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 Undergraduate Course 

BA (Hons)

Media Content Creation

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Unleash your creativity with Media Content Creation

Dive into the exciting world of media and build the skills to design impactful content strategies and produce engaging stories across industries and platforms. The digital landscape is bursting with opportunities, and content creation has become one of the fastest-growing career paths — whether you dream of becoming a social media influencer, YouTuber, podcaster, brand storyteller or have powerful stories to tell, this course will equip you with the tools, confidence and the skills to make your mark in the media world.

This course is all about hands-on experience, helping you build practical skills in content design while exploring a wide variety of formats to create original, engaging work that grabs and holds your audience’s attention. From bringing stories to life through visual storytelling and video editing to producing podcasts, traditional print based design and crafting social media campaigns, you’ll also discover how to leverage cutting-edge technology to take your ideas to the next level. It’s your chance to experiment, innovate, and make your mark in the ever-evolving media landscape.

The future of digital storytelling is yours to shape. 

Opportunities and experiences 

This programme offers an exciting mix of approaches to support your desire to create and deliver a multimedia approach to your content creation practice. You'll have the opportunity to work on live media briefs with both local and national employers, go on visits to explore studios and exhibitions, compete in high-profile competitions, and follow in the footsteps of our award-winning graduates.

Top2for JournalismDaily Mail University Guide 2026
Top20for career prospectsMedia and Film Studies - Guardian University Guide 2025
Top10for teaching qualityCommunication and Media Studies - Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

We're recognised for what we do.

View more rankings

Journalism and Media rankings

  • Top 20 for student experience - Communication and Media Studies - Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026
  • Top 25 for graduate prosects - Communication and Media Studies - Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

Explore our specialist facilities

Gain practical, hands-on experience in our real world learning facilities. You will develop new skills and knowledge in your subject, supported by our expert teaching team.
  • ► Film and TV studios
    Our Markeaton Street site has a dedicated film and television studio space for teaching and student projects - supported by experienced technicians.
  • ► Radio studios
    Our radio studios have recently been refurbished and fitted with Calrec technology - a leading range of broadcast audio mixing consoles and equipment. All large media companies are now migrating to this technology, so we're ahead of the game.
A large film camera is being operated by someone with two males also in shot in a tv studio environment
A male adult is standing with a male student looking at some camera equipment outside a modern building

Boost your employability with a placement year

Take an optional placement year to put your skills into practice in a real-world setting. We’ll support you in finding a placement and throughout your time in industry. It’s a great way to gain valuable experience for your CV, build contacts, and explore career options before you graduate.

What you will study

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Markeaton Street, Derby Campus

Build, Create, Innovate

Whether it's computing, photography, or engineering, our top-tier facilities — including a new suite of recording studios and a £12 million STEM Centre — provide the perfect setting to excel.

Discover your campusDiscover your campus

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day

How you will learn

Make the cutting-edge recording facilities, TV studio and edit suites your second home. Explore and experiment with digital practices within our digital labs as well as exploring and understand how the media industry’s function. Hone your skills by being on Assignment with our external media partners on professional briefs and commercial projects and be able to create potential award-winning content for entry into the annual Royal Television Society Awards.

Who will teach you

Mark Smith

Programme Leader

Awaiting staff photo

Mark Smith

Mark Smith is a lecturer in Media Production and Media Studies.

View full staff profile →

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Helping you reach your full potential

Our Personal Academic Tutoring programme supports your academic journey, helping you achieve your goals and unlock your potential.

Explore the programme →

Personal Academic Tutoring

At the University of Derby, every student is assigned a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) from the very start of their degree journey. This dedicated tutor becomes a key figure in your academic life, offering guidance, support, and insight to help you make the most of your university experience. Whether it's through one-to-one meetings or more informal catch-ups, your PAT will work with you to explore your strengths, address any challenges, and help you achieve your full potential. This relationship is designed to ensure you're not just succeeding academically, but also growing as an individual, developing the skills and confidence you'll need for your future career.

Your PAT will provide tailored advice to support your academic journey, whether that's by discussing your work, helping you set goals, or exploring career options. These regular meetings give you the space to reflect on your progress, understand where improvements can be made, and build on your strengths. At Derby, we want you to feel both challenged and supported. Your PAT will encourage you to push your boundaries, think critically about your work, and develop a proactive approach to your studies.

