Program Overview

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Postgraduate MA

Production Management for TV, Film and Digital Media

Overview

This programme is designed for students who want to work in the field of Production Management within TV, Film and Digital Media. You will gain practical industry experience of the planning, organization, execution and delivery of TV production in the genres of documentary, studio and drama.

Attendance

• Full-time
• Part-time

Course

• One year
• Two year

Next Enrolment

• September 2025

Introduction

In a nutshell

This programme is designed for students who want to work in the field of Production Management within TV, Film and Digital Media. You will gain practical industry experience of the planning, organization, execution and delivery of TV production in the genres of documentary, studio and drama.

You will gain hands-on experience of analysing and managing production workflows and develop key skillsets including creative problem-solving and people management.

Located in the heart of MCUK, you will have the opportunity to network with industry production managers in seminars, masterclasses, tuition and industry-aligned projects. This programme has strong links with BBC, ITV, True North, Dock 10 and many other high-profile production companies across the UK.

There will be plenty of opportunities to get involved with industry projects and apply for work experience with the media industry.

You will:

• Be based in MediaCity and surrounded by a wide range of TV and media production companies
• Receive bespoke guidance from current broadcast and media production managers across a wide range of genres
• Develop your networking skills through engagement with media professionals

Placement

• Options available
• International students accepted

Course Partnerships

Course Details

All about the course

This course embraces a range of diverse teaching, learning assessment methods and aims to:

• Provide you with a range of skills, attributes and competencies – personal, creative and business-oriented – required by production and post-production industries.
• Develop creative, critical, analytical and intellectual competencies appropriate to Masters level and informed by current industry practice.
• Enhance your knowledge and understanding of professional, contextual and collaborative frameworks and equip you with creative problem solving and team leadership skills.

You will benefit from industry partnerships:

• The BAFTA albert Education Partnership is an initiative created for media courses run by UK Higher Education institutions. Through a comprehensive module, students will gain a fundamental understanding of the climate and nature crises, be introduced to sustainability within the screen industries both on and off screen and have exclusive access to the BAFTA albert student carbon calculator (based on the industry toolkit now mandated by all major UK broadcasters and many film funders).
• Through our partnership with The Production Guild of Great Britain, students will have access to years of industry-leading masterclasses, taught by those working on television and film sets, opportunities to attend networking events across the country alongside career support sessions and advice from those actively working in production management.

The programme structure consists of four taught modules, followed by a practice-based research project or dissertation.

Semester One

Production Management for Factual Programming

This module focuses on the understanding and application of production management for single camera productions. This includes factual television, factual entertainment and other location filming as well as archive shows. You will learn how to create and manage a budget and schedule and provide cost reporting throughout.

With real-world scenarios for both UK and foreign filming, you will gain an in-depth understanding of compliance, copyright, time management and legal requirements of programme production and delivery.

Line Producing for Drama

This module develops your production management skills for drama. With an emphasis on script analysis and working on movie magic, students will learn the mechanics of managing a large team filming in varied and more complex locations. Working closely with BAFTA and Sustainability, you will use the BAFTA carbon calculator to predict and manage the carbon footprint of your production.

Semester Two

Production Management for Studio

With an emphasis on workflow, this module allows you to flex your production management skills in a studio context. It will cover how to produce magazine programme content using different filming formats. You will gain experience in negotiation with facilities and dealing with talent.

Creative Entrepreneurial Practice

Through the creative entrepreneurial practice module, you will gain an in-depth understanding of people management and leadership strategies. You will work in an authentic industry environment to undertake live briefs from industry. You will be responsible for putting together teams to deliver these projects and ensure the smooth running of the production.

Semester Three

Major Project: Practice Research Project or Dissertation

This research-led module is an opportunity to demonstrate both the theoretical and practical skills gained over the course of the programme. This 60-credit module has the aim of allowing students to demonstrate their creative, technical and critical skills through self-directed practice and research that demonstrates original and innovative work within the field of contemporary media practice.

What will I be doing?

This programme uses a range of teaching and learning settings including lectures, seminars/workshops, tutorials, situated learning (e.g. ‘live’ projects) and independent and online learning.

Our goal is to create an environment that allows students to progressively take ownership and direction of their learning so that they may develop as independent, life-long learners.

The process of Masters level study is one of intense critical self-reflection; this is achieved by including self-directed projects where students have the opportunity to negotiate their learning and assessment requirements.

