Unscripted Development

Entry requirements

This is not a new entrant programme – this is an upskilling or re-skilling programme. You should have at least two years’ experience in TV at any level (PA, Researcher, AP, Co-ord etc). Or you should have experience of an associated creative industry (eg gaming, advertising, marketing). You do not need to have a formal qualification to apply for this Diploma, but you must be able to demonstrate a genuine passion for unscripted television and development. You must be able to demonstrate that you devour hours of TV and content each week, are obsessed by new programmes and are interested in the broadest range of genres.

Months of entry

January

Course content

Get the professional training you need to kickstart your career in a world-leading UK Industry.Despite uncertain economic times, the UK continues to lead the world in creating and producing unscripted series. From hit formats that have been sold around the globe such as Traitors or The 1% Club, to surprising and absorbing factual shows such as Clarkson’s Farm and Beckham – the global appetite for innovative and engaging content is huge, and it all starts with development.

Delivered in partnership with Prime Video, the Unscripted Development Diploma is a year-long part-time blended learning diploma, which seeks to capture the dynamism and creativity of unscripted television - with a particular focus on factual entertainment and formats - and provide you with the skills you need to make your own professional contribution to it.

Learning from industry professionals, including channel commissioners and top producers in production and development, this course plots the evolution of unscripted programmes from the initial idea to transmission.

The course embraces all kinds of unscripted from premium docs and returnable factual series to formats which can travel the globe and factual entertainment with many of the major factual commissioning channels represented across the year (Prime Video, Sky Netflix, BBC, ITV, C4, C5 etc.).

The course culminates in a pitch that sees students present their ideas for a new series to a commissioner from Amazon Studios.

On leaving the course, you could join many former NFTS students who are now successfully working in the industry in senior positions.

What You Will Study

The curriculum has a specific focus on programme development - on brainstorming ideas, writing proposals/creating decks, producing sizzles, pitching to commissioners. There will be a focus on factual entertainment and formats.

This blended learning course is delivered from the NFTS hub in London but is available to students across the UK and features a stimulating combination of weekly evening online sessions and all-day in-person weekend workshops (including a 2-day camera course). Across the year, students are required to complete six assignments.

The course is made up of a combination of modules and workshops, where participants learn by ‘doing’, as well as understanding theory and developing a variety of practical and creative skills.

Information for international students

This course is open to UK applicants and EU/EEA Nationals with UK pre-settled/settled status (subject to meeting residency requirements) and applicants who are currently in the UK on a valid visa for the full duration of the course.

Fees and funding

Please visit our website for fees information. All production costs are included in the course fees, including the use of School facilities and equipment.

To ensure that the course is accessible to as many people as possible, the £5,500 course fee is 75% underwritten by Prime Video. Due to this, successful applicants will pay £1400 for the course.