Please note there are no vacancies on this course for September 2024
Page last updated 23 September 2024
Develop strong production and research skills, hone in on your particular areas of interest, and carve out a niche as a digital creative media professional in a fast-paced sector.
Today's employers are in urgent need of graduates with skills in current practices in media, and can produce media content, with a particular focus on digital innovation and emerging technologies.
Studying this subject will give you a broad overview of the industry, as you develop your skills in producing media across a range of formats and platforms from audio to video, and online to broadcasting alongside developing your writing and research capabilities.
You'll learn to think critically and creatively about media, and graduate as a multi-skilled, flexible producer and communicator, in a strong position for building a media career.
On BA(Hons) Media Production, you will work with experienced creative producers, journalists and researchers, as you explore how digital media is embedded in our lives; develop your digital media production skills; and work in the heart of Bristol's vibrant media production and journalism sectors.
You'll be supported to produce work across different platforms; use industry standard software and technology, in everything from social video production and live streaming, to virtual reality and interactive documentary making; and prepare a strong portfolio oriented towards your chosen career.
Working with leading practitioners in the Digital Cultures Research Centre at the Pervasive Media Studio, there'll be exciting opportunities for volunteering, and the chance to gain valuable insight into the professional landscape you're moving into.
You'll take part in live briefs, masterclasses and research, and have access to placements at organisations like Bristol Post, Bristol 24/7, UJIMA Radio and TechSPARK, and possible paid internships with local media partnerships.
And because you'll be based at Bower Ashton Studios, you'll get to connect with peers from related disciplines, as part of our exciting City Campus.
Showcase your work to talent scouts and potential employers at the final year Degree Show.
Your expertise in media production, alongside your practical, research and creative thinking skills, will give you the edge in roles as varied as web content production, podcasting and digital media management. You could become a digital media producer or broadcast journalist, or work in social media.
There are opportunities to progress to courses like our MA Journalism, MA Journalism (Audio Docs and Podcasts), and associated MAs.
You'll register onto BA(Hons) Media Production. As you progress through the course you will have the opportunity to specialise in a specific subject. Depending on your module choices, you could graduate with one of the following awards:
The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change.
You'll study:
You'll study:
Plus, depending on your chosen pathway, two modules from:
If you study on the four year (sandwich) course, you'll spend a year away from the University on a work placement after year two.
During this time students must complete the Professional Development on Placement module.
See the Placements and Fees sections for more information.
You'll study:
Plus, depending on your chosen pathway, two optional modules from:
*If you complete the sandwich placement year you won't take this module.
The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.
Learn from experienced media producers, journalists and researchers, on a curriculum that responds to emerging issues and developments.
As well as traditional lectures and seminars, there'll be plenty of communication and discussion, using online resources, lectures, simulation, guest lectures and individual tutorials.
Hone your production, critical thinking and writing skills, working on diverse creative digital media projects, including podcasts, chat bots, photobooks, interactive documentaries, film, video and digital design, blogs, reports and diaries.
Advance your understanding of, and ability to question, the role of media production in society.
Learn to make your own content; and understand how to plan, pitch and disseminate your ideas.
Gaining experience across different aspects of media production in year one, you'll then have the option to specialise by choosing one of three pathways, based on your module choices:
This pathway is for students wanting to develop a broad spectrum of skills in production, research and thinking about media production and journalism. Graduate with a portfolio of innovative content, in a strong position to progress as a media producer.
This pathway will give you hands-on production skills and inventive approaches to making short and longer form content for existing and emerging media forms, audiences and platforms. As well as developing higher level skills in image and sound production, gain a deeper understanding of emerging trends in participatory media production through innovative research, live briefs and experimental outputs.
This pathway is for students looking to develop hands-on multi-platform production skills across online, social media, audio and video, while also building the journalistic skills needed to tell compelling stories. Explore the critical role of journalism in society, learn the varying professional requirements in each platform, understand how to be part of a digital media team and keep up to date with the latest trends.
See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.
Approximate percentage of time you'll spend in different learning activities*:
| Year | Scheduled learning and teaching study | Independent study | Placement study |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24% | 76% | 0% |
| 2 | 24% | 76% | 0% |
| 3 | 24% | 76% | 0% |
*calculated from compulsory and option module choices (where applicable) each year.
