Television Production BA Honours

Overview

Learn to create television of the highest quality at Middlesex University where we are teaching the next generation of studio and location directors, producers, camera, sound and lighting technicians and editors, researchers and production managers. We offer highly skilled training and teach you all you need to know for the fast-paced world of TV. The industry needs skilled graduates like ours, with the knowledge and experience to make the next live TV hit, blockbuster series or award-winning documentary.

Why study BA Television Production at Middlesex University?

We are based in London, the heart of the UK television industry and this course been developed in close consultation with industry experts and is one of the most practical and career-focused television degrees in the UK.

Over the course of your degree, you will make sitcoms, dramas, documentaries, game shows, quiz shows, corporate videos, children’s television, chat shows and many other types of programmes. You will learn to write scripts and develop formats, all within fantastic facilities such as our state-of-the-art television studio, using industry standard Avid editing suites and top of the range equipment.

You will also have regular masterclasses from top professionals as well as get the opportunity to visit live productions to see them at work. You will gain networking skills and connections and for the past three, our final year students have pitched their graduation project programme ideas to top executives at the BBC.

This is a future-facing degree where you will learn everything you need to know about broadcasting, streaming, and video on demand. Our recent graduates have found employment with: BBC, Endemol, ITV, Disney, Sky TV, E4, Tiger Lily Films, MTV, Lime Pictures, Talkback Thames, Shine Group, all3 Media, October Films, Sundog Pictures, IMG Sport, Applause Store, NRK, Arena Television and National Geographic. To see more of the exciting work our students and graduates are producing, have a look at our Facebook page.

Course highlights

All your tutors will be television professionals and specialists, and our visiting lecturers include directors, producers and broadcasters from C4, the BBC, ITV and the independent sector
The best graduate productions each year are screened at a top venue in London (The BFI on London’s Southbank in 2016) in front of industry professionals
You’ll remain in close contact with the industry throughout the course and will be tutored on how to join the television industry with networking and placement opportunities essential aspects of the degree
Our television students have won an RTS London Division award for 3 out of the last 4 years
Phil Poole, a TV production graduate, won Best Music Video at the NME Awards in 2017 - beating music videos for Beyonce and Kanye West
On this course, you will have the opportunity to apply for a Royal Television Society Bursary, for more information please visit our Scholarships page
As a student of this course you'll receive a free electronic textbook for every module.

Department

Media

What our alumni say

Starting out as a young television professional, I now realise just how much I learnt from my time at Middlesex.

Megan Street, Television Production BA graduate (2015)

Did you know

Our graduates have gone on to work for companies including the BBC, Endemol, Sky TV and Talkback Thames

Course content

What will you study on the BA Television Production?

Throughout your 3 years, you’ll be working across different genres from music videos, sitcoms, talent shows and quiz shows to one-off and serial dramas and observational documentaries, always in state-of-the-art facilities with the support of industry experts.

You will gain substantial practical production skills in single and multi-camera projects that will train you in the multiple skills the industry demands today. You will have the opportunity to specialise in production roles and genres with optional modules in television production and post-production technologies, documentary, drama, studio entertainment and making productions on demand for real clients. Your skills, talent and vision come to fruition when you produce your graduation showreel in Year 3. Work placements and a career focused module ensure you have all the tools necessary to work in television.

This course allows you to specialise in a variety of technical operating roles. Specialist TV studio and location roles taught include, amongst others, Studio Director, Floor Manager, Gallery Production Assistant, Vision Mixer, Camera, Lighting, Sound, Editing and Vision Control

Modules

Year 1
- Television: Medium and Industry (30 credits) - Compulsory
  
  This module aims to enable you to develop industry knowledge and equips you with the expertise necessary to understand how the current broadcasting structures, production practices and programme forms came about and continue to develop. It also provides an opportunity for you to investigate in depth an aspect of the industry, its technology, production practices or programme forms which you wish to study in greater detail and in which you may ultimately desire to work.
- Television: Texts and Contexts (30 credits) - Compulsory
  
