Media Production | BA (Hons) | University of Lincoln

Graham Cooper - Programme Leader

Graham Cooper is programme leader of BA (Hons) Media Production. Graham specialises in digital media practice and theory. He is a founding member of the co_LAB research group, focusing on collaborative pedagogy and knowledge exchange, both nationally and internationally.

Academic Staff List

Welcome to BA (Hons) Media Production

Media Production at Lincoln is focused on the creative foundations and technical skills needed to thrive as a professional in a rapidly changing media landscape.

The course is designed to empower our students to become imaginative, creative, and culturally aware twenty-first century media practitioners with a thorough understanding of the creative industries and with the intellectual ability to analyse and challenge media conventions.

Lincoln's industry-focused course offers students a comprehensive experience across the many platforms of today's creative sector. This includes TV and screen, design and new emergent media, radio, and sound. Students can find their creative voice and develop a set of specialist skills, taught by experienced industry and research-active tutors.

Students can gain hands-on experience through innovative project briefs, expert teaching and a wide range of high-end facilities. Students are based in the Alfred Tennyson Building which houses our two high-definition television studios, post production suites, recording studios, screening facilities, design and digital labs, and other creative spaces. The Media Archive for Central England (MACE) is also housed in the same building.

Practical and theoretical aspects of the subject are woven together to inform understanding of media production. Practice modules explore technique and craft in a multitude of areas. These include film production, digital media and innovative design, sound, multi-camera studio production, image creation, social media outputs, podcasting, games, script, and screenwriting, as well as rapidly developing emergent forms of media such as augmented and virtual reality.

How You Study

The programme begins with a focus on the generation of creative ideas across various platforms. It introduces media fundamentals and creative workflows. Students are able to practise these skills by creating their own content and can go on to specialise in the media that most suits their personal interests and career aspirations.

The course is designed to give you a thorough understanding of the exciting media landscape and allow you to curate your career as a multi-skilled creative media practitioner. In your first year, you can work and collaborate across a range of production areas such as film, video, audio, design, digital skills, and storytelling through scripts to enable you to gain a broad experience and to help you find your voice.

In your second year, you can start to study topics of personal interests through a range of optional modules. By year three, you'll be shaping and polishing these skills with some substantial project-based modules designed to put your abilities into a professional working context.

Practical and theoretical aspects of the subject are woven together to create an informative approach to media production. Practice modules explore technique and craft in a multitude of areas, such as film production, digital media design, sound, multi-camera studio, image creation, social media outputs, podcasting, games, script and screenwriting, as well as rapidly developing emergent forms of media such as augmented and virtual reality. Critical studies modules present new and established media theories.

We are constantly evolving our Media Production programme to take into account the latest developments in the creative economy, technology, and creative thinking. Lecturers include experienced specialists in their chosen fields, from those with diverse research-based interests and expertise, to award-winning industry professionals.

Lincoln School of Film, Media and Journalism has a range of online resources and discussion groups where students can share ideas and network. A rolling programme of visiting lectures from industry professionals and creative academics enhances the core curriculum.

Students are encouraged to watch and listen to a range of broadcast outputs on terrestrial television and other online providers to ensure they are fluent in a range of genres and media.

What You Need to Know

We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. To help you choose the course that’s right for you, we aim to bring to your attention all the important information you may need. Our What You Need to Know page offers detailed information on key areas including contact hours, assessment, optional modules, and additional costs.

