Film and Television Production BSc
AAB at A level; graduates earn a median £22,500 three years on.
Typical A level offer
AAB
90% of entrants came with A levels · 93% stay on after year 1 · York course page, Discover Uni
Year 13 · applying
What do you need to get in?
AABtypical A level offer
Typical offer — the grades most applicants are asked for. Contextual offer: BBB, for applicants from under-represented backgrounds.
York course page, read 19 September 2026 · Discover Uni entry profile
Who actually got in: 90% with A levels, 1% via Access courses, 2% with other higher education. 4% arrived with 208 or more UCAS tariff points — roughly A*A*A or better. Based on 85 entrants.
UCAS tariff points — a points scale for grades: A* = 56, A = 48, so A*A*A = 160. Entrants’ totals include extra subjects.
Other qualifications5
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Access | 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit or higher | — |
| BTEC | DDDDDD We consider a range of BTEC qualifications equivalent to 3 A Levels, or in combination with A Levels or other qualifications. For example: Distinction, Distinction in BTEC Level 3 National Diploma | — |
| IB | 35 points | — |
| T Level | Distinction overall including grade A in the Core T Level subjects in AccountingDistinction overall including grade A in the Core T Level subjects in Accounting; Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing; Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction; Digital Bus | A in the Core T Level subjects in Accounting; A* in the Core in T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production |
| Scottish Highers | AABBB | — |
Years 1–3
What do you study?
6compulsory modules in year 1
Compulsory modules this year: arts & humanities 60% · engineering & manufacturing 9% · transversal skills 9% · language & communication 6%.
Module — one course unit, usually a term or a year long; “core” means everyone takes it. One UK credit is about ten hours of study; a full year is 120 credits.
York course page · optional modules vary by year
Year 1 · 6 core · 120 credits ≈ 1,200 hours
- Story
What you learn (10)
- explain why storytelling drives the popularity of film and television
- describe how narrative premise and structure shape audio-visual stories
- explain how plot development is constructed in film and television
- analyse how character and dialogue function within audio-visual storytelling
- identify different forms and traditions of storytelling in film and television
- explain how story techniques convey information to audiences
- explain how story techniques create emotional engagement with audiences
- describe how commercial pressures shape storytelling choices in film and television
- describe how political factors influence storytelling in film and television
- apply industry-standard conventions to format a script
- Film and Television Analysis
What you learn (6)
- identify basic aesthetic properties of image and sound in screen media
- explain how image and sound elements generate meaning
- apply conceptual frameworks to analyse screen media texts
- describe how production choices shape the final film or programme
- produce analytical written work on screen media topics
- conduct scholarly research using academic sources
- Content Development
What you learn (12)
- evaluate existing creative work to identify strengths and weaknesses
- assess the feasibility of new creative concepts across different media
- research business conditions, markets and audiences relevant to creative industries
- explain how technical resources influence the realisation of creative content
- apply research techniques to generate creative content ideas
- develop creative content using appropriate core production skills
- write a clear proposal tailored to a specific audience or client
- deliver a persuasive verbal pitch to a target audience or client
- collaborate effectively within a team on a shared creative project
- apply industry working practices and ethical guidelines when producing creative content
- identify current content trends across stage, screen and interactive media
- use research methods to keep creative ideas updated with industry developments
- Moving Images - Texts and Contexts
What you learn (4)
- describe key concepts and debates in film, television and new media studies
- apply media studies concepts to analyse texts from different historical periods
- analyse the relationship between a media text and its production context
- evaluate how media texts represent or comment on social issues
- The Art and Science of Film and Television Production: Part I
What you learn (13)
- explain how sound and image combine to convey a director's creative vision
- explain how combining separate sound and image elements creates new meaning
- operate audio, camera and lighting equipment correctly
- apply safety procedures when using production equipment
- plan studio and location production sessions
- conduct risk assessments for production activities
- use audio, camera and lighting equipment to achieve creative goals
- describe sound and picture production methods used in film and television
- explain how production techniques adapt to different genres
- explain the relationship between picture and sound production processes
- describe sustainable production practices and carbon footprint reduction
- describe electrical and physical principles underlying audio, lighting and camera systems
- explain how system design of sound and image affects human perception
- The Art and Science of Film and Television Production: Part II
What you learn (17)
- explain how directorial vision shapes a production's theme and mood
- explain how combining image and sound creates new meaning
- demonstrate correct operation of audio, camera and lighting equipment
- apply safety procedures when using production equipment
- plan studio and location production sessions
- conduct a risk assessment for a production session
- use audio, camera and lighting equipment to achieve creative goals
- describe sound and picture production methods used in film and television
