higher education research

1. Academic Research

2. After College
I am currently studying a level 3 Creative Media BTEC at Sunderland College, after I have completed this
course I plan to move up into higher education to broaden my skills and experience within the film and
media industry. When applying to university there are many factors to consider like fundings,
accommodation and location, however with all 3 factors I have just listed there is support that will be
given to help the student get the resources that they need for university. Along with university there is
also an option called a ‘sandwich’ year which allows students to take a year abroad and study or take
part in work experience alongside their university degree. Before applying to my chosen universities I
decided to look at the different courses that they had available and if they suited me. I did this by looking
at their websites and looking through UCAS.
The Universities I have chosen to apply to is Manchester, Sunderland, Teesside and Northumbria, this is
due to the majority of my options are close to home and are only a short drive or bus journey away. Also
when looking at the courses that they offer I believe that they are best fitted towards what career path I
want to go down.

3. Sunderland University-
Film Production with a foundation year
One of the first universities that I applied for was Sunderland University to
study: Film Production with a foundation year. In the UK Sunderland University
has ranked 1st for their film production course and 11th for their film and media
production course by the Guardians University Guide in 2023.
I applied for the BA(Hons) Film Production With an Foundation Year, by
studying with a foundation year this allows me to gain and develop study skills
before fully starting my degree. It also allows me to broaden my knowledge
about the industry and the subject. With the Film Production course it does
involve theory work, however it is a very hands on course with students taking
part in and learning documentary production, scriptwriting, cinematography,
directing and filmmaking. Alongside the cameras and cinematography skills that
will be gained this course also allows students to learn how to use different
software's such as: Premier Pro, Da Vinci Resolve, sound recording equipment,
Steadicam rigs, lighting equipment and digital cameras. As this course starts at
a foundation year only 40 UCAS Terrif points are required to get into this
specific course

4. Sunderland University- Film and Media
Production with an Foundation Year
Another course that I have applied for is the: Film and Media Production with
a Foundation Year, as said previously Sunderland is 11th for their film and
media production course by the Guardians University Guide in 2023.
I have applied for the BA(Hons) Film and Media Production with a
Foundation Year, as this course allows students to look more into the
background of media and film and see historical contexts and contemporary
debates in the film, media and cultural studies. Which allows students to
explore and examine past and present areas of the media. Within this course
it allows students to study: the mass media, screen genres, script writing,
cultural representation and film theory analysis. Alongside this course also
involves hands on modules based on film production and students are able
to work alongside established research academics at the centre for research
and media practice which allows students to gain more experience within the
industry. Similar to the BA(Hons) Film Production course I have applied for a
foundation year which only requires 40 UCAS Terrif point to get into the
course. As said in the previous slide a foundation allows me to gain study
skills and more knowledge about the industry before I fully start my degree.

5. Manchester- Film and Media Studies with a
Foundation Year
Another university that I applied to was Manchester to study their BA(Hons) Film
and Media Studies with a Foundation Year. To get onto this course I would have
to achieve 72-80 UCAS Terrif points which is slightly higher than Sunderlands
points. Within this course the units are designed to build students confidence and
bring them up to speed for the rest of your degree, preparing you for when you
move into the first year of your degree. Alongside the degree you will also be
required to sstudy a selection of humanities units, and the content is tailored
towards your specific degree.
As said previously a foundation year allows students to build skills and
knowledge about their subject before fully going into their degree. With the
university being away from home I would have to move. Prices of
accommodation range from £110 per week to £168. The further away from the
university that the accommodation is the more the price increases

6. Teeside- Film and Television Production course
with a Foundation Year
Another university that I applied for was Teeside University, I applied for their: Film
and Television Production course with a Foundation Year. In this course you will
develop the understanding of the historical and current practise alongside your
practical and artistic skills. Most importantly this course allows you to learn through
making physical products, by using and interrogating existing pieces of work you
allow yourself to build your own personal voice. 70% of students from this course go
into different sectors of media employment such as: film, television, digital media,
audio production, marketing, events and creative arts.
As it is a foundation year the requirements to get in vary from student to student to
take Into consideration their grades. Considering the fact that it is a foundation year
the course also allows students to develop their skills further before fully going and
committing to their degree. The course allows students to have different studies
delivered to them by experienced workers across all sectors of the industry and
addresses the essential academic, practical and professional skills that are needed
to work in the film and TV industry. As this course is based in Teeside I would be
able to live at home while completing my studies, so no accommodation would be
needed.

7. Northumbria- Film and TV Production
The final university that I applied for was Northumbria to study their: Film and TV
Production course. One thing that is different to this university out of all of my
options is that I haven’t applied for a foundation year as it wasn’t offered when
applying. This course offers students to be taught by lectures who specialise in
filmmaking and screenwriters. Within this course it allows students get hands on
experience with professional equipment and gain industry like experience while
learning. In this course students will get to create their own TV programmes, films,
write their own scrips and research concepts to improve their work. Another good
thing about this course is that it is paired with a work experience unit, the university
is partnered with big TV studio names such as the BBC, ITV and Third Films and
Arcus Animations to allows students to get real professional experience within the
industry. By having a wide variety on the course it is insured that the student will
have a diverse portfolio that is ensured to help them get into the industry with wide
variety of experiences.
As this isn’t a foundation year to get into this course 120 UCAS Terrif points is
required to get onto the course. Assessment and teaching methods may include
lectures, group work, problem based workshops, tutorials and case discussions. As
the university is located in Newcastle I would be able to live at home while studying,
which means no accommodation would be required.