Design for Film and Television BA (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): W280
- Start Date(s): September 2023
- Duration: 3 year(s)
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: City Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
Created in close collaboration with the film and television industry, this course will prepare you for a successful career as a production designer, art director or other art department role. Learn a wide range of art department skills including set design, visualisation and drafting.
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You’ll have the opportunity to complete a work experience placement of up to a year in length. Dependent on the duration of your placement, you could gain an additional Diploma or Certificate in Professional Practice. -
Industry experts and specialists are a regular feature of the course, either delivering guest lectures and workshops or working more closely with you on live projects. Recent industry experts include: Oscar-nominated production designer Maria Djurkovic (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Billy Elliot, The Imitation Game) and BAFTA award-winning production designer Charles Wood (Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Strange). -
Opportunity to apply for a European or international exchange at one of our partner institutions. You can also attend study trips, recent study trips have included the Harry Potter film studios, London and the Luc Besson studios, Paris. -
This course is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries, and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality-mark which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.
What you’ll study
This course’s industry connections result in exciting guest lectures, live projects and work experience opportunities. You’ll study in facilities that reflect the latest industry standards, learning from staff with extensive experience in their field. You’ll collaborate with your fellow students and work independently on a range of exciting projects that will develop your skills, and focus your career goals.
In your final year, you’ll showcase your work and have the opportunity to exhibit at a national or international show or high-profile industry venue, such as Pinewood Studios.
Design for Stage and Screen: Introduction
(80 credit points)
Through independent and collaborative projects and practical workshops, you will develop the skills and vocabulary relevant to design for film and TV. Through experimentation with a variety of methods and materials, this module will provide the opportunity to develop your visual communication skills and 3D problem solving, as you work on individual briefs, and a collaborative project with your fellow Design for Stage and Screen students.
You’ll develop your skills in set design process, including free drawing, technical drawing, visualisation and communication, model making, storyboarding, and a variety of software.
Contextual Studies: Introducing Research
(20 credit points)
Explore stage and screen history, cultural and contextual knowledge and its relevance to design for film and TV. You will develop a critical knowledge and understanding of the role that performance, culture, art and design can play within society by examining cultural contexts across a variety of time periods and locations, aiding and enriching your practical work.
Skills Passport
(20 credit points)
This module introduces a variety of practical technical skills and the concepts of safe professional practice. Through exploration of a range of materials and processes, you will build relevant skills and develop your practical knowledge base, while allowing flexibility for personal direction and acquiring an understanding of industry needs.
Exploration (Design for Film and Television)
(60 credit points)
Building on the knowledge and skills you acquired in Year One, you will develop and enhance your creative thinking, critical analysis and technical skills, giving you a sound and relevant preparation for your final year and your future career.
You’ll work on a series of projects that are designed to reflect industry practice, and to give you a deeper understanding of the processes of design within film and television. You will design sets, create camera-ready props, and adapt a given text for the big screen.
Contextual Studies: Research and Impact
(20 credit points)
You will further investigate the role of performance and how it can convey meaning within a variety of cultural contexts, with an emphasis on performance analysis and practice within the global industry. You will continue to develop your intellectual curiosity and critical thinking skills which are key to the expression of your knowledge and understanding.
CoLab: Research, Exploration and Risk-taking
(20 credit points)
Through active participation with team-based problem-solving, you will work together in mixed teams on a project where you will use your creative ideas to generate solutions to the challenge or brief. Your project will allow you to explore how creativity can make an impact in society, as you choose a theme of sustainability, social justice, enterprise and innovation or community. This collaborative learning experience will expose you to a range of new processes and approaches that will develop your creative thinking.
Optional module
You will also choose one 20-credit module from:
- Model Making: Object and Narrative
- 3D Material and Exploration
- Character Ideation
- Storyboarding: Visualising the Story, Enhancing the Narrative
- Ethical Design
- Digital Matte Painting
- Experimental Animation
- Motion Graphics
Exposition (Design for Film and Television)
(100 credit points)
Research, develop and design your final major projects, which will be informed by your intended professional direction within the design for stage and screen industries. You will then present and communicate your ideas via visuals, technical drawings, models and digital work, showing your higher level of industry skills developed throughout your studies. You will demonstrate innovation, risk-taking and problem-solving at a professional level.
