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BA|Undergraduate

Broadcast Production

Entry year
Academic Year 2025/26
Entry requirements
ABB
Duration
3 years (Full-time)
UCAS code
P310

This pathway is for those interested in careers in creative broadcast programme and media making for television, radio, journalism, podcasts and other new and emerging digital media platforms. This degree aims to introduce you to the widest possible experience of modern broadcasting combined with critical thinking and excellent online skills. Whether it is programme making for online or traditional broadcast, live or on location, in front or behind the camera or microphone, you will gain substantial practical skills supported by the kind of theoretical and critical skills employers tell us they want in new entrants to the Creative Industries.

Broadcast Production is one of the most practical and vocationally biased television, radio, podcast and online content creation degrees offered at any Russell Group University in the UK.

Broadcast Production highlights

World Class Facilities

Access to a television and radio studio with broadcast quality LED lighting and green screen facilities; off-line and on-line editing suites, utilising industry software such as Avid Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro and Avid Pro Tools; access to the Sonic Arts Research Centre for audio training and industry standard audio recording and post production equipment; full high-definition cameras are available as are substantial lighting and sound kits for location work. We also have a substantial amount of equipment for use in the creation of virtual reality content such as HTC Vives, Oculus Go and Insta360 Pro VR cameras with ambisonic microphones for full 360 sound recording.

Industry Links

It is an exciting time to get involved in broadcasting. Northern Ireland has one of the fastest growing creative sectors in the UK economy. Broadcast programme making for entertainment, news,
documentary, current affairs and online is a huge part of the industry here. The work placement module at Level 3 provides students with the opportunity to connect with many of the local production companies.

Career Development

This highly practical course allows students to build up a portfolio of outputs to share with potential employers. The School’s online channel also showcases the best work created by students on the
degree programme. The new skillsets developed such as building digital content for online distribution and social media are highly sought after by employers and provide an excellent background
for work in the creative industries and broadcasting.

Further Study Opportunities

Further study is also an option - the School offers a Masters (MA) in Media and Broadcast Production. Based within the same department, those students who wish to continue their studies into a fourth year in this subject area can take a one year full-time
taught Masters or two years part-time. See the School website for further information.

Student Experience

We are an Avid Authorised Learning Partner for Media Composer and Pro Tools, offering certified industry-approved training as part of the degree. Broadcast Production benefits from close relationships with BBC NI, UTV, Northern Ireland Screen and the Belfast Media Festival with industry professionals connecting to teaching right across the programme from many of the production companies in Northern Ireland.

Global Opportunities

As well as having the opportunity to apply for study abroad for a semester or academic year through student exchange in Europe or North America, this degree will give students a highly portable set of practical and critical skills that will be recognised by and applicable to broadcast sectors globally.

Industry Links

Queen’s has a collaborative agreement with BBC Northern Ireland, to promote opportunities for placements for our students and research/training between both organisations. Broadcast Production at QUB has direct links with the Belfast Media Festival, The Belfast Film Festival and the Digital Cities Belfast initiative. 


Course Structure

Introduction

The BA in Broadcast Production is taught through an equal mix of hands-on production modules and critical theory modules, with increasing flexibility at levels 2 and 3.

Stage 1

In their first year students will undertake 6 compulsory modules, covering a range of the theory and skills required to succeed in this career.

Stage 2

Four compulsory modules at stage 2 develop the skills and knowledge that students gained at stage 1, and practise the application of those skills to the various popular genres within broadcast media.

Students can then choose a further two optional modules, exploring aspects of broadcast media in further detail.

Stage 3 Modules

In the final year, students will plan and develop a broadcast media project for 50% of their time. Many students also choose to take a work-based learning module, working in an external broadcasting agency and developing their skills for application in the workplace. There is a range of further modules for year 3 students to select from, which will develop their knowledge and awareness of issues faced by today's broadcast media.

