Broadcast Media (Design and Technology) with Professional Development BSc

About the Course

The TV and media industries are going through a period of rapid change with the digital revolution changing the way that TV programmes are recorded, produced, screened and viewed. The rapid growth of interactive and 3D TV has resulted in the need for a new type of creative technologist.

Well-educated, imaginative professionals are required who are fluent in the creative exploitation of new digital broadcast technology. This includes 2D/3D motion graphics designers, visual effects practitioners for TV, broadcast systems integrators, interactive technologists, and post-production and virtual production environments implementers.

Our undergraduate courses allow you to specialise so that you can match your studies to your own particular interest, or maintain a broad approach.

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Aims

The course’s aims are different to those of a Film and Television Studies course. We aim to produce creative designers with the technological skill to produce short duration (typically less than 2 minutes), high quality visual media for broadcast delivery to a professional standard.

The programme is a true integration of design creativity and technology. It aims to provide students with multiple and hybrid skills and aptitudes, developing their technological and creative abilities.

The course is designed to promote the creative use of technology in the design, generation and post-production of digital TV broadcasting. There is no other programme in the UK that truly aims to develop both the technology and creative skill required for the industry. We are known to have a proven track record in courses of this kind.

Enquiries

Dr David Smith
Admissions Tutor
School of Engineering and Design
Brunel University
Uxbridge
Middlesex
UB8 3PH

Email sed.ug.admissions@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 265814

Related Courses

• Multimedia Technology and Design BSc
• Multimedia Technology and Design with Professional Development BSc
• Broadcast Media (Design and Technology) BSc

Special Features

• Our Studios are very well-equipped, with an extensive range of hardware and software. These systems are exactly the same as those used in the Broadcast Media industry. We have a large range of such resources and our software budget is around £500,000 per year.  The School also has over 500 desktop computers in our studios, the vast majority of which are less than two years old.
  
• In a course directed at real hands-on practice rather than simulation or theoretical work, you will spend much of your time in a custom designed, integrated TV studio and post-production suite, both of which only use high-definition formats. We feel that high definition is essential to the production of professional quality, post-production material. Our broadcast facility will allow you to capture and manipulate high definition video and 3D video. You will be using professional quality equipment that in some aspects is beyond that used in the industry today, an advantage of our internationally recognised excellence in Broadcast Technology.
  
• We have good links with business. For our students this means courses designed to meet the needs of industry and the market place.
  
• We benefit from being located in the London area, which is home to the UK’s TV and film industries, including the BBC, Sky TV and Pinewood. London is home to Europe’s largest concentration of internationally renowned creators and distributors of broadcast media content.

Facts and Figures

The School of Engineering and Design is one of the largest Schools in the University. It was established in 2004 from the three former departments of Design, Electronic and Computer Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. We have over 110 full-time academic staff, 1700 undergraduate students, 500 postgraduate students on taught master courses and 300 research students.

Course Content

Typical Modules

Level 1

Autumn Term:

• Creativity for Digital Media Design (all year) Digital Photography Digital Graphics Web Design
• Business for the Creative Industries Programming for Digital Media 1
  

Spring Term:

• Introduction to Video Production
• Digital Design Theory
• Introduction to Post Production
• CGI Foundation for Visual Effects
• Acquisition for Visual Effects

Level 2

• Motion Graphics
• Design Practice for Broadcast
• Post-Production and Compositing
• 3D Design and Animation
• Communication
• Sound and Music Production for Broadcast

Level 3 Core

• Major Project
• Digital Media Management

Level 3 Options

• Advanced Motion Graphics
• Advanced Compositing
• Motion Capture and Advanced 3D
• Image in Motion
• Broadcast Technology

On successful completion of this course, you will develop a knowledge and understanding of:

• the historical, cultural, political, legal, business, economic and technological contexts in which TV broadcast professionals operate;
• design methods and methodologies in the visual arts, graphic design, film, and related fields of communication, and their application in broadcast television;
• the principles, primary technologies, standards and methods in contemporary and emerging computing and communication hardware and software systems;
• the principles of operation, limitations, potential and effective use of electronic media and their associated tools and technologies;
• the motion graphics designer’s relationship with clients, markets, users and collaborators in other professions;
• design, project and people management principles and techniques.

You will be able to:

• critically and constructively evaluate motion graphics and other communication artefacts in terms of their intention, process, outcome, context, technology and modes of communication;
• develop and apply your knowledge to new situations;
• design, plan, manage, implement, evaluate and report a significant individual project in television design and technology;
• apply originality, flair and creativity to the design, technology implementation, management and evaluation of broadcast solutions;
• effectively use enabling computer technologies for post production and compositing;
• use software tools and packages for creative illustration, graphics, static and dynamic image processing;
• present ideas and work to audiences in a range of situations;
• work effectively as a member of a team and in a self-directed manner to achieve outcomes in a controlled and timely fashion.

Teaching and Learning

Staff Expertise 

We take pains to maintain our high level of teaching. Lecturers are at the leading edge of their fields and many are internationally and nationally recognised for their work. They are often widely published and have good links with industry, so they know exactly what is going on in the commercial world.

Hours 

In Levels 1 and 2 you will have about 18 taught hours a week. This will fall to around 12 hours of lectures and seminars in Level 3, with one whole day of project work. You will also have regular appointments with your final year project supervisor at Level 3. 

In addition to this, staff are normally happy to answer queries outside this time. We operate an open door policy where you can drop in and chat, or email lecturers with your questions. 

