“Solent Creatives, the University’s in-house agency, is great - I think the best selling point for the University.”
BA (Hons)Media Production
Apply on UCAS
Starting in: 2025
Register your interest- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
UCAS code: P3P0
Institution code: S30
UCAS points: 48Flexible entry options available
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps
Why study a media production with a foundation year
Are you riding the wave of the new generation of content creation? Learn to bring your stories to life through ever-changing media platforms and create your own professional future.
- Top0in the UK for learning resources in media studies, out of 89 institutions (NSS 2024)
- 0thin the UK for teaching quality in communication and media studies (out of 88 institutions) (The Times Good University Guide 2025)
- 0thin the sector for graduate start-ups (HESA 2023)
- If you're not quite ready to undertake a full honours degree, Solent’s Foundation Year is perfectly suited to students who may not be from a media related background, or whose qualifications do not meet the admissions requirements for BA (Hons) Media Production.
- 91% of media and film studies students are satisfied with the teaching on their course at Solent (The Guardian University Guide 2025).
- Access to extensive media loans that include high-end video and audio equipment, cinema and DSLR cameras with an extensive range of lenses, professional-grade lighting equipment and a full stock of accessories.
- During your degree, you will be able to work with our in-house creative agencies to gain valuable real-world experience.
- Enjoy live briefs and media take-overs where you will provide media content production and online social media marketing for a range of real clients.
- Exciting guest speakers, for example, film directors James Gayle (Shogun Digital), Emma Millions (Frieda TV), ideas guru Alison Norrington (Story Central) and podcaster Nina Garthwaite (In the Dark).
- Trips to exhibitions, film festivals and events (ie, Aesthetica Film Festival in York, Photographers Gallery in London, Short Sounds Film Festival in Bournemouth).
- A creative, multi-disciplinary environment for world-leading research in media, culture and the arts – you will learn from experts in their field.
Course overview
The one-year foundation provides all the creative, technical and study skills needed to prepare for the degree. Upon completion, you will be able to progress onto the three year BA (Hons) Media Production Degree here at Solent.
Our degree is designed for aspiring media professionals eager to master the latest content creation tools and storytelling techniques. With a focus on emerging technologies like AI, immersive media, and cross-platform content, students will learn to craft engaging narratives across video, audio, photography, and digital platforms.
Throughout the course, you’ll gain practical experience using industry-standard facilities, completing real-world projects, and collaborating with industry partners. Key modules emphasise not only technical proficiency, but also business acumen, preparing graduates to thrive in a fast-evolving media landscape.
Storytelling remains central, but you’ll explore it through the lens of modern media practices, including generative AI, interactive media, and content entrepreneurship. Whether producing short films, podcasts, or immersive experiences, you’ll tackle live briefs and challenges that reflect current industry trends.
The course integrates core skills with opportunities for specialisation, such as immersive storytelling and social media strategy. You’ll also learn to monetise content, develop personal brands, and use data analytics to optimise audience engagement.
Work experience is a critical part of the programme, requiring you to complete 100 hours of industry placement. This practical component, combined with ongoing mentorship from the academic team and guest lecturers, ensures that you graduate with both the technical skills and professional networks needed to succeed.
Graduates leave with a portfolio of diverse media projects, showcasing their ability to create innovative, impactful content. The programme culminates in a end of year degree show event where third-year students present their work to industry professionals, enhancing their employability and launching their careers in media.
By incorporating cutting-edge technologies and preparing you for both creative and entrepreneurial roles, our media production degree equips graduates with the tools to navigate and lead in today's dynamic media landscape.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:Course features
Foundation year available
If you're not quite ready for a full undergraduate degree, there's alternative entry through one of our foundation years
Specialist facilities
This course has access to specialist facilities
Further studies
After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent
Top-up option
If you have an appropriate Level 5 qualification, you can top it up to a degree in just a year
Study abroad
You have the opportunity to study abroad in one of our partner universities for a semester on this course
Who is this course for?
The foundation year in media is designed to help you build basic media making skills ahead of starting a full undergraduate media production degree at Solent. Typical candidates either haven’t yet met the entry requirements needed to start on the first year of an undergraduate course or have spent time away from education.
Solent’s media production programme is well-suited to students from a range of academic backgrounds with interests in media content creation, social media, video production, podcasting and photography. Candidates should be keen to build a portfolio of practical work and be comfortable working with new technology.
What does this course lead to?
Graduates from this course will be perfectly placed to pursue careers across the media industries, as well as related careers in content creation, journalism, PR, advertising and marketing.
Upon successful completion of this degree, graduates may choose to progress onto a range of our MA courses to develop their skills further.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more storiesMeet the team
The staff team includes a number of highly experienced media practitioners with backgrounds as professionals in the creative industries, supported by a number of highly qualified academics with specialisms in media making and production studies. Collectively they bring to the course experience of broadcast radio, newspaper and social media publishing, sound design, filmmaking, podcasting, television, events management, social media marketing, graphic design, website development and photographic exhibition. The team has close links with local creative and cultural organisations and are actively involved with local film festivals, media events and creative networks. Nationally the team have links with galleries, journals and media organisations that provide a regular flow of industry contacts who they bring down to the university to work with the students.
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
Media production students benefit from access to our full range of professional media facilities and learning resources. Media facilities include testing labs, production studios, portable devices and TV/radio broadcasting equipment. Film-making equipment includes high-definition (HD) video cameras and DSLR full-frame cameras with a wide range of top-quality lenses and lighting kits.
Students also have free access to our media loans service, offering cameras, lenses, tripods, lighting and sound equipment which can be booked as required. Students on this course have full access to the University’s multi-million-pound media academy which boasts industry-standard facilities including green screen studios, post-production suites, and a range of audio production facilities. The academy’s post-production facilities also feature Mac Pro computers and the full Adobe Creative Suite for editing, colour grading and special effects.
