Film Production
Full-time
Three year
In a nutshell
Are you a budding Spielberg or DuVernay? Or perhaps you’re an aspiring young professional with a passion for camerawork, scriptwriting, audio production, or have a desire to make your film concepts a reality through team work on a production set? Wherever your passions lie, this BA (Hons) Film Production degree will equip you with the tools you need to take your first step into the professional film industry.
Our Film Production degree course is about learning to tell engaging stories through filmmaking. You will make and edit short films using high-end camera and editing at our state-of-the-art campus situated in the heart of MediaCity, the country’s biggest creative media cluster.
As part of your Film Production degree, you’ll develop key filmmaking skills including directing, producing and editing, as well as writing for screen, sound design, cinematography and production design. You will also learn key theories in film analysis which will help inform, inspire and contextualise your creative output. Through your degree, you will be engaging with collaborative projects designed to provide you with the professional skills you need to launch your creative career.
Alongside our teaching spaces at MediaCity we also have a number of production spaces at our Peel Park Campus. These are held within the Newton building. These spaces feature a number of industry standard sets which you will be learning your production skills on under the close supervision and guidance of your tutors. We have a range of sets from a street scene to a bedroom and a pub. Each space brings up unique challenges for you as a filmmaker, helping to equip you with the skills for industry.
This degree is designed and led by industry practitioners. As part of your learning you will have the opportunity to gain professional accreditation in multiple areas – for example at the moment we offer accreditation in AVID and Pro Tools software as well as Arri’s camera accreditation. Based at MediaCity, there is a strong emphasis on preparing you for employment and entrepreneurial endeavour, helping you to contextualise your creative output and gain experience that will provide instant value to future employers.
If you already have a degree, you might be interested in our MA Film Production.
Find out about our students' recent success at the RTS NW Student Awards.
Want to find out more about studying Film Production at university? Why not explore our Instagram page and sign-up to an Open Day.
You will:
- Study at our state-of-the-art digital media campus at MediaCity, in close proximity to professional film producers and broadcasters
- Gain hands-on experience while working on collaborative film projects and developing your own work ready for public display
- Choose from a wide variety of module options, from cinematography to scriptwriting and directing
This is for you if...
You are passionate about filmmaking and want to develop your skills in any area of film production.
You have a creative and professional mindset.
You want to gain the hands-on experience needed to launch a professional career in film production.
All about the course
So, what does our Film Production course involve? You’ll begin with an introduction to a broad range of Film Production techniques, working collaboratively in groups to create films in a range of styles. You’ll learn how to work your concepts into compelling high-quality film stories, applying your skills in different areas of filmmaking to bring your ideas to life. Whether you choose to film on campus or on location, you’ll learn how to plan and run shoots, direct shoots, get the best out of your camera, sound and lighting kits and how to edit and grade. You’ll also learn key concepts in critical film theory and explore and analyse the evolution of film.
The course prepares you well for your next step, whether that's postgraduate study or launching into industry. Your final trimester is dedicated to enabling you to make a film to showcase your strengths to industry.
In the second year you build further on your filmmaking skills with longer and more challenging assignments and have the chance to develop your own creative interests with a choice of options from post production sound through to experimental filmmaking. The optional module in Professional Film Practice encourages you to start developing your professional networks and build your CV and showreel content for your own website.
In your final year you will develop your chosen specialist interests to advanced level, collaborate and innovate in producing film projects that cross traditional boundaries and work on a major project of your own choosing to create film that will be your calling card to industry. You will also be encouraged to think about challenging your learned skills and interests by staying on for another year to do the MA in Film Production.
Gain a deeper understanding of the modules we offer in our course breakdown below.
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.
Introduction to Filmmaking
In this module you will work in teams and develop strong professional working relationships with the rest of your group. You will learn the crafts that will contribute to good Film Production. There will be class/seminar sessions that involve you working with industry standard cameras, sound and lighting kits. The aim is to make you all familiar with film making techniques and processes so that regardless of your career aim you will have a strong understanding of the roles and processes involved in film production work.
