Skye Broad

Media Production with a Foundation Year - BA

Skye didn’t think she had enough UCAS points to go to university until she found out about foundation years. Skye applied to Media Production with a Foundation Year to develop her skills in a different area and try something new. She now has an exciting career in TV and has worked with some of the UK’s most well-known Comedians like Romesh Ranganathan and Joe Lycett.

“I studied three really challenging A Level subjects – German, English and History. I didn’t get the results I wanted so I assumed I wouldn’t have enough UCAS points to get a place at university. I saw an advert about Clearing and decided it was worth a shot, even though I was doubtful about getting a place.

I rang the BCU Clearing hotline to enquire and was told I could be offered a place on a foundation year. I’d never heard of a foundation year before but the staff at BCU explained to me that it was a way for me to develop my skills in a subject I hadn’t previously studied. This sounded perfect to me, as I didn’t want to study anything I’d studied at A-Level, I wanted to explore something new and exciting. I applied for Media Production with a Foundation Year and was offered a place!

Even though I had a place, I still felt very nervous to start university. Being able to visit the campus and chat to BCU staff at a Clearing Open Day was a huge relief. The staff were friendly and put me at ease by answering all my questions. I also got to tour the amazing facilities that BCU has to offer. It sparked a passion in me for media production and made me grateful to have had the chance to explore something new.

The course itself was really hands-on, we were given the freedom to be creative and make our own TV shows and short films. I made friends for life and had so much fun working on these projects. I undertook several work experience opportunities whilst I studied at BCU, including multiple days as a runner on shows such as Britain's Got Talent. I did a placement on the Birmingham Commonwealth Games as a Video Playback Operator at the Swimming and Diving events, and an eight-week full-time placement on Late Night Lycett as a production trainee. These experiences were invaluable and a great springboard for my career.

Since graduating, I have worked on The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan, The Hundred and The Great British Menu. Currently, I’m working on Late Night Lycett as a Production Secretary. I love working in Media and can’t imagine doing anything different now.

Going through Clearing and doing a foundation year didn’t set me back at all, in fact, it gave me the tools and confidence to have an exciting, fast-paced career.”