TV drama course set to launch at the University of Central Lancashire

22 March 2018

Two year fast-track course to produce real soap opera for real television audiences

A highly practical two-year course, which will teach students everything they need to know about producing a successful TV drama, is set to launch at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in September.

Designed to tackle the skills gap in television production, the BA (Hons) course in Continuing Drama Production will provide students with all of the creative and technical skills needed to produce, film, and edit a TV drama that will be broadcast on local TV channel, That’s Lancashire.  It is the University’s first fast-track degree with students studying for 12 months of the year so they complete the course in two years instead of three.

By creating their own drama, students on the course will be equipped with key skills including multi-camera operation, editing, script writing, managing production budgets, and working with actors. Students will also work collaboratively with students from other courses, including music, acting and scriptwriting, enabling them to gain hands-on experience in a wide range of roles.

"Those on the course will produce a brand new real soap opera for real television audiences, giving them broadcast credits."

The drama will be shot in locations arranged specifically for the students on the course. The former Lamb and Packet pub has been purchased for filming interiors, and can be adapted to serve as different locations including a café, houses, and shops. An outside lot has also been created which will provide a shooting space for the drama.

Dr Andrew Ireland, executive dean of the faculty of culture and the creative industries, said: “We have shaped this course specifically with the needs of both prospective students and their future employers in mind.  Those on the course will produce a brand new real soap opera for real television audiences, giving them broadcast credits.  It’s essentially about training students with the practical skills they can transfer to industry, not just mimicking it.

“We have worked closely with our contacts in the media industry to shape the content of the Continuing Drama Production BA and we are extremely proud to be offering a course that which is both flexible and closely tailored to the skills required in TV production.”

Actor and UCLan Honorary Fellow John Thomson gave his backing to the new course.  He said: “This is an exciting and innovative course that will give students a real-world experience, and plug a skills gap in the industry for professionals working behind the scenes in television drama production."

"This is an exciting and innovative course that will give students a real-world experience, and plug a skills gap in the industry for professionals working behind the scenes in television drama production."

“It will focus on creating the next generation of producers, directors, sounds engineers, editors, writers and camera operators, giving them the practical skills and training they need to standout in a very competitive industry.”

Oliver Kent, head of continuing drama series at BBC Studios, said: “It’s brilliant to see the higher education sector directly addressing the skills gap in the media industry. From my own experience of working on dramas including Holby City and Casualty, it’s clear that providing those entering the industry with practical skills and experience is vital. This course is an innovative response to this problem.”

View images from the launch event on UCLan’s Flickr gallery.