Introduction to Film Analysis
This module examines 'What is a film? What is cinema?' The module studies various aspects of film elements that engage and communicate with the audience. It introduces the concept of film form and enables you to identify and analyse its different elements of that form. As filmmakers you will begin to engage with wider institutional contexts and audiences. The module will develop your abilities in assessing how the various aspects of film form combine to make meaning and engage an audience.
Introduction to Film Theory
This module will introduce you to a range of theoretical and critical approaches to engaging with film and film cultures. Through this module, you will develop an awareness of different approaches to film making and how social, cultural and political landscapes affect the filmmaker. You will view and discuss a range of films, directors and practitioners and examine the contemporary usefulness of a breadth of theoretical approaches to writing about and engaging with film.
Cinematic Practice and Production
This module focuses on building on your single camera film making skills and knowledge from trimester one. The overall aim is to develop and extend knowledge in film production using a variety of devices and technologies. This module will also develop film techniques and creative cinematic practices for your film production work.
Introduction to Professional Film Practice
In this module you will start to explore the film industry and the career pathways that you can take. You will also be exploring key skills to set you up for your future such as collaboration, networking, and self-promotion. You will explore what roles there are in the industry such as Director of Photography or production manager.
Storytelling for Screen
This module will introduce you to the fundamentals of narrative structure, ideas generation, research for writing, development and professional script formatting. This will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to begin writing engaging, short film scripts. Our main focus will be on short narrative and scriptwriting, giving opportunities to develop deeper knowledge of the importance of characterisation, story structure and descriptive writing techniques.
Film Making Practice
This module is designed to enhance your filmmaking skills in a group context. Through the process of making a short film, you will learn how to operate on a professional film set, how stories develop from inception through production and post-production, and how to professionally operate higher level kit.
Film Production
Following on from Filmmaking Practice, through the production of a short film, you will take on a specialist role, developing your craft in the context of a group filmmaking project. You will continue to learn how to use high-end kit, and further learn about how film sets operate to ensure high technical and creative standards.
Optional modules may include:
Directing
This module is about exercising and expanding your skills and knowledge in directing. It is also about discovering your authorial style, voice and creative intuition, and developing advanced specialist skills in directing, especially in relation to visual language and the dramatic form. You will learn to develop, interpret and execute a short drama or a non-fiction project, and you will deepen your collaborative skills while being in charge of a small project as a director.
Producing
In this module, you will focus on the role of producer. By working to professional expectations, you will learn about how the producer functions in order to deliver cinematic stories. You will cover pitching, casting, budgeting, scheduling, contracts, distribution, and super story. This will be geared primarily towards the independent film sector but also provide essential skills for those taking a more traditional route into industry towards roles such as Line Producer and Production Manager.
The Essay Film
This is a theory and practice experimental module which will introduce you to the essay film, a mode of filmmaking situated between documentary and fiction, the documentary and the experimental, narrative and non-narrative practices. You will learn about self-referential and self reflexive filmmaking, different experimental traditions of deciphering and challenging dominant cinematic modes and theories, and practice on denaturalising techniques with a focus on feminist filmmaking. The module is structured around 3 main areas: Visual Thinking, Gender and Feminist Filmmaking, The Personal Camera.
Global Cinema
Every aspiring filmmaker should know who the greatest filmmakers and the greatest film movements in the history of cinema are. Building upon several ideas covered in year one, this module will explore global film movements and modes of filmmaking, their critical frameworks as well as their historical and socio-political contexts. It will introduce you to different modes of film-making relating to cultural, political and social movements throughout the history of cinema as well as problematize the idea of ‘global cinema’. It will equip you with an understanding of how industrial, independent and experimental forms of film co-exist.
Professional Film Practice
This module focuses on building confidence and aims to help you develop strong employability skills including CV writing, developing a professional online presence, networking and professional etiquette. You will be able to build a strong portfolio of work with a view to presenting this to industry and gaining work experience.
Sound Practice for Production
In this module you will be looking at and exploring sound in film production. Looking at audio acquisition on both location and studio settings. This module provides you with a detailed and practical overview of the sound team and the tools and practices for sound production. You will learn about the range of microphones, and their differing applications, external recorders and the creative scope that is possible within the production of sound for film
Editing and Colour Grading
This module examines how editing shapes cinematic storytelling. You will learn Avid Media Composer to build your editorial and media management skills. You will analyse and make creative picture, sound and music editing choices in class exercises and assignments using the Avid NLE. You'll participate in lively discussions on the art and craft of editing; thus you'll grow confident expressing your ideas to a room full of creatives and you'll develop the excellent communication skills required of any professional editor.
