Undergraduate Course

Media Content Creation with Foundation Year

BA (Hons)*


 * This course is subject to validation 

Course details

Study options

Full-time: 4 years

UK fee

£9,250 per year (2025/26)

International fee

£TBC per year (2025/26)

UCAS points

72 (September 2025 entry)

UCAS code

P3CF

Start date

September

Location

Markeaton Street, Derby Campus

We’ll help you decide what kind of content creator you want to be and arm you with the applied knowledge and vocational skills to make your vision a reality. You’ll explore commercial video production, documentary and factual production, non-linear narratives and storytelling, media content writing and scripting, podcasting and audio design, interactive and convergent media, social media and entrepreneurship, AI and the creative process, AR and how it can impact legacy media as well as simply learning to appreciate Media Content Creation in its many forms, formats and contexts. 

A large film camera is being operated by someone with two males also in shot in a tv studio environment
A male adult is standing with a male student looking at some camera equipment outside a modern building

Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.

Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.

Opportunities and experiences

 This programme offers endless variety with overlapping methods of delivery and consumption, and this will be evident when working with local and national employers on live media briefs. Visit studios and exhibitions and Take part in high-profile competitions and follow in the footsteps of our award-winning graduates. 

Outstanding facilities

You will be based at our Markeaton Street Campus, studying in classrooms, computer labs, radio studios and our TV studio. The facilities include three radio studios, a fully equipped television studio, video editing suites, Mac suites and access to Adobe Creative Suite. All of this means you’ll be confident using industry-standard technology, giving you an advantage when you're looking for a job. 

Markeaton Street, Derby Campus

Build, Create, Innovate

Whether it's computing, photography, or engineering, our top-tier facilities — including a new suite of recording studios and a £12 million STEM Centre — provide the perfect setting to excel.

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What you will study

  • History and Theory of Creative Practice
  • Creative Studies
  • Creative Technologies
  • Creative Digital Skills
  • Negotiated Project
  • Studio Design and Praxis
  • Dialled In - Audio Cultures
  • Writing for the Media
  • Media Histories & Context
  • The Coded Industries
  • None-Linear Narratives
  • Podcast Professional
  • Social Media Cultures & Entrepreneurship
  • Augmenting Realities
  • On Assignment
  • Convergent Media Portfolio
  • Advanced Promotional Video Portfolio
  • Advanced Documentary & Factual Production
  • Advanced Audio Design
  • Advanced Digital Labs

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.

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day

How you will learn

Make the cutting-edge recording facilities, TV studio and edit suites your second home. Explore and experiment with digital practices within our digital labs as well as exploring and understand how the media industry’s function. Hone your skills by being on Assignment with our external media partners on professional briefs and commercial projects and be able to create potential award-winning content for entry into the annual Royal Television Society Awards.

Person offering support to a student Person offering support to a student with a laptop Student smiling with tutor Tutor smiling with student and laptop

Helping you reach your full potential

Our Personal Academic Tutoring programme supports your academic journey, helping you achieve your goals and unlock your potential.

Explore the programme

Who will teach you

Mark Smith

Programme Leader

Awaiting staff photo

Mark Smith

Mark Smith is a lecturer in Media Production and Media Studies.

View full staff profile

Entry requirements

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points72
A LevelDDD
BTECMMP
GCSEGCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study
Access to HEN/A

English language requirements

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

Fees and funding

2025/26

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,250 per year

N/A

International

£TBC per year

N/A

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

Additional costs and optional extras

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


UK students

If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.

Apply through UCAS

If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

Careers

Our focus is on professional practice and employability by developing not only your own unique creative practice, but also nurturing a ‘go get it’ attitude. We’ll help you develop your network of contacts that can help identify, support and grow your strengths to promote yourself in the media industries. You could develop and advance your career in areas such as Commercial Video, Documentary and Factual Production, non-Linear Narratives, Podcasting and the Audio Industries, Editorial design, Branding, Visual Communication, new media technologies and online design.

Careers and Employment Service

Our Careers and Employment Service can help you boost your employment skills by connecting you with employers for work placements, part-time jobs, and volunteering. They can also offer guidance on career options, CV writing, or starting your own business. 

Getting you career ready

Your degree is only part of your story.

We're here to help prepare you for life after university.

Career Support Image

96%
of UK graduates are in employment or further study.

Top 5
for employability.
Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025.

87%
of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningful.

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.

Contact us Contact us

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.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

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.

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