  This module aims to enable you to learn how TV programme-makers communicate using sound and image. It aims to introduce the medium's most significant and distinctive programmes and programme forms, and to ways of thinking about the forms that television production, both linear and multi-platform, take - and to ask why they have evolved in the ways they have.
- Location Filming (30 credits) - Compulsory
  
  This module aims to enable you to acquire a knowledge of the technical and creative processes involved in single-camera production. It will engage you in a range of individual and small group workshops and exercises including camera, lighting, sound and editing. You will script, plan and shoot a short single-camera drama and a documentary on location. You will also be introduced to the concepts of programme structure, production management, and ethical and legal constraints.
- Studio Production (30 credits) - Compulsory
  
  This module aims to enable you to acquire a broad understanding of the key concepts associated with Television Studio Production in our custom built professional TV studio facility. It will engage you in a range of group workshops and exercises, including multi-camera operation, set design, studio lighting, direction, autocue and vision mixing. You will also learn the skills necessary to plan and shoot a range of multi-camera programmes, from chat shows and music recordings to entertainment and drama, in the TV Studio.
Year 2
- Television: Research and Theory (30 credits) - Compulsory
  
  This module aims to enable you to identify and evaluate contemporary debates in television in a global context. You will study television genres and explore key moments and movements in the history, development and current practice of television as an art and as an industry.
Year 2 optional modules - choose three of the following modules:
- Television Drama (30 credits) - Optional
  
  This module aims to introduce you to television drama, exploring key movements and critical ideas in the history, development and practice of the form. Using both British and international examples it enables you to get an insight into the diversity of dramatic forms on television. It allows you to work in small groups and build on your production and technical skills to write, produce and direct your own short dramas. The module will enable you to develop the skills, knowledge, teamwork and professionalism involved in drama production from first concept to final cut.
- Television Documentary (30 credits) - Optional
  
  This module will enable you to produce short documentaries of your own, working in small production teams, from pre-production research through to post-production. You will also explore key movements in the history and development of documentary using national and international examples as well as the diversity and range of contemporary documentary programme making.
- Entertainment (30 credits) - Optional
  
  This module aims to enable you to enhance your studio production skills, by creating a range of different forms of entertainment output, for both linear and multiplatform delivery. It also explores key movements in the history, development and current practice of the form. Drawing on examples from national and international television output, the module gives you an insight into the diversity and range of contemporary studio entertainment formats.
- Client-led Video (30 credits) - Optional
  
  This module aims to enable you to gain experience of working in real-life 'client-led' video production. It enables you to get an insight into working with clients in a professional context in order to enhance your transition into the moving image industry. The module will also provide production opportunities with both actual clients and in-house University productions.
- Camera, Lighting and Sound Technologies (30 credits) - Optional
  
  This module aims to enhance your skills with camera, sound and lighting technologies and advance your technical knowledge. You will explore key movements in the history and development of practice both on location and in the studio. Drawing on examples from national and international television as well as film output, the module will give you an insight into the diversity and range of contemporary production techniques and professional practices.
- Post Production Technologies (30 credits) - Optional
  
  This module aims to enhance your familiarity with post-production technologies and craft skills in our industry standard Avid Editing Suites. Drawing on examples from national and international television as well as film output, the module gives you an insight into the diversity and range of contemporary post-production techniques, formats, workflows and professional practices.
Year 3
- Television Today and Tomorrow (30 credits) - Compulsory
  
  This module aims to focus on the development of your television expertise and industry knowledge. You are equipped with the expertise necessary to research about a specific aspect of television including areas such as industry, technology or programming. This is an opportunity to investigate, in depth, an aspect of television that interests you.
- Career Portfolio (30 credits) - Compulsory
  
  This module aims to prepare you for the world of work. As well as providing opportunities for work experience in the industry, this module also equips you with the skills necessary for successful CV writing, job interviews and industry networking.
- Major Project: Television Production (60 credits) - Compulsory
  
  This module aims to consolidate your production skills with a major graduation project which could be a documentary, drama or studio show. You will be able to harness all the creative, technical and editorial skills learnt throughout the degree to produce a work that you can use, together with your showreel, as a calling card for industry. You can also enter your final production into competitions, festivals and upload it for online viewing in order to showcase your talents.

