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Digital Film Production - BSc (Hons)
Currently viewing course to start in 2024/25 Entry. Switch to 2025/26 Entry
September 2024 — UCAS code 1063
Do you have a passion for film? Are you fascinated by what goes on behind the scenes of the movies and TV shows you love? Are you longing to get your hands on professional equipment and learn the craft skills you need to make your own productions? If so, Digital Film Production at BCU is well worth your consideration....
64 points required
Calculate UCAS pointsClearing places available
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Location City Centre
- Award BSc (Hons)
- Start date September 2024
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Games, Film and Animation
- Faculty Faculty of Arts, Design and Media
This course is:
Available with Professional Placement year
Open to International Students
Overview
Clearing 2024
64 points (or equivalent) is the minimum you will need to be considered for this course in Clearing.
Use the UCAS Tariff Calculator to work out your points.
Do you have a passion for film? Are you fascinated by what goes on behind the scenes of the movies and TV shows you love? Are you longing to get your hands on professional equipment and learn the craft skills you need to make your own productions? If so, Digital Film Production at BCU is well worth your consideration.
This course will allow you to develop essential skills with film production technology – from script to screen. Bring your creative ideas to life using industry-standard sound, camera and lighting equipment, and learn how to apply technology and craft in the pursuit of your artistic vision. From narrative design, through selection and testing of cameras and lenses, to creating digital production workflows and using professional sound and picture finishing software including Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, Da Vinci Resolve, and Logic Pro, you will be encouraged to develop an extensive portfolio of work in addition to that produced for assessment.
BA (Hons) Filmmaking and BSc (Hons) Digital Film Production students took part in a shoot for the documentary feature 'Somewhere in La Mancha' in studio B on the 9th and 10th of November. Utilising the new motion control rig, The Bolt, students helped capture key scenes for the documentary which explores how The Birmingham Royal Ballet and Artistic Director, Carlos Acosta produced a new version of the classic ballet, Don Quixote through one of the most challenging times, during the Covid pandemic.
What's covered in this course?
The Digital Film Production degree course combines a study of audiovisual technologies and production processes, with contextual investigations and production experience. You’ll develop knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to the production of digital film content and to the wider film, television and video industries.
You’ll focus on fundamental technical concepts, including the physics of sound and light being recorded during production (and the tools and techniques required to do this), as well as the technology used to digitally store and manipulate both images and audio in post-production.
When you graduate, you will be versatile, technically literate, and creative: well-equipped to perform a variety of craft roles within film, television and video production and will bridge the gap between technology specialists and creative artists.
Birmingham City University is a great place to study - the city has ambitious plans to develop a production hub of Film and TV studios to attract productions to the region and you will be on the same campus as students on our Visual Effects, Computer Games Technology, Sound Engineering, Music Technology and Photography courses offering the chance to collaborate on creative projects.
You’ll also be encouraged to engage with industry in various ways including module assessments based on live briefs, access to Industrial Mentors for many of your modules, and the opportunity to take a 36-week Industrial Placement between your second and final years. You can also register your availability for paid work experience on corporate productions within the University and apply for entry-level crew roles which external producers sometimes require to be filled.
Professional Placement Year
This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.
If you choose to pursue a placement year, you will need to find a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will be able to draw on the University’s extensive network of local, regional, and national employers, and the support of our Careers teams. If you are able to secure a placement, you can request to be transferred to the placement version of the course.
Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year.
Accredited By
This course is accredited by:
“I’ve had a wonderful time at BCU. The course has given me a deep-dive into lots of different areas of film production which has been great to help cement my understanding of the filmmaking workflow as a whole.
“What I have particularly loved is that the lecturers pay attention to you as an individual, particularly in the final year, through helping and encouraging you to develop your chosen specialism. The access to industry-standard equipment and editing software has enabled me to further practise my skills when not on campus.”
Laura Avis, Digital Film Production graduate
Why Choose Us?
