BA (Hons) Radio and Audio with Professional Practice Year

Program Overview

This course will allow you to study broadcast media (radio) and the creation of audio content on other platforms, such as podcasts and websites. You'll gain a real understanding into how a much loved medium has evolved, and what goes into creating great content. The course provides a range of practical broadcasting journalistic skills coupled with a strong grounding in relevant media theory. The course is designed to meet the needs of those wishing to work in broadcast media, or those who wish to pursue a wider career in audio content creation and understand how the media works and is used in a professional context. You will study a combination of units that will cover a broad professional outlook. Alongside your studies you will have access to RadioLaB, the university’s very own community radio station broadcasting across the county on FM. Students can get involved in the station by presenting, producing or promoting the station.

Employability is understood widely as encompassing knowledge, skills and a professional attitude, which your tutors expect you to display in all your units. All University of Bedfordshire courses aim to help you is prepared for the world of work. The Careers Service is there to support you throughout the three years of your study. The curriculum gives you skills that are valuable for a career in the cultural industries and related fields. Interaction with practitioners, regular input from the careers service during all levels of your study (starting during induction week, concluding during the workshops for the Third Year (Level 6) Special project), as well as specifically designed units with the world of work in focus (such as Preparing for the Audio Workplace), will help you be ready for the start of your professional career. You will have opportunities to volunteer in the organisation of extracurricular and co-curricular events throughout the year, such as conferences, festivals, degree shows, and open days. Volunteering at the universities own local Community Radio station, which broadcasts to Luton and the surrounding areas as well as world-wide via the Internet, is one example of the extra-curricular and co-curricular opportunities offered by the university.

Students who register for the degree with professional practice year will additionally attend a series of workshops and activities related to securing a suitable placement and compulsory briefings at the end of year two in order to ensure that all legal requirements for health and safety, safeguarding etc. training have been met. This will be explained more fully in your professional practice handbook once you have registered with the Careers and Employability Services Student Development and Awards Team in your first year. If you will be working with children and / or vulnerable people you will be required to have a DBS check and undertake Safeguarding and "Prevent" training.