Media Production Foundation Degree (FdA) Level 5 (full-time)
This course will provide you with a range of practical skills in media production, increasing your understanding of issues concerned with the media industry and encouraging your personal and professional development. You will be able to undertake work placements and use our onsite production and training environment to give you realistic training and experience to help with your studies. During the course you will also have the opportunity to work on live projects with real clients.
I am a Freelance Director currently working in factual television at the BBC on consumer programmes such as Watchdog and Your Money Their Tricks. After my course I worked at BBC Three Counties Radio as a Broadcast Assistant which helped me to build up my journalism experience. During this time I did a total of nine weeks of unpaid work experience with BBC television, eventually being offered a researcher contract on Escape to The Country.
At the moment I’m working on Watchdog as a Director which involves directing short five minute films that will run within the main programme. I'm given the stories by the producers then have to come up with some creative ideas about how to tell the story, interview experts and also make sure that the piece was legally viable. We’ve been filming for the last week, but when we actually film with the presenter we will only have one day and one camera man, so we won’t have any room for mistakes as it’s straight to edit the next day. Editing is actually my favourite part of the whole process.
The Media course at Bedford College enabled me to develop many of the skills that I still use today. It was practical and we gained hands-on experience with cameras and editing software. We also created a mini feature film where everyone in the whole class had different roles which gave me insight into what’s expected of you in the workplace. We were also given the responsibility to create our own individual pieces and were encouraged to be as creative as possible. There’s no doubt that my time at Bedford College was a brilliant experience.
Amy (Alumni) - Media Production Foundation Degree
Entry requirements
You will need:
- 48 UCAS points with 32 points from one A-Level qualification OR
- 48 UCAS points from Media or Art & Design BTEC Level 3 Diploma OR
- Equivalent Level 3 qualification.
We welcome applications from mature students via a successful interview and a demonstration of vocational experience if you do not meet the criteria stated.
Entry is subject to a successful interview, either face to face or via Skype/telephone. Practical examples will need to be sent before the interview and this should be arranged with the interviewer. You will be required to produce a portfolio of work showing practical artefacts, e.g. short films, music videos, adverts.
Course content
During the course you will study a range of topics, including:
- Creating a production
- Documentary
- Film studies
- Media employment/industries
- Production design
- Skills development
- Ways of seeing
- Writing to direct.
You will study the following units:
Level 4 (Year 1)
- Create a production (video production and editing)
- Film studies (film theory and practical video production)
- Skills development (academic skills)
- Ways of seeing (visual language deconstruction)
Level 5 (Year 2)
- Media employment (exploring career paths).
- Production design (practical film, prop, costume making)
- TV and film documentary (practical video production)
- Write to direct (scriptwriting).
The part-time version of this course will range over three years – units will be discussed at interview.
Assessment methods
You will be assessed through completing project brief-based assignments.
Further study and career options
You can progress on to a third year top-up course, delivered at the University of Bedfordshire, to achieve a BA Media Production degree. This course will also give you the skills you need to start a career in short film, documentary or television production.
Additional information
You are advised to buy a hard drive to store your work on (at the cost of approximately £40. There will also be travel costs for client projects.
On this course, you will also be able to establish links with Media Junction which is run by the University of Bedfordshire and aims to enhance the student experience by creating opportunities for students to network with each other, across degree pathways in order to make films and create media content. The initiative is designed to allow students to better understand how freelance work and networking is a staple of the creative industries.
To enrol on this course you must apply through the University & Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) using the institution code BEDF B23 and the course code P310. Visit www.ucas.com or call us on 01234 291000 for more information.