Film and High-End Television Production
BA (Hons)

The highlights

• You will be taught by tutors who are still successful in the film and TV industry today. They have worked on feature films, TV dramas, promotional videos and sports broadcasts
• You will work with the best digital cameras, just like those used for Hollywood blockbusters
• There’s the option to work with traditional celluloid film (35mm), which is what most blockbuster productions use. Few UK film degrees offer this
• Our film students have a track record of winning high-profile industry competitions, such as the Royal Television Society Awards and the NAHEMI Kodak Student Commercial Awards
• You will have many opportunities to gain experience on real film and TV sets, plus we offer a career-making six-month placement with Malta Production Hub.

If you don't have the appropriate qualifications to start this course, you can study the Year Zero - Arts programme for a year first. 

For ambitious and creative film-makers

Explore the most exciting and challenging areas of contemporary film and high-end TV-making on a course designed to get you noticed in an intensely competitive industry. If you aspire to make big-budget productions for cinemas or small-screen streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon, this course will suit you. You’ll need to be highly creative, passionate and dedicated.

This degree is based on our long-established and successful BA (Hons) Film Production, and has been updated and renamed to be relevant to the media industry of the 2020s. We recognise that students today will want to make productions for platforms like Netflix and Amazon, just as much as for the big screen, so our course content has been updated to reflect this. We also give you the chance to experiment with other forms of media-making — such as apps, web video, podcasts and other digital content — so that you are prepared for the ‘multiplatform’ nature of the media industry today.

Film and Photography - your questions answered

In the below video, Associate Professor, Christine Parker, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Film and Photography at the University of Derby. You can also watch exclusive subject content by signing up to Derby on Demand.

From raw talent to real deal

Through a blend of practical projects and more traditional teaching, you’ll develop the creative, technical and theoretical expertise needed to work within the moving image sector. We’ll cover these key areas:

• Screenwriting and directing
• Cinematography, sound and editing
• Production, including 1st assistant directing
• Film history and theory
• Research skills
• Employability skills.

You’ll work on a series of productions in a variety of on-set and post-production roles. The length and complexity of these productions will increase as you move through the course.

We are one of the few film courses in the UK which teach you to use both RED and ARRI cameras (high-spec digital cameras that the film industry use) as well as traditional celluloid or ‘35mm’. By the end of your final year, you will have built up an impressive portfolio of work that will help you gain employment or get accepted onto postgraduate programmes.

We’ll also make sure you leave with a great understanding of the film and television industry so you know how to create products that get seen by an audience. Plus, you will develop the professional skills you’ll need to deal with clients, commercial briefs, audiences and markets.

Developing you as an artist

As well as developing your technical, commercial and professional abilities, we’re also focused on helping you develop as an artist. You will be challenged to think beyond conventional ideas about media content, and explore how you can push and break boundaries. We’ll encourage you to experiment and see failures as a learning opportunity, as you develop your own unique voice.

Experience real film and TV sets

Thanks to our high-profile teaching team, you’ll get plenty of opportunities to work on real film and TV sets, for instance as runners and crowd marshalls. In addition, final year students get the chance to compete for a six-month placement with a production company in Malta, which is one of the most popular locations for films outside of America. This is potentially a career-making opportunity, and has led to some phenomenal successes.

Mari Olan spent a five-month placement at Malta Film Studios and worked on a variety of film projects, including acting as Second Assistant Director on a major film production. Read about her experience.

Showcase your work. Win awards.

All our students get the chance to showcase their work in festivals and competitions. In 2019, our students took home three top prizes from The Royal Television Society Awards, including The Sir Lenny Henry Award for Excellence. While in 2020, another student won his category at the NAHEMI Kodak Commercials Awards.

The culmination of the course is the opportunity to screen your work at our prestigious film première evening held at Quad: the Derby arts centre which celebrates visual arts, film and media. Part of our annual Degree Show, the evening begins with a VIP reception which offers you vital networking opportunities. In previous years the screening has attracted guests of honour such as the Editor-at-Large for Empire magazine Nev Pierce, Director John Stevenson (Kung Fu Panda) and legendary British cinematographer Robin Vidgeon. It could also be a springboard to national exposure for your work.

Facilities

All Art and Design, Film, Photography and Music courses are based at our Markeaton Street site where industry-standard, purpose built studios and labs provide a modern and creative space for our students. Markeaton Street encompasses Chandos Pole Street which is home to our Fashion and Textiles courses and Britannia Mill is home to Fine Art, Illustration and Interior Design studio spaces. Our Theatre students learn from professionals at the professional producing and learning Derby Theatre in the heart of Derby city centre. 