Contextual Studies: Research and Professional Practice
(20 credit points)
Undertake a detailed piece of written work that explores either your own final year project, or an industry-related investigation of an area of design for film and TV that is of significance to you. You will hone your research and critical analysis skills as you connect theory to relevant aspects of professional contemporary performance or practice.
Video Gallery
How you’re taught
On this course, you’ll spend most of your time in a creative studio environment. Teaching and learning experiences will include group and independent projects, demonstrations, tutorials, lectures and seminars. You’ll also benefit from study visits and work experience and be expected to keep a reflective journal.
Collaboration across courses
This course offers our new innovative collaboration module. This gives you the opportunity to work collaboratively with your contemporaries from a range of different art and design subjects and beyond. You’ll be working alongside artists, designers, photographers, illustrators, animators, and filmmakers on daring and creative projects that prepare you for a rewarding career in your chosen industry. Your project will allow you to explore how creativity can make an impact in society, as you choose a theme of sustainability, social justice, enterprise and innovation or community.
Contact hours
- Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (28%), independent study (72%).
- Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (22%), independent study (78%).
- Year 3 lectures/seminars/workshops (20%), independent study (80%).
Further information
- All first-year students within the Nottingham School of Art and Design will work together on a joint project.
- The School supports your course in developing a flexible approach that enables work experience / placement activity to occur within modules.
- NTU is in the UK’s Top 15 for Art & Design in the Complete University Guide 2023 (Ranked 15th).
- 100% student satisfaction for BA (Hons) Design for Film and Television. (National Student Survey 2022).
How you’re assessed
Assessment is 100% through coursework. You’ll receive feedback throughout each module and will have opportunities to discuss feedback, identify areas of strength and weakness, and set personal goals. Depending on the module, you may be assessed through design presentations, submissions of artefacts (e.g. props) and portfolios, as well as written work and peer assessment.
20% of your final degree mark will be based on your work in Year 2, and 80% from your work in your final year.
- Year 1 coursework (100%).
- Year 2 coursework (100%).
- Year 3 coursework (100%).
Careers and employability
Graduates have gone on to work as production designers, art directors, and in a wide range of art department roles within film and television for companies including:
- BBC
- ITV
- Channel 4
- Mammoth
- Tiger Aspect.
Some projects our graduates have been involved with include:
- Star Wars
- the Marvel franchise
- The Fast and The Furious.
TV productions our graduates have been involved with include:
- EastEnders
- Emmerdale
- Killing Eve
- Victoria
- Bad Education
- Gentleman Jack .
Connecting with industry
You’ll have the opportunity to engage with industry through real-situation design projects and lectures from guest speakers. Industry professionals that have recently shared their knowledge and experience include:
- Oscar-nominated production designer Maria Djurkovic (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Billy Elliot, The Imitation Game)
- BAFTA award-winning production designer Charles Wood (Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Strange)
- Donal Woods, production designer (Downton Abbey)
- Tim Napper, concept artist (Star Wars, Dark Crystal)
- lighting designer Mike LeFevre (The Andrew Marr Show, Globe Theatre, and the Royal Opera House).
Creative Industries Federation
We are members of the Creative Industries Federation (CIF), which means students in the Nottingham School of Art & Design have the opportunity to sign up to free student membership. Creative Industries Federation are an organisation that represents, champions and supports the UK’s creative industries and membership grants students exclusive access to their selection of resources and events to help advance your career and connect with industry.
Showcase
You will be given the opportunity to exhibit your work during your time at NTU to members of the creative industries. Visit our ‘We Are Creatives’ showcase to take a look at the work of this year's graduating students’.
