Design for Film and Television BA (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): W280
- Start Date(s): September 2024
- Duration: 3 / 4 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 Film and Television: 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 Performance 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.
Co Lab: 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
Optional Placement Year
We have an option for all of our students to undertake a placement year and allow you to decide whether this is right for you once you have completed years 1 and 2 of your course. This time spent working in industry provides our students with crucial work experience, which is highly prized and much sought after by employers upon graduation. If you are successful in securing a placement you will have the chance to gain an additional Certificate or Diploma in Professional Practice, dependent on duration.
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 performance 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.
Co Lab
Want real-world experience alongside your degree? Co Lab is your opportunity to work with peers from different disciplines on live projects set by industry partners. Embrace collaborative practice as you explore how creativity can make an impact in society and develop the skills employers want to see in the creative industries.
Exchange opportunities
If you’re thinking about studying part of your degree abroad, the course has exchange agreements with a number of institutions around the world.
Exchanges take place in Year Two of the course. You’ll receive guidance from the University about where you can study, and help in completing your application and arranging your exchange.
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%).
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.
Your final degree mark with be based 100% on your final year work.
- Year 1 coursework (100%).
- Year 2 coursework (100%).
- Year 3 coursework (100%).
Careers and employability
77.8% of our students are in employment and/or further study within 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2020/21).
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’.
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.
Entry requirements
112 UCAS Tariff points
What are we looking for?
You will need one of the following options:
- 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.
Other requirements
Other qualifications and experience
We will consider equivalent qualifications and combinations, please see UCAS course search for details and use our calculator to help you work out how many UCAS points your qualifications relate to.
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
As well as assessing your application and qualifications, we use contextual data and information to make offers for this course. Depending on your circumstances, we may make you an offer up to two grades below the standard entry criteria. Find out how we assess your application.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
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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