- explain how production techniques vary across genres such as narrative and documentary
- explain the relationship between picture and sound production processes
- describe postproduction stages and workflows for audio and picture integration
- describe electrical and physical concepts underlying audio, lighting and camera systems
- explain how sound and image system design affects human perception
- calculate technical requirements such as power loads and bandwidth for production systems
- create a dual column script for multi-camera production
- generate content ideas and inserts to enhance a multi-camera production
- evaluate the benefits of teamwork in multi-camera production
Year 2 · 4 core, 9 optional · 80 credits ≈ 800 hours
- The Discipline of Genre
What you learn (9)
- explain genre as a critical concept in film and television
- describe how genre differentiates film and television products
- describe genre as a creative framework for production
- identify key characteristics and uses of genre in film and television history
- describe how particular genres have changed over time
- analyse films and television programmes using genre conventions
- analyse the creative possibilities offered by genre structures
- explain the significance of genre in contemporary media production and consumption
- evaluate the institutional function of genre in the film and television industry
- Non Fiction Forms of Film & Television
What you learn (12)
- apply critical and theoretical concepts to analyse non-fiction film and television
- identify key modes of documentary and factual television
- explain how documentary and factual outputs are constructed as narratives
- explain how documentary and factual outputs function as industrial products
- evaluate the impact of historical developments on factual storytelling forms
- explain institutional and industrial contexts of non-fiction film and television
- evaluate how institutional contexts shape production and consumption of factual media
- identify current developments in documentary and factual media production
- interpret the significance of emerging trends in non-fiction film and television
- evaluate the role of factual media in promoting diversity and equality
- research and develop a factual media project
- present a factual project and its rationale in written form
- Filmmaking
What you learn (18)
- identify roles and responsibilities of different film crew members
- explain how crew positions fit within the overall production structure
- develop a film concept from an initial idea
- refine a film concept based on feedback or analysis
- present a film concept using written and visual formats
- analyse a story and script to identify production requirements
- formulate a production strategy based on script analysis
- plan script development tasks for a film project
- prepare a budget for a film production
- create a production schedule for filming activities
- apply standard production techniques to capture visual footage
- apply standard production techniques to record audio elements
- describe the stages involved in finishing a film's visual elements
- describe the stages involved in finishing a film's sound elements
- assemble visual and audio assets into a rough edit
- refine and finish edited material into a complete film
- evaluate how effectively a film conveys its intended message
- assess how well a film engages its target audience
- Studio Production
What you learn (10)
- plan pre-production stages for multicamera studio shoots
- write scripts that communicate clearly to studio teams and viewers
- apply studio directing techniques to coordinate creative production
- perform floor management duties to support studio production
- perform multiple technical roles within a multicamera studio production
- explain how individual technical roles support collaborative production
- evaluate how direction, camera work, lighting, design and sound combine in live TV
- explain aesthetic and technical demands of live television production
- identify health and safety risks within studio production settings
- compare aesthetic and technical demands of different studio content formats
9 optional modules
- Writing for Film and Television
What you learn (9)
- identify common narrative structures used in film and television scripts
- apply the three-act structure to script construction
- describe the stages of developing a film or television idea into a first draft script
- explain methods for creating characters within a script
- develop characters through their actions in a script
- identify techniques for pitching story ideas in film and television
- use short-form documents to support story development
- construct individual scenes for a film or television script
- identify the standard form, structure and formatting conventions of scripts
- Creative Sound and Image Production
What you learn (4)
- describe the stages involved in planning audio or visual effects for screen production
- apply techniques to implement creative sound or visual effects for film and television
- produce detailed technical documentation to support creative and technical outputs
- evaluate production and post-production work using critical reasoning
- Business for Screen
What you learn (8)
- describe business models used in screen creative industries
- identify industrial workflows driving production and distribution of screen content
- explain how public and commercial finance sources shape screen production
- describe how markets and audiences influence screen content decisions
- analyse the business and financial design of existing screen projects
- design a business strategy for an original screen project
- evaluate business strategies in response to new distribution conditions such as streaming
- adapt business strategies to changing market and technology conditions
- Global Producing Contexts
What you learn (8)
- evaluate differences in production systems across creative business cultures
- describe global forces affecting creative production
- incorporate global production conditions into the design of creative projects
