The course

This innovative course examines the different ways in which broadcasting is organised around the world. It has a particular emphasis on the production techniques of British television, approaching them through a comparative international lens.

The course has regular visiting lectures from leading figures in the UK's television industry, including the department's own VIsiting Professors James Quinn (Commissioner for Sky Arts) and renowned producer, director and writer Tony Garnett. In the past, we've had visiting lecturers including Alex Graham (Executive Producer of Who Do You Think You Are), James Quinn (Documentary Commissioning Editor, Sky) and Karen Mullins (Project Manager for London Olympics, Rugby World Cup).

You'll study a major BBC drama series from conception through to scripting and production, such as the series Casualty, with time to visit the production base in Cardiff. You'll study with scholars with experience of TV industries around the world, and hear from guest lecturers from London's TV industry.

Course structure

Core Modules

In this module you will develop an understanding of public service and commercial models of broadcasting. You will look at the organisation of broadcasting, considering the differing markets for TV programmes, and commission and production regimes around the world. You will examine the nature of global flows in programming, the market system that enables them, and the major broadcasting organisations. You will also explore the structure of the global programme sales and co-production markets.
In this module you will develop an understanding of the interrelation between the organisational forms of broadcasting and the programmes that they produce. You will look at the structuration of broadcasting texts and what makes them distinctive, and examine the major genres of TV production through international examples. You will also consider the nature of innovation in programme making.
In this module you will develop an understanding of the key challenges of producing a long-running, high-volume, British television drama series. You will look at the role such series play in the television landscape, and examine the organisation, management, funding, budgeting and scheduling of drama productions. You will explore audience profiles and see how these fit within the economic and cultural priorities of television. You will also have the opportunity to meet writers and directors from an ongoing drama series, and learn to use production software packages such as Final Draft Scripting, Movie Magic Budgeting and Movie Magic Scheduling.
You will produce a short video or radio piece to UK industry-standards. You will create work which communicates with its intended audience and manage all aspects of the production process, including self-direction and the direction of others. On completion, you will reflect on your production, using knowledge gained in other areas of the course to analyse its success.

Optional Modules

All modules are core

Teaching & assessment

Assessment is carried out by a variety of methods including:

seminar presentations
written essays
research portfolios
project work
self-assessment documents

Entry requirements

2:1

UK Honours degree or equivalent.

Normally we require a UK 2:1 (Honours) or equivalent in relevant subjects but we will consider high 2:2 or relevant work experience. Candidates with professional qualifications in an associated area may be considered. Where a ‘high 2:2’ is considered, we would normally define this as reflecting a profile of 57% or above.

Applicants will be required to submit an essay in English of up to 2000 words entitled: 'An analysis of the strengths and weakness of the broadcasting industry in my country'.

Applicants may also be invited to interview.

International & EU requirements

English language requirements

All teaching at Royal Holloway is in English. You will therefore need to have good enough written and spoken English to cope with your studies right from the start.

The scores we require

IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 6.5. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 61. No other subscore lower than 51.
Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.

Country-specific requirements

For more information about country-specific entry requirements for your country please see here.

Your future career

Television continues to be one of the most dominant global media forms, continuing to attract huge audiences and leading creative talent around the world.

You'll leave our course understanding television in different cultures and contexts and you'll be in a perfect place to find employment in those countries where the TV industry is rapidly growing - backing up your portfolio with knowledge of how programmes are marketed and sold, and how important they are to the creative industries.

We're based near London, so you'll have privileged insight into the UK television industry. You'll have the chance to get familiar with London production businesses – we have regular guest lecturers from production and management. Students from our department have gone on to work in independent television and film production, for broadcasters like the BBC and ITV in the UK as well as international media agencies such as CCTV and Hunan, and for distributors, exhibitors, talent agencies and entertainment lawyers.

Fees & funding

Home and EU students tuition fee per year*: £9200

International students tuition fee per year**: £17400

Other essential costs***: £250 fieldwork cost for optional Cardiff studio visit

How do I pay for it? Find out more about funding options, including loans, grants, scholarships and bursaries.

* and ** These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis. Students studying on the standard part-time course structure over two years are charged 50% of the full-time applicable fee for each study year. All postgraduate fees are subject to inflationary increases. This means that the overall cost of studying the programme via part-time mode is slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year. Royal Holloway's policy is that any increases in fees will not exceed 5% for continuing students. For further information see tuition fees see our terms and conditions.

Please note that for research programmes, we adopt the minimum fee level recommended by the UK Research Councils for the Home/EU tuition fee. Each year, the fee level is adjusted in line with inflation (currently, the measure used is the Treasury GDP deflator). Fees displayed here are therefore subject to change and are usually confirmed in the spring of the year of entry. For more information on the Research Council Indicative Fee please see the RCUK website.

^*** These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree programme at Royal Holloway. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.