Television production

A degree in television production equips you for the role of producer as well as a range of production-related jobs within the industry

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Film/video editor
• Location manager
• Media researcher
• Runner, broadcasting/film/video
• Television camera operator
• Television/film/video producer
• Television floor manager

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Broadcast presenter
• Film director
• Radio producer
• Social media manager
• Sound technician, broadcasting/film/video
• Television production coordinator

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

It's vital to have some work experience in television production, so take advantage of any opportunities to develop practical skills through course projects, work placements or short-term internships. Many course providers have strong links to local TV companies, including local and national broadcasters, and specialised production companies.

The major broadcasters, including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky, offer short-term periods of work experience. This type of experience gives an insight into all aspects of television production across the UK. Competition for a place on these schemes is fierce, however, so it's worth looking at other options as well. Independent production companies may provide opportunities for work shadowing.

Volunteering to work at television festivals such as the Edinburgh TV Festival is a good way to build contacts and gain experience. Entering a talent scheme such as the ones offered by The Network and Ones to Watch is also a great way to start your television career. For more information, see The TV Foundation. Major cultural organisations, such as BAFTA, occasionally offer paid internships.

Other ways of finding opportunities and developing contacts and experience include attending industry networking events and seminars and using social media, such as dedicated Facebook groups and following TV companies on LinkedIn.

You could also try making your own content or working as a runner during or after university.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

Typical employers include major broadcasters such as:

• Amazon
• Apple TV
• BBC
• Channel 4
• Channel 5
• ITV
• Netflix
• S4C (Wales)
• Sky
• STV
• U.

However, there is also a huge range of smaller production companies, which are commissioned to make programmes for network transmission.

Regional and national directories, such as The Knowledge, Film Bang (Scotland), Screen Alliance Wales and Northern Ireland Screen, provide comprehensive listings of TV production companies and vacancies.

Following companies of interest on social media and joining specific groups where available is a good way to find out about the latest vacancies. Word of mouth and personal recommendations are also common ways to find employment in this industry.

Find information on employers in creative arts and design, media and internet, and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

A degree in television production allows you to develop a range of subject-specific, technical and transferable skills, useful for working within media, creative and other industries. These include:

• technical skills - operating a camera and using sound recording and post-production editing equipment and software
• creativity - courses teach you to look at the bigger picture, beyond the camera
• the ability to improvise and problem solve - devising action plans and immediate solutions to unexpected situations
• communication skills - to work effectively with other production professionals
• teamwork skills - collaborating with different professionals you'll learn to schedule effectively around competing deadlines while remaining focused on the end product
• organisational and time-management skills - necessary for delivering the completed project on time and, where relevant, on budget
• attention to detail - important for ensuring continuity on location, in filming and during editing
• a flexible approach - a willingness to take on a variety of production tasks helps contribute to the success of a project.

Further study

Graduates with a degree in television production may consider postgraduate study to further develop their skills and expertise. Courses are available in areas such as wildlife, TV drama, documentary and sports production, as well as content development and post-production. There are also Masters available in related areas such as screenwriting, camera and sound for TV production, and location management.

Many postgraduate courses (MA, MSc) have strong industry links and placement opportunities within leading media companies.

Courses may have accreditation with a professional organisation, for example, ScreenSkills or the BJTC (Broadcast Journalism Training Council), indicating the high quality and relevance of industry skills students can expect to gain through the course.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search for postgraduate courses in television production.

What do television production graduates do?

More than a third (35%) of television production graduates are working as arts officers, producers and directors (18%) and photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators (17%).

Find out what other graduates are doing after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.