UNIVERSITY OF BRADFORDSchool of Computing, Informatics and Media Bradford Media SchoolProgramme/course title: BA (Honours) Television Production
Awarding and teaching institution: / University of BradfordFinal award: / BA (Honours) [Framework for Higher Education Qualifications level H]
Programme title: / Television Production
Programme approved by: / Skillset approved
Duration: / 3 years full time; 4 years full time with Diploma of International Studies; 4-6 years part time
UCAS code: / P311 BA/TVProd
Subject benchmark statement: / Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies
Date produced: / April 2006
Last updated : / July 2012
Introduction
The BA Television Production provides its graduates with the opportunity to engage with television on both an intellectual and practical level. Students develop a contextual understanding of historical and contemporary media practices, focusing in particular on television, alongside experiencing practical television production skills. This combination of theory and practice encourages students to develop their aesthetic sensibility and cultural understanding, which informs all their project work.
The programme is provided by the School of Computing, Informatics and Media (SCIM), and is run from Bradford Media School (BMS) in partnership with the National Media Museum (NMeM). SCIM are also part of the Yorkshire and Humber Skillset Media Academy, in partnership with the National Media Museum and East Coast Media.
As the digital media industries grow, there are increasing demands upon graduates to be multi-skilled and this course provides students with the opportunity to engage with pre-production, production and post-production roles. All Stage 1 and Stage 2 practical work takes place within the NMeM using industry-standard facilities. These include a broadcast standard television studio and full size cameras for location work. We use digital production process as standard with Final Cut Pro as the editing package of choice. Professional actors are also provided within scripted drama training and finished productions.
Extensive use is made of the NMeM television archive which holds over 900 television programmes of historical and cultural value. Staffed by curators who have extensive television knowledge, students have access to research material and individuals who will facilitate a deeper critical understanding of the cultural importance of television. Developing an appreciation of the social, cultural and economic contexts within which television is produced and circulated will inform all practical work, and in turn the ability to communicate effectively through the medium of television. Upon graduation students can expect to have a strong portfolio of both practical and contextual work, which demonstrates their understanding of a range of specialized area of television study.
Studying television at Bradford offers students a unique experience. It is the first UNESCO City of Film, making engagement with the moving image all the more pertinent. It combines a traditional University experience alongside engagement with the dynamics of a National Museum. Students can expect to work with staff who have wide-ranging interests, from research active University of Bradford lectures’, to industry-based speakers, and NMeM curators who engage with the National Collection on a daily basis.
Programme Aims
The programme is intended to:
A1. Enable you to develop an integrated range of knowledge, understanding and skills in the field of television production practical skills
A2. Enable you to develop an integrated range of knowledge, understanding and skills in the field of television studies through critical engagement with film, television and media theory.
A3. Enable you to develop your professional knowledge and skills in creative content design and production practice.
A4. Enable you to develop a portfolio of appropriate transferable skills and attributes.
A5. Enable you to develop lifelong independent learning skills.
Programme Learning Outcomes
When you have completed the programme you will be able to:
LO1. Demonstrate an informed understanding of the social, political, cultural, technical, and economic conditions of (primarily) television production, distribution, and reception in national and international contexts.
LO2. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the major contemporary issues and of the historical development of television forms, languages, ethics and institutions, and their relationships to their audiences.
LO3. Identify, produce and critically analyse specific television generic forms.
LO4. Demonstrate your competence in using television pre, production and post-production technology and techniques through your ability to produce project work to high technical and aesthetic standards.
LO5. Demonstrate discipline specific skills in media content creation, specification, design, production, and evaluation.
LO6. Apply appropriate personal and transferable skills in data management and presentation, interpretation and transformation of information, creative and systematic problem solving, and communication.
LO7. Demonstrate the application of effective skills in teamwork and leadership, project management and personal management.
