Dan

Why did you choose Surrey?

I chose Surrey because of the encouragement and support across the university for students to go on a placement year. Also, the course really appealed to me because it was the only film/television related course I found with such good industry connections and equipment/facilities. I really appreciate that most things are close by on campus and Guildford as a town feels very safe compared to other places I looked at.

What made you choose this course?

The course is unique in its combination of the creative and technical side of film and broadcast and there is such variety in module content; from filming, editing and programme development, to coding and technical essays. 

Each new piece of new coursework is refreshing, enabling you to develop a wide range of skills and prepare for many potential career avenues.

Tell us about the academic staff

The Film Production and Broadcast Engineering course is taught by people who have a wide variety of backgrounds, from industry professionals to technical researchers. They all provide unique insight into your work, and they are part of why the course is so rich and dynamic.

How useful are the facilities?

Investment into the course’s facilities is frequent and plentiful, with industry-standard filming equipment and broadcast technologies featuring in the newly built TV studio. The breadth of facilities has been extremely useful in giving me real world insight and experience.

What career support have you received?

The university runs sessions dedicated to writing good CVs and cover letters, as well as interview technique and other employability skills. The course academics have been very helpful in giving advice on how to improve my applications for placement. There are also many opportunities for networking at the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) events and alumni evenings.

What's the accommodation like?

I really enjoyed living on the modern Manor Park Campus in first year. I appreciated living in accommodation that was slightly removed from the main campus (but only a 5-minute bus/20-minute walk) because I liked the feeling of ‘coming home’ after a day of uni. In general, Guildford feels very well connected with many buses running frequently, in addition to its close proximity to London.

Tell us about your plans

Over my time at Surrey so far, I have made so many incredible memories, both with the people on the course and my flatmates. The amazing people I’ve met will continue to inspire me for many years to come, I’m sure.

I have been keen to work in the film and television industry for many years and have always been interested in following industry news and updates. I am excited to pursue a career in the media industry, whatever that may hold. This course has provided a fantastic springboard to so many skills and I am really looking forward to taking up as many opportunities that come my way.