Film Production and Broadcast Engineering BEng (Hons) - 2025/6
Awarding body
University of Surrey
Teaching institute
University of Surrey
Framework
FHEQ Level 6
Final award and programme/pathway title
BEng (Hons) Film Production and Broadcast Engineering
Subsidiary award(s)
| Award | Title |
|---|---|
| Ord | Film Production and Broadcast Engineering |
| DipHE | Film Production and Broadcast Engineering |
| CertHE | Film Production and Broadcast Engineering |
Professional recognition
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Modes of study
| Route code | Credits and ECTS Credits | |
| Full-time | ULG12002 | 360 credits and 180 ECTS credits |
| Full-time with PTY | ULG12004 | 480 credits and 240 ECTS credits |
QAA Subject benchmark statement (if applicable)
Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies, Engineering (Bachelor)
Other internal and / or external reference points
UK-SPEC; EC document Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes in Engineering; IET document IET Learning Outcomes Handbook (incorporating UK-SPEC) for Bachelors and MEng Degree Programmes.
Faculty and Department / School
Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences - Music & Media
Programme Leader
HAIGH Alan (Music & Med)
Date of production/revision of spec
09/05/2025
Educational aims of the programme
- Develop students skills in project planning and management
- Enable students to develop effective interpersonal skills in communicating technical matters with their colleagues from both engineering and artistic backgrounds.
- Equip students for employment in film and broadcast-related industries by providing both the theoretical and technical knowledge of engineering principles and practice, along with the creative, innovative and imaginative skills of Film, TV and media production.
- Inspire future professionals who are equipped for a sustainable future in film and broadcast.
- Prepare students to apply their knowledge and analytical skills to design and deliver engineering systems and creative projects, or services using contemporary digital technologies and methods which require the application of research skills; including a combination of general and specialist engineering, resourcefulness, creative knowledge, and understanding the application of existing and emerging technology and creative practice.
- Support students to develop professional engineering and production values, creating opportunities for demonstrating a personal commitment to professional standards, and to social and political citizenship, and recognising obligations to society and a professional awareness of the dynamics (cultural, economic, ethical, legal, political, social or global challenges) which shape working environments in the media production industries.
Programme learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Awards | Ref. | |
| Demonstrate theoretical and technical knowledge of engineering principles and practice, along with the creative, innovative and imaginative skills of video, film or Television production required for employment | KCP | ||
| Display knowledge and analytical skills to design and deliver engineering systems and creative projects or services using contemporary digital technologies and methods which require the application of research skills; including a combination of general and specialist engineering, problem solving and resourcefulness and creative knowledge, and understanding the application of existing and emerging technology and creative practice. | KCPT | ||
| Take responsibility for project planning and management together with leadership skills and team working which develops resourcefulness and resilience in the student. | CPT | ||
| Communicate technical matters with colleagues from both engineering and artistic backgrounds effectively. | KCPT | ||
| Demonstrate a personal commitment to professional standards, and to social and political citizenship, recognising obligations to society and a professional awareness of the dynamics (cultural, global, economic, ethical, legal, political, social or affective) which shape working environments in the media production industries to show professional engineering and production values. | PT | ||
| Use scientific evidence and logical thought in the presentation of ideas and awareness of audience | T | ||
| Use general digital IT tools. | T | ||
| Show an appreciation and respect for diverse perspectives as part of a team. | PT | ||
| Evaluate information and requirements. | CT | ||
| Apply creativity, resourcefulness and innovation to problem solving. | T | ||
| Show effective oral and written communication skills. | T | ||
| Apply effective time management. | T | ||
| Manage more junior operational personnel and colleagues with social awareness and respect | T | ||
| Demonstrate awareness of sustainability within broadcast engineering and media production | T | ||
| Exercise initiative, personal responsibility, teamwork and initiative | T | ||
| Make decisions in complex and unpredictable contexts. | T | ||
| Understand the need for appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature. | T |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Programme structure
Full-time
This Bachelor's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over three academic years, consisting of 360 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Full-time with PTY
This Bachelor's Degree (Honours) programme is studied full-time over four academic years, consisting of 480 credits (120 credits at FHEQ levels 4, 5, 6 and the optional professional training year). All modules are semester based and worth 15 credits with the exception of project, practice based and dissertation modules.
Possible exit awards include:
- Bachelor's Degree (Ordinary) (300 credits)
- Diploma of Higher Education (240 credits)
- Certificate of Higher Education (120 credits)
Programme Adjustments (if applicable)
N/A
Modules
Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMA1009 | THE ART OF VISUAL STORY TELLING | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| FVP1008 | FILM PRODUCTION | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
| FVP1013 | COMPUTER SYSTEMS | Core | 15 | Year-long |
| FVP1014 | VIDEO FUNDAMENTALS | Core | 30 | Year-long |
| TON1023 | AUDIO SIGNAL ANALYSIS | Compulsory | 15 | Year-long |
| TON1029 | AUDIO ELECTRONICS 1 | Compulsory | 15 | Year-long |
| FVP1016 | AUDIO FUNDAMENTALS | Compulsory | 15 | Year-long |
Module Selection for Year 1 - FHEQ Level 4
All modules are core or compulsory.
Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
Module Selection for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
All modules are compulsory.
Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Module Selection for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Students select two of the optional 15 credit modules. One in each semester.
Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMA1009 | THE ART OF VISUAL STORY TELLING | Compulsory | 15 | 1 |
| FVP1008 | FILM PRODUCTION | Compulsory | 15 | 2 |
| FVP1013 | COMPUTER SYSTEMS | Core | 15 | Year-long |
| FVP1014 | VIDEO FUNDAMENTALS | Core | 30 | Year-long |
| TON1023 | AUDIO SIGNAL ANALYSIS | Compulsory | 15 | Year-long |
| TON1029 | AUDIO ELECTRONICS 1 | Compulsory | 15 | Year-long |
| FVP1016 | AUDIO FUNDAMENTALS | Compulsory | 15 | Year-long |
Module Selection for Year 1 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 4
All modules are core or compulsory.
Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Module Selection for Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
All modules are compulsory.
Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Module Selection for Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Students select two of the optional 15 credit modules. One in each semester.
Professional Training Year (PTY) - Professional Training Year
| Module code | Module title | Status | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FVPP001 | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (FULL-YEAR WORK) | Core | 120 | Year-long |
| FVPP003 | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING YEAR MODULE (FULL-YEAR STUDY) | Core | 120 | Year-long |
Module Selection for Professional Training Year (PTY) - Professional Training Year
N/A
Opportunities for placements / work related learning / collaborative activity
| Associate Tutor(s) / Guest Speakers / Visiting Academics | Y | |
| Professional Training Year (PTY) | Y | |
| Placement(s) (study or work that are not part of PTY) | N | |
| Clinical Placement(s) (that are not part of the PTY scheme) | N | |
| Study exchange (Level 5) | Y | |
| Dual degree | N |
Other information
The Department of Music and Media is committed to developing graduates with attributes encompassing employability, digital skills, global and culture awareness, sustainability as it relates to media production and broadcast engineering which are industries that also require resourcefulness and resilience
Employability:
This degree programme prepares students for real job roles in the media and broadcast industry. Members of our industrial liaison panel said that our graduates have more industry knowledge that most recent graduates. First year modules begin by introducing correct terminology and language in both technical and creative fields. All practical modules follow industry practice from writing risk assessments to working in a film set or TV studio to post production process such as colour grading and sound mixing. Students work on industry standard equipment which was commended during the IET accreditation process, so they are familiar with what they will find in employment when they graduate.
Some of our practical assessments are live production broadcasts giving students experience of completing real roles that are required in industry and prepare them for work after graduation.
Our technical modules follow changes in our fast developing industry and continue to prepare students for working with the latest equipment in film and TV technology, broadcast and streaming. Companies such as Sky, EMG, etc contact the course team as they want to employ more of our graduates.
Digital Capabilities:
Video over IP and ethernet in a synchronous environment are core to the future of broadcast engineering and streaming. Also data management, media conversions and date distribution are vital to media asset management in the creative industries. Our students get a thorough grounding in these digital aspects beginning in first year with basic computing and then continue to learn the general principals and industry specific applications in several of the 2nd year modules. All computing modules include theoretical knowledge and students will compete practical workshops and practical assessments to develop their understanding. Their final year Research Methods and Technical Project can lead to further research in this area and has led to job offers for our graduates.
Optional modules in the final years in Data Communications and Data and Networking both offer the students subject specific digital development.
The programme also includes the application and use of specialist software relating to video editing, video effects, animation, sound mixing and colour grading. Students are shown a professional approach to using these digital processes and how they fit into a post production workflow. This prepares the student for specific software applications and the principles of how to work with any relevant software in the future.
Finally s and find resources. The students will also demonstrate their skill in report and research specific software and the use of software to compliment group communications and oral presentations.
Resourcefulness and resilience:
Resourcefulness & Resilience features heavily in the practical aspects of the programme with opportunities for students to demonstrate their adaptability, fault finding in the debugging of code, and electronic circuits. Modules also offer opportunities for fault finding in TV studio operation or when working on location with film equipment. In addition the coursework for the creative modules demand agility to cope with unforeseen situations during live or recorded television production or on location film sets. While careful planning is required of the students in their preparation documentation, this approach enables students to overcome location problems and continue with production developing professional resourcefulness and resilience.
Modules are designed to introduce methodologies and as the modules develop students can use previous assignments to help with the next assignment developing resilient learning.
For the final year technical project students resourcefulness and resilience will be enhanced as they will need to think critically and exercise engineering judgment underlying the some of the assumptions they would need to employ in advanced calculations or research and identify the limitations of those assumptions.
Sustainability:
Students are introduced to Albert the organisation for sustainability in broadcasting and film production. And they are shown how to put sustainable practice into their practical production work as well as the content to improve understanding for the general public of environmental issues. Students are encouraged to be resourceful in set design and to deal with production issues to produce minimum waste especially of plastic and unnecessary printing which is good for the environment. And finally they will be aware of how much power is required for different pieces of professional equipment and the relevance of the source of the power being used.
There are educated in energy and power efficiency in electrical engineering modules. They are also have modules on studio design which introduce the circular economy and explore re-purposing equipment and the value of repair rather than replace
Global and Cultural Capabilities:
Students on this programme will have an opportunity to engage and work with students from a range of different regional and cultural backgrounds. In the first year module the Art of Visual Story Telling the students are exposed to diversity and ethnicity of characters and their relationship with their culture and environment.
Students will also be made aware of the importance of equality, diversity through the EDI forum and the nomination of a student representative to ensure the course continues to improve in this area.
Quality assurance
The Regulations and Codes of Practice for taught programmes can be found at:
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.