Overview
If you’re someone who wants to use film and television to make a meaningful difference, this postgraduate programme gives you the space, skills and critical insight to do exactly that. Across the PgCert, PgDip and MA pathways, you’ll explore how screen storytelling can respond to the climate crisis through environmentally responsible narratives and sustainable production practices. All three pathways enable you to achieve industry-recognised certification from BAFTA Albert - the leading film and TV environmental and sustainability standard organisation in the UK.
You’ll build a strong understanding of the scientific, social, political and economic dimensions of climate change, and examine how the screen industries shape public awareness of environmental issues. Alongside this, you’ll develop the creative, technical and research skills to produce professional, industry‑informed work using eco‑sustainable methods.
You don’t need prior filmmaking experience to succeed. The programme is designed for students from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds - whether your strengths lie in writing, research, producing, editing, sustainability or creative leadership. You’ll be encouraged to think critically, collaborate effectively and create impactful work using the tools and resources most appropriate to your ideas.
The Film and TV team at Brunel are founding partners of the ScreenCraft Works international community of cross-border mentoring, talks, networking, and support for underrepresented production and post-production talent in film and television industries around the world. Our partnership will offer you opportunities to network with film professionals from across the globe and even the chance at obtaining one of the exclusive places guaranteed to Brunel Film and TV students on the mentoring programme each year.
If you’re looking for a course that blends creativity, climate literacy and sustainable production, this programme will help you develop the confidence and expertise to contribute to environmentally responsible film and television.
If you have any queries about these programmes of study, please contact either Dr Caroline Ruddell (caroline.ruddell@brunel.ac.uk) or Niki Ashby (niki.ashby@brunel.ac.uk).
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
The Sustainable Filmmaking and Production Management PgCert, PgDip and MA is designed to help you build your expertise progressively while giving you flexibility in how you study.
Each course is taken as a standalone qualification - PgCert, PgDip or MA and offers the opportunity for you to achieve BAFTA Albert certification.
PgCert
On the PgCert you’ll study two modules: Environmental Storytelling and Cultural Leadership in the Climate Crisis. These will introduce you to the foundations of environmentally responsible screen practice. You’ll explore how creative practitioners respond to the climate crisis and examine the environmental impacts of film and television production.
Across the PgCert, you’ll begin developing the confidence to think critically, tell meaningful stories and understand how cultural leadership can support sustainable change. You’ll learn to identify carbon‑intensive elements of production workflows and gain insight into industry standards such as the BAFTA Albert carbon calculator. The emphasis is on building a strong conceptual and practical grounding in environmental storytelling and sustainable production.
PgDip
The PgDip comprises of 4 modules: The Climate Crisis and the Arts, Environmental Storytelling, Cultural Leadership in the Creative Industries and Climate Change as Violence. You'll expand your creative, analytical and leadership capabilities. You’ll explore how film, television and other screen media shape public understanding of environmental issues, and you’ll experiment with your own creative practice to communicate ecological themes effectively.
You’ll also examine how the climate crisis can be understood and represented as a form of violence, working with archival and found footage to interrogate themes such as harm, displacement and ecological destruction. Alongside this, you’ll strengthen your understanding of sustainable production management, supply chains, budgeting and scheduling, and how these intersect with environmental responsibility.
MA
If you choose to study the full MA, you’ll study the modules from the PgDip, as well as completing a Creative Practice Research Project that brings together your learning. Under supervision, you’ll design and deliver an independent creative project that responds to the climate crisis, integrating sustainable production methods throughout your practice. You’ll produce a significant piece of creative work alongside a written portfolio that situates your project within relevant scholarly, artistic and industry debates.
This course consolidates your advanced research, creative and professional skills, enabling you to graduate with a master’s qualification that reflects your ability to lead environmentally responsible film and television practice.
All 3 pathways share modules; however not all modules are available on each programme. Environmental Storytelling and Cultural Leadership in the Climate Crisis are available on the PgCert, PgDip and MA. The Climate Crisis and the Arts and Climate Change as Violence are only available on the PgDip and MA. Creative Practice Research Project is only available on the MA. For descriptions of the individual modules, please see below in the Year 1 section.
Compulsory
- FM5BBB - Environmental Storytelling
This module investigates how film, television, animation, documentary, and experimental forms shape public understanding of environmental issues. Students critically analyse a wide range of genres to evaluate how environmental narratives are constructed, and scrutinise the way in which these representations can challenge or further problematise the climate crisis. Alongside theoretical study, students develop their own creative practice, experimenting with ways to communicate ecological themes. The module encourages advanced creative experimentation rooted in critical environmental thinking.
- FM5CCC - Cultural Leadership in the Climate Crisis
Focusing on the environmental impacts of screen production, this module introduces students to the principles, tools, and leadership practices of sustainable production, with an eye on their individual professional development and employability. Through an examination of supply chains, budgeting, scheduling, production design, location work, and media and PR campaigns, students learn to identify and address carbon-intensive elements of film and television workflows. The module also explores industry standards and certifications, including the BAFTA Albert carbon calculator, preparing students to design environmentally responsible productions. Students develop both practical plans and critical reflections on sustainability within their own personal and professional lives.
