Media Production BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Media Production student with a clapperboard and two students in the background with filming equipment

This exciting course aims to keep you up to date with the latest media industry developments and encourages you to develop skills to produce work for distribution across multiple platforms and genres.

Year of entry

2023-24

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

Course code

P310

Start date

September 2023

How to apply
Book an Open Day
Download a prospectus
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Course overview

From the outset, this course aims to develop your technical, creative, reflective and analytical abilities, in order to give you a thorough grounding in current and emerging media production technologies, ways of working and contemporary professional practice, as well as the opportunity to gain project management and professional skills needed in this ever-expanding industry.

  • Media Production is about developing real world skills in many different types of production from making: films, live broadcast TV, radio, podcasts, 360 video, immersive experiences, photography, websites, and social media content.
  • Our current links with local, regional, national media industries, including companies like The Walt Disney Company, ITV and Aardman Animations, provide numerous opportunities for location work, site visits and talks by visiting media professionals, together with live projects and a professional experience scheme (subject to availability)2. In short, you’ll be taught to tell interesting stories and distribute those stories to the largest possible audience.
  • You will have opportunities for professional experience and live projects, which have, in the past, included student-industry collaboration with Regional BBC, Creative City, Rolls-Royce and BBC3 (subject to availability, application and additional costs)2.
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Global Ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities
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Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
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Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

  • Opportunity to access high standard professional media equipment via our Media Loan Shop, including media equipment, such as Blackmagic and Sony cameras (subject to availability)
  • Opportunity to meet experts in new media and traditional media at our series of screenings and masterclasses with past guest speakers including media practitioners, filmmakers, and graduates from the course (subject to availability).
  • You may have opportunities to learn and work on projects with students from other courses in the School of Media and Performing Arts. These collaborative opportunities are a defining feature of your learning experience and are designed to help place you in a more advantages position in developing your skills and employability on graduating
  • Opportunity to study abroad at one of our many international collaborators during a placement year2, which have included, in the past, Zhejiang University of Media and Communications (ZUMC) in China and Jean Moulin University, Lyon, France. (Subject to availability, competitive application, meeting visa requirements and additional costs.)
  • Visit our Media Production Instagram page to get an insight into this course.

More than just a degree

Media Production has really inspired me. I’m a very hands-on person and there’s a lot of practical elements so I can get involved in both directing and filming. The university itself has a lot of media connections which is great for my course and a big selling point.

Unjali Mistry, Media Production BA (Hons) student, 2021
Female on phone in University square surrounded by film crew.

What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.  

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).    

Common first year courses

  • Film Production BA (Hons)
  • Media Production BA (Hons)

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field. 

Modules

  • This is a hands-on module introducing you to both the contextual and practical knowledge required to create compelling films with a coherent narrative and a focus on craft skills. This module aims to teach you camera, lighting, sound and post production techniques that you will continue to develop throughout the whole course. These form the basis of you using a range of production methods and understanding the contemporary context(s) of short film production and distribution. Screening your films and ongoing peer to peer feedback will be part of this exciting first step in your creative journey.

    Compulsory

  • This module will introduce you to some of the most important concepts and theories in film and media production. You will consider how meaning within global media has been constructed and is understood by audiences through concepts such as representation, narrative, and genre and apply your understanding to your own and others creative work.

    Compulsory

  • This module explores how stories are constructed on the page and how they are taken forward and developed into finished productions. You will analyse different types of narrative used in film and media, understand the grammar of how stories are constructed and start to develop your own scripts, treatments and development documents for a range of media outputs.

    Compulsory

  • This module is the start of your professional career as you start to become aware of the variety of career paths and opportunities that exist in the media, film and wider creative industries and begin to chart your own journey through them. It focuses on recognising the relationship between networking, professional practice, critical reflection and personal development to enhance your career progression.

    Compulsory

  • In this module you will explore the histories of the global media and film production industries and the art and craft of producing for those industries. Through the case studies provided and your own research, this course aims to provide you with a greater understanding of both how film, TV, subscription video on demand (SVOD), and podcasts have developed and also what the emerging new media forms are that might come to disrupt or dominate the contemporary media landscape.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to teach you factual storytelling methods as you create a documentary film or content for online media. You are asked to choose an issue from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that matters to you and then collaborate with other students on creating a piece of work that can impact it. During the production process you should also develop skills in pitching projects, forming production crews and effective group working practices.

    Compulsory

In year two, you will continue to develop the skills and knowledge you’ve learnt. We do this by embedding the following four principles into the curriculum and developing your:

  • Technical skills – digital fluency, backed with the right academic knowledge
  • Study skills – to be an adaptive, independent and proactive learner
  • Professional skills – to have the behaviour and abilities to succeed in your career
  • Global awareness – the beliefs and abilities to be a resilient, confident and motivated global citizen

You will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with: short form content, television studios, and branding, amongst others.