Find out More

An Introduction to Your Modules

† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

Introduction to Digital Media and Innovative Design 2023-24MED1272MLevel 42023-24This practice-based module aims to develop introductory levels of expertise in digital media production and innovative design practices via a series of short and intensive assignments that encourage exploratory and creative practice. The module is designed to provide a platform for students to work with techniques and processes that will meet a brief and also establish transferable skills that can be utilised across all media pathways. This module will form a basis for continued study and exploration in the second year, by defining the practice pathway and establishing a studio-based, collaborative philosophy to support creative problem-solving and professional practice.CoreIntroduction to Studio Production 2023-24MED1273MLevel 42023-24This module introduces students to the conventions of the broadcast media world, specifically live television and radio production, before looking at ways to extend and augment these long-standing platforms with new and emerging media outputs, such as visual radio, online/mobile content, and podcasting. The module aims to foster a creative approach to content creation, exploring a wide range of ways to communicate information to an audience. The topic driven nature of this module also allows for exploration of representation and identity within the themes.CoreMedia Fundamentals 2023-24MED1274MLevel 42023-24This module introduces students to fundamental critical, reflective, and practical skills required to adapt to both studying at university and to thrive on the programme. The module will provide a framework for students to research, produce, and critique and reflect on more complex written and practical work in future modules.CorePrinciples of Design Thinking 2023-24MED1275MLevel 42023-24Drawing from key debates within media theory, this module aims to support students critical, historical, and practical understanding of principles of design, visual communication, and aesthetics. Students are introduced to the basic skills and competences necessary for the modules to follow in second term through three core themes of how, why, and for whom. Students can begin to learn how to cultivate ideas and how to communicate a message to a given audience through the skilful use of imagery, typography, layout, and colour through a programme of lectures, seminars, workshops, and short, intensive assignments.CoreStorytelling, Narrative and Audience 2023-24MED1276MLevel 42023-24This module introduces students to writing and storytelling for media production. Students can develop their creative writing techniques, informed by critical concepts of storytelling, in a variety of formats including short screenplay writing and factual storytelling. Students can engage with critical concepts of audience, looking at mainstream and marginalised audiences and issues of representation. Students have the opportunity to develop and create a short film for a specified audience.CoreCultivating Ideas 2024-25MED2275MLevel 52024-25This module focuses on research methods that enable the development of ideas both for third year Collaborative Project, Graduation Project, and the Media Independent Study. This includes how to manage research projects, and how to design, outline, and communicate coherent and detailed research proposals.CoreAudio Storytelling 2024-25MED2292MLevel 52024-25OptionalCritical Making 2024-25MED2274MLevel 52024-25This module aims to bridge the divide between theory and practice by positioning research-informed media production as a mode of critical inquiry. Students will be encouraged to engage with contemporary issues in society, orienting their critical and creative practice around a shared theme, event, or provocation. Students will be encouraged to work collaboratively across a range of media, with the direction of their research and practice emerging in response to these themes. Students can reflect on their experiences and shared knowledge of contemporary media, providing an opportunity to situate relevant scholarly debates in the development and conceptualisation of their media-art projects.OptionalDelivering a Mainstream Project 2024-25MED2287MLevel 52024-25OptionalDeveloping a Mainstream Project 2024-25MED2286MLevel 52024-25OptionalDigital Media Project 2024-25 MED2291MLevel 52024-25OptionalDigital Media Skills 2024-25MED2290MLevel 52024-25OptionalFaces and Voices: Identity in UK Radio and TV Drama 2024-25MED2277MLevel 52024-25Taking the genre of drama, this module focuses on not only what is represented on the screen, regarding class, gender, sexuality, race, and ethnicity and the politics of location, but also on authorship, agency, and creativity as identity in the changing production environment. Additionally, the module investigates how the formats, spaces, and places of drama in an increasingly curatorial viewing ecology offer opportunities for new forms of work as well as re-versioned and established material.OptionalIndependent Project 2024-25MED2278MLevel 52024-25Core attributes in an effective media production professional are adaptability, autonomy, and knowledge sharing. This module encourages the development and application of core personal project management skills and allows students to explore a suitable media production process or tool. At the same time as demonstrating newly acquired knowledge in their chosen field, students can share their experience and knowledge with the wider media community via some form of public-facing dissemination or output.OptionalInnovations in Television Studio 2 2024-25MED2289MLevel 52024-25OptionalInnovations in the Television Studio 1 2024-25MED2288MLevel 52024-25OptionalInnovative Design Project 2024-25MED2285MLevel 52024-25OptionalInnovative Design Skills 2024-25MED2284MLevel 52024-25OptionalMedia Study Period Abroad 2024-25MED2016MLevel 52024-25The Minnesota State University Moorhead USA Exchange Programme is an optional module. As part of the three-year course, some students may study for the duration of the first term of the second year at Minnesota State University, Moorhead, USA. During the term abroad, students share classes and modules with local students. Not only can students live and socialise in another culture, providing opportunities to study their respective countries, they may also have an opportunity to examine US media industry practice through optional internships for exchange students. The Moorhead-Fargo twin cities may also offer practical opportunities for students to engage with USA production companies including NBC, Fox, ABC, CBS, and Prairie Public TV, all of whom have local bases.OptionalRadio Production 2024-25MED2293MLevel 52024-25OptionalTechnical Workflows 2024-25MED2281MLevel 52024-25At the heart of all high-end media content creation, experimentation and problem-solving is a technical pipeline or workflow. This module aims to develop students' understanding of technical workflows that will underpin content creation from this point onward. This module allows students to experience, test, and experiment with various technical pipelines and methodologies to build a tool kit that they can utilise, develop, and expand upon throughout the rest of their degree work and beyond into their professional careers.OptionalCollaborative Project 2025-26MED3289MLevel 62025-26Students can collaborate on a group project, building on proposals written in the earlier module Cultivating Ideas. The idea will be developed and executed with the support of a tutor. Students will be encouraged to work in interdisciplinary teams from both pathways of the degree, sharing their experience and expertise in order to create innovative media artefacts. For example, digital media students might work on the titles, credits, and associated materials on a TV studio production; design students might create publicity materials for a podcast.CoreCommunity Impact and Engagement 2025-26MED3290MLevel 62025-26This module offers students the opportunity to use their skills to help a public, private or school community to solve a problem, fulfil a need or create educational materials. Students will be introduced to the range of skills required when working with such an organisation. They will work directly with the community, with the support of a tutor, to identify a specific need or problem. Students will then use their skills to propose a creative project or educational materials as a solution, while also ensuring that they comply with the laws and regulations governing the community. They will then mentor the community as it creates the project or materials. Students will be encouraged to work collaboratively and to produce media for contemporary platforms.CoreGraduation Project 2025-26MED3291MLevel 62025-26This module is the culmination of the practice element of the undergraduate programme and aims to prepare students for working in the media industries. Building on one of the proposals developed in the second year module Cultivating Ideas, students can create a portfolio of work or a single project with the aim of showcasing their knowledge, skills, and professionalism to future employers, clients, or agencies. Students are expected to identify their own strengths, research target employers, clients or agencies, and produce audience-specific work, for example a showreel or website. They may work collaboratively or individually.CoreMedia Independent Study 2025-26MED3292MLevel 62025-26The Media Independent Study dissertation is the culmination of students' undergraduate investigation into the structures and debates surrounding cultural production and takes the form of an extended essay, with a poster/online visual representation, to be presented to an audience, which summarises the studys key debates and argument.CoreProfessional Practice 2025-26MED3293MLevel 62025-26This module supports students with development of professional practice skills, including time management, negotiation, appropriate address, and application of creative skills in a real-world context, as they work to a client brief. Students will use their specialist creative skills to work to a specific time-limited brief. A range of commissions will be offered to students in a round of pitches early in the semester. These might be current projects or previously commissioned briefs. LSFMs creative business, New Media Lincs, and tutors will support this process.Core

