Journalism & Documentary Production

The Foundation Degree in Journalism and Documentary production is designed for those aiming for a career in television production and other Journalism based careers.

What makes our course unique is that instead of writing a dissertation on how to make a documentary or TV programme, we focus on practical projects - you will actually make your own documentary and factual content - and more.

You'll be taught by lecturers with a wealth of experience at the BBC, ITV, independent television production houses and who have worldwide experience in the area - and lecturers who have worked and who actually still work in the industry.

We have exceptionally strong links with all those organisations and work placement opportunities with a range of outlets and production companies including One Tribe TV, Macmillan Media, Havelock Street Productions, NVTV and more.

We'll prepare you for work in newsrooms and creative centres where you can confidently script, interview, film and edit your own programmes, news and feature reports. You'll be working in our purpose built television studio at e3, directing, vision mixing, floor managing and presenting programmes by and for the student body and available to the wider audience on Vimeo and YouTube. In addition, you'll work on real programming - in the past two years the Gerry Kelly Show has been recorded in front of a live audience at our purpose built industry-spec television studio at e3 where students have been an integral part of the production team, taking hands-on roles such as camera operators and floor managers.

If you want an all round broadcast journalism and documentary experience, this 2-year course is for you.

*Key areas of study: * Producing Journalism and Documentary Factual Sourcing Production Skills (Camera, lighting, sound) Post Production (Editing) Media Law and Ethics Marketing and Exhibiting your work

Our students will graduate from the course with 2 years’ worth of relevant experience that aims to mirror industry standards, making the transition into media production outside the college as seamless as possible. Career prospects include:

Journalist, including onscreen presenter Camera Operator Producer Director Editor Sound Recordist Production Assistant Production Co-ordinator Production Specialist Researcher Digital Content Manager Radio Producer Recent graduates of our factual courses have been employed by both independent film companies and national broadcasters. Notable graduates of our courses include Eamon Holmes, Katie Andrews, Paul Reilly, and Shannon Hamill (all UTV), Claire Graham (BBC), Rebecca Black (Belfast Telegraph), Amanda Ferguson (Irish Times).

Graduates have also continued their education, by enrolling in top-up degrees offered by a range of universities across the UK. These allow students who graduate from our course to go on to complete just one more year to gain a full undergraduate degree. Ready to take your career to the next level in Journalism & Documentary Production? Explore the links below to learn more about our validated awards and regulations:

OU Handbooks and Regulations can be found under the Higher Education section of our public documents.

Please read our Terms and Conditions before applying for or enrolling on any of our courses.