Modules

  • This module aims to teach you the core skills, knowledge, and practices necessary to effectively produce short form content – be that music videos, commercials, short films or podcast radio drama - with particular emphasis on narrative fiction production. Through the regular, individual and/or collaborative, production of short media content projects you build up towards a final production taking on professional production roles.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to develop your understanding of creativity in relation to a number of disciplines in the creative industries and arts. It will showcase a wide range of creative forms from subscription video on demand (SVOD) platforms, independent cinema and experimental film to podcasting, digital media and other creative content. You will explore how these forms of creative work influence the current production landscape and your creative own work.

    Compulsory

  • This module allows you to explore the changing nature of the television studio and its important place in the interactive future of media production, consumption and platform proliferation. You will spend time in our fantastically equipped TV Studio learning the practical skills from floor manager to vision mixer with the aim of being able to create a TV show of your own in the future. You will then apply this to an understanding of the global, commercial impact of entertainment formats.

    Compulsory

  • From branding yourself to the branding of global media corporations, this module will explore how media products are commercially constructed and marketed and the importance of this in the creative process. You will aim to gain a practical understanding of the process of branding by making content specifically for online platforms following brand guidelines, developing marketing campaigns and using the strategies of viral marketing.

    Compulsory

  • Through a series of lectures, workshops and masterclasses you will be encouraged to discover the area(s) of the industry in which you want to specialise. With the support of tutors and the Talent Team you will undertake 3 days (24 hours) of either professional placements and/or a series of one-off projects in the Film/Media Industry2. This will culminate in you producing a portfolio that begins to promote you as an emergent film / media / creative industry professional.

    Compulsory

  • In this module, you will work with students from courses across the School of Media and Performing Arts and/or industry collaborators, external groups or organisations2 to respond to an issue in the local, national or global community You will work collaboratively with fellow students in defined roles that reflect industry practice in your area of study but will also develop skills in the management and organisation roles by playing an active part in the project from beginning to end.

    Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

  • This module2 provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

    Optional

  • This module2 provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

    Optional

Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from year one and two.  Your studies could culminate in a dissertation, the production of a documentary film, or by launching a curated exhibition based on your independent research of an area of interest to you. 

You will have the opportunity to choose one of three specialist modules, ‘Monetising Media’, ‘Post Production’, or ‘Scriptwriting’ to total 120 credits in your final year.

Modules

  • This module gives you the opportunity to further develop your creativity and experimentation in the work you produce. How and where in the creative process can you boost innovation? You will work individually or collaboratively in small teams to creatively play with new and immersive technologies, emerging media forms and disruptive distribution platforms. The outcomes will inform your creative choices in other modules and your professional career.

    Compulsory

  • This module provides you with the practical tools needed to develop your own independent research and development work for production. You will be expected to relate your own ideas for production to those of other practitioners and become increasingly aware of your own position within your chosen community of practice. This will help prepare you for your final major project.

    Compulsory

  • This module provides you with the opportunity to produce a significant piece of work of your own choosing in response to a negotiated brief. Your project will explore a new idea or aspect of innovation in an area in which you want to specialise. You will draw together knowledge, skills and research acquired during the course you will create content that helps you present your suitability for a career in the creative industries.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to enable you to proactively launch yourself into your future career as you develop and produce a professional portfolio. You will reflect on your previous learning, analyse your skills and attributes, and research potential employment routes and effective portfolio presentations for your chosen areas in the media industries.

    Compulsory

  • This module option explores the emerging and proliferating opportunities for commercialising your media assets. You will consider online marketing strategies, distribution platforms and global analytics. In developing your own brand, you will be helped to develop your profile, create ideas, rich media content and a business plan.

    Optional

  • This is an opportunity to develop, or further develop, your skills in editing, post-production and finishing in software packages such as Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premier, Adobe After Effects and Da Vinci Resolve. You should develop technical skills in post-production workflows, colour correction and grading as well as enhanced storytelling techniques in editing for film and media.

    Optional

  • In this module option you will explore idea development, narrative structure, story world, character development, dialogue, plot and the use of subplots. You will use industry standard formatting in your writing and learn cutting edge practice in realising a script/screenplay for film or TV. Writers’ room type workshops, development tutorials peer and tutor review and feedback will support your creative process.

    Optional

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

The course is delivered though project-based ‘hands-on’ learning, with a great emphasis on location work, live projects and practice activities, all with ongoing feedback. Past students have worked on projects as diverse as assisting on film sets or shooting promotional videos for production companies. Your personal tutor will review and discuss your progress with you and provide advice throughout the course.

Our current excellent industry links typically enable us to host an exciting programme of guest speakers covering topics such as film production, scriptwriting, distribution and curation of moving images (subject to availability)2.

The course normally lasts three years when studied full-time and four to six years part-time, though full-time students have the option to extend the course by taking a sandwich year between the second and third years on placement or study abroad2.

