Creative Development Projects
Postgraduate
MA
Editing TV, Film and Digital Media
Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology
Attendance
Full-time
Course
One year
Next enrolment
September 2024
In a nutshell
Skillful editing is at the core of any successful television production, but with this master’s in Editing for TV, Film and Digital Media, you’ll be gaining much more than the ability to effectively edit visual material. If you’re looking for the opportunity to develop your narrative, technical and collaborative skills in the context of television production, this is the course for you.
As part of this editing master’s degree, you’ll work collaboratively with your fellow students to gain the practical experience needed to launch a professional career in the media industry. Through a series of lectures, seminars and tutorials, you’ll gain hands-on experience in pitching your ideas to both academic staff and industry practitioners, developing your creative and critical skills through applied theory and practical work.
And what better place to study? Not only will you have access to state-of-the-art facilities on campus, you’ll also be close to a whole host of reputable media organisations across the cities of Salford and Greater Manchester. What’s more, you’ll be learning from academic staff who are leaders in their field, as well as industry experts with a wealth of real-world experience.
Find out more by signing up to an upcoming Open Day.
International applicants: Please check the international intakes page for the latest information and application dates.
You will:
- Have access to our industry-standard TV production facilities as part of our MediaCity campus
- Develop your post-production skills to a professional standard
- Apply your knowledge to live briefs and industry placements
- Graduate with a strong portfolio of work
Placement
options available
International
students accepted
This is for you if...
1.
You want to build on your knowledge of post-production in the context of television, film or digital media
2.
You want to launch a professional career in the media industry
3.
You want to build a strong portfolio of work that can be used to enhance your employability
All about the course
So, what does a post-production Editing for Film, TV and Digital Media master’s degree involve? And is it the right choice for you?
On this course, you can expect to gain the practical skills and creative insight needed to master modern media techniques. From editing visual material to pitching ideas to industry experts, you’ll spend your time working on live briefs that will give you a range of transferable skillsets designed to enhance your employability.
Is there an element of post-production that interests you most? If so, you’ll have the chance to choose either a dissertation or practice research project designed to demonstrate your advanced knowledge of creative and technical skills in your chosen specialism. This project will showcase your ability to work both independently and as part of a team to produce innovative work within the field of contemporary media practice – all while building a portfolio of work that can be used for employment or further study.
Each trimester we bring in local talent from industry. These are some of the people who have come in to work with our students:
Paul Greengrass - Film Director
Danny Ward – Editor ITV
Fran Baker - Executive Producer Hatchling Films
Colin Stone - Documentary Director
Lisa Holdsworth - Screenwriter
Paul Sapin – Documentary Director
Sol Papadopoulos – Drama Producer Hurricane Films
Mark Elliot – Editor BBC Drama
James Knight – Documentary Series Producer Wise Owl Films
Dympna Jackson + Pam Cavanagh Purple Productions
Workerbee TV
True North Productions
ITV Drama
The University of Salford is tremendously proud to have been the premier partner for the Asian Media Awards over the last ten years and is determined to play its part in inspiring the next generation of Asian talent to consider and pursue a career in the creative industries.
Core modules
The Creative Development Projects (CDP) module offers you a chance to develop skills appropriate to your programme of study within an atmosphere and philosophy of innovation and experimentation. The module is built around programmes of lecture/seminars and workshops in which you develop your creative and critical skills through applied theory and practical work. You may work in production teams.
Media Theory and Practice
A series of lectures aims to develop your appreciation and engagement with critical approaches to contextualising and informing your practical creative work. The lectures examine the theory and practice of media production and contextualise the contemporary broadcasting and film environment.
Collaborative Projects
Through a series of lectures, seminars and tutorials that aim to develop your specialisms, the module will set live briefs from real industry clients and broadcasters. You will examine the practice and theory of media production readying you for pitching your ideas to a panel of academics and industry practitioners and developing creative and critical skills through applied theory and practical work.
Advanced Production Practices
A series of lectures, seminars and workshops aim to develop production craft specialisms in readiness for production in semester two and three if appropriate. The module will examine and enhance the practice and theory of media production advancing your creative and technical skills. Where appropriate this would provide opportunities to prepare you for your final Major Practice Research Module.