You can find more information about this course in the programme specification. Optional modules are usually available at levels 5 and 6, although optional modules are not offered on every course. Where optional modules are available, you will be asked to make your choice during the previous academic year. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, or there are staffing changes which affect the teaching, it may not be offered. If an optional module will not run, we will advise you after the module selection period when numbers are confirmed, or at the earliest time that the programme team make the decision not to run the module, and help you choose an alternative module.

Teaching

How is the BA Television Production taught?
As well as working on projects, both alone and in a group, you will learn through hands-on creative workshops, seminars, tutorials, masterclasses, visits, class discussions and your own study.
We have very strong links to the film and television media sectors in London and beyond and you'll learn from the industry's leaders. Over the past year, our students have received skills masterclasses from:
- Alex Pillai, the drama director of Silent Witness, Robin Hood and Midsummer Murders
- Mark Cooper, the Head of TV Music for the BBC
- Nick Wood, BBC sitcom director (Not Going Out)
- Chris King, the editor of Amy which won the Best Documentary Oscar in 2016
Our students have also been invited to Later with Jools Holland, the Aesthetica Film Festival in York and had the opportunity to pitch their ideas to commissioning editors at the BBC.
You will also build up your own portfolio of work throughout the degree. A module in Year 2 is dedicated exclusively to creating a film under commission from a real client and you will produce a major production and showreel of work in your final year.
Work placement
Tutored by industry experts, you will have the opportunity to share our industry contacts to network and gain work experience throughout your degree. As part of the degree you are required to do 2 weeks work experience in the Television Industry. Such placements have taken place at Endemol UK, Wall to Wall, Mark Three Media, ITV, Sky Sports, TFL Media Department, AlGhad TV and 50-50 Post Production. The work our students undertake is varied and has included working as a sound recordist for the London Film Festival, helping out on the editorial desk of Iran TV, being a production assistant on a BBC Documentary and camera assistant at ITV.
Assessment
You will be assessed on production work, scripts, treatments, format ideas, reflective writing, essays and presentations. There are no exams. You will receive regular feedback on your projects from your peers as well as your tutors.
Teaching
Lectures allow you to gain and develop knowledge in specific subjects. You can discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures and practicals in smaller seminar groups. In addition, you can arrange one to one sessions with your personal tutor or module leader. You will also have access to and use resources to support your learning.
Independent Learning
When not attending your teaching, sessions mentioned above, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and examinations. Your independent learning is supported by the facilities available including the library and Study Hub, Laptop hire, and with online materials in MyUniHub (see student support section below).
Overall Workload
Your overall workload will include the activities listed above, and with each credit being completed equating to 10 hours of study time (You will complete 120 credits per level of study, which are broken down into modules of typically 30 credits). While your actual hours may depend on the optional module that you choose (if available), the following information will give you an indication of how much time is allocated to teaching and independent study on your course;
Level 4
49% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity:
- Teaching, learning and assessment: 582 hours
- Independent Learning: 618 hours
Level 5
45% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity:
- Teaching, learning and assessment: 542 hours
- Independent Learning: 658 hours
Level 6
51% of your time is spent in timetabled teaching and learning activity:
- Teaching, learning and assessment: 616 hours
- Independent Learning: 584 hours
Academic Support
You will have access to academic support services that you assist you in the following areas;
- Study Skills, including academic writing, reading and numeracy skills.
- Employability, with workshops and tutorials on CV writing, interview and presentation skills.
- Library Support, including sessions on finding, and choosing the right resources and software and tutorials on referencing and plagiarism.
- Progression and Support Advisors to assist you with if you experience difficulties with your studies.
- Well-being Services.
These services can be accessed through the UniHelp Desk in the Library building.
Assessment
The course will provide you with opportunities to test your knowledge and understanding informally through ‘formative’ assessment. This will be completed before your formal ‘summative’ assessment which will count towards your final marks. Each module normally contains at least one piece of formative assessment from which you will receive feedback from your tutor. Formative assessments are developmental and any grade you receive from formative assessment does not count towards your final marks.
There is formal ‘summative’ assessment as part of the module, usually towards the end of the module. The grades from the summative assessments count towards your module mark. Assessments are reviewed annually and may be updated based on student feedback, to suit content or based on feedback from an external examiner.
Percentage of course assessed by coursework
The balance of assessment will depend on the modules that you complete throughout your course. The approximate percentage of the course which is assessed by coursework is outlined below:
Level 4 50% coursework 50% practical exams
Level 5 59% coursework 41% practical exams
Level 6 65% coursework 35% practical exams