Scriptwriting for Film
This module will examine all fundamental aspects of fictional storytelling including narrative structure, character development, character types, relation of character to plot and the use of subplots. We will foster your practical skills in structure, plotting, character creation and dialogue for dramatic scripts. you'll also examine the use of the three act structure.
Cinematography
This module is recommended for those students intending to focus their studies on the historical, theoretical, technical, and organisational aspects of cinematography, their practical application, and the effect they have on the aesthetics of a production. Together, we will examine past and present cinematography theories, techniques, and technologies. We will foster technical proficiency with a range of camera equipment and hands on test shoots. Through this process, you will also gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities that organise the camera department.
Documentary Film: Theory and Practice
You will identify and examine key social, historical and aesthetic developments in the evolution of documentary film, informing the production of a short documentary in small teams. You In this module, you will focus on one of the following roles; producer, director. By working collaboratively, you will examine a script project during the 12 week semester using organisational and visual skills. In the final three weeks, you will shoot, edit and present a short scene sequence from a screenplay. You will explore the work of documentary filmmakers in specific historical and aesthetic contexts, and apply these practices to your own work.
Production Design: Tools and Processes
This module is designed to enable you to gain an understanding of the requirements and practices associated with the art department in the production of a film. The module will focus on developing a critical overview of the role and practices of the production designer, providing a range of opportunities for you to apply your knowledge of production design to practice within the film making process.
Post Production Sound
On this module, you will develop sound acquisition skills to an advanced level and offer the opportunity to apply them, explore the relationship between sound acquisition and post production; extend your understanding of the principles of the speciality; and explore and manipulate a range of audio post production software.
University Wide Language Programme
This module provides the opportunity to learn or develop a language with the University-wide language programme.
Experimental Filmmaking
This is a practical module, rooted in a hands-on exploration of, and experimentation with, the potential of film to generate audio-visual meaning in new, unexpected ways, outside of mainstream understandings of narrative structure, value and achievement. You will learn about the tradition of experimental film and art cinema, examining the creative process and rationale of key experimental/avantgarde filmmakers and visual artists. You will research and devise your own experimental projects – embracing chance and uncertainty, applying unconventional production and post-production approaches and tools, and exploring alternative presentation/exhibition modes.
Final Dissertation
This is a step up from all your previous academic learning at University. You have 12 weeks to write a dissertation on one of your favourite subjects in which you will have the opportunity to apply your critical understanding of Film Production and relevant contexts. This module will enable you to scope out a substantial written research project and encourage you to conduct in-depth independent research. It will give you the opportunity to develop skills of critical analysis. It will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to construct an extensive, sustained argument informed by relevant methodologies and ethical protocols.
Final Film Project
This module entails the production of a high quality short film. With the help of your supervising tutors you will negotiate your workload to ensure you take on a major role on a film in your final trimester. This project is very much about us helping you do what you want and specialise in a filmmaking role in preparation for professional work.
You will select one of the above options for your final project and will then do either of the following Core subjects depending on which option you choose.
Film and Ideology: Contemporary Cinema-Core subject if you are doing Dissertation
This theory-based module will introduce you to a variety of critical debates that surround film ideology. The module will provide the opportunities to develop advanced knowledge and analytical tools needed to analyse particular examples of contemporary cinematic forms, styles and genres in relation to realism. The module will examine and analyse common practices as well as the main key differences between contemporary traditions of cinematic realism and explore political concerns of some contemporary cinematic in Europe and beyond.
Final Film Project: Preparation – Core subject if you are doing the Final Film Project
This module focuses on preparing you for your final year individual and group tasks. You will develop an evidence based portfolio consisting of research for your production contribution. The aim of this module is to encourage in depth research into your chosen subject matter in order to undertake the responsibilities of a major role in your second trimester film.
Final Film Project: Preparation
This module focuses on preparing you for your final year individual and group tasks. You will develop an evidence based portfolio consisting of research for your production contribution, the aim of this module is to encourage in depth research into your chosen subject matter and practices for film production in order to undertake the responsibilities of a major role in your second trimester team film product. There will be a written report associated with your work, we will try and help you make this closely related to your practice.
