Springboard yourself into a career behind the mic or behind the scenes. Get practical experience in radio production, presentation and station management. Graduate with skills that are relevant, not only, in radio, audio and podcasting, but in the growing and developing world of audio production.
Overview
Radio and podcast production is still a major growth area in the audio sector and this course offers great opportunities to master the skills required to stand out from the crowd. The course is integrated with our award-winning radio station, Spark Sunderland and offers practical experience in radio production, presentation and station management alongside opportunities to create your own creative podcasts and podcasts for external clients.
The production modules cover a variety of genres including live studio and feature production, podcasting, multiplatform and visualisation skills. You will learn how to pitch ideas to specific audiences, budgeting, research, advanced interviewing, editing and creative post-production techniques. This highly practical vocational coursework will be supported by contextual studies. The final stage of the course takes the form of research leading to a major practical project or a dissertation with a contextual report and evaluation.
This course is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries, and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality-mark which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.
Why us?
- We’re the only university in the North of England with a full-time community radio licence. We’re fully integrated into the multi award-winning Spark Sunderland
- The only MA Radio and Podcasting course in the UK to be accredited by ScreenSkills Select – the quality mark which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the creative industries
- You’ll receive your own copy of a SADiE6, a high-end professional digital editing system, for the duration of the course, as well as receiving training and experience in using ProTools and other industry standard editing systems for broadcast and podcasting
- Our academics are currently working in public service, commercial and community radio, podcasting and audiobooks production
- Our alumni have forged careers as podcast producers and presenters as well as finding careers in the radio world as reporters, producers, presenters and programme controllers; in the BBC, commercial radio and independent production sectors – some in high profile TV roles such as BBC News Sports Correspondent Katie Gornall
- Benefit from our industry contacts including BBC and Commercial Radio Community Media Association, The Royal Television Society and The Radio Academy and Northern Arts
Course structure
Compared to an undergraduate course, you will find that this Masters requires a higher level of independent working. We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods which include lectures, seminars, workshops and practical demonstrations. Your active involvement in our on-campus radio station, Spark Sunderland, is integral to your learning experience as well as a commitment to practical podcast production projects. Theory and practice will go hand in hand as you plan, undertake and evaluate projects podcasts and programmes.
You will have high levels of contact with tutors, who give regular feedback and support, and you will also work in groups to develop skills in communication and teamwork.
Assessment methods include essays, projects, presentations, and a major project/dissertation.
Facilities
The David Puttnam Media Centre is a thriving place to study and experience media. We are the is the only university in the North of England with a full-time community radio licence. Spark Sunderland broadcasts from our purpose-built studios. Rub shoulders with BBC Newcastle and Tyne & Wear TV, who are both based in the building. Volunteer with award winning Spark Sunderland, write for one of our suite of websites or edit Spark Magazine in our MediaHUB. Get hands on in TV and Radio Studios, Journalism and Digital editing suites. Learn from experts in this centre of excellence for training.
Career ready
Postgraduates are highly employable and, on average, earn more than individuals whose highest qualification is an undergraduate degree. On completing this course you will be equipped for roles in the radio industry, and also throughout the broader media industry.
Career opportunities
Recent Sunderland graduates have moved into jobs at a variety of radio stations and companies, including BBC Radio 1, 6Music, 5live, BBC Radio Drama, Sun FM, Metro Radio and BBC Newcastle.
Our former students are also employed at radio stations in Europe, USA and Australia.
Industry-relevant teaching
The only MA Radio and Podcasting course in the UK to be endorsed by ScreenSkills Select – the quality mark which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the creative industries.
For employers, courses that are recognised by ScreenSkills Select signpost work-ready graduates and apprentices that understand and have links with the screen industries.
Graduates from courses that are recognised by ScreenSkills Select can apply to Trainee Finder, a service that matches trainees with companies across the UK’s animation, film, games, high-end TV and VFX industries.
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