Feedback
You will receive feedback on the formative assessment, and written summative assessments. Feedback on examination performance can be requested from the module leader. Feedback is intended to help you learn and progress, and you are encouraged to review and discuss your feedback with your module or personal tutor.
We will aim to provide you with feedback within 15 working days of submission.
Details of progression and pass marks for assessment can be found in the university regulations.

Entry requirements

Qualifications
112 UCAS points

Middlesex University has a flexible and personalised approach to admissions and we accept applications from students with a wide range of qualifications and a combination of qualifications.
Please check our general entry requirements page to see how these points can be achieved from our acceptable level 3 qualifications and the combinations which are welcomed by Middlesex University, including GCSE requirements.
Applications from mature candidates without formal qualifications are welcomed, provided they can demonstrate appropriate levels of relevant ability and experience.
If you are unable to meet the entry requirements for this course you may still be eligible for our Foundation Year in Media course. This is an extra year of study to prepare you for the full degree.
Eligibility
UK/EU and international students are eligible to apply for this course.
Academic credit for previous study or experience
If you have achieved a qualification such as a foundation degree or HND, or have gained credit at another university, you may be able to enter a Middlesex University course in year two or three. For further information please visit our Transfer students page.
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your Middlesex University programme of study. For further information please visit our Accreditation of Prior Learning page.
Interviews, entrance tests, portfolios and auditions
Entry onto this course does not require an interview, portfolio or audition.
Qualifications
112 UCAS points
To find out more about the qualifications we accept from your country please visit the relevant support in your country page. If you are unsure about the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest regional office for support.

Middlesex University has a flexible and personalised approach to admissions and we accept applications from students with a wide range of qualifications and a combination of qualifications.
Applications from mature candidates without formal qualifications are welcomed, provided they can demonstrate appropriate levels of relevant ability and experience.
If you are unable to meet the entry requirements for this course you may still be eligible for our Foundation Year in Media course. This is an extra year of study to prepare you for the full degree.
Visas and immigration
You will not need a visa to study in the UK if you are a citizen of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. If you are a national of any other country you may need a visa to study in the UK. Please see our visas and immigration page for further information.
English language requirements for international students
You must have competence in English language to study with us. The most commonly accepted evidence of English language ability is IELTS 6.0 (with minimum 5.5 in all four components). Visit our English language requirements page for a full list of accepted tests and qualifications. If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer an intensive pre-sessional English course.
Interviews, entrance tests, portfolios and auditions
Entry onto this course does not require an interview, portfolio or audition.
Please apply via UCAS using this course’s UCAS code P311.
For help with your application, please view our undergraduate application page.

