Film Production and Broadcast Engineering BEng (Hons) – 2024 entry
Key information
Start date: September 2024
| Award | UCAS code | Course duration |
|---|---|---|
| BEng (Hons) | 3 years | |
| BEng (Hons) | UCAS: P313 | 4 years with professional training View KIS data set |
Apply for your chosen course online through UCAS, with the following course and institution codes.
| Course | UCAS code | Institution code |
|---|---|---|
| BEng (Hons) | S85 | |
| BEng (Hons) with professional training | P313 | S85 |
Why choose this course
Our BEng Film Production and Broadcast Engineering course (previously called Film and Video Production Technology) combines broadcast engineering, media encoding and distribution, content production, artistic visual storytelling and professional film making.
We will provide you with an all-round education in this fascinating subject and prepare you for a vast range of careers across the film and broadcast industries.
The National Student Survey 2022 results put us at the top of the league table for cinematics and photography. We now boast a state of the art new sound stage for future filming projects, along with brand new TV studio production rooms.
We have excellent relationships with many broadcasters, media companies and manufacturers, which offer award winning Professional Training placements. We work in partnership with companies including Sky, EMG, Vivid Broadcast, Dolby and many others to help them find graduate recruits.
What you will study
Our BEng Film Production and Broadcast Engineering course combines the study of engineering theory with practical skills development. You’ll study the fundamentals of signals, computing and broadcast technologies, video and audio engineering, wireless links and video over IP.
On the practical side, you’ll study camera skills, cinematography for drama, film sound, production management, TV studio skills, animation, postproduction, visual effects and colour grading. See some of our students’ work.
All our technical modules have practical labs, giving you a hands-on learning of the topics. Our professional facilities will familiarise you with industry-standard equipment and allow you to work at the highest level. This, along with a focus on professional attitudes to work and health and safety, will prepare you for professional industry.
We’ve created a detailed fact file, so you can discover even more about our cutting-edge course.
Take a tour of our current labs and facilities, which will be updated soon with details of our new TV studio/sound stage.
Specialist facilities
We are just putting the finishing touches to our brand-new TV studio/sound stage which will be at the centre of our teaching. Our broadcast facilities are of the highest industry standards and were built in close collaboration with professionals from the broadcast and film industries, so that they closely match those used in the professional world, to equip you with the skills necessary for a successful career.
You’ll have access to this newly built broadcast-standard, multi-camera TV studio, which has at its heart a Sony MVS-8000G broadcast production switcher/vision mixer. This is probably the highest specified mixer in education in the world, and this model is used worldwide for major sporting events and light entertainment shows such as Strictly Come Dancing on the BBC. We have fibre links to the 4K Panasonic studio cameras with operational control panels and a Dot 2 lighting desk which controls the brand new lighting grid with the latest Arri lights and Dedo fittings.
There is also a dubbing theatre featuring Avid Pro Tools Ultimate software and 5.1 sound, plus a range of professional documentary and ENG-style camera equipment.
For cinematography and narrative film, we have Sony F55 and F5 4K 35mm sensor cameras with a range of professional PL mount prime and zoom lenses, along with ARRI lighting, sound devices, field recorders and a range of professional microphones.
Adding more creative options to the filming, we also have Sony FX3 and FS5, a DJI Ronin 2 and an Indy dolly system.
There is also an editing/grading room complete with Adobe Creative Cloud, Avid Media Composer, Avid Pro Tools Ultimate and Da Vinci Resolve software.
The TV studio has a 20m2 green infinity curve where you can experiment with virtual production. We also have several edit suites, plus a 24-hour-access to our newly build Mac lab. These feature a range of industry-standard software including Avid Pro Tools and Adobe Creative Cloud.
You’ll have many opportunities to collaborate with students from other disciplines. This includes musicians and composers of all styles, the recording engineers from the world-renowned Tonmeister degree, and the actors from the highly acclaimed Guildford School of Acting. The course often links with and facilitates large student-led broadcast events by Surrey’s student TV society, StagTV. For two years, this collaboration produced and executed productions like Univision, (a university-version of the Eurovision Song Contest). Last year’s live event was broadcast with eight cameras, backstage interviews and live performances from seven different universities.
Professional recognition
BEng (Hons) - Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Careers and graduate prospects
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
With most jobs in the UK film and TV industry in the south east of England, we are well placed and conveniently located to help you succeed in this sector. Over 70 per cent of our graduates go straight into industry paid jobs.
