BA (Hons) Screenwriting with Film, Television & Radio (with Foundation Year)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Central Lancashire

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Screenwriting with Film, Television & Radio (with Foundation Year) at the University of Central Lancashire is designed for imaginative storytellers who want to master writing for the screen and sound — from film and TV to radio and interactive media. It’s an ideal choice if you’re passionate about creating stories, experimenting with different script forms, and building a strong professional portfolio that stands out in the creative industries.

Curriculum Structure

Foundation Year:
Your journey begins with a creative foundation that introduces you to the wider world of arts and media. Modules like Introduction to Specialisms and Specialisms allow you to explore different creative disciplines — including screenwriting — while developing essential artistic skills and confidence. You’ll have the freedom to experiment across various media and discover where your true creative interests lie.

Year 1 (Level 4):
In your first year of the degree, you’ll dive into the fundamentals of screenwriting and media culture. Modules such as Film, Television and Media Culture, Introduction to Screenwriting, Writing Comedy, TV Serials and Soaps, Introduction to Radio Writing and Screenwriting Stage 2 help you understand how the media industry works, how audiences engage with stories, and how scripts are structured for different platforms. Through collaborative workshops, you’ll begin to find your own voice as a screenwriter for both screen and radio.

Year 2 (Level 5):
This year focuses on developing your storytelling expertise and experimenting with more advanced writing forms. Modules like Story Design, Writing for Film, Comedy Writing (Advanced), Writing Radio Drama, Writing for Video Games and Adaptations give you the opportunity to create original scripts, adapt existing works, and explore interactive storytelling for games. It’s a year dedicated to refining your craft and identifying your strengths as a writer.

Year 3 (Level 6):
Your final year is all about professional preparation. Modules such as The Writer’s Room, Starting the Feature, Screenwriting Major Project and Research Project bring everything together. You’ll develop a feature-length script, engage in simulated industry “writer’s room” environments, conduct in-depth research, and leave with a polished calling-card piece to present to agents, producers, or production companies.

Focus Areas

Screenwriting for film, television, radio, and video games
Story design and adaptation
Professional writing practice and portfolio development

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:

Write original, engaging scripts across multiple media platforms
Apply narrative theory and industry-standard formatting to your work
Develop a professional feature-length screenplay as your final project
Confidently transition into the creative and professional writing sectors

Industry Links & Professional Alignment

The course mirrors real industry practices with modules like The Writer’s Room and a major final project designed to simulate professional writing environments. UCLan maintains strong industry connections with leading organisations such as the BBC, ITV, and MediaCityUK, offering valuable networking opportunities and exposure to real-world media production settings.

Reputation & Employability

UCLan’s commitment to creative education and student success is reflected in its rankings:

1st in the UK for Academic Support (National Student Survey 2025)
1st in the North West for Graduate Prospects in the Creative Writing category (Complete University Guide 2026)

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Here’s how you’ll gain real, hands-on experience on the BA (Hons) Screenwriting with Film, Television & Radio (with Foundation Year) at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) — and what that really means for you:

From your very first foundation year, you’ll step into a creative, supportive environment where you can explore screenwriting alongside other media disciplines. You’ll grow with peers who share your passion and gradually move into the full degree with access to professional writers, mentors, and industry-standard tools. Throughout the course, you’ll build a strong creative portfolio — including your own feature-length “calling card” script — while working collaboratively in team settings that mirror how writers’ rooms operate in the real world.

At UCLan, you won’t just learn to write — you’ll learn how writing fits into the full production process. With access to facilities like the Media Factory, writers’ rooms, studios, newsroom-style environments, and editing suites, you’ll gain the confidence, technical skills, and experience needed to create work that’s ready for the industry.

Experiential Learning Opportunities and Facilities

Industry-mirrored group projects and workshops
From the start, you’ll take part in workshops and group projects that replicate real industry practice. Modules such as Introduction to Screenwriting in Year 1 focus on developing your storytelling voice through collaboration and constructive feedback.

Access to the Media Factory
You’ll work in UCLan’s purpose-built Media Factory — a vibrant hub that includes a TV studio, soundstage, editing suites, podcast and foley studios, writers’ rooms, and even a virtual production volume. It’s a place where ideas move off the page and onto the screen.

Networking and real industry exposure
You’ll attend guest lectures and hands-on sessions with experienced screenwriters and script editors. Events like cJAM Media give you the chance to pitch your ideas directly to professionals, while film festivals and BAFTA-style masterclasses expand your creative network.

Production-relevant modules in Years 2 and 3
Your studies progress with modules such as Writing for Video Games, The Writer’s Room, Starting the Feature, and a Major Project where you’ll create a full-length screenplay. These units blend creativity with the technical and collaborative aspects of professional writing.

Strong industry connections and placement support
UCLan has well-established links with organisations like the BBC, ITV, and MediaCityUK — giving you opportunities to build contacts and gain insights from working professionals in real media settings.

Research and writing development
By your final year, you’ll undertake a research project connected to your Major Screenwriting Project, helping you refine your ideas and add professional polish and depth to your final script.

Foundation year flexibility and creative community
Your foundation year allows you to explore different creative pathways — from writing and media production to digital storytelling — helping you discover your strengths before specialising in screenwriting.

Excellent study facilities and academic support
You’ll have access to UCLan’s library, the Worldwise Learning Centre, and support from tutors who are also working industry professionals, ensuring your creative journey is both guided and grounded in real-world practice.

If you’re serious about building a career in writing for film, television, radio, or even interactive media — and you want to develop real scripts, collaborate with others, and use professional tools — this course gives you the bridge between your imagination and a professional writing career.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Here’s how your progression and future opportunities could look with a BA (Hons) Screenwriting with Film, Television & Radio (with Foundation Year) from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan):

Career Opportunities:
You’ll graduate ready to step into creative roles such as Script Writer for film or television, Radio Drama Writer, Story Designer for games and interactive media, or even as a Production or Development Assistant within major media companies.

Career Support at UCLan:
UCLan’s Careers & Employability Service is designed to help you make a strong start in the media industry. You’ll get hands-on support with your CV and portfolio, take part in mock interviews, and connect with employers through job fairs and industry networking events.

Industry Links & Real-World Experience:
The course has close ties with leading organisations like the BBC, ITV, and MediaCityUK. These connections bring guest speakers from the industry to your classes and can lead to valuable placements and real-world projects, helping you gain genuine insight into professional production environments.

Graduate Outcomes:
While specific course employment data is limited, UCLan reports that 84% of graduates in this subject area are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degree. Graduates in related English and media fields typically earn around £22,000 after 15 months (ranging between £19,500 and £25,500), showing a solid early career trajectory.

Long-Term Value:
By the time you graduate, you’ll have built a professional scriptwriting portfolio, including a feature-length “calling-card” script — a powerful showcase of your storytelling skills and creativity. This portfolio acts as a tangible asset when approaching producers, studios, or funding bodies.

Further Academic Progression:
If you decide to continue your studies, you’ll have the foundation to progress to postgraduate degrees such as MA Creative Writing, MA Screenwriting for Film & TV, MA Media & Digital Production, or MA Media Management. These advanced qualifications can lead to senior creative roles like Content Development Lead, Producer, or even academic and research positions in the media sector.