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Media Production BA (Hons)

UCAS code: P312

Start year

Information for 2025

About this course

Media is everywhere, and it’s here to stay. From the Hollywood blockbusters in cinemas to the viral videos we scroll through on our phones, it entertains, informs and influences us every day. But with so much of it at our fingertips, how can we make new content stand out?

Whether you’re new to the world of digital media production or a seasoned content creator, our BA Media Production degree will introduce you to industry-standard tools and practices, refine your technical and creative skills, and help you produce high-quality and distinct work which cuts through a media-saturated society. It’s for film and television enthusiasts, those with a keen eye for detail, and all-round creatives eager to bring their ideas to life.

Used for good or for bad, media in all its forms can be immensely powerful. It’s today’s chosen channel for expression, and it’s your way of telling the world who you are and what you stand for. If you want to combine creative communication with technical skill, make a meaningful impact on people, and help shape the future of media, this course is for you.

  • NTU is 7th in the UK for the number of UG students in Media, journalism and communications (HESA 2023/24).
  • Work on live projects for industry clients like Derbyshire Fire & Rescue and Nottingham Contemporary.
  • Develop an impressive professional portfolio of work, ranging from short films to brand design.
  • Learn in our specialist media labs, with industry-standard equipment and tech at your fingertips.

We are proud to be part of the BAFTA Albert education partnership.

Interested in media and podcasting?

Get involved with a summer course specially designed for 15 - 17 year olds.

Browse courses for 15-17 year olds

What you’ll study

Teamwork is at the backbone of any production crew, and on this media production course you’ll get the chance to try your hand at every role needed to make complex media – from the creative powerhouses behind ideas and design, to the organised producers and directors calling the shots, to the tech-savvy camera operators, sound mixers and post-production editors.

But creative media production isn’t limited to planning, shooting and editing video. You’ll also produce engaging audio pieces like podcasts, design visual media such as posters and logos, get to grips with key principles of media theory, and get career-ready by working on your professional development and personal branding.

From Year Two onwards, you’ll benefit from an extensive range of optional modules – covering topics from creative documentary and media production for tourism, to the history and techniques of DJing – allowing you to tailor your degree and home in on your preferred career path.

Study highlights include:

  • Work on live briefs set by external clients, such as NET, Nottingham Contemporary, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue, East Midlands Ambulance Service and Cartwright Communications.
  • Get to grips with Adobe Creative Suite, including Premiere Pro, Audition, Illustrator, Photoshop and more.
  • Expand your industry network as you collaborate with other students and experience working in the broader media sector.
  • Build a comprehensive portfolio of creative media production work to impress future employers when you graduate.
  • Complete a major media project of your choice in Final Year, showcasing your learning, practical skills and creative vision.
  • Boost your employability by learning a language alongside your degree on our University Language Programme.

Here’s a full breakdown of your media production modules.

Core Modules:

Media Techniques

This module explores the principal elements of creating media content -  narrative, still and moving image and sound, and the practical and theoretical relationship between those elements. It will equip you with a knowledge of practical production, and provide you with a solid platform from which to develop more complex and challenging project work in years two and three of your degree

Sound Production

A series of lectures and practical workshops will introduce you to various types of sound design and its uses. Practical tasks and workshops on this module include sound recording, sound editing, sound enhancement, constructing genre through sound, composing music such as jingles for branding, podcasting and creating sound effects.

Analysing Media Texts

An introduction to classic and contemporary techniques and methods of critical textual analysis of media forms including class, sexuality, gender, age, identity/ies and their intersections. The module will draw on examples of texts from across the popular cultural field (film, television, video games, music, social media etc.), and you will also explore how audiences, users and prosumers consume those texts.

Writing for Media Production

This module introduces forms of writing across a broad range of media, exploring the principles of writing for creative and professional practice in screenwriting, audio writing, websites, and content creation.

Collaborative Media Production

Working as part of a team is a key skill in the media and creative industries. This module offers you the opportunity to explore and practice your media production skills in the form of a group video project. You will work collaboratively as part of a team to research, plan, and produce a short video. The production process will be recorded and administrated in a group production log.

Networking for the Media Industry

Networking and working within media 'departments' is a key area within media production. Through this module you will be introduced to networking skills that will enable your first steps in collaborative productions. You will engage with student productions taking place in higher levels of the course and explore external opportunities to enhance your confidence and begin to gain production credits.

Some optional modules may be studied on the Clifton campus.

Core modules:

Media Techniques 2

Building on your prior knowledge and skills, this module presents a series of practical challenges designed to hone your craft skills in media production. A series of mini-briefs in areas such as camera operation, sound design, production design, directing, and post-production will enhance your skillset in preparation for larger scale productions in the future.

