MSc Factual Television

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A unique course in Scotland, this MSc focuses on factual content for broadcast television. Developed with industry and taught by experienced practitioners.

Key facts

Award Masters / MSc, Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate
Start date September 2021
Duration MSc full-time: 12 months
Mode of study Full-time, Campus based, Stand-alone modules

Changes at Stirling

Find out about important changes including how you'll be taught, start dates and how we're making campus safer.

This MSc Factual Television gives you the tools you’ll need to create factual content for broadcast. Developed with industry and taught by experienced practitioners, this course is focussed on practice: growing ideas, developing proposals and making programmes.

You’ll learn how to develop factual content, how the modern television industry works and how issues of editorial and ethics affect programme-makers today.

Hands-on experience is at the heart of everything we do in production at Stirling. Our courses mirror professional practice in the industry: teaching includes masterclasses, workshops and pitching panels with experienced practitioners.

The course will cover core areas of factual TV:

programme development
documentary
factual formats
specialist factual

During this course, you’ll explore ethical issues of representation, consent, trust and editorial control while learning about the business of factual content.

You’ll build up your practical skills with a series of creative challenges:

developing ideas in response to industry briefs
pitching ideas
getting feedback from staff and visiting experts

You’ll also develop and produce filmed pieces as part of the Documentary module.

Alongside practical projects, you’ll develop essential career skills through an industry experience module. You’ll be supported in researching and securing a placement, developing your own network of contacts, and making the first steps towards work.

Top reasons to study with us

Our close partnerships with industry offer excellent opportunities for networking and industry experience

96% of our postgraduate leavers are in employment or further study within fifteen months of graduating (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020, HESA)

We’re ranked 3rd in Scotland and Top 20 in UK for Media and Film Studies (The Guardian University Guide 2021)

Flexible learning

If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.

Research overview

University of Stirling Communication, Cultural and Media Studies research was ranked first in Scotland for research impact in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014), with 70% of our research classed as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'. The (SMRI) enjoys an international reputation for the quality of its work, regularly attracting a diverse array of international visitors. The SMRI has a purpose-built research facility for the use of its members. Current research is focused on:

Entry requirements

Please select your country of residence:

Academic requirements

A minimum of a second class Honours degree (2:1 preferred) or equivalent in a Media or Communications subject such as Film and Television, Broadcast Production, or Journalism. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate work experience are encouraged to apply.

You’ll be required to submit a written proposal of 600 words for an original factual television programme.

English language requirements

Due to disruption in English Language testing caused by COVID-19, we are accepting alternative English Language tests (including online English Language Tests).

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

IELTS Indicator 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill
Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 176 overall with a minimum of 169 in each sub-skill
Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 169 in each sub-skill
Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill
IBT TOEFL 80 overall with 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 19 in listening and 21 in speaking
IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition Test 80 overall with 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 19 in listening and 21 in speaking
Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Merit in all sub-skills, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
Duolingo 105 overall with a minimum of 95 in each sub-skill
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill

Last updated: 1 February 2021

For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.

Pre-sessional English language courses

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.

Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.

Course details

Our MSc Factual Television covers:

Development
Factual Formats
Documentary
Specialist Factual
The Business of Television

You’ll gain in-depth knowledge of professional broadcasting. You'll develop as insightful programme makers through project-based learning and critical analysis of editorial and ethics. You’ll build a broad range of development and production skills and techniques.

Both the module content and the range of visiting lecturers will reflect current practice. The course explores:

commissioning
developments in television and online platforms
the regulatory, commercial and ethical aspects of production

You’ll have plenty of opportunity to apply your learning through developing both programme ideas and filmed work.

Modules

The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery in the current academic intake of this course. These may be subject to change in future years as the University regularly revises and refreshes the curriculum of our taught programmes.

Course Details

Teaching

Developed to mirror professional practice in the industry, teaching will include masterclasses, workshops and pitching panels with experienced professionals. You’ll receive one-to-one supervision from our dedicated, enthusiastic and industry-experienced academic staff.

Assessment

Assessment will include development projects and filmed pieces.

Course director

Kate Smith

+44 (0)1786 467974
kate.smith@stir.ac.uk

Key staff

Ask an expert

Dr Katherine Champion Lecturer in Media and Communications

Lecturer, Dr Katherine Champion, a specialist in Media and Communications, explains how studying at Stirling can enhance your career prospects.

Ask an expert in media, culture and communications

Fees and funding

Fees and costs

Select fee status:

	2020/21	2021/22
Students from the UK	£7,000	£7,700
Overseas (non-EU) students	£16,950	£18,645
EU students	£7,000	£18,645

Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.

If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees.

If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Tuition fee loans

Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £10,000 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs. EU students commencing their studies in academic year 2020/21 can also apply for tuition fee support, but may not be eligible to receive funding for living costs.

English students can apply for a loan of up to £11,222 per year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.

Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £17,489 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.

Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £5,500 from Student Finance NI.

For EU students starting studies in the academic year 2021/22, we will offer a fee discount of 40%. This is subject to eligibility criteria.

Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.

If you need to extend your period of study, you will be liable for additional fees.

If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

We offer a range of funding options for overseas students.

Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.

If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.

If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Additional costs

There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.

Scholarships and funding

If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.

Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.

Cost of living

If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.

EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling

Payment options

We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay

After you graduate

96% of our postgraduate leavers are in employment within six months of graduating (Destination of Leavers from Higher Education survey 2016/17)

You’ll be given many industry experience opportunities throughout the course. You’ll greatly enhance your employment prospects through working with professional briefs and interacting with a wide range of professionals currently working in factual production.

Several leading production companies offer placement opportunities to students on the course. Production professionals also contribute to the delivery of many modules. In responding to relevant briefs set alongside industry, you’ll cultivate communication, team working and interpersonal skills to a professional level. Pitching regularly to senior industry personnel will help you to acquire the entrepreneurial skills required of a 21st century media professional.

Real industry connections

The University also enhances its research and teaching through meaningful connections with the media. Since 2017, we've played host to Focus on Scotland – a factual television festival that attracts leading figures from the industry and gives students an opportunity to meet with them first-hand. Watch highlights from the 2018 event below.

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MSc Factual Television

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MSc Factual Television

Key facts

Changes at Stirling

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

Flexible learning

Research overview

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

English language requirements

Pre-sessional English language courses

Course details

Modules

Course Details

Teaching

Assessment

Course director

Key staff

Ask an expert

Fees and funding

Fees and costs

Additional costs

Scholarships and funding

Cost of living

Payment options

After you graduate

Real industry connections

What next?

Which course would you like to apply for?

MSc Factual Television

Key facts

Related courses

What next?

Which course would you like to apply for?