British TV Fictions– Dissertation Only
Exploring the wide and varied history of drama on British television, the module will impart a sophisticated understanding of contemporary British TV fictions via their historical development; analyse the changing production contexts of British television drama; and, provide students with the advanced skills required to undertake close textual analysis of TV fictions. The module provides an opportunity for students to contextualise particular examples of TV drama in terms of production, format and audience.
Lighting for Camera
This module is designed to help you develop your understanding of camera and lighting for a variety of professional scenarios. You will develop lighting and director of photography skills to a high technical level. By examining and understanding the theories and concepts of lighting, you will be able to apply these principles to practice through appropriate lighting design for a variety of genres. You will focus on formulating an understanding of light properties and how these properties can be manipulated to bring about appropriate lighting solutions to production work.
Hollywood Masculinities
This will let students explore key (transitional) representations of men and masculinity throughout Hollywood history. Beginning with an examination of the pre-code ‘mob men’, moving to representations of men (and dangerous women) in film noir and 1980s muscular hero action pics, among other key masculine characterisations, the module will analyse how the representation of Hollywood’s leading men has always been an altering document, drawn and redrawn to meet the demands of the day. Critical skills concerning gender, identity, and representation theories will come to bear on one of the burgeoning, most hotly-debated areas of the film discipline.
Production Design: Design for Narrative
You will continue to develop your understanding of the requirements and practices associated with the art department in the production of a film. The module will focus on developing a deeper critical overview of the way production design contributes to the visual communication of theme, tone and character. The module will provide opportunity for students to develop the application of their knowledge of production design to practice within the film making process and develop their planning and fabrication skills with the support of the FabLab and assignments designed to support independent development of your chosen specialism within Production Design.
Film and Theory
In this module, we ask ‘What is Film Theory? How did it evolve and which questions does it address?’. We shall critically engage with a number of theory-based approaches to film associated with a number of intellectual positions (for example, semiotic, cognitive, narrative, and political theories), as well as examining the historical links between theory and the development of film studies as a subject within the academy.
Transmedia Storyworlds
The module explores the socio-cultural histories of transmedia franchises and their fictional storyworlds across TV, radio, films, comic books, and videogames. Transmedia Storyworlds equips students with an advanced understanding of how industrial forces shape productions of storyworld content across a given transmedia franchise and explores how adaptations of fictional storyworlds exploit the narrative affordances of a range of different media. The module equips students with an advanced understanding of transnational flows whereby cultures from around the world reimagine globally famous characters and storyworlds to establish locally specific meanings and critically examine the ideological positions of transmedia franchises and their storyworlds.
Advanced Sound Design
This module focuses on helping you extend your sound design skills and develop sound acquisition and sound manipulation skills and knowledge to an advanced level. You will develop an understanding on how sound elements are combined to assist the narrative in creating an emotional impact on the audience. You will utilise a range of equipment and post production sound facilities to create sound to a professional standard.
Film Marketing, Distribution and Exhibition
This module allows you to explore the fields of film marketing, distribution and exhibition. As a filmmaker/producer you will be able to critically understand the field of exhibition and its importance to the filmmaker. You will also develop an understanding of the role of film festivals within the film industry and examine the importance of the process of marketing, distribution and exhibition of films in a digital age.
Directing for Fiction
This module will focus on helping you develop directing skills to an advanced level. You will explore the relationship between director, actors and crew in order to develop an in depth understanding of the role of the director. There is a particular focus on working with actors to develop blocking and performance that tells stories cinematically.
21st Century Factual TV – Dissertation Only
The module provides a framework for understanding contemporary factual television using a range of perspectives including historical, cultural, industrial, and technological. Areas of study will include television documentary (e.g. ob docs, docu-soaps), the emergence of reality TV and its ongoing impact on factual television forms and genres, transformational television (e.g. lifestyle & makeover programming), and youth TV (factual programming aimed at the 16-25 year audience demographic). The module draws on examples from British and US factual television.
This module will develop to an advanced level your knowledge of contemporary factual television, and will provide you with the opportunity to conduct specialised academic research into a factual television genre/programme of your choosing.
