We've created this course in close collaboration with contemporary film and television practitioners and our aim is to provide the industry with new creative talent. A high proportion of our graduates now work within the film and television industry, and we have a very strong network of contacts for work experience and employment opportunities.
A designer's ultimate responsibility is to ensure that the look of a production is exactly right, so this involves working on projects from concept through to final delivery. Our course delivers the full broad base of art department skills needed for this process, ranging from traditional drawing and model-making to communication and advanced computer techniques. You'll also benefit from excellent support and academic teaching.
Nottingham Skillset Media Academy
This course is affiliated to the Nottingham Skillset Media Academy.
Any questions?
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418
Visit the School of Art & Design website.
Please note the following information for applicants
Year One
- Get a sound foundation in drawing (conceptual, storyboarding and draughting), model-making, visual communications and contextual studies.
- Tackle real-life design briefs in tutorials, design workshops and lectures.
- Develop an appreciation of historical period styles, architecture, film and television culture, and language systems.
Year Two
- Work on challenging design briefs spanning a wide range of genres, from music entertainment shows to location drama projects.
- Get involved in computer-aided design challenges.
- Go on a work placement and get a deeper knowledge of the industry, developing your technical skills and professional practice.
Year Three
- Take on two major, industry-focused personal design projects in areas you are most interest in. They can be based on any film or TV genre and will form the basis for your final-year degree show.
- Put together a dissertation on a relevant topic of your choice.
Assessment
You are continually assessed throughout the course, and visiting industry professionals will contribute and help you with your development at every opportunity.
Student gallery
Have a look at some of the work created on this course in our BA (Hons) Design for Film and Television student gallery.
Specialist equipment and facilities
This course benefits from superb facilities, all recently upgraded to reflect the latest industry standards:
- multi-purpose design studio and workshops, with PC-based work stations
- integrated, high-end IT facilities
- fully operational TV studios with chroma-key facilities
- access to facilities from the Theatre Design and Multimedia courses.
Take a look at our art and design facilities through 360 degree panoramas and images.
Opportunities
We place an emphasis on gaining practical experience; right from the first year the course aims to give you a taste of real life within the film and TV industry. In Year One you'll visit BBC studios to see productions being put together first hand.
In your second year, you'll take a work placement. We enjoy a huge range of industry contacts and can offer you exciting opportunities on major TV and film productions (location and studio based) with the likes of the BBC, independent television and Pinewood Studios.
Our final-year students have also had the chance to tour their degree show work to Pinewood Studios, Chase 55 (Props House) and Shepperton Studios. Some additionally exhibited at New Designers in London, giving them exceptional industry exposure.
Industry focus
Entering competitions is another great way to showcase skills and we encourage students to get involved. We're proud to say our students have consistently won prizes at the annual BBC National Vision Awards (now called BBC Traineeship scheme) since they started in 1995, resulting in a year's paid contract at the BBC for winners.
There's also the opportunity to visit film studios around the world, with recent visits taking students to Barrandov Film Studios in Prague and Studio Babelsberg in Berlin.
Your future career
This course has excellent links with the industry, which increases graduate employment prospects. Our graduates go on to successful careers such as:
- production designers
- art directors
- set designers
- assistant designers
- as well as working in related areas such as events design and organisation.
Work placements
Although this course doesn't have a formal placement year, we can offer you a wide variety of exciting work experience opportunities on major TV and film productions (location and studio based) with the likes of the BBC, independent television and Pinewood Studios.
Recently our students have taken up work experience, and some cases employment, on major productions such as:
- Coronation Street
- Eastenders
- X Factor
- Shameless
- Later with Jools Holland
- Holby Blue
- Waking the Dead
- Atonement
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Heroes and Villains
- Mamma Mia!
- Miss Potter
- The Matrix
- The Phantom of the Opera.
During your first year, you'll get the opportunity to visit the BBC studios and later on have the chance to visit a variety of overseas destinations.
Find out more about the course's industry links and work experience opportunities.
Giving you competitive advantage
In today's competitive job market graduates often find that a degree is no longer enough to attract employers. A work placement is a valuable addition to your education. You'll gain real-life work experience that will make you stand out from the crown and enhance your employability in your chosen field of work.
What are the benefits of a work placement?
Practical work experience has many benefits for you. It can help in your day-to-day studies and is often paid. It can enhance your commercial awareness and your ability to link theory and practice which will be an invaluable skill in your future career. Although a work placement is highly recommended, obtaining one is based on an individual's effort and is not guaranteed.
How to apply
Application for this course is through UCAS application form. For more general information on the UCAS application process please visit the UCAS website.
If you are an International (non-EU) applicant you will still need to apply to us through UCAS, but can find information and guidance about the application process on our Applying and Fees for International (non-EU) students web page.
Application deadline
- 2012 entry: 15 January 2012
Applications received after this date will be marked as 'late', and only considered if places are still available after all on time applications have been assessed.
We have a number of open days that take place throughout the year. If you'd like to visit us click on the 'Book an Open Day' button at the top right of this page.
Interviews and portfolios
Selection for this course takes place through UCAS application form and, where invited, interview and portfolio.
UK applicants
If you are invited to attend an interview at the University, you'll bring your portfolio with you for assessment. For more information about what we look for during an interview, and some useful tips for your portfolio, download our BA (Hons) Design for Film and Television interview and portfolio information. 
Overseas applicants
If you meet the minimum entry requirements we will ask you to send us:
- 12 examples of your practical work
- a piece of written work (approximately 500 words) from your current or previous course.
When we receive your UCAS application we'll contact you to tell you how to submit your work online. Overseas applicants are not expected to attend an interview at the University.
English language requirements
English language entry requirements for courses in the School of Art & Design, and a full list of all English language qualifications accepted by the University are available on our website.
UCAS points
The 240 UCAS tariff points needed for entry to this course should be taken from a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent qualification (such as a BTEC National Diploma or art and design foundation course). Additional tariff points obtained from AS-levels, where the subject was not continued to A-level, will also be accepted towards the 240 UCAS points required.
If you are unsure whether the qualifications you have, or are currently studying for, meet the minimum entry requirements for this course please contact us before submitting an application through UCAS.
Non-standard / mature students
We welcome applications from non-standard applicants over the age of 21 for this course, and will assess candidates of this nature on an individual basis. If you're a non-standard applicant you'll still need to apply by UCAS form but you don't necessarily need to meet our minimum entry requirements - you must, however, have portfolio work to present at interview.
Any questions?
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418