Markeaton Street is a 15 minute walk from Kedleston Road, and is serviced by regular free site shuttle buses.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

We use a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Practical work and production projects
• Lectures, seminars and tutorials
• Studio practice
• Film screenings
• Presentations
• Essay or blog writing
• Web-portfolios
• Discussion groups and critiques
• Work placements
• Study trips to places like Prague, New York, Portugal and Malta.

How you will be assessed

It’s 100% coursework. This usually includes tasks like:

• Making films and other media
• Writing reflective journals or essays
• Keeping sketchbooks of concepts and developments
• Giving presentations.

People you'll meet

Every single member of our teaching team is actively involved in the film and television industry. They include:

• Barry Squires: A Focus Puller for the film and broadcast industry, who has worked on Peter Kay’s Car Share and for CBBC children’s drama, BBC Match of the Day and BT Sport.
• Nigel Douglas: A BAFTA-winning producer/director with extensive broadcast television experience, including on This Life, Holby City and Bad Girls
• Stephen Watson: A Cinematographer and Digital Cinema Production Consultant, who has worked on British cult classic Dead Man’s Shoes and on numerous commercial and promotional films for clients such as Disney Junior Channel, Channel 4, ITV and Warp Films.
• Tom Craig: Programme Leader for this course and also a writer, producer and specialist in film financing. Working with the Malta Film Commission, he has helped finance over thirty short films, features and documentaries.

Degree Show

Every year students from the School of Arts celebrate their time at University by showcasing their work at an end of year Degree Show at Markeaton Street and across the City of Derby. The Show usually runs throughout June and is a fantastic opportunity for potential employers, friends, family, industry and members of the public to see exciting creations by the next generation of artists, designers, creators and makers from Derby. The Show takes the form of:

• An exhibition at Markeaton Street
• A Fashion and Textiles catwalk (usually at Derby Theatre)
• A Film Premiere (usually at QUAD)
• Theatre Performances (usually at Derby Theatre)
• A Music show at a variety of venues

Take a look at highlights from the 2019 Degree Show.

September 2021 typical entry requirements

Alternative entry qualifications:

• BTEC - DMM
• Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15 Merit: 24 Pass: 6

Offers will be made initially based on your application, including predicted grades and/or grades you have already achieved. Following this, if you submit a strong portfolio we will make you an unconditional offer, to reflect the quality of your work and your potential.

2022 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2022 entry.

Additional entry requirements

• Portfolio: Yes view portfolio details

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

2021/22 Fees (August 2021 - July 2022)

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

This course will prepare you for a range of specialist careers, in moving image production or in the wider creative industries. For example, graduates from our previous Film Production degree have gone on to work as:

• technicians in sound, lighting and grips
• production personnel such as production assistants and runners
• independent personnel such as script writers, directors of photography, editors, art directors, cinematographers, animation specialists, producers and directors.

Many of our graduates have achieved success as feature film directors and music video artists. They have worked on major film projects such as Assassin’s Creed and 13 Hours while others have worked for the BBC, ITV, MTV, Disney and leading music labels.  

You'll also build up a range of transferable skills, useful for any career. For instance, you’ll have great oral and written communication skills, be able to manage projects, and be good at identifying and finding relevant source materials.

We provide support for aspiring entrepreneurs starting out in the creative industries through our incubation unit, Banks Mill. It offers studio workspace and business development activities in a vibrant and thriving community of artists, designers and makers.

You can also take your skills to the next level on our MA Film and Photography.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Additional costs and optional extras

We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

The information below is correct for entry in the academic year September 2020 - August 2021 only. Entry for future academic years may be subject to change.

Included in your fees

• Film stock 50ft per student specialist equipment and edit suites
• Starter packs for introductory workshops (e.g. 8GB SD Class 10 memory card. 1 per student.
• Participation in Degree Show screening at QUAD
• Here at Derby, we provide excellent learning resources, libraries and specialist laboratories and studios. 

Mandatory costs not included in your fees

• Additional materials (printing, stationary, portfolio sleeves, folders, USBs/hard drives etc.)   (Approx. costs - Year 1= £250, Year 2 = £300, Year 3 = £400)
• There will be occasions when you will be expected to attend exhibitions, screenings, performances and festivals. You will need to budget for these over each academic year. 
• 2 study visits (1 in year 1 and 1 in year 2) approximate cost of each study visit is between £15 and £30, depending on the activity / location.

Optional costs not included in your fees

• additional course related publications (approx. costs £100), 
• specialist software/hardware (costs up to £1500
• final year project costs (costs determined by student £200-£600)
• travel for work placement opportunities (costs will vary dependant on location)
• We provide full details of all course fees, but extra costs may include field trips (approx. cost £200-£400)
• Additional expenses incurred by students (average £50 a head) are usually covered by fund raising e.g. crowd funding (training provided for this as part of professional practice)

Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Other courses you might like

• Film and Photography MA