- adapt promotion strategies for creative projects to global conditions
- apply co-production models when developing creative projects
- apply cross-financing models when developing creative projects
- collaborate with people from different cultures to achieve shared goals
- apply insights from other cultures to develop original creative ideas
- Programming for Digital Media I
What you learn (8)
- explain the syntax and semantics of a high level programming language
- write illustrative code examples using a high level programming language
- develop small to medium sized programs using a high level language
- identify techniques for programming digital imaging, sound and interaction
- apply programming techniques to create digital imaging, sound and interactive features
- describe principles of software design for imaging, sound and interface applications
- design a basic program using a high level programming language
- implement a basic program using a high level programming language
- Performance Design
What you learn (6)
- describe a range of design processes used in performance
- apply practical skills in a chosen design specialism
- generate an original design concept for a production
- communicate and deliver a design proposal to a deadline
- develop a personal aesthetic approach within a design specialism
- evaluate critically the role of design within performance
- Audio Editing
What you learn (8)
- explain the stages involved in editing audio for different media formats
- describe standard tools used in audio editing software
- describe common techniques applied during audio editing
- outline typical workflows used in professional audio editing
- interpret technical delivery documentation used in audio production
- explain industry loudness standards for audio delivery
- describe ways editing techniques can enhance creative expression in audio
- produce an extended audio edit that meets delivery specifications
- Advanced Studio Techniques
What you learn (10)
- explain technical principles of vision-mixing and image control
- describe technical principles of studio lighting and sound operations
- apply vision-mixing and image control equipment during live studio production
- operate studio lighting and sound equipment in live or as-live settings
- use studio technologies to realise creative programme ideas
- design techniques to enhance audience engagement in productions
- originate new television or interactive media formats using studio technology
- evaluate the creative and practical application of studio technologies
- collaborate within a technical team to coordinate studio operations
- communicate creative intentions effectively within a production team
- Disability, Accessibility and Representation in the Creative Industries
What you learn (7)
- explain key concepts within disability studies
- relate disability studies concepts to accessibility and representation issues
- describe techniques for making creative outputs accessible
- evaluate strengths and weaknesses of accessibility techniques across media forms
- critique representations of disabled people in creative works
- summarise current research and practice trends in disability and accessibility
- identify potential directions for future research in the field
Year 3 · 4 core, 9 optional · 100 credits ≈ 1,000 hours
- Current Issues in Film & Television
What you learn (8)
- describe the current structure and operation of the UK film and television industries
- compare the organisation of film and television industries across different countries
- analyse case studies to identify ethical issues in film and television production
- evaluate production practices against ethical standards in the screen industries
- analyse how production contexts shape creative, formal and aesthetic choices
- explain debates on power relations, diversity and equality within the screen industries
- present analysis of film and television issues through written essays
- present analysis of film and television issues through verbal discussion
- Film and Television Group Projects - Pre-Production
What you learn (8)
- explain how a chosen production role relates to other roles within a creative team
- develop technical or logistical skills relevant to a production role
- produce professional-standard production plans communicating creative objectives
- present technical and logistical procedures in a clear professional format
- collaborate effectively within a creative production team
- negotiate creative decisions to maintain team cohesion and shared purpose
- promote personal creative, technical and logistical abilities in a job interview setting
- identify practical on-set considerations affecting resource access during preproduction
- Film and Television Group Projects - Production and Delivery
What you learn (7)
- collaborate with a team to complete a screen production
- perform a specific production role creatively, technically and logistically
- produce screen outputs that meet professional technical and creative standards
- apply production-management procedures and schedules to a project
- adapt working practices when switching between multi-camera and single-camera production
- evaluate personal production activities to identify lessons learned
- report on production experience in a structured reflective account
- Individual Research Project
What you learn (9)
- conduct a substantial research project independently
- apply suitable research techniques and methodologies to a project
- select a viable topic for an independent research project
- formulate research questions relevant to a chosen topic
- explain how critical and analytical approaches address a research question
- select creative or technical techniques suited to a research question
- locate relevant research materials in archives and libraries
- evaluate the relevance of sourced materials to a project
- apply critical and analytical methods when producing a dissertation or artefact
9 optional modules
- TV Research Skills
What you learn (13)
- devise methods for generating editorially viable tv story ideas
- research factual story material for television