People teaching you

Subject Lead and Senior Lecturer

Arts, English and Languages
Frank Delaney is an award-winning national and international television and radio producer, director, writer, editor, sound designer and composer. He has produced work for BBC, Channel 4, RTE, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, MTV, CNN and PBS USA among many others. His work has been seen on most European channels and has been broadcast across the globe. Frank still produces leading work alongside his teaching at Queen’s University Belfast and maintains his contacts and connections to industry. This ensures that he and the team of industry focussed lecturers keeps the course at Queen’s progressive and at the leading edge of current industry standards, practices and technologies. Frank is dedicated to making sure that the BA Broadcast Production provides a complete training at practical and academic levels that keeps it industry and academically relevant.

Contact Teaching Hours

Large Group Teaching

6 (hours maximum)
6 hours of lectures

Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial

2 (hours maximum)
2 hours of tutorials (or later, project supervision) each week.

Personal Study

24 (hours maximum)
22–24 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using handouts, online activities, etc.

Medium Group Teaching

6 (hours maximum)
6 hours of practical classes, workshops or seminars each week

Learning and Teaching

On the BA Broadcast Production programme we provide a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners. The degree also offers significant opportunities for cross disciplinary and multi-disciplinary learning experiences.

  • E-learning technologies

    Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Canvas. A range of e-learning experiences are also embedded in the degree through, and could include, for example: interactive group workshops in a flexible learning space; podcasts and interactive web-based learning activities; opportunities to use IT programmes associated with design in practical workshops and project-based work etc.

  • Lectures

    Introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading. Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments (normally delivered in large groups to year group peers).

  • Practicals and workshops

    Where you will have opportunities to develop technical skills and apply theoretical principles to practical broadcast industry contexts.

  • Self-directed study

    This is a vital part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.

  • Seminars and tutorials

    Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-15 students). These provide the opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions of them and to assess their own progress and understanding with the support of peers. You should also expect to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.

  • Supervised projects

    In final year, all students take a double module which provides the opportunity to specialise in a chosen area such as virtual reality, television, radio or documentary production and work collaboratively on a broadcast media project, to be screened publicly at the end of the semester and online. You will receive support from a supervisor who will guide you and provide feedback whilst being taught the skills you need in class.

Assessment

The teaching will be carried out by academics and practising programme makers, journalists, theorists, and industry mentors. This degree will prepare students for either successful careers in the television and broadcasting industries, or to continue their study at MA and PhD level, all in the context of a Russell Group University.

  • Students will create an extensive portfolio of work during their degree, all of which will be assessed on an ongoing basis.

Feedback

As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peer review processes. University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work.

  • Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:
    • Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted.
    • Face to face comment. This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “guidance and feedback hours” to help you to address a specific query.
    • Placement employer comments or references.
    • Online or emailed comment.
    • General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
    • Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time.
    • Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
    • Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

    Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.

Facilities

World class facilities are available to students studying Broadcast Production at QUB. The school is an Avid Learning Partner and as such offers industry standard teaching built in to specialist modules across the programme. Students can, if they choose to do so, study for a qualification as an Avid Certified Professional in Media Composer for editing film and television and/or Pro Tools for postproduction sound. These qualifications are highly sought after and run alongside the delivery of the degree.
https://www.qub.ac.uk/sarc/

A television studio with industry standard LED lighting is available, online and offline editing suites, radio studios, sound post production and mixing facilities and of course green screen are all available. Substantial equipment needed for the creation of virtual reality content is also available such as HTC Vive, Oculus Go and Insta360 Pro Vr cameras. These resources are located on campus around University Square and in the world renowned Sonic Arts Research Centre.

What our academics say

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Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2023/24). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

  • Year 1

    Core Modules

  • Year 2

    Core Modules

    Popular Genres (20 credits)

    Optional Modules

    Sonic Arts (20 credits)
    Radio Drama (20 credits)
  • Year 3

    Core Modules

    Optional Modules

    Work-based Learning (20 credits)
    Independent Study (20 credits)
    Hollywood Cinema 2 (20 credits)
    Media and Time (20 credits)
    Gender and Media (20 credits)

Entrance requirements

A level requirements

ABB

A maximum of one BTEC/OCR Single Award or AQA Extended Certificate will be accepted as part of an applicant's portfolio of qualifications with a Distinction* being equated to a grade A at A-level and a Distinction being equated to a grade B at A-level.

Irish leaving certificate requirements

H3H3H3H3H3H3/H2H3H3H3H3

Access Course

Successful completion of Access Course with an average of 70%.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

33 points overall including 6,5,5 at Higher Level.