Our course has been created with industry involvement from the beginning. We will equip you for careers in all aspects of the film, streaming media and television industries as well as further study and research.
Most jobs in the film and broadcast industries require both scientific skills and artistic flair; so our focus on technical knowledge, artistic appreciation and soft skills will give you choices in your career path throughout your life in a changing industry.
Career possibilities include:
- Broadcast engineers
- Directors
- Producers
- Directors of photography
- Lighting designers
- Colour graders
- Production assistants
- Vision engineers
- Digital data wranglers
- Digital imaging technicians
- Developers and creators of engineering hardware or software for the film and broadcast industries
- Creative directors
- Programme researchers
- Technical co-ordinators
- Post-production editors
- Academic researchers.
In 2020, two final-year students on our course won awards from the International Screen Power Film Festival, Royal Television Society and the Guild of Television Camera Professionals, for their final year production.
One of our students on placement at ITN was a finalist in the prestigious Royal Television Society Young Technologist of the Year award 2020.
From a coursework set in 2021, one of our second-year students won 1st prize in an international video competition by Pro-Carton. In 2022, another two students were awarded the runner up prize.
Staff
This course is taught by academic staff from the Department of Music and Media.
Academic year structure
The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Each semester consists of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning and assessment.
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules usually can be either 15, 30, 45 or 60, 75 and 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.
The structure of our programmes follow clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
Please note: The full module listing for the optional Professional Training placement part of your course can be viewed on the relevant programme specification.
Optional modules for Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
All modules are core or compulsory.
Optional modules for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
All modules are compulsory.
Optional modules for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Students select two of the optional 15 credit modules. One in each semester.
Optional modules for Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
All modules are core or compulsory.
Optional modules for Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
All modules are compulsory.
Optional modules for Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Students select two of the optional 15 credit modules. One in each semester.
Timetables
Course timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. View our Code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
Teaching
Our award-winning teaching staff have professional experience across the film, television and sound recording industries.
We have small class sizes so that you are given personal attention from our teaching team to guide you throughout your degree.
You’ll learn through lectures, seminars, in-depth projects and practical work. The degree is designed to encourage more independent working as you progress through the course.
Your final-year technical project and creative production gives you the chance to specialise in an area that is either of interest or of use in your chosen career. During this year you are supervised individually by members of the academic staff.
We also run a comprehensive programme of industry workshops, talks and lectures with visiting professionals, who have included:
- David O’Carrol, operations director, Aurora Media Worldwide
- Howard Bargroff, Bafta-winning re-recording mixer (Sherlock, Doctor Who, Broadchurch)
- Katy Noland, Research and Development, BBC
- Martyn Humphreys, Grass Valley
- Ollie Waton, freelance TV sound supervisor
- Michael Price, Emmy-winning composer (Sherlock, Unforgotten)
- Mike Jeffries, TV director, BBC News
- Kath Pollard, re-recording mixer.
In addition to visiting lecturers, we organise many field trips and attend industry events; for example, a visit to Sky Studios or the on-campus broadcast experience with Europe Media Group which visited with their £16M-outside broadcast (OB) vehicle.
There are many other performances, events and screenings open to you as a student at the University of Surrey. You’ll also have the opportunity to join a large number of student societies, including the award-winning StagTV, our student TV society. In addition, you will be able to take part in productions such as Live from Studio X, Univision or other live broadcasts, which are supported through our course.
There may be occasions when the delivery of your teaching is supported by graduate teaching assistants. The University has a set of procedures that govern the use of postgraduate research students in this way.
Assessment
We assess modules individually and award credits for the successful completion of each one. Assessment takes place through a combination of examination and/or coursework, practical examinations and reports.
Practical modules will help develop hands on skills and teamwork that will be useful on graduation.
Check the individual module information to see full details at a module level.
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Entry requirements
Do I meet the requirements for this course?
We require you to submit a full application so that we can formally assess whether you meet the criteria published. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an outcome based on an enquiry (via email, webform enquiry, phone or live chat).
International entry requirements by country
Other international qualifications
If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements to this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year at the Surrey International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to this degree course.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in each other element.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection process
Applicants taking physics or computer science in addition to mathematics may be made an offer based on their application alone.
Other suitable applicants will be invited to participate in a short interview either on campus or via Teams or Zoom. Offers are normally made in terms of grades following a successful interview.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process may allow you to join a course without the formal entry requirements or enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions on RPL a for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please see the code of practice for recognition of prior learning and prior credit: taught programmes (PDF) for further information.