- develop factual stories into broadcast-ready content
- explain how story form adapts to different editorial formats
- identify suitable contributors for a television story
- negotiate contracts with programme contributors
- identify suitable filming locations for a production
- negotiate contracts for use of filming locations
- produce professional-standard research briefs
- write professional-standard short factual scripts
- apply broadcast compliance and legal requirements to television content
- apply ethical obligations when dealing with contributors
- compare how research shapes content across different broadcast markets
- Advanced Audio
What you learn (10)
- explain the requirements for quality production and post-production sound recording
- describe the role and responsibilities of a sound designer
- explain the working relationship between sound designer, dubbing mixer and sound editor
- apply critical listening skills to evaluate dialogue, music, foley and effects
- mix dialogue, music, foley and sound effects for multimedia productions
- translate a script into a soundtrack design
- create sound effects using processing and layering techniques
- explain industry-standard file exchange workflows between video and audio post-production
- produce pre-dub mixes, a final mix and layback tracks
- record and mix audio in surround sound formats
- Advanced Cinematography
What you learn (14)
- explain the evolution of digital cinematography from celluloid origins
- describe emerging aesthetics and techniques arising from digital technology advances
- apply advanced composition techniques to camera framing
- apply advanced camera movement techniques in filming
- apply staging and blocking techniques for actors and action on camera
- select appropriate lens types to achieve creative visual outcomes
- apply camera control settings to produce specific visual looks
- use camera accessories such as matte boxes and filtration to shape image style
- design lighting setups for interior dramatic scenes across genres
- adapt dramatic lighting approaches to documentary filming styles
- identify key stages of script breakdown for cinematography planning
- interpret a director's creative vision into camera and lighting decisions
- communicate technical instructions to camera and lighting crew using industry terminology
- produce lighting plans and equipment lists to support production communication
- eSports Content Production
What you learn (8)
- describe the historical socio-cultural developments behind competitive gaming
- explain the technological advances that enabled the growth of esports
- evaluate online content ecosystems in relation to shifting audience demand
- assess the impact of emerging technologies on content creation industry needs
- relate existing film, TV and interactive media skills to esports production
- explain how film, TV and interactive media techniques combine to narrate esports matches
- critically evaluate current industry practice in esports production
- explore new techniques and technologies for producing esports content
- Global Producing Contexts
What you learn (6)
- evaluate differences in production systems across creative business cultures
- explain global forces shaping creative production
- incorporate global perspectives into the design and promotion of creative projects
- apply co-production and cross-financing models to creative project development
- collaborate effectively with people from different cultures to reach shared goals
- evaluate practices from other cultures to inform own creative innovations
- Advanced Editing
What you learn (4)
- apply established screen storytelling techniques to edited sequences
- operate Avid Media Composer to a professional entry-level standard
- describe standard professional post-production workflows
- use film story terminology to communicate effectively with a production team
- The Future of Story: Storytelling in the Digital Age
What you learn (9)
- describe methods used to construct stories through digital media
- explain how digital technologies have reshaped societal narratives
- explain how form, production and distribution shape the impact of digital stories
- critique narrative works produced in computational media environments
- analyse the narrative structure of computationally generated works
- evaluate the influence of digital storytelling on contemporary digital culture
- analyse theoretical texts related to digital storytelling
- apply theoretical frameworks to the analysis of other media texts
- write critical analyses of digital storytelling practices and applications
- Advanced Directing
What you learn (8)
- explain the varied creative, technical and leadership responsibilities of a director
- describe how a script can be interpreted to shape a director's vision
- apply script interpretation techniques to convey a chosen story perspective
- produce detailed documentation justifying creative and technical directing decisions
- organise production elements systematically to support a directing project
- manage project timelines to deliver work to an agreed schedule
- evaluate the aesthetic and technical choices made during the directing process
- reflect critically on personal directing practice to identify improvements
- Feminism on Screen
What you learn (7)
- apply feminist theories and concepts to analyse film and television
- evaluate historical and contemporary media examples using feminist frameworks
- situate screen examples within relevant feminist debates
- construct an evidence-based argument using diverse media and scholarly sources
- analyse marketing and industry data to support critical arguments
- conduct independent research using academic and primary sources
- present critical analysis effectively in written and spoken form
“What you learn” restates each module’s published learning outcomes in our own words, as short skill statements in the same form as the GCSE and A level curriculum, with the help of an AI model; fields of knowledge follow the twelve fields of the knowledge sphere. The university’s module page, linked from each title, is the authoritative description.