Choose one module from:
Major Project: Dissertation
This is an opportunity to demonstrate the theoretical skills that you’ve gained over the two previous semesters. You will demonstrate your creative and critical skills through self-directed research that demonstrates original and innovative work within the field of contemporary media practice.
Major Project: Practice Research Project
This is an opportunity to demonstrate both the theoretical and practical skills that you’ve gained over the two previous semesters. You will demonstrate your creative, technical and critical skills through self-directed practice and research that demonstrates original and innovative work within the field of contemporary media practice.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
BE A PART OF A CREATIVE, SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY
All our Film, TV and Radio courses are delivered by the Salford School of Arts, Media, and Creative Technology. Our focus is to ensure that you have the skills you need to pursue your dreams, and we encourage our students, past and present, to collaborate with each other and achieve great things.
Each year - through the Create Student Awards – our School rewards the incredible achievements and successes of our final year and postgraduate students.
Whatever you choose to study with us, you’ll be mentored and supported by experts. And once you graduate, it won’t end there. You’ll join a thriving alumni network across Greater Manchester and beyond, meaning you’ll be supported professionally and personally whenever you need it.
MEDIACITY FACILITIES
Our MediaCity facilities are industry-standard, so much so that they are used by our industry partners themselves.
When you study with us on this course, you’ll learn from our experienced tutors and demonstrators, who will teach you how to use our facilities. These include:
TV studios - our TV studios have been used by the BBC for a variety of broadcasts, such as the Olympics and Christmas music concerts, and they’re equipped with the same audio-visual systems used by ITV and Sky. The studios have green screen facilities as well as basic props so you can design and build sets for a range of projects.
Green screen facilities - these allow you to create effects such as those you see on weather reports and incorporates a camera system and 3D graphics software.
Audio production - we’ve got all the hardware and software you need to make sure you’ll know just how to create, edit, mix and master audio for film and television. Our main studios feature Avid S6 consoles – a similar set up to those at our MediaCity neighbours, such as Dock10 and ITV.
MakerSpace - bring your designs to life using 3D scanners and printers, power tools and a range of art and craft materials.
Stop-frame studio – we have animation booths equipped with industry-standard lighting, grip, software and cameras and learn just what it takes to make your ideas and storyboards a reality.
Computer Suites and Editing Studios – our computer suites are equipped with the latest industry-standard software. You’ll learn from our experienced demonstrators, who’ll teach you the skills needed to turn your concepts into a reality.
Equipment stores - cameras, lighting kits and mics – they’re all essential to media production. But don’t worry, you won’t need to spend thousands of pounds to get the set-up you need – we have a fully equipped equipment store available for you to use and take out industry-standard kit.
Explore our Film, TV and Radio facilities at the University of Salford
OUR STAFF
The MA teaching team have all spent most of their careers in industry and have extensive experience making films.
Liza Ryan Carter
"After working in fine art, and video art, I became a freelance editor and set up a small post-production facility in the heart of Manchester, through which I worked as an editor across a variety of genres including factual tv, drama (short films and features), music videos, rockumentary, commercials and arts based projects."
Simon Stanton Sharma
"I have been a filmmaker and television director for over twenty years and have experience in the industry across multiple genres. My background in both single and multi-camera production has seen me lead global output for the BBC at the London Olympics and write and direct US films and commercials."
"I have made docs about Apache battles, the Beijing Olympics, Time Travel, Volcanic eruptions in the Pacific Rim and many other subjects. I love the access that documentary gives you and also the learning that you get each time you make a film."
Paul Greengrass - Honorary Professor
Paul started his career here in Salford at Granada TV on the documentary series World in Action. He then moved into drama and, from The Murder of Stephen Laurence (ITV 1999) to 22nd July (Netflix 2018), combines powerful documentary research with stunning writing and directing to tell galvanising stories that stay with you long after the movie has finished.
More recently Paul directed Tom Hanks in the Western News of the World (Netflix, 2020), which he describes as being about “the healing power of storytelling and the healing power of belonging”.
Paul is a stalwart in the film and television industry. In 2007, he founded Director’s UK and in 2017 was honoured with a British Film Institute Fellowship
"I'm very honoured to join these MAs at Salford University as Honorary Professor.