Branding for Media Production

This module focuses on the development and production of brand assets and treatment in contemporary media production. It gives you the opportunity to produce a portfolio of varied visual and interactive material in support of a brand. Building on your existing technical skills, you will be encouraged to use new and advanced software features in production of branding assets and will be introduced to new areas of exploration to enhance your portfolio and CV.

Media in the Workplace: Experiencing Work

This module focuses on self-employment, entrepreneurship and your potential future career. Seminar and workshop exercises will enable you to plan for your future career and build a career development portfolio. In the second half of the module you’ll undertake a work experience placement.

Optional pathways

Pathway 1: Extended work-like experience

Get the experience you need for after you graduate, and really understand how the things you study translate into the world of work with a work placement. Your highly experienced Employability Team will help you find a placement to suit your career goals from our huge network of companies, charities, institutions, and beyond.

Pathway 2: An international exchange

Travel the world, meet new friends, and have experiences you will remember for the rest of your life.

Our flexible curriculum has been designed to allow some amazing opportunities for you. Your second year of study is divided into two semesters, giving you the opportunity to take part in an international exchange. You could study with one of international exchange partners in Australia, Europe, USA, Canada, Thailand and many, many more.

Our dedicated team will support you in finding and arranging a suitable exchange. And don't worry about the cost, they will help you apply for any grants or loans you may need, as no one should miss out on the chance to broaden their horizons.

Learn a new language

The University Language Programme (ULP) gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Learning a new language can enhance your communication skills, enrich your experience when travelling abroad and boost your career prospects. Find out more about the University Language Programme.

Pathway 3: Taught modules

Creative Documentary

This module will encourage you to examine the key critical issues of documentary production such as authenticity and ethics. To prepare you for your dissertation in Year Three, you'll create a 5-10 minute documentary as a group (or individually) and be encouraged to creatively and critically engage with the given styles and genres of documentary.

Short Film Production and Exhibition

Enhance your production skills through the creation of a short film. You will use a range of equipment and practical craft techniques to your idea from creation, through professional planning, filming, and editing to promotion and festival entry. You will be supported in a variety of roles in your team with professional advice from practice-based academic tutors and our technical team.

Fictional Storytelling in Audio Production

This module offers you intermediate skills in audio design and production. A series of interactive classes will enable you to analyse how sound design can be used to construct genre, and create a sense of time and space. The expressive and emotive qualities of sound will be explored, as well as an understanding of how sound communicates with its audience. You will work in groups to write, record, edit and share an audio piece that includes elements such as dialogue, sound effects and music.

Talking Media: Arguing, Debating, Speaking, Performing

This module looks at argument, speech and debate within media forms (e.g. TED talks, panel shows, radio phone-ins, blogs and vlogs). Using examples from different forms, it examines both the format of media debates (e.g. issues of ‘balance’ and notions of a ‘centre’; questions of expertise; managing hostile, angry and heckling voices) and successful techniques for making an argument and ‘pitching’ ideas.

You may choose to take an optional year-long placement in Year Three, either in the UK or overseas.

You will be supported by our experienced Employability Team to source a suitable placement.

Some optional modules may be studied on the Clifton campus.

Core module:

Media Production Major Project

This module enables you to undertake a sustained, single piece of independently researched and produced production work on a subject of your choice, under the supervision of a tutor.  It allows you to build on, consolidate and refine advanced skills and interests in media production. Alongside the practical project and developmental work you will produce a critically reflective contextual essay that discusses your major project.

Client-Led Media Practice and Production

During this module you'll be able to focus on the development of skills in media production by completing a media project that will be set to a 'real brief'. This is an opportunity for you to enhance your employability options by participating in live projects with a real purpose. This module will encourage you to make connections between theory and practice.

Optional modules typically available include:

Non-fiction Storytelling in Audio Production

You will work in small production teams to write, record, edit and exhibit a piece of non- fiction audio, which can include elements such as presenting, interviewing, music and soundscape.

Experimental Media Production

Explore a different perspective on creating and producing media content. Explore how film, video, photography and sound can be generated through non-traditional and experimental processes. You will have the opportunity to produce a portfolio of audio-visual pieces, which complement your work in other areas of the course.

Getting Noticed: Media Production Futures

Getting Noticed is a negotiated module where you will work as a team to develop, execute and review a self and community promoting event. Through collaboration with appropriate stakeholders and fellow students you will devise supporting marketing materials, gather funding and deliver a celebratory showcase event.