- We’re ranked 1st in the UK for Film Production and Photography (Guardian League Table 2024).
- We are an ARRI certified course - The ARRI accreditation means that we are able to offer ARRI certification on students' ability to use their industry-standard ARRI Alexa Mini cameras. These cameras have been used to shoot hundreds of films, including the 2019 Academy Award winner Green Book.
- Opportunities to enhance your industry awareness - get involved with our Curzon Street Studios team in a wide range of production and film projects, including working on gigs and commercials for professional football clubs and high-profile industry giants such as Sony, Disney and Microsoft.
- Outstanding facilities - Our Centre for Digital Media Technology is equipped with over 1,200 sq m of facilities including two film/television studios, four multi-track recording studios, post-production suites, a BOLT JR+ camera and several editing and grading stations.
- Student satisfaction - Top 20 in the UK for student satisfaction for Computer Science (Complete University Guide 2025).
- Highly employable graduates - Move quickly into key production roles with the combination of technical knowledge and practical production experience from your course. Our graduates have gone on to work on major feature films and high-end TV series.
Similar Courses
Open Days
Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.
Next Open Day: 28 September 2024
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2024/25.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
64 points (or equivalent) is the minimum you will need to be considered for this course in Clearing.
Use the UCAS Tariff Calculator to work out your points.
Essential requirements
112 UCAS tariff points
Please note: If you qualify for our BCU Accelerate scheme, you could receive an offer that is two grades below our normal entry requirements. Find out more about BCU Accelerate.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2024
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £9,250 in 2024/25
- Apply via Clearing
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2024
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £16,085 in 2024/25
Places available to start in September 2024
If you'd like to start this course full-time this September, you can apply through Clearing.
International and part-time students can apply online as normal using the links above.
Want to start in September 2025? You can start your application via UCAS now.
Personal statement
UK / EU students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.*
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
- Course choice - Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
- Career plans - If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
- Work experience - Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
- School or college experience - Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
- Non-accredited skills or achievement - eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Worried about Personal Statements?
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.
Course in Depth
Year One
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
This module will develop understanding of key digital film production processes. You will be introduced to the tools of production, including sound recording equipment and video cameras. Through the application of a ‘flipped’ curriculum you will be encouraged to become an independent learner with an approach to production work that will be ‘hands on’ from the start. This creative and technical module is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills to follow a path of further study in practical filmmaking.
This module will develop your skills, knowledge and experience of key techniques within visual design industry – more specifically the art and craft of visual communication, visual design and digital asset creation.
This module will develop your understanding of audio visual acquisition technologies for digital film production. The module addresses how images and audio are captured using sound and video recording equipment in a film production environment. You will understand the physical properties of sound and light and how these impact on the technology and use of film capture equipment.
A great deal of film production takes place in dedicated studios or sound stages. This generally involves large teams of people working in departments within a specified hierarchy. This module introduces you to production in a controlled environment, covering both the studio equipment and working practices within a studio. You will gain practical experience through which you can familiarise yourself with the specific roles that different crew members play in the production process.
This module will introduce you to the technology, techniques and practical considerations involved in sound production for film and other visual media. The aim of the module is to familiarise you with the variety of possible procedures undertaken in the incorporation of sound with visuals to create a unified audio-visual experience.
This module will develop your understanding of audio visual technologies in production. The aim of this module is to provide you with the knowledge and appreciation of fundamental principles and practices of audio visual technology.
Year Two
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Working as part of a team is the accepted modus operandi of film production, and gaining experience of the collaborative process is an invaluable asset that you can take into your professional career. This module provides you with an understanding of the planning and execution of a studio production with particular focus on short-form drama. The module provides opportunities for intellectual and creative development through the application of technical knowledge and production processes to the creation of high quality digital film productions.
This module investigates the process of screenwriting and provides opportunity for you to explore this process in preparation for your final year production. Furthermore, it contributes to development of the wider key skills required for employment, through in-class activities, assessments and background research.