BTEC Level 3 Extended/National Extended Diploma

QCF BTEC Extended Diploma (180 credits at Level 3) with overall grades D*DD

RQF BTEC National Extended Diploma (1080 GLH at Level 3) with overall grades D*DD

Graduate

A minimum of a 2:2 Honours Degree.

All applicants

There are no specific subject requirements to study Broadcast Production.

Note

All applicants must have GCSE English Language grade C/4 or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

How we choose our students

Applications are dealt with centrally by the Admissions and Access Service rather than by individual University Schools. Once your on-line form has been processed by UCAS and forwarded to Queen's, an acknowledgement is normally sent within two weeks of its receipt at the University.

Selection is on the basis of the information provided on your UCAS form. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis and will be notified to you via UCAS.

For last year's intake, applicants for this BA programme offering A-level/BTEC qualifications must have had, or been able to achieve, a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade C/4 or better (to include English Language). Performance in any AS or A-level examinations already completed would also have been taken into account and the Selector checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of GCSE and/or A-level subjects can be fulfilled.

For applicants offering Irish Leaving Certificate, please note that performance at Irish Junior Certificate (IJC) is taken into account. For last year’s entry applicants for this degree must have had, a minimum of 5 IJC grades C/Merit. The Selector also checks that any specific entry requirements in terms of Leaving Certificate subjects can be satisfied.

Offers are normally made on the basis of three A-levels. Two subjects at A-level plus two at AS would also be considered. The offer for repeat candidates is set in terms of three A-levels and may be one grade higher than for first time applicants. Grades may be held from the previous year.

Applicants offering two A-levels and one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent qualification), or one A-level and a BTEC Diploma/National Diploma (or equivalent qualification) will also be considered. Offers will be made in terms of the overall BTEC grade(s) awarded. Please note that a maximum of one BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate (or equivalent) will be counted as part of an applicant’s portfolio of qualifications. The normal GCSE profile will be expected.

Applicants offering other qualifications, such as Higher National Certificates and Diplomas, will also be considered.

For applicants offering a HNC, the current requirements are successful completion of the HNC with 2 Distinctions and remainder Merits. For those offering a Higher National Diploma, some flexibility may be allowed in terms of GCSE profile but, to be eligible for an offer, the grades obtained in the first year of the HND must allow the overall offer to be achievable. The current entrance requirements are successful completion of the HND with 2 Distinctions, 10 Merits and 4 Passes overall. Any consideration would be for Stage 1 entry only.

The information provided in the personal statement section and the academic reference together with predicted grades are noted but, in the case of BA degrees, these are not the final deciding factors in whether or not a conditional offer can be made. However, they may be reconsidered in a tie break situation in August.

A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Thinking would not normally be considered as part of a three A-level offer and, although they may be excluded where an applicant is taking four A-level subjects, the grade achieved could be taken into account if necessary in August/September.

Candidates are not normally asked to attend for interview.

If you are made an offer then you may be invited to a Faculty/School Visit Day, which is usually held in the second semester. This will allow you the opportunity to visit the University and to find out more about the degree programme of your choice and the facilities on offer. It also gives you a flavour of the academic and social life at Queen's.

If you cannot find the information you need here, please contact the University Admissions Service (admissions@qub.ac.uk), giving full details of your qualifications and educational background.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

International Students - Foundation and International Year One Programmes

INTO Queen's offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help prepare international students for undergraduate study at Queen's University. You will learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre on campus, and will have full access to the University's world-class facilities.

These programmes are designed for international students who do not meet the required academic and English language requirements for direct entry.

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Careers

Career Prospects

Introduction

A degree in Broadcast Production will give students a distinct advantage as they enter the workplace. This
highly practical course will allow you to build up a portfolio of work for you to share with potential employers. An online channel will be created to showcase the best work from the department. The new skillsets students develop such as building digital content for online distribution and social media are highly sought after by employers and provide an excellent background and future proofing for work in the Creative Industries and broadcasting sectors. Graduates in related areas of the School have gone into a diverse range of careers with a particular emphasis on the Creative Industries - a huge growth area for Northern Ireland and the UK.