You'll attend 10 to 12 hours of class activities each week.
Outside class, you'll be expected to undertake course readings and complete writing and research exercises, essays, production exercises and projects.
You'll be assessed through a mix of written individual and group coursework, peer assessment, case studies, live briefs, practical projects, self-assessment, tests, presentations, research essays, portfolios, and examinations.
In your final year, you'll work on a dissertation, create a practical project or present your work using another medium such as audio, an online story, visual essay or film.
See our full glossary of assessment terms.
Approximate percentage of marks awarded by each assessment method*:
| Year | Written exam assessment | Coursework assessment | Practical exam assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0% | 94% | 6% |
| 2 | 0% | 78% | 22% |
| 3 | 3% | 72% | 25% |
*Calculated from compulsory and optional modules (where applicable) each year.
Students who get work experience tend to graduate with better degrees. Experience also hones your skills, industry knowledge and professional network, making you a sought after graduate.
You'll engage with the vibrant urban and media culture of Bristol. We'll encourage you to take up work placements, internships and volunteering; and our industry contacts include the Pervasive Media Studio, the BBC, South West News Service and many regional media companies.
Work opportunities for students will be published throughout the course and are a great way to build your CV and experience before you graduate.
There's also the option to do a summer work placement or spend a year in work as part of our sandwich year option.
Get help to find your placements and support throughout from department staff and our award-winning careers service.
Study at Bower Ashton Studios, as part of our City Campus, which also includes Bristol's contemporary art centres Spike Island, Arnolfini and Watershed.
You'll have access to exceptional facilities and resources at Bower Ashton including:
You'll also attend lectures and seminars at the Arnolfini and Watershed in Bristol city centre.
Our City Campus connects teaching and learning with some of the best production and cultural organisations in Bristol. The mix of traditional and hands-on learning environments helps you quickly take on essential knowledge and skills, standing you in good stead for your professional career.
Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.
Take a Virtual Tour of the Journalism and Media facilities and see what's on offer here for you.
An excellent range of options for all of the Bristol campuses and the city centre.
A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.
There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.
We provide support in the way you need it.
Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.
Tailoring what and how you study, you can shape the course towards your chosen career path.
You'll graduate with the skills and experience to work in varied digital production contexts, either in large organisations such as the BBC, Bristol Sport or Aardman, or in small-to medium sized media and production companies.
You could go into areas such as web content production, podcasting or digital media management; produce digital content for cultural organisations such as museums, the public sector, charities or corporates; or progress into broadcast journalism, online media production, social media or education.
As this is an industry that's constantly evolving, we'll also prepare you for where the market is heading.
You could go on to do a postgraduate qualification, such as our MA Journalism, MA Journalism (Audio Docs and Podcasts) or associated MAs - or embark on teacher training.
Our award-winning careers service will develop your employment potential through career coaching and find you graduate jobs, placements and global opportunities.
We can also help find local volunteering and community opportunities, provide support for entrepreneurial activity and get you access to employer events.
Visit our employability pages to learn more about careers, employers and what our students are doing six months after graduating.
Your overall entitlement to funding is based on how long the course is that you're registered on.
Standard funding is allocated based on the standard number of years that your course lasts, plus one additional year.
You'll apply for funding each year that you study and Student Finance will take into account how long the course is in each year that you apply. So if you register for the four year course and then transfer to the three year course, the number of years you can apply for funding will change. Student Finance will reassess your funding based on how many years you have been in study, not just those years for which you received student finance.
Always seek advice before taking any action that may have implications for your funding.
This refers to items you could need during your studies that aren't covered by the standard tuition fee.
These could be materials, textbooks, travel, clothing, software or printing.
International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or approved equivalent*).
*The University accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades you will need in our English Language requirements section.
For information on required Guided Learning Hours please see our minimum entry requirements page.
For country specific entry requirements please find your country on the Country Information pages. If you are an international student and do not meet the academic requirements to study this course, you can qualify by completing preparatory study at our International College.
If you are applying to study at UWE Bristol and require additional support to meet our English language requirements, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Read more about our Pre-Sessional English Programme.
Read more about entry requirements.
Read more about undergraduate applications.
Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.