UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORDFaculty of Engineering andInformaticsSchool of Media, Design and TechnologyProgramme title: BSc (Hons) Media Technology and Production

Awarding & teaching institution: / University of Bradford
Final and interim awards: / Bachelor of Science (BSc) (Honours)[Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 6]
Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 5]
Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level 4]
Programme title:
Programme accredited by: / Media Technology and Production
Creative Skillset
Duration: / 3 years full time; 4 years full-time including a year of study abroad and/or a work placement; 6 years part time
UCAS code: / HP63BSc/MTP
Subject benchmark statement: / Art and Design; Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies
Date produced: / May 2002
Last updated : / October2013
June 2014

Introduction

Even in difficult economic times, the media industries as a whole, are growing in the UK and internationally. They are also diversifying and changing rapidly, in a world that faces significant social, environmental and political challenges. As the technologies surrounding television, film, the Internetand communications become more entwined, graduates, who can demonstrate technical knowledge, creative skills, and a critical understanding of the workings of the media industries, are very much in demand. Studying hard on a degree here will equip you for a career in these exciting areas.

The School of Media, Design and Technology has strong links with the BBC and Creative Skillset, the sector skills council for the creative industries. Bradford is the world’s first UNESCO City of Film and is the home of the National Media Museum and we work closely with both these organisations. Our partnerships and collaborations provide you with the opportunity to experience interdisciplinary, shared learning within a vibrant, creative environment and make industry contacts.

The programme has a focus on the moving image, but it is also a programme designed for students who wish to develop skills and knowledge in a wide range of audio-visual technologies. Our graduates go on to exciting jobs in the media industries and many have won awards for their work, including Royal Television Society student awards for documentary, drama and animation. Several students have gone on to set up their own businesses, others work freelance, or have gone on to full time paid employment with a large media organisation, such as the BBC, ITV and Endemol. Students will graduate with a range of media

skills meaning they can respond quickly to a rapidly changing environment and be comfortable producing content across several media.

The School aims to provide degree programmes which enable you to develop an integrated range of knowledge, understanding and skills in the field of digital media through critical engagement with principles, applications, content design and production practice.

Programme Aims

The programme is intended to:

A1.Develop Media Expertise: empower you to develop and produce a range of creative audio-visual media, from idea generation, through to finished product (with specialisation in the production of Video). There is an emphasis on content creation (helping you to produce a strong portfolio of work).

A2.Technical Expertise: introduce a variety of production and post-production equipment and scientific concepts which underpin the production of modern digital media. The programme provides you with a broad technical understanding, giving you a distinct advantage when competing for jobs.

A3.Critical Reflection: to encourage evaluation, reflection on and analysis of your own work, and the work of others (including structured usability testing).

A4.Education for Sustainable Development: help you develop an appreciation of the cultural, political, economic and environmental contexts within which media are produced and circulated.

A5.Provide Transferable Skills: to encourage students to develop a portfolio of appropriate transferable skills and attributes including written skills, presentation, promotion, entrepreneurship, project management and team-work skills.

Programme Learning Outcomes

When you have completed the BSc programme you will be able to:

LO1.Acquire, edit and distribute professional quality audio-visual media, in a range of forms

LO2.Use a range of major software application packages and tools, and make informed judgements about which tools to utilise in the context of rapidly developing and converging media industries

LO3.Understand and employ techniques for working effectively in teams for the production of media – including some specialisms in directing, producing, camerawork or comparable team roles.

LO4.Show an informed understanding of the social, political, cultural, technical, and economic conditions of new media production, distribution, and reception in national and international contexts, including the concepts surrounding sustainability, as these relate to your programme of study.

LO5.Critically analyse and interpret aural, visual, and audio-visual texts including the ability to critically evaluate television and film texts.

LO6.Demonstrate entrepreneurship, capacity to innovate and knowledge of media business and commissioning practices.

On completion of this award at Certificate of Higher Education level, you will be able to:

  1. Explain relevant theories, models and principles as they apply to media
  2. Demonstrate a core underpinning knowledge related to media technology.
  3. Collect information, ideas and concepts from recommended sources, organizing and referencing them appropriately.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of, and ability to apply, fundamental concepts, principles and theories underpinning Media Technology and production to straightforward situations.
  5. Work effectively as an individual and in groups being able to communicate ideas and arguments effectively and accurately both orally and in writing.
  6. Demonstrate development as an independent learner, showing skills of organisation, group working and inquiry.
  7. Communicate accurately and reliably with a range of audiences using basic theories and concepts of the subjects of study.

