BA (Hons) Media Production

What you will study

Each year of the programme is designed to introduce new concepts, skills and theories and progression to the next level will leverage and develop core skills in a cumulative way.

YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)

In year one, you will look at and use the various technology that is used to create media. You will gain a hands-on opportunity to use the studios and various production places.

MODULES

• Introduction to Audio Skills: This module is an introduction to sound production, manipulation and editing for media practitioners, musicians, prospective sound and media engineers and installation artists. The course focuses on the implementation of sound systems in small to medium scale installations, and the techniques involved in studio-based audio production.
• Introduction to Screen Skills: This will introduce you to screen techniques: camera, lighting, narrative and editing, enabling you to understand the principles of lighting for screen media. You will engage as a team member in the screen media production environment, and gain critical and analytical understanding of style and genre.
• Introduction to Podcasting: The aim of the module is to establish the factors that define quality with regards to recording quality, deliverables and other production values. This module will deliver technical competence within the process of recording, editing and mixing. This module aims specifically to focus on the recording methods required for the various formats for Podcast production.
• Creative Futures 1 (Employability Portfolio): This module will provide an introduction to the life of media professionals, working artists and designers and to create an awareness of career opportunities. You will examine contemporary practitioners and their working philosophies and assess their influence in the specialist field through industrial visits, exhibitions and design festivals, guest talks and media professional lectures.
• Stock Media Asset Design: This module introduces you to creative practice through your own specialist environment and explores the significance of creative environments as it pertains to a portfolio career in the media and communications industries.
• Media Production: This module has been designed to give you the opportunity to critically analyse emerging online trends used by creative freelance professionals to create a branded online presence of your own.

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)

In year two, there will be a focus on more advanced industry relevant components to give you the tools to create exciting media outputs.

MODULES

• Studio Design Standards: The aim of this module is to expand upon principles acquired in the first year of the programme and apply the skills to design scenarios representing industry related tasks. The knowledge delivered will be concerned with the visual, acoustic and electrical design of a real space with ideas and principles drawn from case studies. You will be introduced to 2D and 3D design packages to enable the creation of designs to a creative and professional standard.
• Visual Effects: This module will allow you to explore image manipulation techniques using Visual effects applications. This will include Keying, blend operations, tracking and colour correction. This will develop your understanding of the values of different image data types.
• Audio for Screen Media: The aim of this module is to establish the factors that define quality in recording practice with regard to structure, microphone technique and other production values. This module will deliver technical competence within the process of recording, editing and mixing. This module aims specifically to focus on the recording methods required for various screen formats and also for television production.
• Creative Futures: This course aims to further develop your awareness of career opportunities and the professional life of working artists and designers. To establish business systems related to design, production and marketing. To develop professional standards of practice.
• Research Methods: The content of this module is designed to introduce you to the concepts and practice of applied research. This will be achieved through the examination of trends in technology and the external cultural/technological factors that have led to its success or failure. This module offers the opportunity to develop a firm base of research skills to support your progress in subsequent modules and further study. Underpinning this is the understanding of how an extended piece of academic writing is constructed, preparing you for extended academic writing such as the dissertation and project modules at level 6.
• Digital Story Telling: This module explores approaches to storytelling through the use of modern digital media production and digital dissemination techniques. You will learn the techniques and strategies practitioners use to tell digital stories, or present storytelling narratives through the digital media production and the digital dissemination of sound, images and text.

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6)

In year three, you will be working in teams and engaging in single projects to create industry relevant media pieces.

MODULES

• Dissertation: In this module, you will produce a piece of research based on an existing or emergent theme from within the degree structure. The culmination of course-work through the dissertation will be an academic development displaying your knowledge of subjects of study. Required knowledge and skills from all previous modules, together with the key skills – investigation, planning, self-management, evaluation, presentation, and report writing will be expected of you as a creative media technology student.
• Project: The project brings together all of your subjects of study, requiring knowledge, and skills from all previous modules. The module will provide you with the opportunity to practice the problem-solving activities of a creative engineer, and to explore original ideas.
• Post-Production: This module addresses the technical and artistic values involved with developing a professional audio post-production process. The theory will explore and support the techniques required to produce sound for TV, film and portable media.
• Client Collaboration: This module is intended to develop your ability to work as part of a team, and to produce and manage a professional brief to the criteria set by an external client.
• Creative Futures: This module is designed to develop your understanding of market perspectives, recognising opportunities, developing professional networks, and exercising clarity of communication.
• Emergent Media Techniques: This module is designed to allow you to identify, critically examine and debate a range of current and social issues in media and television, such as the implications of new technologies on those working in the industry and those in the audience.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Entry requirements & applying

The academic requirements for the degree are for at least 96-112 UCAS tariff points at GCE A Level or equivalent. Appropriate AS-Level and Level 3 Key Skills qualifications will also be taken into account. If you do not meet the entry requirements for the three-year bachelors degree you should consider the four-year degree.

Teaching & Assessment

There are a range of assessment methods used for this course including creating media productions, blogs, podcasts, work-based learning, portfolios, reports and presentations.

In addition to lectures and workshops, students on this course are encouraged to explore this vital facility for their own projects to enhance and support learning and development.

All assessments are project-based.

Teaching and Learning

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments.

Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion Services can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.

Career prospects

Our Careers & Employability Service is there to help you make decisions and plan the next steps towards a bright future. From finding work or further study to working out your interests, skills and aspirations, they can provide you with the expert information, advice and guidance you need.

This course will give you the training and expertise to work within one of the many exciting areas of the media broadcast industries. You will develop a variety of skills that will enhance your employability, including skills in:

• Research -we have students who have progressed into FE and HE teaching, also taking research degrees.
• Communication - students have taken careers within radio stations, galleries and audio installation.
• Use of technology - this course gives a wide range of technological opportunities with skills that transfer across a range of creative areas.
• Ability to collaborate - we have placed students at major festivals in Europe
• Project design and management

Careers opportunities include:

• Broadcasting - We have a range of successful broadcasters working for national companies in pre-production, production and post-production.
• Video Production - Establishing their own or working for independent producers on a variety of projects for a wide range of clients.
• Post-production - Video editing and compositing skills are developed throughout the degree and offer a strong foothold for VFX and other Post Production roles.
• Photography - Image capture, both still and video is at the heart of the curriculum and students have gone on to produce a range of photographic work.
• Production and Studio Management - Many opportunities exist for graduates to use their skills for project management and other client commissions.

Fees & funding

You do not have to pay your tuition fees upfront.

The fees you pay and the support available will depend on a number of different factors. Full information can be found on our fees & finance pages. You will also find information about what your fees include in the fee FAQs.

All fees are subject to any changes in government policy, view our undergraduate fees.

For international students looking to study this course please see our international fees.

Programme specification

Accommodation

At Wrexham University, we offer on-campus en-suite rooms within our Wrexham Student Village. These private, fully furnished spaces are conveniently located, providing easy access to campus facilities, study areas, and social spaces. Plus, you’re just a 10-minute walk from the city centre!

With all bills included, free Wi-Fi, 24/7 security, and large social areas, you’ll find everything you need for a great student experience.

Explore our student accommodation options to find your perfect home away from home.

International

If you are applying as an European / International Student, and live outside of the UK, you should make your application through our online application system, Centurus.

For information about the university’s entry requirements for EU/international students, please visit our international section.