How you are assessed

Methods of Assessment

The way students are assessed on this course may vary for each module. Examples of assessment methods that are used include submitting film projects or digital media artefacts, coursework, such as written assignments, reports or dissertations; practical exams, such as presentations, performances or observations. Normally there are no formal timed examinations, though live assessments are sometimes conducted. The weighting given to each assessment method may vary across each academic year. The University of Lincoln aims to ensure that staff return in-course assessments to students promptly.

Assessment Feedback

The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to students promptly - usually within 15 working days after the submission date.

Fees and Scholarships

Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.

Course Fees

For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. The University of Lincoln offers a variety of merit-based and subject-specific bursaries and scholarships. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.

Course-Specific Additional Costs

Study Abroad

Opportunities within the EU

Students on this course will have the opportunity to study at a partner institution within Europe as part of this course. Additional information, including costs relating to this opportunity, which is optional, can be found here: http://bit.ly/uolerasmus

The University of Lincoln is committed to continued participation in the Erasmus+ programme, however, participation in future years is dependent on the nature of the UKs withdrawal from the European Union. More information can be found at www.erasmusplus.org.uk/brexit-update.

Outside of Europe

Exchange students applying to study outside of Europe do not pay tuition fees at their host university. Participants will usually be responsible for all other costs themselves, including travel, accommodation, visas, insurance, vaccinations, and administrative fees at the host institution.