What our students are doing now
From NTU to Hollywood – how alumnus Uzair Merchant secured his dream career
Uzair looks back on his time with us and how he became what is believed to be Hollywood's first film production designer from India.
NTU Costume Design student works on Oliver Twist at Leeds Playhouse
#WeAreCreatives Student Spotlight: Samantha Hodson
Campus and facilities
You’ll be based in the Waverley building – a beautifully restored listed building with real design heritage: it was the original home of the Nottingham School of Art. View our Nottingham School of Art & Design Facilities Hub here. As a dedicated art and design school, our facilities promote collaboration and innovation. You’ll be working alongside artists, designers, photographers, illustrators, animators, and filmmakers.
Entry requirements
112 UCAS Tariff points
What are we looking for?
- A-levels – BBC; or
- BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM; or
- 104 - 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications (two of which must be A-level equivalent).
- GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Other requirements
Other qualifications and experience
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning.
This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Contextual offers
A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
- 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)
You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there's no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
What's included in the course fees?
As part of the course, we will provide some basic materials and some necessary printed materials.
The School will cover the costs of any mandatory study trips.
In Final Year, the Nottingham School of Art & Design will provide infrastructure costs for your Showcase. If you’re selected to exhibit your work at a graduate show in London, the School will cover the cost of transporting your work, the exhibition stand and event set-up.
Additional costs
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
We advise you to budget up to £100 per year for printing costs. This is related to personal portfolios. However, submissions can be made electronically, keeping printing requirements to a minimum.
Material costs
Depending on the projects you choose to work on, you may need to budget £100-£250 each year for materials and equipment. This is of course an approximation as your projects are highly personalised.
Stationery and reading materials
Most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which many students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop, Blackwell’s. A good supply of these essential text books are available in the University libraries, which students can easily borrow or access online/directly whilst studying in the library. You should budget £50 – £100 per year (approximately) for reading materials.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
If you choose to join an optional UK study trip, you should budget £40 – 60 per year. If you choose to join the optional overseas study trips/cultural visits, you should budget £350 (minimum) per year.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
If you undertake work experience or a longer placement, you will have the chance to gain an additional Certificate or Diploma in Professional Practice, dependent on duration. The Diploma in Professional Practice incurs a fee for the additional placement year.
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there's no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to those international students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion, and dedication to their studies.
Please take a look at our International students page for information about fees, scholarships for international students, visas and much more.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
What's included in the course fees?
As part of the course, we will provide some basic materials and some necessary printed materials.
The School will cover the costs of any mandatory study trips.
In Final Year, the Nottingham School of Art & Design will provide infrastructure costs for your Showcase. If you’re selected to exhibit your work at a graduate show in London, the School will cover the cost of transporting your work, the exhibition stand and event set-up.
Additional costs
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
We advise you to budget up to £100 per year for printing costs. This is related to personal portfolios. However, submissions can be made electronically, keeping printing requirements to a minimum.
Material costs
Depending on the projects you choose to work on, you may need to budget £100-£250 each year for materials and equipment. This is of course an approximation as your projects are highly personalised.
Stationery and reading materials
Most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which many students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop, Blackwell’s. A good supply of these essential text books are available in the University libraries, which students can easily borrow or access online/directly whilst studying in the library. You should budget £50 – £100 per year (approximately) for reading materials.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
If you choose to join an optional UK study trip, you should budget £40 – 60 per year. If you choose to join the optional overseas study trips/cultural visits, you should budget £350 (minimum) per year.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
If you undertake work experience or a longer placement, you will have the chance to gain an additional Certificate or Diploma in Professional Practice, dependent on duration. The Diploma in Professional Practice incurs a fee for the additional placement year.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS.
We will ask you to provide a digital portfolio. Visit our webpage which has some advice on what to include to help make your portfolio stand out. After you have submitted your portfolio, we may also invite you to an online interview to help us make our final decision.
You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Your portfolio
If your initial application is successful, you may be asked to upload a portfolio of your work and you may also be asked to attend an interview.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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