Students are expected to carry out a total of 40 hours study a week, including contact hours.

How will I be taught? 

Lectures – These provide a broad overview of key concepts and ideas relating to your course and give you a framework from which to carry out in-depth study.

Studios –These are normally stand-alone three hour sessions in which students can develop, understand and practice using industry standard equipment. They provide an informal environment in which to explore new ideas and apply what you have learnt in lectures.

Workshops – In a workshop you will work on more complex problems with guidance from a member of staff. This might involve producing an artefact or a design solution. Workshops allow you to develop new intellectual and practical skills and also serve to reinforce material learnt in lectures.

One-to-one – You will get one-to-one supervision for all major project work in your final year. If you go on a placement you will also be allocated an academic visiting tutor who will help you to set objectives, monitor your progress, and provide further support if you need it. You will also have a personal tutor who is available to discuss both academic and personal problems. 

Other – This may include guest speakers from prominent organisations, research seminars and external site visits.

Assessment

Level 1 does not count towards your final degree mark but you have to pass this year in order to progress to Level 2. Level 2 is worth a third of your final degree classification. Level 3 is worth the rest.

In the final year you will carry out a major individual project worth a third of your final year marks. This is in addition to other project work at Level 2.

The percentage of coursework to exam varies and depends on the modules you select. As an approximate guide, about 40% of assessment over the whole programme is by examination, and 60% by coursework.

Assessment is by a variety of methods. In general, the following techniques are used:

• Traditional exam
• Pre-seen exam (a case study to prepare in advance)
• Written assignments
• Practical and creative design assignments
• Individual and group presentations.

Particular emphasis is put on teamwork for certain assignments, as the ability to work in teams is critical for individuals working towards careers in the broadcast design fields.

Employability

Applicants who have both creative ability and knowledge of the technology and its creative potential are in ever growing demand.

The creative industries are growing at 6% per year but the TV industries are growing at 16% per year with average growth across all sectors at 4%. Indeed, the creative industries have been a focus of central Government interest over the last few years, perhaps signaling the emergence of a new and strong contributor to the UK’s GDP.

According to David McNulty, a post-production artist currently working on film titles from Columbia Pictures and Warner Bros, “There is a high demand in today’s post-production industry for a new generation of up-and-coming professionals. The industry needs graduates who have a combination of cross-platform, multi-discipline understanding mixed with strong hands-on practical knowledge.”

Careers

There is a relaxed and friendly relationship between students and staff at Brunel and we take a genuine interest and pride in the success of our students and graduates. This, together with acknowledged high quality teaching and resources, results in an excellent record of employment amongst our graduates.

Our links with industry mean that graduates are well-placed to enter the dynamic world of digital TV.

Recent graduates have gone on to work for the BBC, Wurmsers TV Graphics, Philips, Sky, VentureThree and a variety of design companies.

Placements

You have the opportunity to undertake high quality work placements within prestigious organisations such as BSkyB, Stream UK, JVC, and Dolby Laboratories. Increasingly, students are selecting smaller companies to obtain a more flexible placement opportunity.

The University maintains close contact with you during your placement year. The industrial placement year is assessed and contributes to your degree – students who successfully complete the placement year graduate with ‘Professional Development’ as part of their degree title in recognition of their time spent in industry. You will be required to keep a record of your training and of work undertaken throughout the year and to submit coursework to demonstrate the placement learning you have undertaken..

Some of the benefits of a work placement to students include: experience in a relevant business area; the chance to develop the work-related skills demanded by the majority of graduate employers, and which will dramatically enhance your overall employability; personal development including building self-confidence, self-discipline and responsibility attributes; and financial rewards since placements are paid.

Brunel has a dedicated Placement and Careers Centre with over 30 staff, including specialist industry consultants. Each course has a dedicated placement officer who supports students through the placement process. The service includes CV writing, one-to-one guidance and mock interviews. Brunel was named ‘Best University Placement Service’ at the Rate My Placement Awards 2010.

Fees for 2013/14 entry

UK/EU students: £9,000 full-time; £1,000 placement year

International students: £15,000 full-time

We are introducing over 700 scholarships for 2013, meaning that one in five applicants who join Brunel next year will receive financial support from the University. See our fees and funding page for full details

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2013 Entry

• GCE A-level BBB, preferably to include one creative subject such as Fine Art, Graphic Design or Photography and one technical subject such as Maths, Computing or Physics. Other relevant A-levels may be considered (General Studies and Critical Thinking not accepted).
• Irish Leaving Certificate ABBBB, preferably to include one creative subject such as Fine Art, Graphic Design or Photography and one technical subject such as Maths, Computing or Physics.
• Scottish Advanced Highers BBB, preferably to include one creative subject such as Fine Art, Graphic Design or Photography and one technical subject such as Maths, Computing or Physics.
• Advanced Diploma Progression Diploma Grade B in either Creative and Media or Information Technology, plus a B at A-level for Additional and Specialist Learning.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDD in either Arts and Humanities, Sciences or a combination.
• IBDP 32 points preferably to include at 5 in Higher one creative subject such as Fine Art, Graphic Design or Photography and one technical subject such as Maths, Computing or Physics.
• Access Complete and pass Access to Art and Design, Computing or Media course with 45 credits at Level 3 and with Merit or higher in all units.
  

For all of the above, 5 GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above are also required, to include English (please note that these must have been gained by the time you submit your UCAS application).

All applicants are required to attend an interview including a portfolio review as part of the selection process before a formal offer is made.

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.