Name: BA (Hons) Production Design for Screen & Film | MetFilm School | Previously Screen and Film School
Author: Tom Picken

Overview

This degree course has been developed to reflect the surge in demand for professional, technically skilled production design graduates who are equipped with vital creative, logistic and production skills, who are ready to enter into the industry.

Fundamental to the delivery of this course is the teaching of production design within the broader film school environment. This unique shared arrangement will enable you to hone specialist design skills in the classroom and test them out in live film projects. You will also gain an understanding of your place within film production and build a network of peers, alongside whom you can progress throughout your education and then on into the workplace.

This course is offered through our partnership with BIMM University. UK students on this course may be eligible for the maximum Tuition Fee Loan amount, which covers the full tuition fee. Please check the Fees & Finance section for more information.

Why Take the Course?

Practical: Each year combines a mix of speculative and live film projects, with collaborations across departments such as Filmmaking, Film Business, and Hair & Makeup. You’ll work on a variety of design aspects, from model making and costume design to digital design and set decoration. This hands-on experience, supported by purpose-built design studios, allows you to develop and refine your skills while building a strong portfolio that reflects the demands of today’s industry.
Comprehensive: This course has been developed in close collaboration with industry practitioners, ensuring that the skills you learn are directly relevant to the film, television, and related industries. By working within a dedicated film school environment, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of the production design process, from concept to execution, while learning to integrate your designs within the broader context of film production.
Industry-facing: The course is delivered by both educators and industry specialists, with all lecturers bringing extensive industry experience. Regular visits from production designers and art directors, as well as strong industry ties, ensure that your learning is vibrant, up-to-date, and directly aligned with current industry practices. You’ll also have access to work placements between years 2 and 3, and continued support after graduation.
Real-life Experience: Throughout the course, you’ll work on live projects, including participating in graduate films that are screened at the end of the course. These projects offer real-world experience, allowing you to apply your skills in professional settings while building a network of peers and industry contacts.

*For a selection of the tutors who teach across our campuses, please see Our People.

Awarding body: BIMM University

Programme Aims

Equip students with comprehensive art department skills for successful careers in the film, television, and related industries.

Provide a broad foundation of production design skills, allowing for specialisation based on individual interests.

Develop creative, technical, and collaborative skills essential for effective and authentic design work.

Support a smooth transition into the industry with work placements, industry connections, and ongoing professional development.

Module Overview

The primary objective of this module is to cultivate a broad understanding of storytelling techniques specific to screen media, equipping you with practical skills in scriptwriting, storyboarding, and visual storytelling. You will also explore the key functions that cinematography, editing, and sound design play in the storytelling process within screen-based narratives. This module endeavours to foster a culture of research, analysis and reflective engagement in the utilisation of storytelling techniques within digital films.

Module aims:

Understanding of narrative construction and storytelling techniques specific to screen media.
Develop practical skills in scriptwriting, storyboarding, and visual storytelling, enabling the creation of compelling narratives.
Explore the roles of cinematography, editing, and sound design in enhancing screen-based narratives.
Cultivate research and analytical skills for critiquing and evaluating the use of storytelling techniques in digital film.
Encourage reflective practice in the application of storytelling methods, fostering an understanding of their impact on audience engagement.

Moving into your second year, the focus shifts to advanced production design, where students tackle more complex design challenges. You will also have the opportunity to explore specialist pathways within the field, such as set decoration, art direction, or costume design. This year includes real-world projects that provide insight into industry practices, and students gain experience designing for specific genres, which demands a nuanced understanding of different stylistic and practical requirements.

In your third year, you will undertake a major project that allows you to lead in production design, showcasing the full range of skills you have developed. The final year also prepares students for professional life, with a focus on portfolio building, networking, and understanding industry standards. Innovation in design is encouraged, pushing students to think creatively and originally. The course culminates in a final exhibition where you publicly display your work, offering valuable exposure to industry professionals.

We include a diverse range of teaching methods which include:

Productions
Seminar-style Group Teaching
Tutorials
Practical Group Work
Formative Feedback through Critiques, Pitches, Screenings, and Reflective Sessions
Work-integrated Learning
Authentic Assessment

We use a wide range of assessment which include portfolios, performances, research, presentations, and reflective work.

Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff: 64 points
A-Level: CC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: MPP
GCSE: Three GCSEs at a minimum grade C/4, including English Language or Level 2 Equivalents
IELTS: 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 to be achieved in each band

UK applicants need to apply through UCAS using codes:

Course code: W492
Institution code: B39
Campus name: MetFilm School Brighton (Campus Code is 5)

Applicants may also provide an equivalent Level 3 qualification such as a Baccalaureate or International Baccalaureate.

For more information, please check Equipment in the Study with Us section for your chosen course, and the Location sections for the range of Equipment and Learning Resources available on each of our campuses.

For more information on BA (Hons) Production Design for Screen & Film entry requirements, language requirements, funding, and the application process please visit:

Study with Us

Dates & Prices

Apply

The prices below cover the duration of the course. Please select the course location.

15 September 2025 - 19 May 2028

£27,750 – UK Students

£27,750** – EU/EEA Students

£47,850*** – International Students

Apply via UCAS

**EU/EEA students with settled status.

***International students or EU/EEA students without settled status.

International students who require a VISA to study in the UK are also welcome to apply for this course directly through our website. Applicants must meet the requirements set by UKVI.