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Wildlife Media (with integrated foundation year) at University of Cumbria - UCAS

Course options

2024 - 20252025 - 2026
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This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.

University of Cumbria has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

23Nov
Ambleside Open Day
Undergraduate
7Dec
Brampton Road Open Day
Undergraduate

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.
What you will learn We'll help you reach the right level for taking the rest of the degree, building a solid foundation of skills from which to expand upon. We'll hone your skills in a diverse range of media, including photography, documentary film making and writing for wildlife media. You’ll learn to create polished, professional wildlife documentaries charting the relationship between humans and the natural world. Capture the stories of animals across different environments when you explore bushcraft and wildlife survival skills. Immerse yourself in their world and capture your experience using top-quality photographic and filming equipment. You'll develop your film and photo editing skills to suit a brief or chosen goal. Celebrate your success through showcases and presentations where you will learn how to develop a professional portfolio for exhibition and receive feedback for your work. Year One
  • Media in Context
  • Professional Practice
  • Media Narratives
  • Published Media Products
  • Student Initiated Photographic Project
  • Biodiversity and Habitat for Media
Year Two
  • Media Craft Skills
  • Developing Photography Practice
  • Cultural Contexts
  • Naturalist Skills
  • Communicating the Natural World
  • Collaborative Brief
Year Three
  • Documentary
  • Interpreting Animal Behaviour for Media
  • Wildlife Photography
  • Natural History Filmmaking
  • Professional Development
  • Theory & Research Methods
Year Four
  • Graduate Project
  • Minor Project
  • The Application of Media in Conservation
  • Festival and Exhibition
  • Research Project

How to apply

31Jan

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

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

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
70%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
80%
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 £9250 Year 1
England £9250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 Year 1
Scotland £9250 Year 1
Wales £9250 Year 1
International £13575 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.
Wildlife Media (with integrated foundation year) at University of Cumbria - UCAS