- FM5AAA - The Climate Crisis and the Arts
This module explores how cultural practitioners respond to the climate crisis. Students will examine the context and critical debates of climate change. Through case studies of contemporary art, film, activism, education and public engagement, the module investigates how creative practices can both represent and intervene in ecological crises. This interrogation of the intersection between the arts and the climate crisis provides students with a view of the varied ways in which their creative and research practice prepares them for a range of careers. Students develop an original creative concept and research perspective informed by these interdisciplinary insights.
- FM5DDD - Climate Change as Violence
This module examines how the climate crisis can be understood and represented as a form of violence. Through critical study of found footage and archival materials, the module investigates how existing images can be recontextualised to reveal the violence of climate collapse. Students explore concepts such as power, witnessing, archives, and the politics of representation. Students develop their own found-footage documentary that creatively interrogates themes of climate-related harm, displacement, marginalisation, and ecological destruction, while reflecting on the ethical and aesthetic implications of working with inherited images. The module conceptualises climate change as a form of structural, environmental, and slow violence.
- FM5EEE - Creative Practice Research Project
The dissertation module provides students with the opportunity to develop a substantial, independent creative research project that responds to the climate crisis. Working under supervision, students design a research plan, produce a significant creative work, and integrate sustainable production methods into their practice. The accompanying written portfolio critically situates their project within relevant scholarly, artistic, and industry debates. This module consolidates learning from across the programme, enabling students to demonstrate advanced research, creative, and professional skills appropriate to postgraduate creative practice.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
When you graduate, you’ll be equipped with a blend of creative, analytical and sustainability‑focused skills that are increasingly in demand across the screen industries and wider cultural sectors. You’ll understand how to design and deliver environmentally responsible productions, communicate complex ideas clearly, and lead creative projects that respond meaningfully to the climate crisis.
You can apply your expertise in roles such as sustainability coordinator, production manager, researcher, producer, editor, cultural strategist or environmental communications specialist. You’ll also be well prepared for roles in policymaking, climate‑focused organisations, NGOs, education, and independent creative practice.
Throughout the programme, you’ll develop your own creative research projects, giving you the chance to specialise in an area that aligns with your interests - whether that’s storytelling, sustainability leadership, documentary practice, climate communication or creative development. If you choose the MA course, your Creative Practice Research Project will provide a strong foundation for doctoral study, industry‑focused research, or portfolio‑building work that showcases your ability to lead sustainable creative practice.
UK entry requirements
2026/7 entry
A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification in Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Multimedia, Digital Design, Environmental Sciences or another related field.
International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- TOEFL: 5 (min 4.5 in all subscores)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2026/7 entry
UK
£10,000 full-time
£5,000 part-time
International
£10,000 full-time
£5,000 part-time
PGCert: 1/3 of the cost of the MA, PGDip: 2/3 of the cost of the MA
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
Your course is delivered fully online, giving you the flexibility to study from anywhere in the world. Teaching combines pre‑recorded lectures, interactive technical training, live seminars, workshops and tutorials, so you can engage with staff and collaborate with peers without needing access to specialist facilities.
All live sessions, tutorials and group activities take place online, supported by a comprehensive virtual learning environment. You’ll use this space to connect with expert staff, share ideas, work on collaborative tasks and build the confidence to lead sustainable film and television practice.
To take part in the programme, you’ll need a computer or laptop with an internet connection, speakers or headphones, and a microphone for online discussions. You won’t need professional filmmaking equipment or access to high‑end production technology - the course is designed to be fully accessible regardless of your location or resources.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities and completing coursework, and a minimum specification can be found here.
As a fully online student, you’ll have access to a wide range of digital learning resources that support both your academic development and your creative practice. You’ll work with industry‑standard software such as Adobe Creative Cloud for production and post‑production, and Celtx for screenwriting and production planning.
Through Brunel’s virtual learning environment, you’ll access extensive collections of eBooks, online journals, streaming media and specialist library resources, alongside academic skills support and subject‑specific guidance. You’ll learn through a blend of creative exploration, critical analysis, collaborative tasks and guided project development.
You’re encouraged to work with the resources available to you - not with expensive cameras or specialist equipment. Whether you’re developing original screen content, analysing existing productions, designing production schedules and carbon action plans, or writing screenplays, the emphasis is always on ideas, innovation and environmental responsibility. The programme helps you build the strategic, creative and critical skills needed to lead sustainable film and television practice, wherever you are.
Assessment and feedback
You’ll be assessed through a mix of creative and analytical work that reflects sustainable film and television practice. Tasks include written research portfolios, environmental art pitches, creative practice portfolios, industry‑focused portfolios and found‑footage portfolios.
At MA level, you’ll complete a substantial final year project that integrates sustainable production methods and situates your work within wider creative and scholarly debates.
You’ll receive clear, constructive feedback throughout, helping you refine your ideas, strengthen your critical thinking and develop the professional skills needed for environmentally responsible screen practice.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.