changing creative industry.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you’re thinking about studying the BA (Hons) Media & Television Production (with Foundation Year) at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), you’re looking at a course that’s all about learning by doing. Here, you won’t just study theory — you’ll actually create, produce, and bring stories to life using professional equipment in real production environments.

From your very first year — including the foundation year — you’ll be hands-on. You’ll learn how to plan, film, and produce stories, operate cameras, lighting, and audio equipment, and take on different production roles as part of a creative team. UCLan’s media facilities are fully equipped with everything you’d expect in a professional setup: a multi-camera television studio with a full LED lighting rig, multi-track audio studios, professional editing and colour-grading suites, and multimedia computer labs.

You’ll also be part of a vibrant creative community. Students from journalism, photography, screenwriting, art, and other media fields all share the same space, creating a truly collaborative atmosphere where ideas flow and inspiration happens every day.

Here’s what experiential learning really looks like on this course:

Hands-on production experience: You’ll work with industry-standard cameras, lighting, and audio systems in UCLan’s UHD television studio and edit suites — the same kind of kit used in professional broadcast environments.
Live briefs and real projects: Modules like Live Brief give you the chance to work on real-world production challenges, applying your skills to client-style projects with support and feedback from your tutors.
Collaborative productions: You’ll join forces with students from scriptwriting, acting, music, and more to produce full-scale projects in the university’s dedicated Media Factory.
Exploration in the foundation year: Your first year gives you the flexibility to explore different creative disciplines while building the core skills needed for media and television production.
Strong industry focus: The course is built around real-world experiences like location filming, event broadcasting, and live production roles — preparing you to step confidently into the industry.
Professional portfolio development: Throughout your studies, you’ll build a strong creative portfolio — a showcase of your work that’s ready for employers, broadcast platforms, or independent projects.
Excellent graduate outcomes: UCLan’s graduates go on to work or further study soon after finishing — around 90% are employed or in postgraduate education within 15 months.

If you’re the kind of person who learns best by doing — who loves being behind the camera, directing a shoot, mixing audio, or editing the final cut — this course gives you the perfect environment to develop your craft and prepare for a dynamic career in media and television production.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this programme go on to work across many areas of the film, television, and digital media industries — from production and editing to camera operations and post-production. Typical roles include Film or TV Producer, Camera Operator, Video Editor, and Broadcast Technician.

University Support for Employment
At the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), students have access to a dedicated Careers Team that provides one-to-one career advice, guidance on CVs and interviews, and a wide range of employability workshops. The University also hosts annual job and careers fairs, attended by more than 240 employers, giving students valuable networking and recruitment opportunities. UCLan places strong emphasis on real-world learning, with built-in work placements and projects that help students build professional portfolios and gain hands-on experience before they graduate.

Employment Prospects and Salary
For the BA (Hons) Media & Television Production course, recent data indicates a 95% student satisfaction rate and an average salary of around £18,000 within 15 months of graduation. Across the wider UK media and production sector, professionals typically earn around £27,000 annually, with experienced individuals reaching £40,000 or more as their careers progress.

Industry Links and Facilities
UCLan maintains strong relationships with the media industry and provides students with access to high-end, industry-standard production facilities — including professional studios, multi-camera Ultra HD rigs, sound and colour-grading suites, and editing workstations. Many UCLan graduates have gone on to work with leading broadcasters such as the BBC and ITV, demonstrating the strong reputation and industry relevance of this degree.

Accreditation and Long-Term Value
As a full honours degree from a respected UK university, this qualification carries significant weight for both employment and further study. The course’s blend of creative theory and practical experience ensures that graduates leave with the technical skills and creative confidence needed to succeed in competitive media industries.

Graduate Destinations
Upon completing the foundation year and full degree, you’ll be ready to join film crews, live television teams, sound and recording studios, or VFX and post-production environments. The course offers a clear route from foundation to full honours, ensuring consistent skill development and professional readiness throughout.

Further Academic Progression
After graduating, you may choose to pursue postgraduate study in areas such as Film Production, Television and Media Studies, Digital Content Creation, or Animation. There are also opportunities to specialise further through certificates in VFX, immersive media, or to branch out into related fields such as marketing, digital communication, or creative direction — applying your storytelling and production skills in new and dynamic ways.