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Postgraduate

MA Television

Close-up of a student holding a film camera in a studio.
MA Television, London College of Communication, UAL.
College
London College of Communication Start date
September 2023 Course length
1 year 3 months full time (45 weeks across a four-term model)

MA Television will enable you to develop the skills you need to design and produce great factual television programmes. On this future-facing course, you’ll have opportunities to learn about programme-making from expert industry practitioners.

Why choose this course at London College of Communication

    • Factual focus: We combine advanced programme development and production with critical analysis of today’s television industry - exploring what it is, what it means, how it works, and how it’s changing.
    • Outstanding facilities: You’ll have opportunities to make ‘live’ television programmes in LCC’s broadcast-standard, multicamera TV Studio.
    • Multiple perspectives: You'll explore key industry issues including television genres and formats; linear and digital; ethical, commercial and legal frameworks; representation, diversity and sustainability; and mixed media production.
    • Employability and entrepreneurship: You’ll build the knowledge and screen-storytelling skills to thrive in the TV industry. Developing your entrepreneurial abilities and your industry intelligence, you’ll build your own future-facing career strategy.
    • Industry connections: You'll be taught by leading producers, directors and presenters of features and factual television for broadcasters such as Netflix, BBC One, ITV, Sky and Channel 4.

Course overview

MA Television combines industry intelligence (both intensive research and critical analysis) with programme production and development. Bringing a 360-degree perspective to the business of television, we ask what it means, who it’s for, how it works and what it might become.

On this course, you’ll learn key skills needed to develop and produce factual TV programmes, covering areas including format, narrative, scripting, treatments, proposals, proofs of concept and pitches together with techniques across camera, sound and editing.

In a world where streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube and TikTok sit alongside traditional broadcasters like the BBC and established pay networks like Sky and HBO, you’ll also explore the digital revolution’s transformative impact on television production, distribution and consumption, and analyse how TV intersects with social media.

Other units will consider the nature of the TV industry and potential markets for your ideas.

What to expect 

  • With a focus on factual programmes, you’ll analyse and practice the craft of TV storytelling, exploring the genres and formats driving a global trade in television ideas.
  • You’ll explore different production values and techniques, working in teams to develop and produce TV shows while drawing on analysis of contemporary factual genres.
  • You’ll approach the practice of programme-making through complimentary, connected and direct exercises of creative imagination and project management across demands on time, resource, cost and quality.
  • You’ll be introduced to key issues around the production, use and consumption of factual TV programming through our Media Cultures strand. You’ll consider whether television holds a mirror up to - or indeed shapes - culture, identity and society.

Industry experience and opportunities

You’ll gain valuable experience of real-world contexts, conditions and outcomes of productions using briefs set by/agreed with your tutors. 

In your second term, you’ll collaborate with fellow students and/or external partners such as local charities and NGOs, small businesses, artists, or arts organisations.  

The Screen School belongs to the BAFTA albert Education Partnership providing graduates with the opportunity to understand sustainability and its professional and personal relevance. You’ll have the opportunity to undertake an optional assignment where you’ll learn about topics including sustainable production solutions, the role of – and opportunities for - responsible businesses, and how to create content with a strategic environmental purpose.

Mode of study 

MA Television is offered in full-time mode and runs for 45 weeks over 15 months, with a break over the summer. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study. 

Contact us

Register your interest to receive information and updates about studying at UAL.

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Course units

Each course is divided into units, which are credit-rated. The minimum unit size is 20 credits. The MA course structure involves 5 units totalling 180 credits.

Autumn, term 1

Media Cultures Terms 1, 2 and 3 (60 credits)

You’ll be introduced to critical study of the factual television programme industry: not only in terms of its current practice, but also its history and future. You’ll also learn an overview of relevant formats and the underlying story development process.  

Production (20 credits)

Working to an editorial brief, you’ll participate in the making of 2 factual television programmes as part of an intensive, practice-based introduction to production techniques. You’ll learn about studio practice in our multi-cam television studio, and about production on location.  

Spring, term 2

Production and Media Cultures (continues)
Collaborative unit (20 credits)

You’ll identify, form and develop collaborative working relationships with a range of potential partners or briefs, both across the University and externally. Learn about the concept of talent, produce a treatment and proof of concept, draft a budget and production schedule, and make a competitive pitch to industry standards.