On completion of this award at Diploma of Higher Education level, you will be able to:

  1. Identify and explain the main theoretical approaches and practices found within selected media.
  2. Compare and contrast alternative approaches adopted by the media, contextualizing them in social, political, cultural, technical, and economic environments.
  3. Synthesise theory and practice to show an advanced understanding of concepts and processes relevant to the media.
  4. Integrate and analyse relevant knowledge and reflect on it.
  5. Deploy a range of academic and research skills.
  6. Demonstrate stronger project management skills, being able to select and deploy strategies to secure outcomes aiding your development as an autonomous learner.
  7. Communicate your ideas and arguments fluently in writing and orally.

Although the University does not recruit directly to Ordinary degrees this route is available to students. A Bachelor’s degree (Ordinary) is awarded to students who have demonstrated:

  • a systematic understanding key aspects of their field of study, including acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge informed by aspects of media technology and production.
  • an ability to deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within media technology and production.
  • conceptual understanding that enables the student:
  • to devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques.
  • to describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent scholarship, or practice in media technology and production.
  • an appreciation of the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge.
  • the ability to manage their own learning, and to make use of primary sources.

Typically, holders of the qualification will be able to:

  • apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding.
  • communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

And holders will have:

  • the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring:
  • the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility
  • the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.

Curriculum

The map of your studies is detailed further below showing core (C) and optional (O) modules. Each year, or stage, of a Honoursprogramme comprises 2 semesters with 60 credits being studied in each semester.

It is also possible to study on this programme on a part time basis over 4 years/ stages, with 80 credits per year/stage being taken.

Ordinary degrees comprise 100 credits in each year/stage. Core and optional modules are not shown for Stage 1 of the ordinary programme because this is not available as an entry route.

Stage 1 [Level 4]

By the end of this stageyou will have acquired a broad knowledge base of fundamental technical, practical and theoretical concepts and will be able to apply them to your work.

Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study period
EM-0152D / Higher Learning in Media / C / 20 / 4 / 1
CM-0129D / Fundamentals of Internet Technology / C / 20 / 4 / 1
EM-0156D / Moving Image Production / C / 20 / 4 / 1
EM-0103D / Issues in Web Development & Technology / C / 20 / 4 / 2
EM-0148D / Visual Literacy and Communication / C / 20 / 4 / 2
EM-0144D / Editing / C / 20 / 4 / 2

Students who have achieved at least 120 credit points at Level 4 may exit the programme and are eligible for the award of Certificate of Higher Education.

Stage 2 [Level 5]

By the end of this stage, you will be able to analyse and evaluate information on media techniques and artefact and will be able to relate this information to your own work, identifying opportunities for the development of your own portfolio of industry facing work.

Module Code / Module Title / Hons / Ord / Credits / Level / Study period
EM-0258D / Media Ethics, Compliance & Sustainability / C / 20 / 5 / 1
EM-0211D / Soundscapes / C / C / 20 / 5 / 1
EM-0281D / Factual Production / C / C / 20 / 5 / 1
EM-0267D / Storytelling for Multiple Platforms / C / C / 20 / 5 / 2
EM-0373D / Drama Production / C / C / 20 / 5 / 2
EM-0268D / Professional Web Project / O / C / 20 / 5 / 2
EM-0222D / Imaging & Design / O / 20 / 5 / 2
EM-0215D / Photography Research and Practice / O / 20 / 5 / 2

Students who have achieved at least 120 credit points at Level 5 may exit the programme and are eligible for the award of Diploma of Higher Education.

Stage 3 [Level 6]

By the end of this stage, you will be able to critically review, consolidate and extend considerable specialist knowledge in the development, production, evaluation and distribution of media.

Module Code / Module Title / Hons / Ord / Credits / Level / Study period
EM-0369D / Creative Media Enterprise / C / C / 20 / 6 / 1
EM-0353D / Experimental Filmmaking / O / 20 / 6 / 1
EM-0359D / Design for Mobile Content / O / 20 / 6 / 1
EM-0349D / Individual Project: Film and Media / O / C / 20 / 6 / 1
EM-0317D / Production Project – Development / C / C / 20 / 6 / 2
EM-0344D / Production Project – Production / C / C / 20 / 6 / 2
EM-0327D / Production Project – Evaluation / C / C / 20 / 6 / 2

The curriculum may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures.

Study abroad and work placement opportunities

You have the option to undertake an industrial placement, or of studying or working abroad for a year between Stages 2 and 3; this option is strongly encouraged. The School has an industrial training coordinator who has contacts with a large number of outside organizations and who assists in helping you find a placement. The university’s International Office provides a wide range of opportunities and support for students to gain international experience. Both options provide the opportunity to gain valuable experience, and are viewed favourably by prospective employers.

Teaching and Assessment Strategies

You will experience a range of teaching and learning environments. Concepts, principles and theories are generally explored in formal lectures, practised in associated tutorials and seminars, and demonstrated in laboratory classes. Practical skills are developed in laboratory, workshop, and studio sessions. Professional and personal skills are developed through discussion and small-scale project work which involves problem solving and design exercises, often tackled by working in small groups supported by members of academic staff. Project work is used to bring various aspects of your programme together. A particular strength of this programme is the contribution made to the teaching programme by successful practising media professionals.