The program on which this module is delivered combine the study and usage of audio visual technologies and content management systems utilized in the creation of a range of content which can be delivered to a variety of platforms. As the Film and Television industries have moved to filebased workflows, new roles and practices have come into existence to manage data in reliable and consistent ways, and ensure the safe replication, storage and migration of the ‘digital negative’. This vital link between production and post is currently filled by increasingly skilled and knowledgeable crew members, for whom the title Digital Image Technician has been officially recognised.
The module is an opportunity to learn and critically reflect on the skills of collaboration by enabling you to create an interdisciplinary project with students from complementary disciplines, or with academic staff. Collaboration is a vital employability skill within the Creative Industries and this module allows you to develop these skills, making use of University facilities and with the support of academic staff.
This module focuses on the post production element of filmmaking. Specifically areas concerning editing techniques, compositing, audio finishing, colour correction and grading to aid narrative. You will learn both the technical skills of audio and video editing as well as the grammar and structure that belong to the art in order to become better storytellers.
This module will explore the fundamental concepts involved in conducting technical engineering research. It will explore the international standards and theories underpinning engineering testing and analysis. From this module you will gain knowledge to distinguish and appraise technology and understand current technical limitations, thus underpinning studies for your final year technology project and enhancing your routes into technical employment.
Professional Placement Year (Optional)
In order to qualify for the award of BSc (Hons) Digital Film Production with Professional Placement Year a student must successfully complete all of the final year modules listed as well as the following module.
This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 40-week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Undergraduate Degree.
The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market. Furthermore, by completing the Professional Placement, you will be able to develop and enhance your understanding of the professional work environment, relevant to your chosen field of study, and reflect critically on your own professional skills development within the workplace.
Final Year
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
With your crew working as an independent production team, this module seeks to develop your existing skills and further prepare you for the world of professional production. It provides an opportunity to collaborate in a negotiated screen project that will typically be (though not confined to) a single-camera drama or documentary. Designed to give you a real-world experience, you will be adopting industry-standard practices to complete your work and will be guided by industry practitioners. However the suitability of the project - and your involvement in it - is key. This will be determined by a proposal-review-approval system, where the production team (or ‘company’) will seek development advice from a team of Executive Producers in order to plan, produce and exhibit a moving image production.
The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research informed project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, you will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.
At this level, you will be expected to work independently but you will receive additional one-to-one support from your supervisor, who will be familiar with your chosen topic area. As you progress on the module, extra support will be available and this may take the form of group seminars, workshops and online materials that will help to develop your project.
The aim of this module is to transfer and and develop your existing skills into a Virtual Production workflow. Virtual Production is an approach that uses real-time tracking and game engines to perform post-production in real-time during the production phase and has been used in many feature films including The Lion King, The Mandalorian, Avatar, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Guardians of the Galaxy, War of the Planet of the Apes and Game of Thrones, as well as numerous high-end television shows. Virtual Production is frequently referred to as the future of a certain type of filmmaking.
As you prepare to graduate and apply for work in your chosen field within the screen industries the importance of a strong Portfolio and/or Show Reel cannot be overstated. You will engage with a selection of live industry briefs to create work that meets the client's specifications and from which sections of the finished productions can be used to augment the portfolio you will have been developing since Year One. Each week a professional from the industries with which your course is aligned (or one closely adjacent) will give a guest lecture / presentation detailing a particular sector - or role within a sector - for your consideration as a possible professional future. There will also be the potential for micro-placements following successful graduation.
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Athena Swan Bronze Award
We have successfully secured the Athena SWAN Departmental Bronze Award recognising a commitment to gender equality.
The Athena Swan Charter is a framework which is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education (HE) and research.
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ARRI Certified Film School
We are an ARRI certified course - The ARRI accreditation means that we are able to offer ARRI certification on students' ability to use their industry-standard ARRI Alexa Mini cameras. These cameras have been used to shoot hundreds of films, including the 2019 Academy Award winner Green Book.