Media Production and Tourism

This module enables students to explore and analyse media representations of tourism by the tourist industry and in popular culture such as film and TV. The module provides an historical, theoretical, and critical overview of the major debates which relate media and tourism. The 'gazes' theorised in the disciplines of media consumption and tourism studies are examined and compared, and the role media plays in terms of global access is explored.

You will demonstrate your skills and understanding in this field by working on your own media and tourism production. Clients that NTU have worked with previously include Nottingham City Council, Nottingham County Council and the National Trust.

Media in the Workplace: Becoming Career Ready

This module focuses on becoming career ready. It will focus on a broad range of careers (not just those in the media and creative sector). The module will give you the opportunity to start your careers search and it aims to give you some of the practical skills, knowledge and tools to equip you for beginning that search and becoming career ready.

The Body and Popular Culture

How is the body represented in popular culture? Examine key ideas such as how we might understand the various meanings surrounding the body across a range of media and cultural forms. By studying a selection of case studies, you'll explore the way that the body is addressed and located within popular culture, for example, from music to sport.

Lifestyle and Consumer Culture

Explore key approaches to understanding lifestyle and the culture of consumption. You'll be introduced to many important theoretical approaches to understand lifestyle and consumer culture and you'll use many case studies such as travel and tourism to evaluate these.

DJ Cultures: History, Theory and Technique

From obscure roots, the art of DJing has in recent decades exploded into the limelight as a major form of popular culture. No prior experience of DJing is required to take this module, which combines a basic ‘taster’ introduction to DJ technology and the practical techniques of DJ performance with a theoretical consideration of various styles of DJing, their histories, their related musical experiences and their wider cultural significance and influence.

We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.

Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves

Student Profiles

Brandon Boyd

Media Production

Overall, the staff have been incredibly helpful with both the learning and support aspect of the course. The tutor sessions helped me to understand my strengths and weaknesses and how to focus on those to develop my learning and studying techniques.

Student Showreel

Our BA (Hons) Media Production students produce a range of video content throughout the course. Here is a selection of some of their recent work
 

How you're taught

How will I learn?

As a BA Media Production student, your coursemates will become your new family. You’ll join a small, supportive cohort of like-minded people who share your passion for all things media, and bond over group projects and shared assignments.

You’ll be taught by a team of media experts with extensive experience, ranging from filmmakers and creative practitioners to academic researchers with their own published books. The creative process is at the heart of how you’re taught, and you’ll learn through a mix of:

  • lectures, for unpacking the key theories behind media culture
  • seminars, for brief setting and learning essential skills like how to use specialist equipment and software
  • scale-up sessions, during which you’ll learn about cinematic techniques and get to know your coursemates
  • practical workshops, in which you’ll carry out filming, recording, editing and design work
  • one-on-one tutorials, for checking in with your tutors to discuss your work and any concerns you might have.

How you're assessed

At NTU, media production is heavily focused on practical work, so there are no exams on this course. Instead, our assessment types include portfolio work, individual and group practical projects, presentations, and written work (essays and project reflections).

Contact hours

Outside of your timetabled sessions, you’ll work on your assignments independently or in groups, but your tutors will still be available to provide you with guidance and support.

Staff Profiles

Matthew Kerry - Senior Lecturer

School of Arts & Humanities

Matthew Kerry

Nikki Ji-Yeon Lee - Senior Lecturer

School of Arts & Humanities

Nikki Ji-Yeon Lee

Careers and employability

Digital media production is a broad and lucrative industry. This far-reaching degree combines practical and technical skills, like how to operate advanced media equipment to bring your creative visions to life, with essential qualities sought after by employers, such as excellent communication, teamwork and organisational skills. It’s designed to prepare you for a whole host of careers, spanning the breadth of the creative industries – from digital marketing and content creation, to big budget film and television production – and puts you at the forefront of the future of media.

Our alumni work in roles including:

  • Story Editor at Warner Bros. Entertainment
  • Junior Production Manager at BBC Children’s
  • Senior Acquisitions Manager at ITV, ITVX & Britbox

You’ll be supported by our award-winning Employability team for up to three years after you leave NTU, and be able to access our comprehensive online career resources for life.

Work-like experience

To enhance your employability further, every media production student will complete 240 hours of work-like experience as standard over the course’s three years. This will be formed by a combination of short-term placements, client-led project briefs, and other assignments which replicate creative industry work environments.

In the past, our students have carried out placements at organisations such as:

  • ITV
  • BBC
  • Nottingham Forest FC
  • White Rose (recycled fashion retailer)
  • Beeston Film Festival

Their roles have ranged from videographers and other production team members to content creators and social media executives within marketing teams.

