Course Outline
The Foundation Degree in radio has been developed in association with the Birmingham School of Media, Skillset and partner organisations from amongst the UK’s leading radio broadcasters.
As a two-year full-time programme (with an additional 3rd year progression route available),the course offers a unique opportunity for students to gain firsthand radio production experience. As part of the course, students are guaranteed an internship within the radio industry, working alongside an experienced industry professional who will act as a personal mentor. A blend of intensive university classes and work-based learning will provide you with a valuable range of practical broadcasting skills while developing a critical understanding of contemporary UK radio.
The course is taught by skilled practitioners with proven industry experience and has strong links to major UK broadcast organisations and is strengthened by media academics from Birmingham City University and specialist guest lecturers from within the UK radio industry.
Sam Coley, the course director, has over 20 years of experience in the U.K. and Australasian radio industries. He has worked as a radio trainer for the BBC World Service Trust and has been a finalist in the Radio Academy Production Awards as well as receiving a nomination in the “Best Music Special” category of the 2011 Sony Radio Awards.
“The foundation degree is just one part of Skillset’s work to create an industry-recognised talent pipeline for young people pursuing careers in the UK radio industry.” Dinah Caine, Skillset chief executive.
“As a Radio Skills Council member I fully support the Foundation Degree in Radio Production as it offers a comprehensive skills base and an excellent framework to forge a career in the industry. Unlike conventional degree courses, this modular course will enable people from diverse social economic backgrounds greater access to higher education as it offers flexibility to earn while studying at the same time.” Natasha Maw, Radio Skills Council.
"My studies at BCU were invaluable in helping me start off my career in broadcasting. The course was full of hands-on production work, using the latest digital technology. This really enabled me to hone my skills ready for the work place. As well as experienced and enthusiastic teaching staff, we were often invited to listen to and learn from industry experts, who were able to impart sound advice on how to get on in the industry - advice I still call upon today! Since leaving Birmingham City University I've worked as a Broadcast Assistant for BBC Radio 2, a producer in 'development' radio and in 2011 the travelled to South Sudan to facilitate two local radio stations. The Media and Communication course at BCU really gave me the head start I needed!" Jim Butterworth, Radio Graduate (Birmingham City University, School of Media)
The design, delivery and assessment of this Foundation Degree is structured to offer the development of fundamental radio production skills as well as exposure to real-life working situations. Students will receive relevant training in key industry skills, while at the same time being given the opportunity to reflect on issues affecting the industry as a whole.
The first year of the course is designed to ensure students have a solid understanding of key radio production principles and skills, while the second year teaches more advanced techniques and concepts.
The award is divided into two semester based teaching periods. The first teaching period is campus based at Birmingham City University and is designed to provide a range of practical radio, research and employability skills that are then put into practice in the ‘live’ situation of the work place in the second teaching period.
We start by ensuring you have basic radio production skills in both speech and music based broadcasting, such as operating a production desk, the use of portable audio recorders and multi-track digital editing (Pro Tools / Adobe Audition). You will also be taught skills relating to the development of online radio and its use of social media.
You will be expected to listen to a wide variety of radio programmes and features. Classes will teach the skills required for both individual and group based radio production and you will be given the opportunity to produce “real-world” audio content of a professional standard that will be broadcast or streamed to actual listening audiences.
Throughout the duration of the course you will be given personal feedback from tutors and mentors to help you develop your practical skills as well as your critical faculties. You will be expected to analyse the process you are undertaking and be required to reflect on the ethical, professional and legal standards you must meet.
From September through to December students will study full-time in the Birmingham School of Media taking two 30 credit modules that equip them with practical radio skills. These run concurrently with a Professional Studies module that runs across both semesters (30 credits).
The second teaching period from January to March is based on internship experience (30 credits) where students will put their campus based learning into practice, building up a range of practical experience that will form the basis of a portfolio assessment that is directed by a work place mentor. A final two week session will take place at Birmingham City University in April, where students will share their experiences module and demonstrate their new skills by running their own online radio station. These final classes will also conclude the student’s Professional Studies module.
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Year One |
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Campus based |
Work-place |
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Radio Production (30 Credits)
This practical module uses workshops and lectures to teach a wide range of fundamental radio production skills and concepts for commercial, community and public service radio. It also explores the use of online radio and social media in contemporary radio. |
Placement/internship (30 Credits)
An internship within the UK radio industry will help students to gain first-hand radio production experience.
You will be required to develop and produce a substantial practical project based on your internship role. Students will also produce a written report to accompany their production work which will support production decisions, demonstrate audience considerations and provide reflective analysis.
