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BA (Hons) - Wildlife Media

Unleash your passion for wildlife and media storytelling by transforming them into impactful messages that ignite, inspire, and influence others. Explore the fascinating world of wildlife biodiversity, habitat, and behaviour, while diving into the theory and practice of film and photography.

Cumbria is renowned for its diverse landscapes and biodiversity, offering an extensive range of habitats for numerous species including otters, deer, birds and endangered species such as red squirrels and voles. As you study within a World Heritage Site, also near the English Lake District, you will get plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in hands-on practical experiences through field trips and visits that will enhance your studies.

Our strong partnerships with notable wildlife organisations will allow you to collaborate and network with leading industry practitioners and groups, such as Cumbria Wildlife Trust, RSPB, WWT, AONB and others.

You’ll be encouraged to embrace challenges, push boundaries, and embark on a journey of self-discovery within a supportive creative environment. You’ll produce experimental films; curate captivating photography exhibitions; produce thought-provoking documentaries and take the lead planning your own expedition. You’ll develop confidence and build a versatile skill set that aligns with your interests, paving the way for a successful future career.

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Wildlife Media cover image

Course Overview

This course blends science and storytelling, giving you the technical expertise, fieldcraft skills, and creative vision needed to produce compelling wildlife media.

You'll develop the ability to track, observe, and document wildlife, mastering camera techniques, editing, and narrative development to craft high-quality photography and films. By combining scientific understanding with media production, you’ll be well-prepared to engage audiences and raise awareness of important environmental issues.

As you progress, you’ll have the flexibility to specialise in areas that align with your passions and career aspirations—whether that’s wildlife documentary filmmaking, conservation photography, environmental journalism, or media production.

With practical experience, industry connections, and a diverse skill set, you'll graduate ready to pursue a career in wildlife media, conservation communication, or natural history storytelling.

On this course you will...

  • Explore the world beyond the classroom through field trips and project work. Learn more about a wide variety of species, habitats and behaviours in the wild.
  • Master complex technical and practical skills and develop sophisticated natural history knowledge, within the supportive and vibrant context of an arts institute community.
  • Work with industry professionals, with strong links to employers locally, nationally, and globally. This includes Cumbria Wildlife Trust, RSPB, WWT, SSSI’s, and AONB to name a few.
  • Develop a portfolio of work to display during public showcases e.g. online gallery exhibitions and the Vallum Gallery on campus. Engage in degree shows to celebrate the progress of your work.
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Course Structure

What you will learn

On our course you’ll learn to create polished, professional wildlife documentaries charting the relationship between humans and the natural world. Capture the stories of animals across different environments when you explore bushcraft and wildlife survival skills. Immerse yourself in their world and capture your experience using top-quality photographic and filming equipment.

Throughout the course, you will develop your film and photo editing skills to suit a brief or chosen goal. And, celebrate your success through showcases and presentations where you will learn how to develop a professional portfolio for exhibition and receive feedback for your work.

Year one

In your first year, you will develop the solid technical and academic skills required to understand and successfully capture the environment.

  • Media Craft Skills
    Develop a working knowledge of a range of key technical skills in the media production making process.
  • Developing Photography Practice
    An introduction to, and the experience of using, technical photographic processes to illustrate natural history.
  • Cultural Contexts
    An introduction to the cultural, historical and social contexts in which creative work from a range of disciplines will be considered.
  • Naturalist Skills
    An introduction to the relevant natural history based skills required for a career in wildlife media production.
  • Communicating the Natural World
    Develop skills as a communicator conveying key conservation messages and engender positive change and activism.
  • Collaborative Brief
    Work with other students to explore and practice the skills involved in creative collaboration.
Year two

Going into your second year, you will further develop and enhance your personal skill set working towards specialisms that match your interests or proposed career path. You'll explore and reflect on key wildlife and media-related issues, together with developing critical analytical skills.

  • Documentary
    Develop a critical understanding of documentary and non-fiction practice whilst developing an informed perspective on the genre.
  • Interpreting Animal Behaviour for Media
    Learn to interpret the animal behaviour you will encounter in practice.
  • Wildlife Photography
    Develop the principles of independent practice in wildlife photography through self- initiated project work with an individual approach looking at the natural world.
  • Natural History Filmmaking
    Prepare to research, plan and execute a natural history documentary.
  • Professional Development
    Review career attributes, ambitions, and trajectory within the context of an evolving ‘professional development portfolio’.
  • Theory & Research Methods
    Prepare to undertake and successfully complete a Research Project.
Year three

In your final year, you will take charge of your own chosen research project, working towards your major final work. This could be a substantial piece of journalism, a set of photos or a film.

  • Graduate Project
    Use practical and conceptual skills developed throughout the programme to complete a final year project.
  • Minor Project
    An opportunity to bring together the various theoretical and practical skills learnt to produce a self-directed practical piece.
  • The Application of Media in Conservation
    Explore the ways in which to deliver conservation-based theory and how this can be applied to media.
  • Festival and Exhibition
    Perfect the skills necessary to identify and successfully engage with the media industries post-graduation.
  • Research Project
    An investigation into a relevant research topic towards submission of a research output.

Attend an Open Day at Cumbria

An Open Day is your opportunity to explore one of 5 campuses, meet your lecturers, and find out how the University of Cumbria could become your new home.

Take the next step towards achieving your dreams.
A student stands in front of a wall splattered with paint.