Students going on exchange keep their entitlement to UK sources of funding such as student loans and should apply to their awarding body in the normal way, indicating that they will be studying abroad.

If your time away is a mandatory part of your degree programme, you may be entitled to extra funding. You should ask your funding body about this.

You may also be able to apply to your Local Education Authority or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland for further funding to assist with travel expenses - contact them to enquire.

Entry Requirements 2023-24

United Kingdom

A Level: BBC (112 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 3 A levels or equivalent qualifications).

International Baccalaureate: 29 points overall.

BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit, or equivalent.

T Level: Merit

Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 112 UCAS Tariff points.

A combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTEC, EPQ, etc.

Applicants will also need at least three GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, which must include English. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may be considered.

The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry. We will also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.

International

Non UK Qualifications:

If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.

EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/.

If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/

If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk

Exchange Programmes

There is the opportunity to take part in exchange programmes in the USA and with several EU partners. Tuition fees for the exchange opportunity are included in the course but travel, accommodation, and general living costs are the responsibility of the student. Please see the Fees tab for further information. Places are allocated on a competitive basis.

Collaborative Working

This course has a significant emphasis on collaboration and creative entrepreneurship, helping you to shape your own path as a media producer. There are opportunities, through the Lincoln School of Film and Media Academy and our social enterprise New Media Lincs, to get involved with real-world projects outside of the course. This could range from collaborations within the College of Arts, international institutions, the bi-annual Frequency Festival, our annual showcase, joining our co_LAB innovation group, or working on paid professional commissions.

Specialist Facilities

Students on the course are based in the Alfred Tennyson Building, which provides a specialist production environment for media production. Alongside the Media Archive for Central England (MACE), it boasts an impressive range of facilities including two multi-camera television studios; three radio studios; a multi-track audio suite; a sound dubbing and foley theatre; video editing suites (featuring Avid Media Composer, Da Vinci Resolve and Adobe Premiere); audio editing suites (featuring ProTools, Ableton Live, Sibelius and Adobe Creative Cloud); digital-imaging, design and multi-media suites; a photography studio; and a high-end post-production/finishing suite called The Parlour (featuring Autodesk Flame). Students are able to access a range of professional media equipment from our Media Loans department, enabling them to film and record on location. Find out more about the Media Archive for Central England (MACE).

All Media Production students currently have free access to Adobe Creative Cloud software for the duration of their studies via our media and design labs.

Students also have access to Siren Radio (Lincoln's community radio station) and Brayford Radio (our online student station).

Competitions

Students are encouraged to enter their work in local, national and international competitions and award schemes. We have a history of success in the regional and national Royal Television Society Student film awards, most recently in 2019 when our students won three awards for camera, editing, and production design. For the last two years a selection of student and staff work has been showcased at Aesthetica Short Film Festival in York.

Careers

Our graduates have gone on to work in television and radio broadcasting, advertising and social media, filmmaking, visual effects, editing and post-production, photography, multi-media production, web design, and research. Projects have involved James Bond and Jason Bourne films, as well as BAFTA award- winning TV programmes such as Wolf Hall, Blue Peter, Gogglebox, and Blue Planet II. Media skills can prepare students to work in other areas, such as advertising, public relations, marketing, education, events management, and online publishing.

Graduates from the course live across the the globe from the Antarctic to the US to the Pacific Islands, working in television and radio broadcasting, filmmaking, editing, photography, multi-media production, web-design and research. Organisations our graduates are employed at include Sky, BBC News 24, Channel 4, Pinewood Studios, Microsoft, and Talkback. Some have set up their own companies with the support of the University’s business incubation centre Sparkhouse. Others, such as TomSka and Jack Howard, are popular on YouTube.

Many of our graduates keep in touch with us and take part in an annual alumni event where current students can meet with, and get advice from, past students. Some also publish blogs, articles and come in to lecture or teach on modules.

Visit Us in Person

The best way to find out what it is really like to live and learn at Lincoln is to join us for one of our Open Days. Visiting us in person is important and will help you to get a real feel for what it might be like to study here.

Book Your Place

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Key Information

BA (Hons) Media Production