The BSc (Hons) Digital Film Production at Birmingham City University is designed for creative individuals passionate about storytelling through film, television, and digital media. This program blends hands-on production experience with theoretical insight, helping students become confident, industry-ready filmmakers who can thrive in the fast-paced world of digital content creation.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1 – Building the Foundations of Filmmaking
In your first year, you’ll explore the core principles of film production, from story development to visual storytelling. You’ll gain technical and creative confidence through modules such as Film Production Skills, Visual Storytelling, and Film Language and Theory. This year helps you develop essential camera, lighting, and editing skills while learning how to turn your creative ideas into cinematic narratives.
Year 2 – Advancing Creative and Technical Skills
Your second year focuses on professional collaboration and refining your filmmaking practice. Modules like Professional Practice 1, Film Entrepreneurship, and Experimental Film challenge you to push creative boundaries and think critically about your role in the industry. You’ll work in teams to produce original films, learning how to manage production processes, budgets, and teams in real-world scenarios.
Year 3 – Specialisation and Professional Readiness
In the final year, you’ll take full creative control through projects like Major Project: Production and Professional Practice 2, where you create an industry-standard film piece for your professional portfolio. You’ll also explore career development, networking, and self-promotion as you prepare to enter the creative industries with confidence and a strong showreel that reflects your specialism—whether directing, producing, editing, or cinematography.
Focus Areas: Film Production, Visual Storytelling, Cinematography, Editing, Directing, Screenwriting, Film Entrepreneurship, Professional Practice
Learning Outcomes: Graduates will be able to plan, shoot, and edit professional-quality films; apply advanced technical and creative techniques; understand production management; and demonstrate strong storytelling, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The course is aligned with industry expectations and benefits from BCU’s partnership with ScreenSkills, ensuring students develop competencies sought by UK screen industries.
Reputation (Employability Rankings): Birmingham City University ranks highly for employability in the creative arts sector, with over 97% of graduates in work or further study (Graduate Outcomes Survey). The university is also recognized by The Guardian University Guide for its strong performance in media and film studies.
If you’re passionate about being behind the camera and turning your creative ideas into powerful visual stories, the BSc (Hons) Digital Film Production degree at Birmingham City University gives you the chance to do just that — with a strong focus on hands-on, practical experience from day one.
You’ll be learning in a real production environment, using professional equipment, studios, and software — just like the professionals do in the film and TV industry. Along the way, you’ll develop both your artistic vision and the technical expertise needed to bring it to life.
Here’s how experiential learning is built into the course:
Work with industry-standard equipment — you’ll train on professional sound, camera and lighting gear, including ARRI and Alexa Mini cameras, with the course officially ARRI certified.
Use professional editing and post-production tools such as Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Logic Pro.
Learn the full digital production workflow, from story development and narrative design through to capture, editing, and final delivery.
Access professional facilities, including dedicated film and TV studios, multi-track recording studios, post-production suites, and even motion-control rigs like the BOLT JR+.
Collaborate with students from other creative disciplines such as acting, music, photography, and visual effects — creating a real-world production atmosphere.
Take advantage of an optional professional placement year (up to 36 weeks) between your second and third year, giving you valuable real-world industry experience.
What kind of real experiences will you gain?
Studio Production Module: Work in a genuine studio environment, exploring key film-crew roles such as camera, sound, and lighting.
Production Practice Module: Collaborate on short-form drama projects, planning and producing as part of a professional-style crew.
Final-Year Project: Design and deliver your own major screen production, applying everything you’ve learned using industry-standard practices.
Technical Mastery: Understand the science behind your tools — from how sound and light behave to how camera and audio equipment shape your footage.
Industry Connections: Access BCU’s network of employers, mentors, and commercial production opportunities that often include paid professional work.
Guest Lectures & Live Briefs: Learn directly from industry professionals through talks, workshops, and real-world project briefs.
Creative + Technical Growth: Develop not just your storytelling skills, but also the technical literacy needed for careers in camera operation, lighting, post-production, or sound design.
Why this course stands out
Students consistently highlight the excellent support available at Birmingham City University — from the well-equipped library to the high-quality digital resources and software that enhance every aspect of the learning experience.
If you’re someone who loves the idea of working in real studios, using professional-grade tools, and collaborating with other creatives while gaining real industry experience, then this degree could be the perfect next step in your film-making journey.
If you choose to study the Digital Film Production BSc (Hons) at Birmingham City University, you’ll be setting yourself up for a future that blends creativity, storytelling, and strong technical expertise. Many of our graduates go on to work as Film Production Assistants, Assistant Editors, Camera Operators, or Post-Production Technicians — and that’s just the beginning.
Progression & Future Opportunities
• University support services:
You’ll have access to the university’s dedicated Careers+ team, who will help you craft professional CVs, prepare for interviews, and build a strong creative portfolio. You can also take part in the Graduate+ awards programme, which helps you develop practical skills and achievements that make your employability stand out.
• Employment stats and salary figures:
Graduates from Cinematics & Photography courses at BCU report a median salary of around £20,000 just 15 months after graduation — a solid starting point for a creative career that grows with experience.
• University–industry partnerships:
You’ll work with industry-standard equipment such as ARRI Alexa cameras, Avid, DaVinci Resolve, and Logic Pro. Plus, through the university’s professional studio facilities, students have the chance to collaborate on real productions with major companies like Sony, Disney, and Microsoft — gaining hands-on experience that employers value.
• Long-term accreditation value:
This course is ARRI-certified, giving you an added mark of credibility from one of the biggest names in film production. It’s a certification that signals your readiness to work confidently with professional-level technology.
• Graduation outcomes:
When you graduate, you’ll be versatile, technically skilled, and creatively confident — ready to take on roles across film, television, and video production. You’ll leave with the ability to bridge both the creative and technical sides of visual storytelling.
Further Academic Progression
After completing your degree, you could continue your studies with a master’s at Birmingham City University — such as the MA in Film Distribution & Marketing, which focuses on how films reach audiences, or the MSc in Future Media, designed for those interested in the digital and tech-driven side of the media industry. Both paths can help you refine your expertise and open doors to leadership roles in film and media.



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