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BA (Hons) - Wildlife Media (with integrated foundation year)

Do you have a passion for wildlife and the natural world? Are you interested in photography and filmmaking, and wondering how to become a wildlife photographer or filmmaker?

If you don't quite meet the entry criteria for our three-year programme, this wildlife media foundation degree is the course for you. We’ll combine your interest with technical expertise and scientific knowledge. You'll learn the fieldcraft and naturalist skills to identify and track wildlife, together with the lens craft expertise to create sophisticated wildlife photography and film. Your foundation year will give you the skills, knowledge and experience needed to progress onto the full BA (Hons) Wildlife Media programme.

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Wildlife Media (with integrated foundation year) cover image

Course Overview

You will study wildlife biodiversity, habitat, and behaviour, alongside the theory and practice of film and photography. You will benefit from opportunities to work with leading industry professionals in a biodiverse World Heritage Site with regular field trips and visits.

Our foundation year will help you reach the right level for taking the rest of the degree, building a solid foundation of skills from which to expand upon.

This degree will both challenge and support you to produce your own short experimental films; plan photography exhibitions; film, edit and create your own documentaries; and plan and manage an expedition to a destination of your choice. Throughout your learning you will grow in confidence, developing and enhancing your personal skill set, working towards specialisms that match your interests and career ambitions.

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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Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
EU / EEA / International
Course LocationCarlisle - Brampton Road
Institute: Institute of the Arts
UCAS CodeCW37
Delivery StyleBlended Learning
Course DurationFull-time: 4 Years
Start DateSeptember 2023
September 2024

For 2023 entry, apply using the UCAS Hub
AwardBA (Hons)
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysCarlisle - Brampton Road
All

Minimum entry requirements

UCAS Tariff points

Tuition fees

£9,250

UK | year

£13,575

International | year

Course Structure

What you will learn

Our foundation year will help you reach the right level for taking the rest of the degree, building a solid foundation of skills from which to expand upon. We will hone your skills in a diverse range of media, including photography, documentary film making and writing for wildlife media.

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

Your foundation year will see you build the skills and knowledge that will put you in the strongest possible position to excel academically and professionally.

Media in Context
An introduction to key theoretical frameworks and debates relating to modern media texts and media based practice.
Professional Practice
Develop an understanding of the structures applicable to a range of media organisations, fully exploring their diversity and viability.
Media Narratives
Explore approaches to fiction and non-fiction narratives in reference to a variety of media forms.
Published Media Products
Develop conceptual, practical and technical awareness, at an introductory level, of the production phases for print and online material.
Student Initiated Photographic Project
An introduction into, and the experience of, using traditional and contemporary technical photographic processes.
Biodiversity and Habitat for Media
An introduction to factors that have shaped Britain and it natural history, with a framework for interpreting the natural world from both a scientific and cultural perspective.

Year two

In your second 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 three

Going into your third 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 four

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.

Overview

40 UCAS Tariff Points. You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table.

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

A-levels: B

T-levels: P (D or E) All subjects are accepted for entry to this course.

Access to HE: 45 Credits at pass.

CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: D

OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: PPP

Scottish Highers: 40 UCAS Tariff Points.

Irish LC Highers: 40 UCAS Tariff Points.

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

When we review your portfolio, we are assessing your ability to benefit from the course you have applied for. Any offers are based on your whole application and the review of your portfolio of work.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to Wildlife Media. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any experience you have gained.

All places are offered subject to successful interview and portfolio. Please prepare your portfolio carefully to show evidence of your creativity in the areas you are interested in and what you consider to be your best work. There is no one, ideal portfolio and we are used to looking at the work of students from many different courses and colleges.  Although we want to see your work, we are more interested in meeting you and giving you the opportunity at interview to express your passion and commitment for Wildlife Media.

The Integrated Foundation Year programme supports your return to education and are specifically designed for students who have the ability to study for a degree but may not have all the necessary qualifications, skills or experiences to join the degree in Year 1.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here) and care leavers, offers will be made at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply)

Contact ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information.

For 2023 entry, our contextual data and information we use in our offer making will be broadened to include applicants that are estranged from their parents, have caring responsibilities or are in receipt of or received free school meals during their secondary education. Successful participation and completion of our Future Teachers Scheme will also receive an offer lower within the tariff range.

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.

Language requirements

Please follow the link to check language requirements for this programme here.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

2023 - 2024

£9,250 - UK
£13,575 - International

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

Funding

£6,125 for foundation year.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000.

Student Finance

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some text books. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Books are reviewed annually and are therefore subject to change, course welcome information will provide you with an indicative list for the year.

Books and Journals

Most core text books are available via the University's library, however students may wish to buy copies of any texts used to support your learning on your course. This could cost between £50 - £100 per year.

Stationery

Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

Example of Students' Work

Brandon Down's work (left) & Matthew Laverick's work (right)

Controls for the spotlight carousel

Location
Carlisle - Brampton Road Campus
Located just outside the city, right on top of Hadrian's Wall, the Brampton Road campus is full of history, buzzing with excitement, creativity, and a sense of endless possibility. The home of creators, entertainers, rule breakers, and change-markers.
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BA (Hons) - Wildlife Media (with integrated foundation year)