Future Media, Content Creation and Production - BA (Hons) *
Currently viewing course to start in 2027/28 Entry.
Developed and delivered in partnership with the BBC, our BA (Hons) Future Media, Content Creation and Production allows you to shape the future of media. This course prepares you to create innovative digital content for today's rapidly evolving media landscape....
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Award BA (Hons)
- Start date September 2027
- Subject
- Location City Centre
This course is:
Available with Professional Placement year
Open to International Students
Overview
Developed and delivered in partnership with the BBC, our BA (Hons) Future Media, Content Creation and Production allows you to shape the future of media.
This course prepares you to create innovative digital content for today's rapidly evolving media landscape. Combining creativity, storytelling and emerging technologies, you'll explore digital media production, platform-native content creation and new forms of online storytelling.
Designed for the next generation of digital creators, this course is distinct from traditional broadcast and journalism degrees. You'll develop the creative, technical and professional skills needed to produce engaging content for social media, streaming platforms and immersive digital environments, enabling you to bring your creative and media expertise to multiple industries.
Through project-based learning, you'll learn how to develop, produce and distribute content for platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and on-demand services, while exploring emerging technologies including the virtual world of VR, XR and AR. Working individually and collaboratively, you'll respond to live briefs and real-world challenges, creating ethical, inclusive and audience-focused media experiences.
You'll study in industry-standard facilities using professional software and technologies, supported by experienced academics and visiting industry experts. Opportunities to work with external partners on collaborative projects will help you gain valuable industry experience, build your professional network and develop an understanding of current creative practice.
The course reflects the industry's move towards digital-first commissioning, emerging formats and audience-centred storytelling, while emphasising responsible media practice and public value.
Teaching will take place at BCU's City Centre Campus and, subject to final planning approval, at the BBC's new Midlands headquarters at the Tea Factory.
What's covered in this course?
Reflecting today's media industries, the course recognises that digital creators often combine multiple roles, including content production, presentation, branding and community engagement.
Alongside developing your creative media practice, you'll explore how platforms, algorithms and audience behaviours shape contemporary media, giving you the critical understanding needed to succeed in a fast-changing digital environment.
Throughout your studies, you'll learn from the insights of BBC staff and other industry professionals, alongside opportunities to engage with broadcasters, producers and creative organisations across Birmingham's exciting media sector.
You'll build a professional portfolio that showcases your creative and technical skills, graduating with the confidence, experience and industry-ready expertise to pursue careers across the creative and digital sectors or continue to postgraduate study so that you have a portfolio of future media content by the time you graduate.
Professional Placement year
This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.
If you choose to pursue a placement year, you will need to find a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will be able to draw on the University’s extensive network of local, regional, and national employers, and the support of our Careers teams. If you are able to secure a placement, you can request to be transferred to the placement version of the course.
Placement opportunities may be available with a wide range of organisations across the media, creative and communications sectors. As placements are secured through a competitive recruitment process, opportunities with specific employers or organisations cannot be guaranteed.
Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year.
Why Choose Us?
- Developed and delivered in partnership with the BBC. You'll learn from the insights of BBC staff and other industry professionals to ensure you will develop the future-ready skills needed by employers.
- Birmingham is one of the UK's leading creative and digital cities. You'll benefit from strong links with creative businesses, agencies and cultural organisations.
- Work with industry-standard facilities and equipment. You'll build professional production skills in our television and radio studios and on location, developing expertise in camera operation, lighting, sound recording, live broadcasting and post-production.
- Learn from industry professionals. You will be taught by experienced content creators and digital specialists, with opportunities to meet visiting professionals.
- Build a professional portfolio. Showcase your development as a creative practitioner and prepare for employment within the audio and wider creative industries.
Open Days
Join us for our next Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.
Next Open Days: 26 September (Sport only), 10 October
Course in Depth
First Year
Digital Storytelling
Core Production Skills
Creator Lab
Media Industries
Second Year
PR and Communications
Innovation Lab
Digital Content Creation
Commissioning and Making
Professional Placement Year (optional)
In order to qualify for the Professional Placement Year, you must successfully complete the following Level 5 module:
This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 40- week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Undergraduate Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market. Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace.
Final Year
Content Development and Strategy
Project Development
Professional Practice
Major Project
How you learn
You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical workshops, studio production, live broadcasts, industry projects and independent creative practice.
