BA (Hons) Screenwriting with Film, Television & Radio

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Central Lancashire

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Screenwriting with Film, Television & Radio at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is designed for creative individuals passionate about storytelling and visual media. This degree helps you develop your voice as a writer while gaining hands-on experience in film, TV, and radio production — preparing you for a dynamic career in the screen industries.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
In your first year, you’ll build a solid foundation in screenwriting and media production. Modules such as Introduction to Screenwriting, Writing for Film, Television & Radio, and Introduction to Media Production will help you understand story structure, character development, and the collaborative nature of media. You’ll also gain essential technical and analytical skills, learning how creative ideas move from script to screen.

Year 2:
The second year deepens your creative and professional writing practice. Through modules like Writing the Feature Film, Script Editing and Development, and Writing for Television Drama, you’ll learn how to craft engaging long-form narratives and refine scripts for industry standards. You’ll also explore genre, audience, and storytelling techniques, developing both individual and collaborative projects that showcase your unique writing voice.

Year 3:
Your final year focuses on professional readiness and the creation of a major project. In modules such as Major Project (Screenwriting), Professional Practice, and Media Industry Analysis, you’ll produce an industry-level screenplay or script portfolio. You’ll also learn about pitching, production management, and navigating the professional landscape — gaining the confidence to move seamlessly into film, TV, or radio industries.

Focus Areas: Screenwriting, Film Production, Television Writing, Radio Drama, Media Storytelling, Script Development, Professional Practice

Learning Outcomes: Develop original screenplays across media formats, master professional writing techniques, collaborate effectively in production settings, and gain real-world industry insight.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The program aligns with current film, television, and radio industry standards, supported by UCLan’s professional facilities and industry partnerships, including the Media Factory and regional media networks.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): The University of Central Lancashire ranks among the UK’s top universities for student satisfaction and employability in creative arts, with strong graduate success in media and production careers (Guardian University Guide).

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

When you join the BA (Hons) Screenwriting with Film, Television & Radio at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), you’ll dive straight into practical, hands-on learning from the very start. You won’t just study screenwriting — you’ll live it. Through workshops that mirror real industry practices, you’ll start crafting your own scripts, collaborating with others, and developing a strong portfolio with direct feedback from professional writers. Thanks to UCLan’s close ties with major industry players like the BBC, ITV, and MediaCityUK, you’ll gain real insight into how the world of screenwriting and media production actually works.

Here’s how the course helps you gain real experience, use top facilities, and prepare for your career:

Collaborative learning from day one – You’ll take part in creative workshops and team-based projects right from the start. Modules like Introduction to Screenwriting help you learn the craft by writing, sharing, and developing scripts in a collaborative environment.
Build your professional portfolio – Over the course of your degree, you’ll develop a range of scripts and projects, culminating in a polished, feature-length calling-card script in your final year — a professional piece you can share with agents and producers.
Work in cutting-edge facilities – You’ll have access to UCLan’s impressive Media Factory, a space designed specifically for creative and media students, providing the perfect environment to bring your ideas to life.
Learn directly from industry professionals – Regular guest lectures and workshops bring in experienced scriptwriters, directors, producers, and agents who share insights, advice, and opportunities from the working world.
Get real-world experience – You’ll have the chance to take part in placements, live projects, and industry events such as the writers’ room experience and cJAM, where students can pitch directly for placements with creative companies.
Write across multiple formats – You won’t be limited to one medium. Alongside film, TV, and radio, you’ll also explore storytelling for interactive platforms, including a dedicated Writing for Video Games module in your second year.
Connect with the industry – UCLan’s strong professional links ensure that everything you learn is grounded in real-world practice. You’ll graduate not just with knowledge, but with valuable connections and the confidence to take your next step into the screenwriting and media industries.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Choosing the BA (Hons) Screenwriting with Film, Television & Radio at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) gives you a vibrant start to a career in the creative media industries. Graduates from this course often go on to become scriptwriters, TV drama producers, radio writers, or narrative designers for video games — roles that let you bring stories to life across multiple platforms.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Career support:
UCLan’s Careers & Employability Service is with you every step of the way. You’ll get access to one-to-one career coaching, CV and pitch-writing workshops, and networking events with employers — helping you build professional connections right from the start of your degree.

Graduate success:
Around 90% of recent graduates from related UCLan programs are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their course — showing how effectively the university prepares students for life after graduation.

Salary outlook:
Graduates typically earn around £25,000 within 15 months, with most earning between £22,000 and £27,000 depending on their role and experience.

Industry links:
The course has strong partnerships with major industry names like BBC, ITV, and MediaCityUK in the North West. These collaborations bring in guest lectures, workshops, and networking sessions that give you a real insight into professional media environments.

Recognition and reputation:
UCLan is ranked 1st in the North West for graduate prospects in this subject area — a clear sign of the value and credibility this degree carries in the creative industries.

Professional outcomes:
By the time you graduate, you’ll have a professionally-focused portfolio that showcases your creative range — including a full-length “calling card” script — ready to present to agents or industry professionals.

Further Academic Progression

After completing your BA, you can continue developing your expertise through postgraduate study — such as an MA in Screenwriting or Creative Writing, a Master’s in Media Production, or even a PhD exploring storytelling, narrative design, or interactive media. These paths can lead to careers in research, senior creative development, academic teaching, or other advanced roles in film, television, radio, and interactive entertainment.

Additional Information & Requirements

UCAS: 96-112 points at A2 / A-level: CCC - BBC / IB: 24 - 28
International Baccalaureate Diploma: Pass including 96-112 points from Higher Level subjects
GCSEs: 5 at grade C/4 including Maths and English or equivalent
IELTS: 6.0 with no component lower than 5.5
TOEFL: 80 with minimum subscores of : Reading 10 Listening 10 Speaking 17 Writing 19
Indian English Requirements: 70% in Year 12 English – dependent upon State Board – see below – validity as above
US English Requirements: Grade B/80%/3 GPA High School Grade 11 English OR
Grade C/70%/2 GPA High School Grade 12 English OR
3 credits English Class(es) at University or Community College Grade C/70% /2 GPA OR
AP English Language or Literature grade 3 OR
SATr Evidence Based Reading and Writing Minimum Score of 500 OR
ACT English Minimum Score of 26
For Indian Applicants: 58% from all boards
For US Applicants: GPA of at least 3.2 OR
High School Diploma with a weighted CGPA 2.5/4.0 PLUS TWO FROM BELOW
SAT 1070 from ‘Evidence Based Reading and Writing’ and ‘Math’ or ACT 21
1 AP College Board Exam at grade 3 (You can have 2 of these - but different subjects)
College class - 3 credits at grade B from an academic class. Must be shown on college transcript (You can have 2 of these - but different subjects)
Grade 11 or Grade 12 Honors level class/AP classes (without the College Board Exam) grade B x 2 (TWO NEEDED) (where a specific subject is required this option is not accepted) OR
High School Diploma/GED with CGPA 3.0 (where a specific subject is required this option is not accepted)) PLUS ONE FROM BELOW:
SAT 1150 from ‘Evidence Based Reading and Writing’ and ‘Math’
ACT Composite Score 23 OR
Associate diploma / Associate degree / Junior degree holders (general or specialised) with 2.2/4 GPA