MSc/PGDip Media Production: Children's TV Production

This course will equip you with creative-content and production skills in the exciting field of children’s programming.

You will develop an in-depth understanding of what it is that children and young people want to watch, why they watch certain programmes, films and moving images, and how they view them. You will also learn how to apply your knowledge to the production of creative content for this age group.

Throughout your time with us, you will be encouraged to develop your own creative ideas to a professional standard. Being based in the heart of MediaCityUK, and next door to BBC Children’s, this course will provide you with many opportunities to learn alongside, and engage with, experienced industry producers and practitioners in children’s content production.

At the end of the course, you will have gained a thorough, practice-based knowledge of the media industry, with particular emphasis on children’s creative content production.

You will:

• learn to connect and engage with children’s media producers, including BBC Children’s Television and the Children’s Media Conference
• gain experience using high specification production equipment at our campus in the heart of the thriving media hub that is MediaCityUK
• be able to engage in industry collaborations through live media projects.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

The teaching of this course is comprised of seminars, workshops in storytelling and production practice, study of broadcast and editorial guidelines, independent research, collaborative project work and film screenings.

The aim is to support your learning with an effective blend of theory and creative practice and to encourage ownership of your learning through self-directed projects.

Assessment:

Methods of assessment depend on the module and elective pathway you are taking.

They include:

• Creative projects portfolios and productions
• Live briefs
• Critical reflections
• Presentations
• Essay

Each module has its own assessment package and this is structured appropriately to reflect the module content. Practical-based modules are assessed by project and a reflective critical evaluation.

CAREER LINKS

To develop your skills and employability, there are opportunities on our media production courses to work on live briefs and gain valuable work experience. Previous students have worked with:

• CBBC
• Framestore
• BBC Writersroom
• BBC Natural History Unit
• Nine Lives Media production company
• Sumners Post Production Facility House
• BBC Fast Train, BBC Academy, BBC Red Nose Day and BBC Turn Up the Talent
• Sheffield Documentary Festival, Salford Media Festival, One World Media Festival

The following prominent speakers have delivered guest lectures:

• Joe Godwin (Director of BBC Childrens)
• Steve Hewlett (Media commentator / Guardian Columnist)
• Tony Palmer (Documentary filmmaker)
• Jackie Priddle (Aardman Animation Producer)
• BBC Stepping Out and Audience Research Team