Flexible approaches to learning are embedded throughout the course, including recorded lectures, blended learning, on-campus teaching and intensive delivery for selected modules.
We recognise that students enter higher education from a wide range of educational backgrounds, and throughout your first year we will support your transition by helping you develop the confidence, independence and academic skills needed to succeed.
Where appropriate, external speakers, industry practitioners and academic specialists will contribute to your learning through guest lectures, workshops and visits.
Throughout the course, you will also build a professional portfolio of creative work that showcases your development and prepares you for employment within the audio and wider creative industries.
Further studies
On completion of the course, you may want to further enhance your skills through an MA such as Radio and Podcasting or Documentary Production.
Take a look at the showreel below for a glimpse of what some of our incredible students have created in their time at BCU, featuring the best in TV, journalism, radio and more.
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2027/28.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
Essential requirements
112 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.
As creativity is an important part of this course, you are expected to submit a portfolio as part of the selection process. This is your opportunity to show your ideas and skills to our tutors.
If you are not studying a creative subject at Level 3, you can still apply for this course. Our portfolio guidance information includes alternative options for how you can show us your passion for art.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Guidance for UK students
UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
- Register with UCAS
- Login to UCAS and complete your details
- Select your course and write a personal statement
- Get a reference
- Pay your application fee and submit your application
Guidance for International students
There are three ways to apply:
1) Direct to the University
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
2) Through a country representative
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
3) Through UCAS
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
Personal statement
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the three areas you’ll need to address:
- Why do you want to study this course or subject?
Here’s where you explain what makes this course exciting to you. Think about your motivations for studying the course and your future plans. If you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons.
- How have your qualifications and studies helped you to prepare for this course or subject?
This is your chance to show what you’ve learned at school or college. You should include the skills and knowledge you’ve gained from education or training and how this will help you succeed in your chosen course.
- What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?
Not everything you’ve learned comes from the classroom. Life experience counts too! You might want to talk about work experience, employment, or volunteering and how they’ve helped you develop the skills needed for your chosen course or future career.
Worried about Personal Statements?
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
Employability
Enhancing employability skills
As the course has been developed in partnership with the BBC, there will be a range of opportunities to learn from industry professionals and engage with contemporary broadcasting and audio production practices.
This is complemented by our wider network of industry, community and research partners, who contribute to an engaging and professionally relevant learning experience.
The Professional Practice module in the final year of the course provides structured opportunities to explore careers, freelancing, entrepreneurship, commissioning, audience development and professional identity.
Industry projects, collaborative activities, independent production work and other activities will support you to develop the behaviours, skills and confidence required for employment within contemporary media industries.
Through the course, you will build a professional portfolio of creative work that showcases your technical competence, creative achievement and reflective practice and prepares you for employment within the audio and wider creative industries.
Graduate jobs
Graduates from this course could go on to work in media and content development roles in television, radio, as well content creation roles in other sectors, as well as freelancing or setting up their own businesses.
Links to industry
This course is part of a suite of courses developed in collaboration with the BBC. The partnership with the BBC means that the courses have been designed to help students develop the skills that the media and creative industries need.
This partnership gives our students a unique opportunity to learn from professionals currently working in the media and creativity industries, and start to build a network of industry contacts during their studies.
Facilities & Staff
Through Birmingham City University's partnership with the BBC, you will benefit from access to specialist facilities across both our City Centre Campus and – subject to final planning approval – the BBC Tea Factory, located just a short walk away in Birmingham's creative quarter.
Subject to final planning approval, the Tea Factory facilities are expected to include radio and television production spaces, audio facilities, and specialist broadcast technology environments.
Alongside this, you'll learn in BCU's purpose-built Media Centre at Parkside, home to industry-standard television, radio and digital production facilities. Three of the TV studios can facilitate live multi-camera production, and all studios (TV and radio) can be interconnected. It’s taken 22km of wire to make that happen!
Together, these facilities provide a dynamic production environment where you can develop practical skills, collaborate on creative projects and gain experience using the technologies found across today's media industries.
Our staff
Emily Rushmer
Senior Lecturer in Media Production
Emily Rushmer is an award-winning former television Producer/Director. Since 2019 she has taught at Birmingham City University where she is a Senior Lecturer and Course Director of BA (Hons) Media Production. She also teaches practice-based modules on MA Media Production. Emily stared working in the television industry in 1998, primarily at BBC...
More about Emily