Employability
Enhancing employability skills
Engaging with industry and gaining work experience during your studies is essential if you intend to have a competitive edge when you start to apply for work after graduation. Getting work experience in film, television and the wider screen industries can be challenging, so we encourage you to take advantage of all the opportunities which may become available.
The University is eager to recognise students who have made the effort to gain this experience and stand out from the typical graduate using the following examples:
You have the option undertake an assessed Industrial Placement of 36 weeks between your second and third year, which will provide you with valuable work experience and give you the professionals skills and knowledge that will enhance your degree studies.
The second-year Collaborative Practice and final-year Production Project modules have been designed so that you can use your practical production work as a basis for the assessments in each case.
The University encourages you to enrol in its Graduate+ scheme: an extracurricular awards framework that is designed to augment the course-specific skills that you will develop throughout your degree studies with broader attributes which will enhance your employability upon graduating.
Employability
There are a range of additional opportunities for to gain industry contacts, experience and showcasing including:
- Working as a paid crew member on one of our commercial productions
- Working as a (usually unless for a Charity) paid crew member on the work of external production companies
- Submitting work to International Film Festivals
- Collaborating with other students to create work outside of that created for assessment
- Setting up a YouTube channel
Where our students go
Our students have gone on to work on productions including:
Film
- The Batman
- Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
- Mission Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One
- Napoleon
- No Time To Die
TV
- The Lazarus Project
- Help
- Poldark
- Victoria
- Slow Horses
And in roles such as:
- 1st AD
- 1st AC
- 2nd AC
- Camera Operator
- Steadicam Operator
- Boom Operator
- Sound Trainee
- Camera Trainee
- Location Marshall
Graduate jobs
Graduates have gone on to work for companies such as the BBC, ITV, and Red Planet Pictures and work on productions for Working Title, Studio Canal, RDF Television, Objective Productions, Channel 4, Sky, and Buffalo Pictures. Students from this course have also gone study at the National Film and Television School.
The skills and knowledge you'll gain throughout the course will allow you to tackle various jobs in the film, television, and wider screen industries. You'll be experienced with industry-standard kit from Canon, ARRI, Sony, Samyang, KinoFlo, Aputure, Dedo, Senheisser, Sound Devices, Flanders, and many more.
The career progression after graduating includes roles in the Production, Postproduction, Sound, Camera, and Lighting and Grip departments. Roles within these departments include First Assistant Director, Second Assistant Director, Production Assistant, Production Manager, Assistant Editor, Editor, Camera Operator, First Assistant Camera, Second Assistant Camera, Director of Photography, Lighting Camera, Gaffer, Electrician, Production Sound Mixer and others.
You may also choose to explore non-production roles in kit rental and maintenance, crewing agencies, or exhibition, distribution and marketing among others. Throughout your course the team will help you to nurture your own creative flair and career interests, and guide you on your journey to becoming a working professional.
International
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Details of the entry requirements for our courses
- Some of the good reasons why you should study here
- How to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Information relevant to applicants from your country
- Where to find financial support for your studies.
As an international student on this course you will benefit from studying alongside a diverse range of students, all with different backgrounds and experience. In addition to this the course is led by tutors with international experience. You will have the chance to draw upon the diverse cultures and wealth of experience from your fellow students, learning new skills and sharing your own knowledge.
As an international student you will benefit from studying in close proximity to the UK’s diverse and continuously changing creative industries, and you are encouraged to engage and regularly network with these industries. Through practice-based teaching you will develop an in-depth understanding of digital media technology practices within the UK and further afield.
You have the chance to earn while you learn, taking on various roles through the University’s in-house employment scheme. You will also be able to access personal and academic support services, as well as help and advice tailored specifically for you. Through an international orientation and welcome week you will be able to adjust to life within the UK, preparing you for your studies!
Facilities & Staff
Digital Film Production is based at our £62 million Parkside Building, part of our expanding City Centre Campus.