Major Project – Development and Commencement (60 credits across 3 terms)

You’ll research and develop individual pitches, proposals, treatments, business plans, budgets and proofs of concept for your Major Project. 

Summer, term 3

Major Project – Pitches, Production and Offline Post Production (continued)

Using your research in development from the Spring term, you'll develop a presentation for competitive pitching sessions where a selection panel will determine the proposals selected for full production.

You’ll then form teams to begin pre-production of your studio-/location-based Major Project television programme, before working as a production and post-production group to produce a rough cut.

Autumn, term 4

Major Project – Post Production and Reflection (continued)

In your fourth term, you’ll refine the rough cut of your Major Project and reflect on both your development portfolio and your group production: analysing the collaborative process in your team and its outcome, your own role within that, and the market value of your work.

Professional Futures (20 credits)

In this unit, you’ll be coached and mentored in your career planning through areas including: research into employment opportunities or the development of start-ups; networking and approaches to potential employers; the refinement of your CV; and the creation of a calling card portfolio. 

Learning and teaching methods

  • Lectures 
  • Seminars 
  • Technical and other workshops 
  • Supervised practice 
  • Independent group practice 
  • Close reading 
  • Critiques of practical outcomes 
  • Supervised presentations 
  • Guided student-managed learning 

Course films

Online Open Day

(Recorded March 2023)

Course Leader, Susan Shaw, gives an overview of studying MA Television at London College of Communication.

Course showreel | 2022

Course showreel | 2021

Student showreel | 2020

Student voices

Student voices | Jiafang Han

MA Television

Jiafang talks through her final year project, Psychic Gallery, work that reflects the surreal and difficult nature of the pandemic in 2021.

Student voices | Irene Villalon

MA Television

MA Television graduate Irene Villaton talks to us about her final year project, following the lives of figure skating duo Penny Coomes and Nick Buckland.

Student voices | Joana Esteves

Joana talks us through her final project on the Girl Guides.

Student voices | Henrik Bie

Hear about Henrik's experience of being a postgraduate student at UAL and what it was like to move from Norway to London.

Course stories

  • Graduate Voices: Laura de Pablo
    Still from a film located in Bangor, North Wales. Image credit: Laura de Pablo, MA Television.

    Graduate Voices: Laura de Pablo

    MA Television graduate Laura de Pablo discusses how she navigates her own professional journey by utilising both business and creative insights.

  • Graduate Voices: Teodora Djukaric
    URTP, James Blake - WILL ROSS Edit x Teodora Djukaric

    Graduate Voices: Teodora Djukaric

    We chatted to recent MA Television graduate Teodora Djukaric about the importance of collaboration in the screen industries and her experience of working in a European production company.

  • View all LCC stories

Facilities

  • Red light indicating recording is taking place.
    Image © Vladimir Molico
    Lens-Based and Audio-Visual

    Find out about the workspaces and studios that support Lens-Based and Audio-Visual practice.

  • Student reading a book in between two bookshelves in the Library
    Students in the Digital Space. London College of Communication, UAL. Photograph: Alys Tomlinson
    The Digital Space

    The Digital Space is an open-plan, creative hub with computers set up with specialist software.

  • A close-up of a monitor in the TV studio.
    Image © Vladimir Molico
    Film and Television

    Find out about the resources on offer to Film and Television students.

Visiting Practitioners

We have regular masterclasses with leading producers, directors and presenters of features and factual television, including:

Fees and funding

Home fee

£12,700

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£25,970

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

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Entry requirements

The course team welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds, from all over the world. MA Television attracts applications from graduates of a good honours degree in a relevant subject such as either film, television or related media subject. We will also consider graduates of a good honours degree in any other subjects who can demonstrate a developed interest in, and knowledge of, current television practice and output.

Such fields may include print journalism, photography, project management, business, general management and any other discipline or area which it is felt will bring a variety of experience and imagination to the course.

If you do not have the required qualifications, but do have professional experience, you may be eligible to gain credit for previous learning and experience.

The educational level may be demonstrated by:

  • Honours degree (named above);
  • Possession of equivalent qualifications;
  • Prior experiential learning, the outcome of which can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required, demonstrating relevant experience and an aptitude for film, television or other moving-image production subjects;
  • Or a combination of formal qualifications and experiential learning which, taken together, can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required.

