Media Production BA (Hons)

From the very first day of this programme, you won’t just sit and listen — you’ll create. At Sussex, learning happens through doing. You’ll develop your technical skills hands-on in studios, labs, and workshops; work with real media equipment; collaborate with your peers on creative projects; and gradually build a professional portfolio that you can proudly present to future employers. The philosophy here is simple — theory and practice go hand in hand. Sussex provides the tools, spaces, and support to ensure that you’re not just studying media production, but actively making media.

What you’ll actually do & the resources you’ll use

• Work with professional cameras and gear:
  In your early years, you’ll train using Sony PMW-X70 camcorders and related equipment. As you progress, you’ll move on to advanced setups like the Sony PXW-FS5 cinema camera kit, complete with rigs, lenses, and accessories.

• Create in dedicated studios:
  You’ll have access to a fully equipped photography and TV studio featuring a white infinity curve, lighting rigs, green screen, and multiple backdrops — perfect for producing polished visual content.

• Record and edit high-quality sound:
  Use professional audio booths for voiceovers, podcasting, and sound design, alongside pre- and post-production labs that are open 24/7 for editing and mixing work.

• Access the Equipment Store and Technical Services:
  You can book and borrow cameras, lighting gear, tripods, rigs, Wacom tablets, and even physical computing kits with full support from the technical team.

• Use top-tier editing and design tools:
  Teaching labs are fitted with iMacs and PCs loaded with Adobe Creative Cloud — including Premiere Pro, Photoshop, and Illustrator — for video editing, compositing, and design projects.

• Engage with the creative community:
  The Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, located right on campus, acts as a creative hub where you can stage screenings, performances, and showcase your media work to real audiences.

• Draw inspiration from the School’s Resource Centre:
  With a collection of over 5,000 films, documentaries, television programmes, and music scores, it’s a treasure trove to support both your creative practice and academic research.

• Work on real-world projects:
  Sussex students have already collaborated with organisations like the Towner Art Gallery, producing professional video campaigns and other live briefs that mirror real industry work.

• Gain professional experience through internships:
  Each summer, the Sussex Career Lab advertises over 100 paid internships in media production, PR, technology, and marketing — giving you a chance to apply your skills in real workplace settings.

• Solve live challenges with real clients:
  Through the Student Consultancy Programme, you’ll work in small teams tackling real business or creative challenges. These projects often count toward your assessments and build valuable client-facing experience.

By the time you graduate, you’ll have more than just theoretical knowledge — you’ll have tangible proof of your creative abilities: short films, campaigns, edited media pieces, and production credits. More importantly, you’ll have real experience collaborating with teams, managing deadlines, and working with professional gear — giving you the confidence to step straight into careers in film, broadcasting, content creation, or media production agencies.

When you graduate from the Media Production BA (Hons) at the University of Sussex, you’ll leave ready to make your mark in the media and creative industries — whether you’re stepping straight into a professional role or continuing on to postgraduate study. Graduates from this course typically find themselves working as video editors, content creators, production assistants, or digital media producers, and many also go into marketing, broadcasting, or public relations.

Future Progression & Opportunities

University services that support your career

At Sussex, you’ll have dedicated career support every step of the way. The Careers and Entrepreneurship team provides one-to-one coaching, CV and interview guidance, and tailored career planning to help you find your path after graduation.

Through the Career Lab programme, you can explore different career options, build key skills, and connect directly with employers through internships, insight visits, and real-world project work.

You’ll also benefit from employability workshops, employer networking events, and access to CareerHub — Sussex’s online platform for job listings, placements, and appointments with career advisors.

Employment outcomes and salary potential

About 75% of Media Production graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degree. The average salary at that stage is around £25,000, with typical earnings ranging between £23,000 and £26,000.

Looking further ahead, after about five years, some graduates see their earnings rise to around £29,000. Importantly, around 86% of Sussex Media Studies graduates complete work experience before they graduate — giving them a real edge in the job market.

Industry connections and real-world experience

Sussex has strong links with industry leaders such as BBC, Channel 4, the British Film Institute, and local production companies like back2back Productions and Pier Productions.

Students have even worked on real creative briefs — for instance, producing a video campaign for Towner Art Gallery.

Being based in Brighton, one of the UK’s most dynamic hubs for digital media and creative industries, gives you access to a thriving community of media agencies, production studios, and creative firms — perfect for networking and finding internships.

Reputation and long-term value

Sussex is consistently well ranked in media and communication subjects and has a strong research reputation, enhancing the credibility of your degree in both professional and academic contexts.

The course’s blend of hands-on production work and critical theory ensures that graduates leave with both creative flair and the analytical skills employers value across the creative industries.

Typical graduate roles

Graduates from the Media Production BA (Hons) often go on to work as:

• Video Editor / Post-production Specialist

• Content Creator / Social Media Producer

• Production Assistant / Assistant Producer

• Digital Media Producer / Interactive Media Designer

• Broadcasting / Media & Communications Officer

• Copywriter / Marketing & PR Executive

Further Academic Progression

After completing your Media Production degree, you’ll have a range of pathways to deepen your expertise or branch into new areas:

• Master’s degrees such as MA Filmmaking, MA Media Production, or MA Digital Media let you specialise further — for example, in documentary filmmaking, animation, or screenwriting.

• Research routes, including a PhD in Media, Film, or Communication Studies, can open doors to teaching, academic research, or policy work in cultural industries.

• Some graduates pair their creative background with business or management studies — such as an MBA or MA in Media Management — to move into leadership or entrepreneurial roles in the creative sector.

• You can also stay at the cutting edge of new technologies by taking short professional courses in areas like VFX, advanced editing, or immersive media production.

In short, Sussex doesn’t just prepare you for a job — it equips you for a lifelong creative career. With strong support, valuable industry links, and a location at the heart of the UK’s creative scene, you’ll have everything you need to turn your passion for media into a meaningful, successful future.