Professional development will be enhanced by students providing an account of their internship experience. This will include reflection on the feedback they receive from colleagues and the production of a CV and professional “show-reel” to aid employability. |
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Live Radio (30 Credits)
This practical module examines production skills as they relate to live radio broadcasting for speech and music based formats. A series of workshops, lectures and live radio streaming will demonstrate the key principles of radio presentation and live production. |
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Professional Studies (30 Credits)
This module runs across the two semesters and is designed to support students’ research skills as well as scholarship and academic writing. Entrepreneurial skills and employability will also be featured in this module as well as how to create an effective audio “show reel”. The module culminates with students running their own short term online radio station. |
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Year Two |
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Campus based |
Work-place |
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Advanced Radio Production (30 Credits)
This practical module builds on first year experiences through the use of workshops and lectures to teach advanced radio production skills and concepts for commercial, community and public service radio. The management and execution of both individual and group work will be supported by the development of critical faculties and research skills. |
Placement/internship (30 Credits)
Students will return to their internship within the UK radio industry to further develop their skills and build on existing relationships. This will build on the production skills gained in the first year and further develop students’ research abilities and professional development.
Students will be encouraged to innovate and experiment with a range of skills through the production of a substantial production piece/s to broadcast standard for their internship station. Reflective analysis will support and justify production decisions as well as the item’s ability to reflect its station and target audience.
You are also required to explore a professional issue relevant to the professional context of your internship and demonstrate your ongoing critical, analytical and research skills.
Professional development will expand on the experiences of the previous year with students providing a continuing account of their internship. This will include the production of an updated CV and professional “show-reel” that includes examples of new skills and updated production work.
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Advanced Live Radio (30 Credits)
This practical module builds on first year experiences relating to live radio broadcasting for speech and music based formats. Advanced skills in both individual radio presentation skills and group work will draw from established professional conventions and explore current industry challenges. Students will present live radio shows on both FM and online formats, carry out a live “outside broadcast” and reflect on their performances. |
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Professional Studies (30 Credits)
This module runs across both second year semesters and continues to support students in the academic requirements of the course as well as teaching more advanced Entrepreneurial skills, idea generation and how to pitch concepts. The module culminates with students running their own short term online radio station. |
As part of the course, students will undertake a twelve-week internship within the U.K. radio industry. This placement will be guaranteed with a leading UK broadcasting organisation before you start the course. Where possible, the location and nature of this placement will be selected to suit your personal situation and media ambitions.
Assessments are mostly practice-based, although there is an element of written work required.
Classes will be delivered through lectures, production workshops, recording, presentation and editing tasks. The module has an e-learning site and involves a substantial amount of independent production work.
Your Career
Career Prospects
Upon successfully completing the Foundation Degree in Radio, students will have the understanding and ability to carry out a wide range of roles which utilise radio production skills. These include:
- Assistant producer / Producer
- Live radio presenter
- Studio engineer
- Radio documentary producer
- Travel editor, producer, presenter
- Breakfast show assistant
- Online radio content producer
- Commercial copywriter / Commercial producer
- Traffic manager (scheduling commercials / content)
Our radio graduates have gone on to secure a wide range of industry positions, including the fields of commercial production, online content management, programming, and presenting.
Further Study Options
Although the course is a two-year full-time programme, students have the opportunity to complete an additional 3rd year progression route in order to attain a full degree and proceed to Honours level.
Entry Requirements & Applications
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have a minimum of five GCSEs grade C or above, or equivalent, for example, the Diploma in Creative and Media or Digital Apprenticeship. Applications from mature students are welcome. Course admission requirements for students over 21 years of age are flexible and a range of qualifications will be considered. We are especially interested in passionate applicants with a real commitment to succeeding in the radio industry. This could be demonstrated by relevant work experience in a commercial or public service radio station or from volunteering work at community, student or hospital radio. The completion of a radio / media training initiative is also highly desirable.
Application Details
Please apply via UCAS.
Telephone: +44 (0)121 331 7279
Email: media@bcu.ac.uk
For general information about applying to study at Birmingham City University, please refer to the making your application section.
Enquiries
If you are from the UK or EU please enquire using the Course Enquiry Form or contact +44 (0)121 331 5595.
If you are from outside the EU please use the International Enquiry Form or contact +44 (0)121 331 6714.
Fees Notes
For information on foundation degree fees please contact the faculty:
Telephone: +44 (0)121 331 7279
Email: media@bcu.ac.uk
Further Information
Birmingham School of Media
Birmingham City University
City North Campus
Perry Barr
Birmingham
B42 2SU
Telephone: +44 (0)121 331 7279
Fax: +44 (0)121 331 6501
Email: media@bcu.ac.uk