Advanced Editing
Advanced Editing continues the work started in Editing Film in year two. On this course, you learn AVID to a more Advanced level, and continue developing your skills in using editing techniques to tell cinematic stories. There is also a focus on online editing and grading.
University Wide Language Programme
This module provides the opportunity to learn or develop a language with the University-wide language programme.
Advanced Scriptwriting
At level 6 we will explore the creative and theoretical writing processes that will help you develop your craft. Screenwriting theory will act as a springboard to your individual writer’s journey. The module will work with you to celebrate the creative challenges and choices a writer makes in order to communicate their story. The module allows you to investigate a range of methods and approaches to the development of structure, non-linear narratives, characters, theme and dialogue. You will get to explore how and why we tell stories, which will support you to plan your script and unpack your story, characters and plotting. Ultimately the module will work with you to develop your writing and to create flexible script development processes that will support your creative career.
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 School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology. We are a creative community with a focus on creating a collaborative environment where you can thrive and gain the skills needed to pursue your dreams.
Our Engagement Team coordinated school-wide events such as the Create Student Awards, academic conferences, networking and volunteering opportunities, welcoming and wellbeing fairs and exhibitions like our annual Degree Show.
For non-course matters, you will have access to our university-wide support service askUS, who will support and guide you to be successful in all aspects of your life.
Throughout your time at Salford, 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 Film Production degree, you’ll learn from our experienced tutors and demonstrators, who’ll 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 too.
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.
What about after uni?
EMPLOYMENT
Achieving a Film Production degree will mean you’re well-equipped with the technical and creative skills you need to work in the film and wider creative industries. Recent graduates of this course have established successful careers in many aspects of Film Production, from directing and camerawork to audio and post-production. You’ll also develop transferable skills that will serve you in other areas of broadcast and online media, as well as the digital creative sector more widely.
FURTHER STUDY
Graduates showing strong academic and research skills can pursue a further postgraduate path through our Postgraduate programmes on a full-time or part-time basis subject to a satisfactory proposal.
Career Links
Our location at the heart of MediaCity means that we are ideally placed to foster links with film, TV and other creative digital media companies. You will have the opportunity to work on creative projects with media production companies, and may be offered work placements with our industry partner.
What you need to know
APPLICANT PROFILE
To gain a place on this Film Production degree, you’ll have to submit a personal statement and meet our entry requirements when you apply.
Within your film production personal statement (up to 4,000 characters), 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?
- 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?
- Why is the University of Salford and this Film Production degree the right choice for your future goals?
As part of your application, we will need to see a portfolio of work to provide the opportunity for you to share your creative practice with us. You may then be asked to take part in an informal group interview.
Once you’ve made your application to study with us, we’ll contact you and let you know the next steps.
If you already have a degree, you might be interested in our MA Film Production.
GCSE
English Language and Maths at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent).
You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.
UCAS tariff points
112 points.
If applying to start from September 2024, you will need 112-120 points.
A level
112 points.
If applying to start from September 2024, you will need 112-120 points.
T level
Merit
BTEC Extended Diploma
DMM
Access to HE
Pass Level 3 Acess to HE Diploma with 112 points in relevant subjects (if applying to start from September 2024, you will need 112-120 points).
Scottish Highers
112 point from relevant subjects.
If applying to start from September 2024, you will need 112-120 points.
Irish Leaving Certificate
112 points (attained through 4 higher grades).
If applying to start from September 2024, you will need 112-120 points.
International Baccalaureate
31-32 points
European Baccalaureate
Pass in Diploma of at least 73-78%
International students
We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.
If you are an international student and not from a majority English speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5.
We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take the Pre-Sessional English course to gain entry onto this degree.
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
How much?
Your tuition fees are regulated by the UK government who has proposed changes to tuition fees for UK students studying in England from 1 August 2025. The fee stated reflects this proposed change, but remains subject to parliamentary approval. Your tuition fees may increase in your first and each subsequent year of your programme to the maximum amount permitted by UK law or regulation for that academic year.
Type of study | Year | Fees |
---|---|---|
Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,535.00per year |
Full-time international | 2025/26 | £17,650.00per year |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
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.