Employment after the Course

This new course is designed for those interested in factual programme making for television, radio, journalism and online media content creation. Many of the skills acquired are transferable across different disciplines but primarily this highly practical course will most appeal to those seeking employment in the creative industries.

Employment Links

The course has already built strong links with local broadcasters, such as BBC Northern Ireland and other relevant organisations, such as Northern Ireland Screen. Many of these organisations help to provide work placement and other learning opportunities throughout the duration of the degree.

Alumni Success

The first cohort of students on this programme will graduate in July 2020. Graduates from related areas
of the school such as Film Studies and Production have gone into a diverse range of careers, including
the following:

Claire Campbell (Researcher, BBC NI)

Daniel McCabe (Production Trainee, BBC)

Niall McEvoy (on set VFX supervisor, HBO, Game of Thrones)

Grace Sweeney (Camera Department, HBO, Game of Thrones)

Michele Devlin (Director of The Belfast Film Festival)
http://www.prospects.ac.uk

What employers say

Prizes and Awards

Every second year we award the Anjool Malde award for Broadcast Journalism.

There is an award for the highest marks overall in each year of the programme.

We offer the Jonny Bramley Award to the best Level 3 Broadcast Media Project submission.

Degree Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £4,750
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £4,750
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £9,250
EU Other 3 £20,800
International £20,800

1EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

The tuition fees quoted above are for the 2024/25 academic year and are a guide only. In addition, all tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase in each year of the course. Fees quoted relate to a single year of study unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Tuition fee rates are calculated based on a student’s tuition fee status and generally increase annually by inflation. How tuition fees are determined is set out in the Student Finance Framework.

Additional course costs

An Avid Authorised Training Manual for Media Composer is required at level 1 at a cost of approximately £45. Broadcast Production will provide all of the film, sound, media equipment and editing suites needed.

Students are not expected to purchase their own camera, microphones, laptop or editing software. Students are required to purchase a USB 3 hard drive at a cost of approximately £90 for personal use.

The internationally recognised ‘Avid Certified User: Media Composer’ and ‘Avid Certified User / Operator: Pro Tools’ certifications are available to students on this pathway.

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

How do I fund my study?

There are different tuition fee and student financial support arrangements for students from Northern Ireland, those from England, Scotland and Wales (Great Britain), and those from the rest of the European Union.

Information on funding options and financial assistance for undergraduate students is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/Fees-and-scholarships/.

Scholarships

Each year, we offer a range of scholarships and prizes for new students. Information on scholarships available.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships.

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Apply

How to Apply

Application for admission to full-time undergraduate and sandwich courses at the University should normally be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full information can be obtained from the UCAS website at: www.ucas.com/students.

When to Apply

UCAS will start processing applications for entry in autumn 2025 from early September 2024.

The advisory closing date for the receipt of applications for entry in 2025 is still to be confirmed by UCAS but is normally in late January (18:00). This is the 'equal consideration' deadline for this course.

Applications from UK and EU (Republic of Ireland) students after this date are, in practice, considered by Queen’s for entry to this course throughout the remainder of the application cycle (30 June 2025) subject to the availability of places. If you apply for 2025 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.

Applications from International and EU (Other) students are normally considered by Queen's for entry to this course until 30 June 2025. If you apply for 2025 entry after this deadline, you will automatically be entered into Clearing.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as is consistent with having made a careful and considered choice of institutions and courses.

The Institution code name for Queen's is QBELF and the institution code is Q75.

Further information on applying to study at Queen's is available at: www.qub.ac.uk/Study/Undergraduate/How-to-apply/

Apply via UCAS

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study. Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.

Additional Information for International (non-EU) Students

  1. Applying through UCAS
    Most students make their applications through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) for full-time undergraduate degree programmes at Queen's. The UCAS application deadline for international students is 30 June 2025.
  2. Applying direct
    The Direct Entry Application form is to be used by international applicants who wish to apply directly, and only, to Queen's or who have been asked to provide information in advance of submitting a formal UCAS application. Find out more.
  3. Applying through agents and partners
    The University’s in-country representatives can assist you to submit a UCAS application or a direct application. Please consult the Agent List to find an agent in your country who will help you with your application to Queen’s University.

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