Skip navigation
Unscripted Development at National Film and Television School - UCAS

Course summary

Get the professional training you need to kickstart your career in a world-leading UK Industry. Despite uncertain economic times, the UK continues to lead the world in creating and producing unscripted series. From hit formats that have been sold around the globe such as Traitors or The 1% Club, to surprising and absorbing factual shows such as Clarkson’s Farm and Beckham – the global appetite for innovative and engaging content is huge, and it all starts with development. The Unscripted Development Diploma is a year-long part-time blended learning diploma, which seeks to capture the dynamism and creativity of unscripted television - with a particular focus on factual entertainment and formats - and provide you with the skills you need to make your own professional contribution to it. Learning from industry professionals, including channel commissioners and top producers in production and development, this course plots the evolution of unscripted programmes from the initial idea to transmission. The course embraces all kinds of unscripted from premium docs and returnable factual series to formats which can travel the globe and factual entertainment with many of the major factual commissioning channels represented across the year (Prime Video, Sky Netflix, BBC, ITV, C4, C5 etc.).

Modules

The curriculum has a specific focus on programme development - on brainstorming ideas, writing proposals/creating decks, producing sizzles, pitching to commissioners. It embraces all kinds of factual programmes: from low-cost, high volume daytime formats to premium peak-time series. This blended learning course is delivered from the NFTS hubs in London and Cardiff, but is available to students across the UK and features a stimulating combination of weekly online sessions and occasional in-person workshops (including a 2-day camera course). Across the year, students are required to complete six assignments. The course is made up of a number of modules and workshops, where participants learn by ‘doing’, as well as understanding theory and developing a variety of practical and creative skills.

Assessment method

Graduation project.


Entry requirements

This course is open to UK applicants and EU/EEA Nationals with UK pre-settled/settled status (subject to meeting residency requirements) and applicants who are currently in the UK on a valid visa for the full duration of the course. You do not need to work in television or have a formal qualification to apply for this Diploma, but you must be able to demonstrate a genuine passion for, and informed interest in, factual television. 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

2025 Fees will be confirmed Spring/Summer 2024 Students with EU settled / pre-settled status are still eligible to apply.

Sponsorship information

NFTS Bursary available for UK Students.

Unscripted Development at National Film and Television School - UCAS