After graduating
Where does it lead?
£22,500median pay three years after graduating
Lower quarter£18k
Median£23k
Upper quarter£28k
Median — the middle earner: half earned more, half less. Pay is for graduates of this subject at this university who finished in 2016-18, not adjusted for inflation; based on 65 graduates.
Discover Uni dataset (HESA and Office for Students, CC BY 4.0, contains HESA data); earnings from the Longitudinal Education Outcomes data (Department for Education) · aggregation level 14, 13, 23
Half of graduates earned between £17,500 and £27,500. Five years on, the median is £29,000. 80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing; 60% of those in work were in professional or managerial jobs.
All outcome figures7
| Measure | Value | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| Continue after year 16% left | 93% | 85 |
| In work or study, 15 months on5% studying | 80% | 35 |
| Professional or managerial job | 60% | 25 |
| Pay 15 months on, median | £26,000 | 15 |
| Pay 3 years on, median | £22,500 | 65 |
| Pay 5 years on, median | £29,000 | 60 |
Money
What does it cost?
£10,050a year for UK students, 2027/28 entry
Tuition fee loan — paid straight to the university; repayments start the April after you leave, at 9% of income above the threshold. UK fees are capped by government and rise with inflation; placement and study-abroad years are usually charged at a lower rate.
York fees page · source
About £30,150 in fees over 3 years, covered by a tuition fee loan you repay only when earning above the threshold. International students: £27,800 a year (2027/28).
National Student Survey 2025-26
What do students say?
67%agreed the course was good overall (question 26)
NSS — a yearly survey of final-year students at every UK university; 63% of this course’s final year answered. Small groups can swing a lot year to year.
National Student Survey, via Discover Uni · 45 students answered
Highest: 93% agreed on question 19; lowest: 37% on question 17.
All questions26
| Question | Agree |
|---|---|
| Question 1 | 85% |
| Question 2 | 85% |
| Question 3 | 74% |
| Question 4 | 80% |
| Question 5 | 85% |
| Question 6 | 78% |
| Question 7 | 84% |
| Question 8 | 76% |
| Question 9 | 80% |
| Question 10 | 83% |
| Question 11 | 72% |
| Question 12 | 70% |
| Question 13 | 80% |
| Question 14 | 70% |
| Question 15 | 91% |
| Question 16 | 91% |
| Question 17 | 37% |
| Question 18 | 63% |
| Question 19 | 93% |
| Question 20 | 82% |
| Question 21 | 87% |
| Question 22 | 80% |
| Question 23 | 70% |
| Question 24 | 57% |
| Question 25 | 54% |
| Question 26 | 67% |
Question texts are published by the Office for Students; the dataset carries only the question numbers.
Modules, entry requirements and fees are facts read from University of York’s course page on 2026-09-19 and may change; the university’s page is authoritative. Descriptions are not reproduced. Outcome figures are from the Discover Uni dataset. University of York is a trade mark of the university; sch.today is independent of it.