Please contact Admissions on +44 (0)1483 682222 with any queries.
Fees
The annual tuition fees for courses starting in September 2024
BEng (Hons)
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- To be confirmed
BEng (Hons) (with professional training year)
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- To be confirmed
- Professional training
- To be confirmed
View a complete listing of all ongoing fees for our undergraduate courses.
- Fees for UK students: The University will apply annual regulated increases in the fee rates as set by Government each year, in order to maintain the same value in real terms.
- Fees for EU students: The UK is now no longer part of the EU, we are awaiting further instruction from the UK government and we will publish this as soon as it is provided. Find out more information about Studying in the UK and the Scholarships for EU students.
- Fees for international students: Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
- Fees for international students with an integrated foundation year: The programme fee for Year 0 will match the lowest Year 1 overseas fee rate from across the substantive programmes for that year of entry. Students subsequently progressing into Year 1 will be liable for the same fee as overseas students joining at Year 1 for the same programme in that year. Annual fees after Year 1 will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
The University will assess your fee status. If you are unsure whether you are likely to be considered a home, EU or overseas student for fees purposes, the UKCISA website offers more information.
Payment schedule
- Students in receipt of a Tuition Fee Loan: will have their fees paid by the Student Loans Company in line with their schedule.
- International students, or UK/EU students who have not taken out a Tuition Fee Loan: are required to pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
The exact date(s) will be detailed on invoices. Students on certain part-time programmes, where fees are paid on a modular or stage basis, are not eligible to pay their fees by instalment.
If you are sponsored: you will provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of your study.
Professional Training placement fees
If you are studying on a programme which contains a Professional Training placement year there will be a reduced fee for the academic year in which you undertake your placement. This is normally confirmed 12 to 18 months in advance, or once Government policy is determined.
See the information about 2023/24 academic year Professional Training placement fees.
Placements
Our award-winning Professional Training programme offers you the option to spend a career-enhancing year in industry, either in the UK or abroad. We have thousands of placement providers to choose from or you can source your own placement.
Most placements are paid, and we will support you every step of the way.
Find out more about Professional Training placements and discover how these have transformed our students’ lives and career choices.
Film production and broadcast engineering placements
Recent placements include:
- Vision engineer EMG
- Camera engineer, Arial Camera Systems
- Edit engineer, The Farm
- MCR engineer, Aurora Media
- Projects placement engineer, Kinley
- Creative video production, Bold Content
- Audio post-production intern, China Film Group
- Placement engineer, CTV
- Broadcast technology and operations intern, Disney
- Creative intern, Discovery Channel
- Placement engineer, Dolby
- Digital operations intern, Endemol Shine
- Placement broadcast Engineer, ITN
- Production and engineering assistant, Squash TV
- Placement engineer, Techex
- Grading trainee, The Look
- Engineer, Video Europe
- Placement engineer, Racetech
- Trainee editor and camera assistant, One dash 22, Singapore.
Applying for placements
Students are generally not placed by the University, however we offer support and guidance throughout the process alongside access to a vacancy portal representing thousands of placement opportunities each year. We also provide support if you wish to source your own placement.
Find out more about the application process.
Please be aware there may be travel costs incurred when attending interviews and assessment centres at the placement provider’s premises.
Behind the scenes at both BMW and EA, providing a fantastic insight into the opportunities our students gain from their year in industry.
Study and work abroad
Studying at Surry opens up a world of opportunity. We want you to take advantage of our international partnerships, explore the world and expand your skills for the graduate job market.
Perhaps you would like to volunteer in India or learn about Brazilian business and culture in São Paulo during your summer holidays? With more than 200 partnerships, from 50 different countries worldwide, there is something for everyone.
View our study and work abroad information to find out more and see where you can go.
Partner institutions
You could have the chance to study at one of our partner universities:
- La Trobe University, Australia
- Monash University, Australia
- North Carolina State University, US
- University of Central Florida, US
- University of Cincinnati, US
- University of North Carolina, US.
Students share their experiences of going on an international exchange to Hong Kong.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and procedures, the student regulations , and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions for the 2023/24 academic year and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/23 academic year as a guide as to what to expect.
Please note: our offer terms and conditions will generally be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course and changes for the specific academic year.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us and before you accept an offer. Read our full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
Placement location
As part of this course you have the option to complete a Professional Training placement which would require attendance off campus, depending on where you secure your placement.
University of Surrey Admissions
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222
Address
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH