This MSc Factual Television gives you the tools you’ll need to create factual content for broadcast. Developed with industry and taught by experienced practitioners, this course is focussed on practice: growing ideas, developing proposals and making programmes.

You’ll learn how to develop factual content, how the modern television industry works and how issues of editorial and ethics affect programme-makers today.

Hands-on experience is at the heart of everything we do in production at Stirling. Our courses mirror professional practice in the industry: teaching includes masterclasses, workshops and pitching panels with experienced practitioners.

The course will cover core areas of factual TV:

• programme development
• documentary
• factual formats
• specialist factual

During this course, you’ll explore ethical issues of representation, consent, trust and editorial control while learning about the business of factual content.

You’ll build up your practical skills with a series of creative challenges:

• developing ideas in response to industry briefs
• pitching ideas
• getting feedback from staff and visiting experts

You’ll also develop and produce filmed pieces as part of the Documentary module.

Alongside practical projects, you’ll develop essential career skills through an industry experience module. You’ll be supported in researching and securing a placement, developing your own network of contacts, and making the first steps towards work.

You’ll be given many industry experience opportunities throughout the course. You’ll greatly enhance your employment prospects through working with professional briefs and interacting with a wide range of professionals currently working in factual production.

Several leading production companies offer placement opportunities to students on the course. Production professionals also contribute to the delivery of many modules. In responding to relevant briefs set alongside industry, you’ll cultivate communication, team working and interpersonal skills to a professional level. Pitching regularly to senior industry personnel will help you to acquire the entrepreneurial skills required of a 21st century media professional.