Each 20 credit module on the programme requires you to commit 200 hours of study. Some of these hours will be formally timetabled - lectures, laboratories, seminars, tutorials and workshops – and others will involve you in carrying out personal study or to work in student teams. The balance between these forms of study changes as you pass through the three years of the programme. There are a lot of “contact hours” (time spent with tutors) in the earlier stages of the programme; the final year is mostly project based, and at this stage you will be expected to manage your own learning, under the general guidance of your tutors.

Basic principles and concepts are addressed in the first year (Stage 1) of your studies. In the second year (Stage 2) a more analytical approach is taken, and in the final year (Stage Three) you will have the opportunity to synthesise and critically review the knowledge, understanding, and skills you have gained throughout the programme. You will also have the opportunity to shape elements of your own learning experience, by selecting optional and elective modules, and defining your own project briefs.

Methods of assessment are similarly varied and your progress will be assessed using a mix of presentations and seminar papers, reports, laboratory tests, essays, coursework assignments, and practical media projects. The appropriate method is chosen so that you may demonstrate the particular learning outcomes of each module.

The School is committed to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and endeavours to integrate ESD wherever possible into the curriculum. This includes the Level 5 Module Media Ethics, Compliance and Sustainability which is designed for this purpose and elements of a number of other modules.

Assessment Regulations

This Programme conforms to the standard University Assessment Regulations which are available at the following link:

Admission Requirements

The University welcomes applications from all potential students regardless of their previous academic experience; offers are made following detailed consideration of each individual application. Most important in the decision to offer a place is our assessment of a candidate’s potential to benefit from their studies and of their ability to succeed on this particular programme. Entrance requirements for each programme will vary but consideration of your application will be based on a combination of your formal academic qualifications and other relevant experience.

If you have prior certificated learning or professional experience which may be equivalent to parts of this programme, the University has procedures to evaluate this learning in order to provide you with exemptions from specified modules contained within the curriculum. Please talk to us if you do not fit the standard pattern of entry qualifications.

The University of Bradford has always welcomed applications from disabled students, and these will be considered on the same academic grounds as are applied to all applicants. If you have some form of disability you may wish to contact the programme leader before you apply.

Entry requirements: Typical offer (UCAS tariff points): 280

  • A total of 280 UCAS tariff points, to include 160 points from two full GCE A-Level subjects or equivalent level qualification (e.g. appropriate BTECs)
  • Maths and English GCSE Grade C
  • For international students: minimum IELTS at 6.0 or the equivalent may be required.

Students will be invited to provide a portfolio as part of the selection process.A typical offer to someone seeking entry through the UCAS scheme would be 280 points, although this can vary. Students are welcome from a range of academic backgrounds, but some experience of New Media in the broadest sense, is an advantage. Applications are also welcome from mature students (those over 21 years of age on entry) and candidates with non-standard qualifications or who, lacking academic qualifications, have significant relevant experience or a portfolio. On completion of a UCAS form you will be invited to the School for an Open Day when you will have the opportunity to meet staff, view the facilities and discuss “the Bradford experience” with current students.

Learning Resources

The JB Priestley Library on the city campus and our specialist libraries in the School of Health Studies and the School of Management provide a wide range of printed and electronic resources to support your studies. We offer quiet study space if you want to work on your own, and group study areas for the times when you need to discuss work with fellow students. Subject librarians for each School provide training sessions and individual guidance in finding the information you need for your assignment, and will help you organise your references properly.

Student PC clusters can be found in all our libraries and elsewhere on the campus. Many of these are open 24/7. You can also use the University's wireless network to access the internet from your own laptop. Most of our online journals are available on the internet (both on and off campus), and you can also access your University email account, personal information and programme-related materials this way.

Staff are on hand during the daytime to help you if you get stuck, and there is a 24/7 IT helpline available.

Within the School itself, we have extensive equipment available for its own students which include high-spec PC and MAC editing suites, a Motion Capture Studio, Stop-motion camera equipment and TV studios. The School loans counter enables you to borrow a range of high-end media equipment (still cameras, video equipment, sound recording equipment and mobile devices etc.) Web-space and a range of specialist software are also provided for students. We strongly advise you to visit us, on an open day, and we can show you the high-end kit that is available to our students.

Student Support and Guidance

Programme Team

Support for you personally and in your programme of study, will be provided both by the University and the Programme Team. You will be allocated a personal tutor who is someone with whom you will be able to talk about any academic or personal concerns. The School will ensure that there is someone available with whom you feel comfortable to help and support you. You will be provided with a comprehensive series of handbooks that you can consult on a range of learning issues and your programme tutors will be available to consult on subject specific queries.