Curriculum
Stage 1
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodEM-0146D / Key Concept in Media / C / 20 / 1 / 1
EM-0134D / Media Histories / C / 20 / 1 / 1
EM-0122D / Conventions of Videography* / C / 20 / 1 / 1
LED1080D / Scriptwriting for Television* / C / 20 / 1 / 2
EM-0144D / Editing / C / 20 / 1 / 2
EM-0103D / Issues in Web Development and Technology / C / 20 / 1 / 2
Stage 2
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodEM-0252D / Factual Film and Television / C / 20 / 2 / 1
EM-0258D / Media Ethics, Compliance and Sustainability / C / 20 / 2 / 1
EM-0241D / Sound & Visual Media* / C / 20 / 2 / 1
EM-0251D / British Film & Television Drama / C / 20 / 2 / 2
EM-0351D / Broadcast Television* / C / 20 / 2 / 2
EM-0267D / Storytelling for Multiple Platforms / C / 20 / 2 / 2
Stage 3
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodEM-0369D / Creative Media Enterprise / C / 20 / 3 / 1
EM-0354D / Digital Arts: Engaging the Audience / O / 20 / 3 / 1
EM-0349D / Individual Project Film and Media / O / 20 / 3 / 1
EM-0353D / Experimental Filmmaking / O / 20 / 3 / 1
EM-0317D / Production Project - Development* / C / 20 / 3 / 2
EM-0344D / Production Project - Production* / C / 20 / 3 / 2
EM-0327D / Production Project - Evaluation* / C / 20 / 3 / 2
Stage 2 and 3 ORDINARY ROUTE ONLY
Module Code / Module Title / Type / Credits / Level / Study periodEM-0258D / Media Ethics, Compliance and Sustainability / C / 20 / 2 / 1
EM-0252D / Factual Film and Television / C / 20 / 2 / 1
EM-0241D / Sound & Visual Media* / C / 20 / 2 / 1
EM-0251D / British Film & Television Drama / C / 20 / 2 / 2
EM-0351D / Broadcast Television* / C / 20 / 2 / 2 / from 2011/12
intake
EM-0347D / Dissertation-Preparation / C / 20 / 3 / 1
EM-0354D / Digital Arts: Engaging the Audience / O / 20 / 3 / 1 / O
EM-0349D / Individual Project Film and Media / O / 20 / 3 / 1 / O
EM-0353D / Experimental Filmmaking / O / 20 / 3 / 1 / O
EM-0364Q / Dissertation - 8000 word Write-up / C / 40 / 3 / 2
EM-0317D / Production Project - Development* / 20 / 3 / 2 / C
EM-0344D / Production Project - Production* / 20 / 3 / 2 / C
EM-0327D / Production Project - Evaluation* / 20 / 3 / 2 / C
Please note: * You must achieve at least 40.0% in each component of the assessment of these modules to pass.
The curriculum may change, subject to the University's course approval, monitoring and review procedures.
Diploma of International Studies
You have the option of studying or working abroad for a year between stages 2 and 3; this option is strongly encouraged. The university’s International Office provides a wide range of opportunities and support for students to gain international experience. Successful completion of the international year qualifies you for the award of the Diploma of International Studies in addition to your degree. This option provides the opportunity to gain valuable experience, and is viewed favourably by prospective employers.
Teaching and Assessment Strategies
Students will experience a wide range of teaching and learning environments. Concepts, principles and theories are generally explored in formal lectures and practiced in associated tutorials, seminars and directed reading groups. Practical skills are developed in workshop and studio sessions. Professional and personal skills are developed through presentations, discussion and small-scale project work which involves problem-solving and design exercises.
For each 20 credit module, students are required to commit 200 hours of time. The weighting of how this time is managed varies from module to module; some will involve many formal contact hours (time spent with the tutor) and others more independent study (self-managed under the guidance of the tutor). As the student progresses, the amount of independent study increases as the course becomes more project based.
During Stage 1 all the basic principles, concepts and technical skills are introduced. By Stage 2 students are required to take a more analytic approach, and demonstrate their practical skills through project work. Stage 3 gives students the opportunity to synthesise and critically review the knowledge, understanding and skills previously acquired through both contextual work and a major practical project.
Methods of assessment are varied and include formal examinations, essays, seminar reports, individual and group oral presentations, coursework assignments and television production projects. Each assessment has been carefully considered so that students can demonstrate the required learning outcomes.
Assessment Regulations
This Programme conforms to the general principles set out in the standard University Assessment Regulations which are available at the following link: http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/acsec/QA_Hbk/Undergrad_Regs_.html
The exception to these regulations are stated below the Curriculum.
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.
A typical offer to someone seeking entry through the UCAS scheme would be 240 points with Grade C or above in GCSE English and Grade D or above in GCSE Maths. However, applications are 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. 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 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 course-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.
Bradford Media School is equipped with several computer suites running Windows 7 or the latest Intel based Apple Macs. Software includes Creative Suite 5 and Final Cut Studio. Students have free access to the latest high definition video cameras, shooting broadcast quality formats onto solid state media. These are provided with a range of accessories including lighting, microphones, audio recording equipment and tripods / grip. A selection of digital SLR cameras and accessories are available for photography work including full frame (35mm) equipment. A wide range of tripods, filter kits, lenses,additional batteries and memory are also available for these kits. Dedicated studio spaces are available for audio recording, photography, video/chromakey and television production. For more information and booking of spaces/equipment please go to the following website http://ts.inf.brad.ac.uk/