Discover your specialism, or become a master of all trades. On this practical based course, you’ll undertake a series of projects, making full use of the University’s TV studios, radio studios, editing suites and other facilities to discover your specialism. Work alongside BBC Newcastle journalists, take a placement with Made in Tyne & Wear or volunteer on internationally award-winning Spark; all based in our dedicated Media Centre.
Supported by our experienced experts, you’ll connect with industry, develop and pitch ideas to industry practitioners and undertake placements to build your network. Our students have taken advantage of our relationships with BBC, Capital FM, Sunderland AFC, Tyne Tees Television, Made in Tyne & Wear and various production companies.
In your final year, you’ll produce a major piece of work in your chosen medium. This involves pitching and developing proposals and delivering a finished piece to professional standards. You’ll also choose one of three routes which will lead to your final degree title – so you can show off your specialism. Choose from:
BA (Hons) Media Production
BA (Hons) Media Production (TV)
BA (Hons) Media Production (Radio)
Come and find out why we were awarded the Creative Skillset Tick, the industry kitemark of quality, and how we will prepare you for a career in the industry.
Why us?
- Best new university for media production in The Guardian University league tables 2018
- Present or produce your own radio show, or work behind-the-scenes on Spark – our internationally award-winning community radio station
- Take up work placements, live briefs or career-boosting throughout strong link with industry partners
- 96.7% of our BA (Hons) Media Production graduates are in employment, further study or training within six months of graduating, according to DLHE 2016/17 (based on full-time, first degree, home leavers)
- Inspirational graduate stories including BAFTA winners and Royal Television Society award-winners; Amazon Prime Original producers, BBC Radio 1 presenters, and E4 voice talent
- Get involved with our internationally award-winning community radio station Spark, which broadcasts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Study in our purpose built media centre, a base for Made in Tyne & Wear and BBC Newcastle
Course structure
Teaching and assessment
Our teaching methods develop subject-specific knowledge and transferable skills that enhance employability. These include skills in communication, analysis, research, teamwork, writing and presentation.
You will undertake small group work, one-on-one tutorials, workshops, lectures, computer-based learning and independent learning. An ongoing personal development planning tool will help you reflect on your learning and make the most of your educational experiences.
In the second year of the course we encourage you to take a work placement module. Developing relevant experience of work is an integral part of the course, and throughout your time at Sunderland, you will be encouraged to continuously liaise with the TV and Radio industry with work experience placements and industry-run master classes.
Assessment methods include portfolios of practical work, essays, reports, group work, seminar presentations and self-evaluation.
Part-time study
If you study this course on a part-time basis you will typically complete 40-80 credits in a year, rather than the 120 credits of full-time students. All modules are taught during the day time and you will be studying alongside full-time students.
Employment
This degree prepares you for careers in TV, radio, video and new media industries. Your training in communication, teamwork and creativity will be highly relevant to roles in many different businesses and in the public sector.
Career destinations
Recent graduates from Sunderland have gained jobs with employers such as the BBC, Channel 4, Sky TV, Capital North East, I Daniel Blake, MTV and professional production companies.
You could also choose to continue your studies with a Masters degree at the University of Sunderland, such as MA Radio, MA Media Production (Film and Television) or MA Participatory Arts and Media.
Work experience
We actively encourage students to gain relevant work experience while at university. In every year of your course, you will be guided and encouraged to gain meaningful experience that will fit around your studies
You will also undertake a number of practical assignments, which can include live briefs from clients outside the University. You will build up a portfolio of work, to show future employers.
In your second year, there is a compulsory work placement that involves spending time with a media organisation such as the BBC, Tyne Tees Television or one of the region’s production companies. We help you find a suitable placement.
All students studying on-campus undergraduate media courses can take up a CV-enhancing work placement, a University-led industry initiative, or a professional and business development boot camp. By the term placement, we mean we are offering you a taste of the industry which might last anything from two days to four weeks on a part-time basis.
External links
We frequently invite guest speakers to run workshops and master classes, allowing you to relate your learning to real-life experience.
We encourage you to take part in competitions; our students have won awards from organisations such as the Royal Television Society.
Throughout your studies, you’ll be guided and supported by our experts. All of whom are working or researching in media. You’ll study alongside scriptwriters, film makers, radio producers, presenters and independent film producers. All who will share their experience and encourage you to build your network.
Award-winning Radio
You have the opportunity to be actively involved in Spark Sunderland, the 24/7 Community Radio station based in the campus Media Centre.
Spark has won many awards including:
- Finalist Certificate for Best Student Radio Station category in the 2017 New York Radio Awards
- Silver award for Best Student Radio Station in the 2016 New York Radio Awards
- Bronze award for Best Student Documentary in the 2016 New York Radio Awards
- Bronze award in the Best Student Radio Station category in the 2015 New York Radio Awards
- Gold award for Best Student Radio Drama in the 2015 New York Radio Awards
- Bronze award in the Best Student Radio Station category in the 2015 Student Radio Awards
We also have links with Community Media Association, Community Radio and The Royal Television Society.