International opportunities
Broaden your horizons by adding an international dimension to your CV – essential to achieving success in today’s fast-changing, global environment.
Studying, working or volunteering in another country could be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance your degree by developing important global skills such as knowledge of other countries, language skills, intercultural awareness, adaptability and confidence.
For more information, please email international.mobility@solent.ac.uk.
What you'll study
Core modules
Belonging (Media Design)
You will learn to present complex creative ideas in visual and compelling ways, work with others as a member of a collaborative group, become a student of the university, and meet with staff from your progression course.
Stories (Narrative Media Project)
On this module, you will be breaking down the theoretical and practical building blocks that stories are made from in order to become a better storyteller yourself.
Projects (Online Media Project)
This module will not only be an opportunity to undertake a creative project it will also teach you all about how projects work and how to ensure you get the best out of collaboration with a project team.
Discovery (Research for Media Making)
This module will teach you to find good quality information and to effectively present it. You will be eased into the process of exploring and accessing good quality sources of information in a variety of ways.
Ambitions (Individual Media Project)
This module will give you opportunities for further exploration of your own chosen field of media practice which leads to a deeper understanding of your own individual path through your course.
My Place in the Creative Industries (Media Industries)
By undertaking your own research about the branch of the creative industries you want to work in you will begin to build an understanding of the nature of work and employment in the sector.
How you will learn and be assessed
You will learn by:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Assignments
- Practical activities
- Individual presentations
- Group presentations
- Coursework
- Final major project
Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.
Find out more
Study support
The student achievement team are on hand to help you succeed during your studies at Solent. They aim to contact you at key times during your time here with personalised information, advice and guidance, by email or phone.
The disability advice team provides information, advice and guidance for disabled students.
All students can access Succeed@Solent, Solent's online guide to getting better grades. It offers extensive, practical information and advice on topics such as academic writing, research and presentations.
Why choose a career in media production?
The creative industries are exploding - growing 1.5 times faster than the rest of the UK economy with 2.3 million jobs in 2021. By 2030, another 1 million jobs will be created, giving you endless opportunities in content creation, digital media, and more!
At Solent, you'll get hands-on with the latest tools in video production, podcasting, and immersive media. With work experience and real-world projects, you'll gain the skills and connections to stand out in this booming sector.
Start your creative career today with a course designed for the future!
You could earn:
Digital marketer
Starting salary: £22,000 to £25,000
As a digital marketing officer or executive, with a few years' experience, you can expect to earn in the region of £22,000 to £28,000. In a more senior management role, such as digital marketing manager, you could earn up to £48,000.
Social media manager
Starting salary: £20,000 and £28,000
Starting salary is for a social media assistant. Social media managers typically earn between £25,000 and £45,000. With substantial experience, in roles such as head of social media, your salaries can range from £50,000 to in excess of £60,000.
Digital copywriter
Starting salary: £22,000 and £30,000
Midweight copywriters with three or more years' experience can expect to earn £25,000 to £40,000 per year. For senior copywriters and heads of copy, the salary figure is between £45,000 and £80,000.
The stated salaries are published on prospects.ac.uk. Income figures are intended as a guide only.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more stories“Solent Creatives, the University’s in-house agency, is great - I think the best selling point for the University.”
Solent Futures
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
If you're in your final year, we also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Further study
Thinking about studying further than an undergraduate degree? Alumni can get 20% off their postgraduate study.
MA Film Production
Got a passion for filmmaking? Want to improve your professional showreel and boost your employability? Solent’s MA Film Production programme is ideally suited to students who...
MA Visual Communication
Do you have an eye for design? Would you like to help influence the future of visual communications? Our MA Visual Communication degree is ideal for creatives keen to refine their practice, working as part of an interdisciplinary group of students.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are:
- UK, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,250 per year
- International full-time fees: £15,050 for foundation level. Fees will increase for year 1.
- International full-time fees: £17,750 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. These additional costs are listed below. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
The 2025/26 other costs are not yet available. For guidance, the 2024/25 costs were:
Compulsory costs
- Year two
The module 'Your Brand Online' requires you to register a URL and purchase domain hosting for a website. You will be taught you how to build a dynamic website using a popular content management system (CMS). We will recommend a hosting company to you with whom we have negotiated a cost-effective package in the range of £20-£30 in total, depending on market prices at the time. You will need to complete the transaction yourself at the start of your second year on the course.
Optional costs
Students will need to purchase SD cards and external hard drives estimated at around £100 in total.
Bursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Solent EU Welcome Scholarship (Fee Discount)
This scholarship is available to students from an EU country, with EU nationality, who are applying for an undergraduate course starting in September 2025. The scholarship will reduce your tuition fees to £10,500.
Find out more about the scholarship
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Student finance videos
Student finance Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.Student funding - the essentials Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
48 UCAS tariff points
- A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma at PPP or BTEC Diploma at MP, a T-Level Pass (D or E), or equivalent.
- We will consider mature students who have not recently undertaken a formal course of study at A-level, or equivalent, but can demonstrate relevant work or voluntary experience, that's indicative of their ability to complete the course successfully.
- For further information about UK qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about EU qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about international qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application.
48UCAS points
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: Call:How to apply
Full-time
Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.
Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.
Your application should reach UCAS by 31 January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.
Find out what happens after you apply
Contextual offers
Solent endeavours to offer learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds. When we receive and review an application, we take into consideration the context and personal circumstances of applicants when making a decision, which means our advertised entry tariff could be reduced.
Alternative entry options
Top-up route:
We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses. Please contact our admissions team for more information: contact us
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
-
IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component
-
or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
Make your application
- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