Teaching contact hours

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:

  • On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
  • Group work
  • Self-directed learning
  • Work placement opportunities2

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 12 contact hours per week in the first and second year dropping to around 10-12 contact hours per week in the third and final year as you become a more independent learner.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 15 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

Part of university life is undertaking self-directed learning. During a typical week you will have time that allows you to work independently to apply the skills and knowledge you have learnt in taught or facilitated sessions to your projects or assignment briefs. This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods include:

  • Practical or project work
  • Coursework
  • Tests
  • Essays
  • Presentations/posters

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

International experience opportunities

Our course is designed to reflect the increasingly international context of media production; this is reflected strongly in the course curriculum through international trips2 which can provide the opportunity for insight into other cultures and societies throughout the world.

We strongly encourage you to broaden your theoretical, cultural and practical references, providing opportunities to broaden your horizons by living, studying or working abroad on a sandwich year.

You may have opportunities to take part in international trips where you will have the chance to develop your knowledge and skills through the production of individual and group media projects. Reviewed annually, previous field trips have included: Cyprus, Hangzhou, Kenya, Los Angeles, New York, Norway, Paris, Prague, Sierra Leone and Tenerife. On all trips, you are encouraged to engage in production projects, which could involve assisting on a local film production or making your own films using local crew2.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
A level BBC
GCSE 5 GCSEs graded 4 / C or above including English
BTEC DMM
IB Diploma 29 points
Access to HE The Access to HE Diploma. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with a foundation year. We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Portfolio

You may be required to attend a portfolio showcase, activity session or audition or submit a portfolio via email (as is appropriate to your course), either virtually or face to face, as is practical to arrange. Invites for these sessions will be sent directly to your contact email.

Each application will be considered on its merits.

Are you eligible for the Fair Access Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background. Find out more about our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Europe

Americas

Middle East

South Asia

South East Asia

East Asia

Africa

Russia and Central Asia

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation year. Upon successful completion our International Foundation Year - Art, Design and Media will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Portfolio

You will be required to submit a portfolio via email or alternatively attend a showcase activity session or audition (as is appropriate for your course) which can be virtual or face to face, as is practical to arrange. Invites to send in your portfolio or attend these sessions will be sent directly to your contact email.

Each application will be considered on its merits.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall (with no component lower than 5.5)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

2023/24 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK £9,250 per year Not available
International £19,850 per year Not available

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad)

  • We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

    If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Coventry University is home to superb facilities4 and our new Arts and Humanities building is planned to open in 2023. We also have a well-stocked Media Loan Shop so you can borrow an extensive range of specialist, professional equipment, including 4K and HD video cameras, DSLR cameras, tripods, audio equipment and lighting.

Two male students presenting in a TV studio to a camera in the foreground.

Television Studio

You’ll have access to our on-site television studio The Tank, offering specialist equipment such as large cameras, mixing facilities and fibre-optic wiring throughout.
 

Male student setting up a photography light in a studio.

Photography Suite

This specialist facility is available to media students to take and process photos in a professional environment. There is also support for printing, high-end scanning and film processing.

 

Exterior front of the Ellen Terry building.

Media Loan Shop

Our media loan shop provides you with access to all the equipment and support you need to excel in your studies – from basic audio recorders to professional cameras and expert advice from our technicians.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion, you will have knowledge of:

  • The roles of communication, media and cultural systems within their political, social, economic and technological contexts.
  • The modes of representation and systems of learning within the contemporary social world and the ways these are shaped by issues of gender, race, class, ethnicity, disability, sexuality and nationality.
  • The historical and global contexts of media, communication and cultural systems and processes.

You will be equipped with the skills to:

  • Apply the various processes and practices that combine towards the production and consumption of media, communication and cultural texts.
  • Undertake a variety of forms of research appropriate to different forms of study and analysis and be able critically to reflect on the appropriateness of each form of research.
  • Critically reflect on the chosen processes of production.
  • Critically interrogate through appropriate theoretical and conceptual material the various processes of production of media and cultural texts.

The ever-changing world of the creative industries demands multi-skilled media professionals, who are familiar with a range of media platforms, full of ideas and imagination, with strong ethics and levels of professionalism; these same graduate attributes our course seeks to nurture.

Where our graduates work

The school has a very long and impressive history of graduates who establish themselves in extremely high-profile media and cultural employment, examples of which include: executive producer for many highly prestigious Hollywood films, executive producer for SYCO, director for BBC documentaries, DJs for national radio stations such as BBC Radio 6 and Virgin Radio, planners and creatives for a number prestigious London-based advertising agencies.

Further study

You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with:

You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

How to apply

  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the “University”) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University. 

    1Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

    2UK and international opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

    3Tuition fees

    The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For Home Students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

    For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

    4Facilities

    Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2023/24 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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