APEL (Accreditation of Prior Learning)

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • OR a combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

Language requirements

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language, we strongly recommend you let us know your English language test score in your application. If you have booked a test or are awaiting your results, please indicate this in your application. When asked to upload a CV as part of your application, please include any information about your English test score.

  • IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required, with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four skills.
  • If your first language is not English, you can check you have achieved the correct IELTS level in English on the Language Requirements page.

For further details regarding international admissions and advice please visit the International Applications page.

Selection criteria

Offers will be made based on the following selection criteria, which applicants are expected to demonstrate:

  • Sufficient prior knowledge and experience of and/or potential in television to be able to successfully complete the programme of study and have an academic or professional background in a relevant subject
  • Knowledge and understanding as reflective viewers of the ways in which television programmes operate. (Relevant for applicants without practical experience of programme-making)

Apply now

Home International

All applications will be considered by the course team who will consider key elements when making a decision on your suitability to join the course:

  • Firstly they will look at your qualifications and transcript (or projected results)
  • Secondly, they will review your personal statement
  • There is no requirement for an academic or professional reference.

Required information for all postgraduate course applications

Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following items and upload documents when completing the online application form:

  • Personal details (including full name; date of birth; nationality; permanent address and English language level)
  • Current and/or previous education and qualification details
  • Employment history
  • CV
  • Personal statement

Extra information required for applications to this course

  • Video task

Start your application now

The online application can be saved as you fill it out, so you don’t need to complete it all at once. You will also have the chance to review all the information and make any necessary amendments before you press submit.

Apply now

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.

Read our Admissions Policy for details, and request your deferral by contacting us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

External Student Transfer Policy

If you are currently studying at another institution and have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units/modules on your current PG course and wish to continue your studies at London College of Communication, you can apply to transfer.

The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.

Further information about the external student transfer policy can be found on the Office for Students Information page.

CV

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If English is not your first language it is important that you also include in your CV details of your most recent English language test score.

Personal statement advice

You will be asked to complete a personal statement describing why you want to study on MA Television. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate critical knowledge of and enthusiasm for the subject, and a well-articulated rationale for joining the course.

The personal statement is a very important part of your application and should demonstrate to the course team that you are interested in the subject and that you have thought very carefully about why you wish to study on the course.

Ensure that your personal statement it is well written, clear and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the course team by showing a strong interest in the subject, demonstrating what you feel you would bring to the course, your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it might help you in the future. This can be demonstrated through work experience, previous studies and your personal experience.

Application deadline

19 December 2022 and 3 April 2023

Our equal consideration deadlines have now passed. This course will remain open to applications for 2023 entry until places have been filled. Please be aware that courses can close without notice.

We recommend you submit your application as early as possible to allow the Admissions team to resolve any initial queries about your application as quickly as possible.

When you'll hear from us

If this course requires a digital portfolio as part of the application process, we will contact you to invite you to submit this through UAL’s online submission tool, PebblePad. For Round 1 applications, you will need to submit your portfolio by 9 January 2023 at the latest and by 20 April 2023 for Round 2.

This course receives a high volume of applications. We need to make sure that we give all applications equal consideration, so the course team will review them in 2 rounds, after each application deadline date. This means you won’t hear from us about the outcome of your application until after the relevant application deadline date. Outcomes for Round 1 will be released by (at the latest) end of March and outcomes for Round 2 will be released by end of June 2023.

Remember to check the outcome of your application in the UAL Portal. If you apply in Round 1 and don’t hear back from us, we will consider your application within Round 2.

Find out more about what happens after you apply.

All applications will be considered by the course team who will consider key elements when making a decision on your suitability to join the course:

  • Firstly they will look at your qualifications and transcript (or projected results)
  • Secondly, they will review your personal statement
  • There is no requirement for an academic or professional reference.

Required information for all postgraduate course applications

Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following items and upload documents when completing the online application form:

  • Personal details (including full name; date of birth; nationality; permanent address and English language level)
  • Current and/or previous education and qualification details
  • Employment history
  • CV
  • Personal statement

Please note: we will ask you for copies of certain documents (for example, English language qualification/certificate and copies of any previous UK study visas). Read our immigration and visa information to find out if you need a visa to study at UAL.

