23Apr
UndergraduateUniversity of Cumbria has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Open days
Course summary
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. 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.
Modules
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.
Assessment method
Throughout your degree, you will take part in a range of summative and formative assessments to monitor your progress, receive feedback on your work, and equip you with the skills you need to work within a brief. Additionally, you will be asked to demonstrate your ability to critically deconstruct and evaluate. A wide range of authentic assessment types are used in order to develop a full range of work-related skills e.g. photographic displays, short films, websites, magazine articles, portfolios etc.
How to apply
This course is not accepting applications from students requiring a Student visa. For more information, please contact the course provider.
29Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- CW37
- Institution code:
- C99
- Campus name:
- Carlisle - Brampton Road
- Campus code:
- B
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Foundation
International applicants
We are unable to consider International applicants for this programme.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 48 points
A level - A
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - PPP
Access to HE Diploma - P: 45 credits
Scottish Higher - DDDD
T Level - Pass (D or E)
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. The Integrated Foundation Year programmes support 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 experience to join the degree in Year 1. Contact our Course Enquiries Team for more information.
Additional entry requirements
Interview
Portfolio
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £9535 | Year 1 |
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
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
These fees are for the first year only. For years 2 - 4, the BA or BSc fee will apply.
Visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/studentfinance for more information about student fees and finance, and for details about our alumni discount.
Provider information
University of Cumbria
Registered Office
Fusehill Street
Carlisle
CA1 2HH
Course contact details
Visit our course pageUniversity of Cumbria
0845 606 1144