Indicative to the course are:

• Formal lectures
• Seminar presentations
• Workshops
• Critical analysis and independent learning

Programme-specific learning activities include exercises from industry; team and peer-based learning, site visits, guest lectures from visiting professionals, work placements, online activities, working with industry mentors.

Independent Learning

When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. We advise you should take around 42 hours of independent study per week. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities, including the library, the learning zone and Lynda.com.

Be a part of a creative, supportive community

All our Film, TV and Media courses are delivered by the Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology. We are a creative community with a focus on creating a collaborative environment where you can thrive and gain the skills needed to pursue your dreams.

Our Engagement Team coordinates school-wide events such as the Create Student Awards, academic conferences, networking and volunteering opportunities, welcoming and wellbeing fairs and exhibitions like our annual Degree Show.

For non-course matters, you will have access to our university-wide support service askUS, who will support and guide you to be successful in all aspects of your life.

Throughout your time at Salford, you’ll be mentored and supported by experts. And once you graduate, it won’t end there. You’ll join a thriving alumni network across Greater Manchester and beyond, meaning you’ll be supported professionally and personally whenever you need it.

Facilities

This course benefits from the brand new state-of-the-art facilities at MediaCityUK. These include a 5-camera HD TV studio, a 3-camera HD TV studio and a digital performance studio with full green screen capability. There are two radio studios, and 5.1 surround sound audio post production theatre, Audition v3 audio editing and Final Cut Pro and Avid software-enabled suites throughout the building.

Employment and Stats

What about after uni?

Students with previous TV experience as a Production Coordinator can expect to apply for jobs as Production Managers across a range of TV genres.

Students with no previous TV experience can expect to apply for jobs as production coordinators with the expectation that, with the skillset you acquire, you will be fast-tracked to becoming a Production Manager.

Some of our students succeed through related professions in events management, education, community development or enterprise.

A taste of what you could become

• A Production Manager
• A Director
• A Line Producer
• And more...

Career Links

All of the lecturers teaching on the MA in Production Management for TV, Film and Digital Media have extensive industry experience working in the production of drama, documentary and studio. The course has strong links with ITV, BBC, True North, Nine Lives, Blakeway North.

External speakers from the above companies will work with the students through guest lectures, live briefs and seminars.

Production Executives, Production Managers and Line Producers at ITV and True North and the BBC have expressed their desire to work with graduates from the MA in Production Management. They have collaborated with the university to ensure that students taking this course acquire the appropriate skillset needed to work in this field.

Requirements

What you need to know

When making your application, don’t forget to include any volunteering or even part time jobs or hobbies which illustrate good people skills, numeracy, and the ability to work independently. Illustrating that you understand the role of the Production Manager, have a knowledge of the creative industries and a genuine interest in working within these will also further strengthen your application.

Applicant profile

While some experience in film, television, or media in an educational or professional context is an advantage it is not always essential. What is important is that you have some or all the following qualities:

• Attention to detail - You will be working on schedules, budgets, and legal documents such as risk assessments, so this is a key skill. Good note-taking and a familiarity with Microsoft Excel will also be useful.
• Leadership Ability - The Production Manager runs a small team as well as playing an integral role within the whole production, working with various heads of departments-evidence of having taken responsibility in a previous job or study project will be valuable for your application. You will often have to be diplomatic and empathetic to your crew.
• Problem-Solving - A key part of the Production Management role is organising logistics, these might be booking travel for international shoots, planning schedules for multiple location shoots or trouble shooting when something goes wrong. Can you stay calm under pressure? Think of examples when you have had to quickly address an unexpected issue at school or work?
• Time Management - Filming shoots can be ambitious and as a Production Manager you need to find the perfect balance between editorial expectations and budget-the best tool for this is time management and being able to manage your own time as well as the time of the production will be an essential skill for you to master. What is your time management like now?

If you feel you are stronger in some of these areas than others, don’t worry, we will guide you on all these aspects and more during your MA studies. As well as experienced lectures who have worked in production, you will also be supported by one of our industry mentors and have opportunities to test your abilities’ during simulated crisis management activities.

Standard Entry Requirements

• A good honours degree (2:1 or above).

International Students

• International applicants will be required to show a proficiency in English. An IELTS score of 6.5 (with no element below 5.5) is proof of this.

Alternative Entry Requirements

• We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.

Fees

Type of study | Year | Fees

• Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,100 per year
• Full-time international | 2025/26 | £17,000 per year
• Part-time | 2025/26 | Part time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis

Additional costs

You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.

Scholarships for international students

If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Learn more about our latest international scholarships.