You can only apply to the same course once per year. Any duplicate applications will be withdrawn. Read the UAL international application advice for further information on how to apply.

Extra information required for applications to this course

  • Video task

Start your application now

There are 2 ways international students can apply to a postgraduate course:

The application form can be saved as you fill it out, so you do not need to complete it all at once. You will also have the chance to review all the information and make any necessary amendments before you submit the application form.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.

Read our Admissions Policy for details, and request your deferral by contacting us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

External Student Transfer Policy

If you are currently studying at another institution and have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units/modules on your current PG course and wish to continue your studies at London College of Communication, you can apply to transfer.

The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.

Further information about the external student transfer policy can be found on the Office for Students Information page.

Immigration history check

Whether you are applying through a UAL representative or direct application you will need to complete an Immigration History check. If you do not complete the Immigration History Check we will not be able to proceed with your application.

CV

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If English is not your first language it is important that you also include in your CV details of your most recent English language test score.

Personal statement advice

You will be asked to complete a personal statement describing why you want to study on MA Television. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate critical knowledge of and enthusiasm for the subject, and a well-articulated rationale for joining the course.

The personal statement is a very important part of your application and should demonstrate to the course team that you are interested in the subject and that you have thought very carefully about why you wish to study on the course.

Ensure that your personal statement it is well written, clear and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your chance to impress the course team by showing a strong interest in the subject, demonstrating what you feel you would bring to the course, your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it might help you in the future. This can be demonstrated through work experience, previous studies and your personal experience.

Application deadline

19 December 2022 and 3 April 2023

Our equal consideration deadlines have now passed. This course will remain open to applications for 2023 entry until places have been filled. Please be aware that courses can close without notice.

We recommend you submit your application as early as possible to allow the Admissions team to resolve any initial queries about your application as quickly as possible.

When you'll hear from us

This course receives a high volume of applications. We need to make sure that we give all applications equal consideration, so the course team will review them in two rounds. This means that offers won’t be sent to successful applicants until after the relevant application deadline date. Outcomes for Round 1 will be released by 31 March 2022 and outcomes for Round 2 will be released by 30 June 2022.

Remember to check the outcome of your application in the UAL Portal. If you apply in Round 1 and don’t hear back from us, we will consider your application within Round 2.

Find out more about what happens after you apply.

After you apply

Communicating with you

After you have successfully submitted your application online, you will receive an email confirming your application and providing your login details for the UAL Applicant Portal. Please add @arts.ac.uk to your contacts to ensure that you do not miss any important updates re: your application to UAL.

Please log into the portal, as this is where we will send you important updates and requests, and you can contact us with any questions you may have about your application.

What happens next

Video task

We'd like you to submit a 2-3 minute video to help us learn more about you.

  • Please speak clearly in English and face the camera.
  • Your video task is submitted via PebblePad.
  • Read our guidance for more information about how to submit your video task and the file types we accept.

As part of your video task, please respond to the following direction:

  • Please take 90 seconds to describe the view from your window, and another 90 seconds to explain how the view changes over time.

Interview advice

Applicants are usually interviewed by the course team before a place can be offered. Interviews will be held online, and details will be sent via the UAL Portal.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the outcome of your application through the UAL Applicant Portal.

Requesting feedback

This course receives a high number of applications. Unfortunately, we can’t provide feedback to everyone who is unsuccessful. We can only provide feedback after you’ve had an interview.

We are only able to provide feedback to you directly, or to someone you have told us in writing can receive it on your behalf. If you would like to request feedback  please contact us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Successful applicants will be guided through the rest of our admissions stages and towards enrolment on the course.

Careers

As a student on MA Television you will learn the key technical skills needed to make television programmes, including camera operation, sound recording and editing. However, the course is primarily designed to prepare you for the role of:

  • Producer
  • Production Manager
  • Researcher
  • Director

You will develop an understanding of the business aspects of programme-making that will stand you in good stead to work in the independent sector and/or as freelance producer/directors. Such understanding will also be attractive to employers – broadcasters or larger production companies – who will value the commercial sense and understanding offered by graduates of MA Television.

London College of Communication

Contact

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7514 6500
Address
Elephant & Castle

London
SE1 6SB