Documentary Production - MA/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate

The full Master's course comprises 180 credits divided into three 60 credits stages: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, and Master's. Students work incrementally through the three stages and must pass all modules at each stage in order to progress to the next.

UWE Bristol and the BBC have jointly developed modules, which include:

• The business of factual - this module explores the broadcast business; media, law and ethics; and the development of production and technical skills
• Ideas, story, format - you will work through the creative process of factual documentary broadcasting, generating ideas; research into story; genre, audience and format.
• Preparing for factual production - this module guides students through the production process for their final film, exploring factual research and development, editorial specification, pitching to green-light and the development of key technical skills.
• Future docs - you will develop your knowledge of multi-platform principles and practice; audiences and interaction; technology and innovation. This module will be delivered by members of the internationally renowned Idocs team.
• Professional practice in factual production - this module is an extended 3-6 month production module, where you will undertake your own creative project, showcasing your portfolio of skills. This bespoke module will be largely self-directed, supported by tutorials and sessions with an industry mentor.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we will inform you.

This course provides a distinct and bespoke learning experience. Most of the teaching (practice and theory) is delivered by current and former BBC production professionals - the very best in the business and each student is matched with an industry mentor who will act as advisor for the final major project.

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars and expert-led technical workshops in camera techniques, sound, recording, post-production, TV studio work and editing using industry-standard software such as AVID, Premier and Final Cut Pro.

There will be field visits to post-production houses and regular guest speakers from the BBC (around 15 - 20 a year) to enhance learning and bring valuable industry insight.

For more details see our glossary of teaching and learning terms.

This rigorous course is delivered full time over 12 months.You will have 18 hours of contact time a week. The academic year runs from September with study over the summer (main shooting period).

You will be assessed on the production of short films both independently and in teams and the completion of written reports and portfolios of work.

For more details see our glossary of assessment terms.