Course summary
In partnership with BBC Studios Designed to give you all you need to work professionally in this exciting industry. Could you make the next Life of the Universe, The Surgeon’s Cut or A Year on Planet Earth? This one-of-a-kind MA course aims to give you the skills and expertise needed to direct science and wildlife productions; the know-how to produce and direct entire shows and the ability, confidence and knowledge to generate and pitch ideas to commissioners. The course includes masterclasses from Industry experts (including the world-renowned BBC Natural History Unit) and work experience at major wildlife and science production companies. You’ll make your own films, with all production costs met by the school, and on graduating, you’ll have the opportunity to build a brilliant list of industry contacts and relevant skills for a career as a Producer/Director. With a passion for science and the natural world alongside a love of storytelling, you can adapt and further your knowledge at the NFTS, learning what you need to become a filmmaker at an exciting time in this industry, documenting how we interact with the world and helping to bring together the stories that need to be told. Course Facilities As a NFTS student, you will be given full access to the largest production facilities you’ll find at a film school in the UK, including top-of-the-range cameras and lenses, sound recording equipment and the latest editing software.
Modules
This course will give you the skills to direct science and natural history productions, the know-how to produce entire shows, and the ability to generate new programme ideas and formats. Students gain a practical working knowledge of current television production methods and insight into how the business works and current trends. There is a strong emphasis on professional practice. This means that student projects will be expected to measure up to scientific scrutiny, as well as exhibition and broadcast standards. Students will carry out assignments in the specialist skills of long-lens, time-lapse and macro photography. In the 1st year, students will not only produce and direct, but also shoot and edit their 10-minute film. In the 2nd year they typically shoot their films, but they also collaborate with composers, editors and sound designers when they make their 20 to 25 minute graduation films. As part of the course students will be exposed to the development and production challenges of specialist factual genres, such as Landmark/Blue Chip (interchangeable terms for high budget, high production value programming mainly used in a pure wildlife context), mini landmarks, Children’s, People and Nature, Live, Expedition films, Magazine formats, Obs-doc etc. In addition, there will be a focus on promoting cross-genre ideas to foster creativity.
Assessment method
Dissertation and graduation project.
Entry requirements
You must be able to demonstrate your passion and commitment to developing a career in television, and may already have some experience of television production. Typically, applicants will have a proven interest in science and natural history, which may involve a background in Physics, Chemistry, combined Natural Sciences, Zoology, Biology, Psychology, Wildlife Photography or film making. While many applicants will have a degree from a British or overseas university, we will consider applicants who do not have a degree if they have an impressive portfolio, a creative track record or an alternative qualification. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
National Film and Television School
Beaconsfield Studios
Station Road
Beaconsfield
HP9 1LG