Key Features

• Start Date:
• September

• Duration:
• Full time: 48 weeks

• Fees:
• Full time: £4,400 approx (2009/10)
• Overseas students: £9,750 (2010/11)

• Contact:
• Pamela Creed
• +44 (0)121 331 6762
• pam.creed@bcu.ac.uk

MA Television & Interactive Content

Is the MA Television and Interactive Content for me?

The MA offers an ideal opportunity to enhance first degrees with the knowledge and practical skills essential for a career in television and digital media.

Long established links with traditional broadcasters, independent producers and emerging digital media companies, enable students to develop their own networking skills and gain industry experience through vocational placements.

What does the MA Television and Interactive Content involve?

The prospective student will want to extend their knowledge of the changing media landscape and gain editorial and technical skills and professional practices as a basis for a career in this expanding and highly competitive employment sector.

The course is very much based on practical workshops; you will learn single camera craft skills for shooting on location, there are also practical television studio sessions. You will also learn the craft of non linear editing on industry standard AVID suites. A strong emphasis is placed on the key skills of Producer/Director and the editorial understanding of the structure of programme making. Ideas generation, from conception to delivery is an integral part of the course.

Television content will also be seen in the wider context in response to the emergence of new content provider platforms; interactivity, website content and other content streaming.

You will also get the opportunity to understand and develop good media practices of ethics, media law and copyright. This will be a very hands on course with workshops and practical assignments.

Will I do placements as part of the course?

Yes, a key part of the MA is a dedicated industry placement. This gives you the opportunity to gain an invaluable insight and experience in the workings of the Industry and apply your acquired skills and make valuable contacts in a real work place.

You will be expected to identify and contact a suitable company to suit your particular interests and skills. The course enjoys strong contacts with mainstream and independent companies and former students have attained useful and exciting placements both nationally and internationally.

What will I be able to do when I've finished the course?

The MA enjoys a very high employment success rate. Past students have achieved successful careers in key media companies including the BBC, Channel 4, CNN and Endemol, as researchers and producers on a wide variety of programmes and projects.

What are the entry requirements?

A first or second class degree and appropriate professional experience or other qualifications or achievements, which clearly demonstrate a keen interest in the television sector and interactive media. It isn't necessary to have a first degree in the media, but it is important you can demonstrate a keen interest in the media and that you have the ability to generate and develop ideas, as judged by the MA team. Applicants are advised to read around the subject of media and interactivity, and explore examples. Some good places to start include:

• BBC iPlayer
• Tate Modern video content
• MTV's 'interactive channel' MTV Flux
• Current TV, a "global television network that gives you the opportunity to create and influence what airs on TV"
• Moving from TV to Online
• The 20 things you MUST know about music online (although this is about the music industry, many of the points apply to the television industry also)
• Defining and conceptualising interactivity

How do I apply?

For information on applications or to apply now visit the Applications page.