Our cutting-edge facilities include four TV studios, including one of the largest green screen studios in the UK with a three wall infinity cove – a perfect studio for Chroma key video production. The studio is often used by production companies and businesses, such as Sony and BBC, to film TV commercials, music videos and live-stream online entertainment shows. This also provides students with opportunities to support and assist with large-scale productions on campus through our Curzon Street Studios.
Studio A
At over 2000sq ft and three stories high, Studio A’s TV floor is the largest of any University studio in the UK. Studio A could easily accommodate shows like ‘Deal or no Deal’, ‘Blue Peter’, ‘The One Show’, ‘Watchdog’ and ‘Newsnight’ to name but a few.
Studio B / BOLT JR+ (TV)
Studio B is a green screen studio for recording material that will then have CGI (computer-generated imagery) added to form the final image. We are the only University in the country to have the BOLT JR+ high-speed camera robot, which our Film and Media students can utilise for high-scale productions. BOLT JR+ is a compact, lighter weight high-speed camera robot with a longer reach than the BOLT JR. The agile, smaller rig also comes with an increased camera payload (10kg) and is an ideal solution for smaller spaces or location work.
Like Studio A, Studio B is three storeys high. The height allows the heat from the lights to be removed so that the studio floor remains at a reasonable working temperature. All the excess heat generated in the Media Centre will be recycled into hot water for the Parkside Building.
Studio C’s Studio Floor (TV)
Studio C is 1900sq ft, and has a separate production and sound gallery on the same floor. Like all the studios, it is built as a box within a box (to enhance the acoustics for sound recording) and the lighting has been designed so that staff and students will not have to work at height to change the lighting design, this is done through the use of lights and bars which are moved across the grid by poles.
Post-Production Suites (TV)
Parkside has four fully professional standard edit suites, based on the industry-standard Avid editing system, which is used in almost all films and the majority of UK television. Though all of the suites can edit, two of the suites are specialised for Audio Finishing and Colour Grading.
Dubbing Suites (TV)
Parkside has full professional standard dubbing suites. Based on a multi-layered ProTools desk, the suites can dub both film and TV projects with up to 120 simultaneous sound sources. There is an ADR (Additional Dialogue Recording) booth and the ability to record Foley (additional live sound, like footsteps). If additional Foley activity is required, for example to cover a crowd scene, then one of the radio studios or TV studio floors can be used and the sound delivered to a dubbing suite through the technical integration system.
Our staff
Dr Michael Bickerton
Course Leader
Dr Michael Bickerton is Course Leader on the BSc (Hons) Digital Film Production course. Michael has been producing and teaching film for over twenty-five years. He has international production experience and has taught on prestigious courses (such as the UK Film Council’s 'Introduction to Screenwriting').
More about MichaelJay Patel
Senior Lecturer
Jay is a Lecturer in the School of Digital Media Technology. Jay has been involved with the delivery of ERDF projects. Since the successful completion of these projects he has moved into teaching. He currently delivers a variety of modules such as Audio Visual Technology, Moving Image Technology and Mathematics for Media.
More about JayKira Summers
Programme Leader, Lecturer
Akira Summers has been working in software and technological development since the year 2000. Starting off in web development and interactive media, she has held many development roles and spent several years working as an embedded game programmer, multimedia developer and learning technologist.
More about KiraMathew Randall
Senior Lecturer
Dr Mathew Randall is a Senior Lecturer at Birmingham City University in the UK, where he lectures in visual effects and computer graphics. He is a member of the Graphics and Vision Research group, specializing in real-time analysis and manipulation of motion captured performances and applications of virtual production technology. He is a senior...
More about MathewCathryn Jane Easthope
Lecturer
Cathy teaches on BSc courses within the Department of Digital Media Technology. Although her degrees are arts based, she has worked in biomedical research as well as design for the NHS, so this combination is ideal for courses like ours which allow students to both express their creative and aesthetic abilities, as well as develop their technical...
More about Cathryn Jane