I began my working life just down the road at Granada TV in 1977, so this is an opportunity to maintain my links with the north west and to be able to encourage an exciting new generation of students into the industry."
What about after uni?
EMPLOYMENT
With an ever-growing demand for high-quality television programmes, along with the growing popularity of streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, there’s never been a more exciting time to study post-production for TV.
Graduating with technical and creative skills in video editing, sound editing, animation and visual effects, our previous students have secured professional roles across a variety of media environments. Working for a range of reputable companies, including 360 Media, GranadaDock10, Flix Facilities, the Farm Group Manchester and the BBC Natural History unit, our recent graduates have launched successful careers in editing, camerawork, VFX, sound engineering and teaching.
FURTHER STUDY
Graduates showing strong academic and research skills can pursue a further academic research path through our doctoral (PhD) programmes on a full-time or part-time basis subject to a satisfactory proposal.
Career Links
Industry collaboration is at the heart of your learning at Salford. Thanks to a longstanding partnership with Soundsnap, you will have free access to sound effects resources during your studies.
To develop your skills and employability, there are opportunities on our media production courses to work on live briefs and gain valuable work experience. Previous students have worked with:
- CBBC
- Framestore
- BBC Writersroom
- BBC Natural History Unit
- Nine Lives Media production company
- Dock10 Post Production Facility House
- BBC Fast Train, BBC Academy, BBC Red Nose Day and BBC Turn Up the Talent
- Sheffield Documentary Festival, Salford Media Festival, One World Media Festival
- The following prominent speakers have delivered guest lectures:
- Joe Godwin (Director of BBC Childrens)
- Steve Hewlett (Media commentator / Guardian Columnist)
- Tony Palmer (Documentary filmmaker)
- Jackie Priddle (Aardman Animation Producer)
- BBC Stepping Out and Audience Research Team
What you need to know
Are you passionate about producing high-quality programmes for television audiences? Are you hoping to develop your technical and creative skills to a professional standard, with the freedom to experiment in state-of-the-art facilities? Do you see yourself launching a career as a TV media professional?
If so, we’d like to hear from you. We’re looking for committed media graduates who are eager to take their abilities to the next level. You’ll need some experience of post-production, whether it’s in the professional field or through undergraduate study.
In addition, you should have some understanding of the world of television and how it relates to post-production. Ideally, you’ll want to explore this further in the form of producing short films and nurturing your editing skills.
The application process
To apply for this course you will need to prepare a personal statement of 500 words maximum. We’ll want to understand:
- what motivates you and what current experiences do you have in terms of film and media creation; whether that’s scriptwriting, filming cameras, and editing for example?
- how have you been involved and what did you do?
- are you a creative thinker and how do you develop ideas?
- do you have any knowledge of the film production industry or film sector; are there any projects that inspire you?
- why do you want to work in the film and TV sector?
- and why this degree at the University of Salford is the right choice for your future goals.
For some applicants, you’ll be asked to provide us with:
Portfolio
•A show reel (in QuickTime format) and portfolio of work to be made available via website or via web transfer
•A portfolio can consist of ideally any video editing examples, but if you do not have editing experience, then examples of any creative work - any form of filmmaking, photography, graphic design, drawing etc
•If you don’t have anything you could edit a short video (2-4 mins) with footage shot on a phone or downloaded from the internet
Once you’ve made your application to study with us, we’ll contact you and let you know the next steps
Standard entry requirements
Standard entry requirements
To join this MA you should have a second class honours degree, 2:2 or above, with an appropriate amount of media production, technology and design experience.
International Students
International applicants will be required to show a proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.5, with no element below 5.5, is proof of this.
We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.
We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take our Pre-Sessional English course.
Alternative entry requirements
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.
Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2024/25 | £8,820.00per year |
| Full-time international | 2024/25 | £16,380.00per year |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Aziz Foundation Scholarship
The Aziz Scholarship Programme offers 100% tuition fee Masters scholarships to support British Muslims who wish to advance their careers and bring positive change to their communities by studying at one of their partner UK universities. One of the eligible programmes at the University of Salford is MA Editing for TV, Film and Digital Media. Find out more about the Aziz Foundation Scholarship.
Scholarships for International Students
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Explore our international scholarships.