Fees and funding

The fees below refer to the 2018/19 academic year unless otherwise stated.
UK/EU students*
Full-time students: £9,250
*Course fees are subject to annual inflation.
For more information and to answer your frequently asked questions, please visit our undergraduate funding page.
The fees below refer to the 2018/19 academic year unless otherwise stated.
International students*
Full-time students: £12,500
*Course fees are subject to annual inflation.
For more information and to answer your frequently asked questions, please visit our undergraduate funding page.
Course costs
The following course-related costs are included in the fees:
- A free electronic textbook for every module
- All printing and copying required for your study
- Self-service laptops available for loan for a maximum of 24 hours
- Audio-visual equipment available for loan, including digital stills cameras, digital video recorders, digital audio recorders

Student work

Television Production students at Middlesex begin creating their own shows and films in their first year and have a track record of making award-winning work during their degrees. Some examples of their work can be seen below:

Joshua Goode and Madelen Nygaard recognised at Edinburgh International Television Festival for revolutionary new show The Switch
The Switch - A music talent show developed and produced by Middlesex BA Television Production students.
A snapshot of the work produced by our Television students during 2016 - including drama, documentary and live studio productions.
A Mouser Productions short film Produced and Directed by Alicia Rovira-Parker.
Music is Vision is an Award winning short documentary about the blind community of Vangani, a village in Maharashtra, India. Director: Abdulaziz Alfuraih
Safest Place in the World - A moving documentary made by Middlesex students on the shootings at Utoya Island in Norway in 2011.

Careers

How can the BA Television Production support your career

The UK television industry, with over 50,000 employees, is one of the strongest in the world and amongst the largest sectors of the UK creative industries. The creative media industries workforce earn 24% more than the mean average income of the UK working population*.

Because of the diverse nature of the degree, a wide range of television roles will be open to you including scriptwriter, director, editor, producer, camera operator, researcher, sound and lighting technician and/or floor manager for companies including:

BBC
Endemol
ITV
Disney
Sky TV
E4
Tiger Lily Films
MTV
Lime Pictures
Talkback Thames
Shine Group
all3 Media
October Films
Sundog Pictures
IMG Sport
Applause Store
NRK
Arena Television
National Geographic

Our recent graduates have worked on such shows as Storage Hunters UK, The Only Way is Essex, Geordie Shore, Big Brother, Celebrity Juice, X Factor, Animal Attraction, Never Ever Do This At Home, Norway's Toughest, Fonejacker, Grand Designs, Location, Location, Location, Shop Well for Less, A Cabbie Abroad, Jamie Oliver's Dream School, What Britain Earns, MPs Behind Closed Doors, Who’s Afraid of Conceptual Art?, The Truth About Alcohol, On Benefits: Life On The Dole, Say Yes to the Dress, Masterchef.

*Source: Creative Skillset Employment Census of the Creative Media Industries (2012)

Accreditation

BA Television Production has been awarded the Creative Skillset Tick, the industry kitemark of quality, following a rigorous assessment process by experts working in the Creative Industries. The Creative Skillset Tick is awarded to practice-based courses which best prepare students for a career in the industry.

Facilities

We have some of the finest television production and post-production facilities in UK higher education. Sony has designed the TV production suite for us with two TV studios at its centre, which includes state of the art galleries for Production, Lighting and Sound, in which we are able to run multi-camera productions in full High Definition XD Cam 50Mbps. The studio facility also benefits from having an Avid Isis 5000 server in conjunction with 2 x 4 Channel Airspeed Multi-streams, which also support our Post Production editing suites and News studio and gives us central storage in a tapeless environment.

Specially designed for the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries by Sony, our television studio complex is a self-contained facility and provides an environment identical to most broadcast installations.
Our students preparing with Nick Wood, BBC comedy director
Have a tour of our studios and a look behind the scenes on a production day
Our TV studio gallery
You will have access to professional editing suites, with dual boot capabilities as well as software such as Avid, Final Cut Pro and SketchUp.
Our second year students in Studio A
Our TVP students recreate the infamous Mannequin Challenge and showcase our excellent facilities in Hendon.