LinkedIn Learning

We’ll provide you with free access to LinkedIn Learning – a valuable resource for learning new skills and gaining additional certificates, which usually requires a paid subscription. Short courses on LinkedIn Learning are integrated into your modules, and you’ll earn badges for each one to showcase on your LinkedIn profile.

International exchange

In your second year, you’ll have the opportunity to do a semester abroad via international exchange. Studying at one of our partner universities, you can make an international network of friends while exploring a new country – from China to Cananda, or the Netherlands to New Zealand. We will support you through every step of organising, applying for and funding your exchange. Learn more about study abroad opportunities here.

Campus and facilities

As a media production student, you’ll mainly be based in our specialist Media Laboratories, which are located in the Chaucer Building on our City Campus. Newly refurbished and open till late, the Media Labs contain high-spec iMacs installed with professional software like Adobe Creative Suite, comfortable breakout spaces perfect for group work, and even a kitchen area to keep you fuelled for those longer study sessions.

Our equipment stores are regularly restocked with the very latest industry-standard technology – all of which can be taken out on loan for free. There’s lots to choose from, and our knowledgeable technicians can offer advice on what’s best to use for your projects and how to use it. Here’s just a handful of the equipment available to you:

  • HD and 4K camcorders and DSLR cameras
  • 360 Fly 4K action camera and Blackmagic Cinema Cameras
  • GoPros, stabilisers, gimbals and smartphone accessories
  • Audio recorders and microphones
  • Tripods and monopods
  • LED lighting kits and green screens
  • DJ equipment and turntables

NTU’s City Campus has everything you’ll need to stay busy between lectures. As well as the Boots Library and its beautiful roof garden, there’s our stylish Students’ Union building and two-storey, 100-station gym; a whole host of cafés, bars, restaurants and food outlets for every taste; our much-loved Global Lounge; performance and rehearsal spaces for musicians; and much, much more!

Take a few steps off campus and you’ll find yourself in the heart of Nottingham — England’s original ‘rebel city’. It’s one of the UK’s top 10 student destinations, and one of Europe’s top 25. Enjoy a booming indie arts scene, pop-up galleries, the nationally renowned Nottingham Contemporary, two A-list theatres, the iconic Broadway (voted one of the world’s top 100 independent cinemas by Total Film), and a constant rotation of events and exhibitions.

Take our virtual tour to get a real feel for the campus.

Entry requirements

UK students

Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications

Contextual offer: 104 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications.

To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.

International students

Academic entry requirements: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four A levels. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.

English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.

Policies

We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.

Fees and funding

UK students

- see the fees for this course, as well as information about funding and support.

£9,535 per year

Find out about the extra support we may be able to provide to help pay for uni, including NTU bursaries and scholarships.

You will need to pay tuition fees for each year that you are at university. The tuition fees, including the placement year and study abroad options are subject to government policy and may change in future years of study.

Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but we don’t want you to feel anxious or confused about it. Visit our fees and funding pages if you have any concerns.

International students

- see the fees for this course, as well as payment advice and scholarships.
  • £17,500 per year

You will need to pay tuition fees for each year that you are at university. The tuition fees might increase from the second year of your undergraduate course, in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.

Scholarships

We offer international scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for a scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.

Living costs

See our advice on managing your money and the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham.

Paying fees

As an international student, you'll need to make an advance payment of £6,000 when you've accepted your offer to study at NTU. You'll then need to pay your tuition fees in full, or have an agreement to pay in two further instalments, before the start date of your course.

Find out how and when to pay your fees, including information about advance payments, instalment dates and how to make payments securely to the University.

Enquiries

If you have any queries relating to advance payments or arrangements to pay, please contact our friendly and experienced international enquiries team.

Additional costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses. There are just a few additional things you may need to budget for:

Textbooks and library books

Most modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential textbooks, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) - meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.

Printing and photocopying 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 and photocopying information on the Library website.

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.

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.

Fees and funding advice

For more advice and guidance, you can email our Student Money Team or phone us on +44 (0)115 848 2494.

Cost of living information and support

Managing your money can help you make the most of life at NTU. Here's how we can support you, and now you can make your funding go further.

How to apply

Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can.

For the full-time route just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow our step-by-step guide.

If you're applying for the part-time route please apply online using the NTU Applicant Portal.

Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.

Writing your application and personal statement

Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.

Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You've got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.

Keeping up-to-date

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.

You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!

Need help with your application?

For admissions related enquiries please contact us:

Tel: +44 (0)115 848 4200

Ask us a question

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:

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.