But it's not just about coursework. Your PAT will also help you identify extra-curricular opportunities, whether that's joining clubs, gaining work experience, or developing new skills outside of your course. These experiences not only enhance your CV but also give you the confidence to tackle future challenges. In short, your Personal Academic Tutor will be there to guide you every step of the way, ensuring you leave university with more than just a degree — but with a wealth of experiences, skills, and the knowledge that you're ready for the next chapter of your life.

Building Strong Industry Connections

We believe that real-world experience is an essential part of academic success. Our partnerships with leading organisations across various sectors ensure our students gain valuable insights, hands-on opportunities, and access to the latest industry innovations.

Through collaboration with our industry partners, we bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice, preparing our graduates to thrive in competitive global markets.

Careers

Our focus is on professional practice and employability by developing not only your own unique creative practice, but also nurturing a ‘go get it’ attitude. We’ll help you develop your network of contacts that can help identify, support and grow your strengths to promote yourself in the media industries. You could develop and advance your career in areas such as Commercial Video, Documentary and Factual Production, non-Linear Narratives, Podcasting and the Audio Industries, Editorial design, Branding, Visual Communication, new media technologies and online design.

Getting you career ready

Your degree is only part of your story.

We're here to help prepare you for life after university.

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Career Support Image

94%
of UK graduates are in employment or further study.

2nd
for employability.
Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2026.

87%
of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningful.

Getting you career ready

Your degree is only part of your story. We're here to help prepare you for life after university. We'll tailor your talents and help you build the tools that will set you apart when you are ready to look for your first graduate role.

Our staff have valuable and varied experiences in the workplace and beyond. And we have great links to industry. This means you'll have opportunities to apply your learning. You'll find work experience that's directly relevant to your studies, including placements and real projects set by businesses.

Our promise

We promise to provide an inclusive approach; supporting, advising and guiding you on your employability journey to success. We will listen to your needs and signpost opportunities for you to engage with up to three years after graduation.

Find out more about our Careers and Employability services

Entry requirements

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

Contextual admissions

At the University of Derby, we aim to attract the very best students to join us and to support their progression to university to ensure they reach their full potential and achieve their ambitions. We believe the very best students come from all backgrounds and we want to build a community that reflects our society.

What is a contextual offer?

Contextual offers are used by universities and colleges to take account of a student’s individual circumstances. Employing contextual offers at the University Derby will allow our admissions team to identify applicants with the greatest potential to succeed in higher education and be an exceptional Derby student. This makes the application process fairer and builds confidence in students about their ability to be part of our academic community.

We will use the information in an application form and may either reduce grade requirements or give extra consideration when deciding whether to give a contextual offer. We will also support these students through information, advice and guidance, outreach activities and on-campus visits before and during the application process.

What is the criteria?

Typical criteria may include one or more of the following:

  • Students who are care experienced
  • Students who are estranged from their families
  • Students who are refugees or asylum seekers
  • Students whose parents/carers are in the UK armed forces

*Please note students need to declare they meet one of these criteria on their application.

Find out more about our admissions policies

2026/27
2027/28

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2026 entry.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points112
A LevelBBC
T LevelMerit
BTECDMM
GCSEGCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6
English language requirementsIELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2027 entry.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points112
A LevelBBC
T LevelMerit
BTECDMM
GCSEGCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6
English language requirementsIELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

Fees and funding

2026/27
2026/27Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,535 per year

£1,190 per 20 credit module

International

£17,500 per year

N/A

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional costs and optional extras

We're committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

Included in your fees
  • The programme uses Adobe Creative Suite which is installed on all Macs in MS102 and MS012 at Markeaton Street and students are provided with an individual Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for home use
  • To support their professional and skills development, students are provided with a subscription to LinkedIn Learning which offers over 13,000 courses and tutorials, including professional accreditations, in a wide range of creative, business & technology disciplines

How to apply

UK students

If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.

Apply through UCAS
Apply directly to the University

International students

The quickest and easiest way to apply is through our online application portal.

Apply now

If you'd like support with your application, you can contact one of our trusted local representatives.

Find your agent

If you're currently living in the UK and applying for a full-time undergraduate course, we recommend using UCAS.

Apply through UCAS

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Discover Uni

This is a new course so the data displayed via Discover Uni is for students studying in another subject area.

Full-time

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