Campus life

International students

Study abroad

Work and career

Support services

Student profiles

Megan Street

Television Production BA graduate

The contacts and work experience opportunities I gained on my degree have led to my first proper paid work in television.
Starting out as a young professional, I now realise just how much I learnt from my time at Middlesex - not just setting up kit and understanding how a production team functions, but being familiar and comfortable with the pace, demands and deadlines of both studio and field production.
Richard Tipple

Television Production BA graduate

I chose to study this degree because I wanted to work in TV and I wanted a course that was more focused on the 'hands on' skill of film-making rather than the theory.
The degree taught me a skill set that I use every single day in my working life. I learnt how to film, how to edit, how to light and most importantly how to tell a story using pictures. It gave me the tools to shape the foundation of what I do professionally. After leaving University I got a job that I wouldn't have got if it wasn't for the showreel and practical experience I amassed during my final year. Every job since I've built on these foundations.
I'm incredibly lucky to work in a creative field and earn a very good wage at the same time. I owe Middlesex for that. I owe Roddy Gibson (my tutor) a hell of a lot. Mostly for his patience!
My advice to new students is make sure you know what you want to get out of the course before you begin. Middlesex stands out because its staff want to get you to where you want to be. Know that, communicate that and you'll be in a great position. I did a lot of growing up at University and I couldn't have chosen a better place to do it.
Emilie Andreassen

Television Production BA graduate

What really appealed to me about the course was the balance between lectures and practical work. I got the opportunity to try out all the things I learnt about in the lectures in my practical work. I also found it great that we got to make so many different films throughout the three years studying here.
The course has great industry standard equipment; brand new studios and amazing editing suits. Most of this equipment is the same as what I have used and seen during my internships in Norway. This makes you feel that you are working at a very professional level and it gives you the opportunity to make your films look stunning. It also gives you more confidence when considering sending your films out to Film Festivals or to possible employees. This all gives you a good taste of how it works in the real industry.
Rene Toussaint

Television Production BA graduate

What stood out for me the most when deciding to sign up for the course was a module called Multi-Camera Production, which was mostly based on studying the roles and responsibilities of the production team. This was something I was particularly interested in, as I wanted to understand more about the roles within a Television Studio.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of studying my course was the practical elements involved. This gave me a chance to work in a team, to understand the different roles within production and to also learn from each production I was involved with. Most importantly I really enjoyed watching the final piece of work, which sometimes was the most rewarding part because it made me proud that we transformed our idea in to a reality.

Level 4	50% coursework	50% practical exams
Level 5	59% coursework	41% practical exams
Level 6	65% coursework	35% practical exams

Overview

Why study BA Television Production at Middlesex University?

Course highlights

Department

What our alumni say

Did you know

Course content

What will you study on the BA Television Production?

Modules

Year 1

Television: Medium and Industry (30 credits) - Compulsory

Television: Texts and Contexts (30 credits) - Compulsory

Location Filming (30 credits) - Compulsory

Studio Production (30 credits) - Compulsory

Year 2

Television: Research and Theory (30 credits) - Compulsory

Year 2 optional modules - choose three of the following modules:

Television Drama (30 credits) - Optional

Television Documentary (30 credits) - Optional

Entertainment (30 credits) - Optional

Client-led Video (30 credits) - Optional

Camera, Lighting and Sound Technologies (30 credits) - Optional

Post Production Technologies (30 credits) - Optional

Year 3

Television Today and Tomorrow (30 credits) - Compulsory

Career Portfolio (30 credits) - Compulsory

Major Project: Television Production (60 credits) - Compulsory

Teaching

How is the BA Television Production taught?

Work placement

Assessment

Teaching

Independent Learning

Overall Workload

Academic Support

Assessment

Percentage of course assessed by coursework

Feedback

Life at Middlesex

Entry requirements

Qualifications

Eligibility

Academic credit for previous study or experience

Interviews, entrance tests, portfolios and auditions

Qualifications

Visas and immigration

English language requirements for international students

Interviews, entrance tests, portfolios and auditions

Help with your application

EU / International students

Fees and funding

Scholarships, fees and bursaries

Student work

Careers

How can the BA Television Production support your career

Accreditation

Life at Middlesex

Facilities

Campus life

Staff profiles

Student profiles

Contact us

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Contact

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