BA Wildlife Media with Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) Wildlife Media with Foundation Year is a photography degree centred on creative media practice and natural history documentation. Core topics include Research Methods. The course begins with an introductory foundation year designed to build creative capabilities before progressing into undergraduate study. The first year covers foundational creative practice through Introducing Creative Research Practice, Seeing, Thinking, Making Meaning, Ideas, Images and Objects, Innovation Lab, Creative Industries Toolkit, and Creative Playbook. The second year focuses on media production and natural history through Media Craft Skills, Developing Photography Practice, Cultural Contexts, Naturalist Skills, Communicating the Natural World, and Collaborative Brief. The third year advances into practical applications with Documentary, Interpreting Animal Behaviour for Media, Wildlife Photography, Natural History Filmmaking, Professional Development, and Theory & Research Methods. The final year culminates in advanced practical and investigative work through Graduate Project, Minor Project, The Application of Media in Conservation, Festival and Exhibition, and Research Project.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
48 UCAS Tariff Points. You can find out more about the tariff and qualification options from the UCAS tariff table . A-levels: A. T-levels: P (D or E) All subjects are accepted for entry to this course. Access to HE: 45 Credits at pass. Scottish Highers: 48 UCAS Tariff Points. Irish LC Highers: 48 UCAS Tariff Points. Selection criteria: As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to Wildlife Media. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any experience you have gained. All places are offered subject to successful interview and portfolio. Please prepare your portfolio carefully to show evidence of your creativity in the areas you are interested in and what you consider to be your best work. There is no one, ideal portfolio and we are used to looking at the work of students from many different courses and colleges. Although we want to see your work, we are more interested in meeting you and giving you the opportunity at interview to express your passion and commitment for Wildlife Media. The Integrated Foundation Year programme supports your return to education and are specifically designed for students who have the ability to study for a degree but may not have all the necessary qualifications, skills or experiences to join the degree in Year 1.
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What students say
Based on about 10 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 95%
- Learning opportunities: 79%
- Assessment and feedback: 92%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 70%
- Learning resources: 83%
- Student voice: 80%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 10 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Unemployed: 15%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 20%
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 15%
- Skilled trades occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 50%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 35%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 25%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 185 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 11%
- North West: 54%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 11%
- East Midlands: 4%
- West Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 2%
- London: 5%
- South East: 3%
- South West: 3%
- Scotland: 5%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 80%
- Other HE qualification: 15%
- Other qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Introducing Creative Research Practice
- Seeing, Thinking, Making Meaning
- Ideas, Images and Objects
- Innovation Lab
- Creative Industries Toolkit
- Creative Playbook
- Media Craft Skills
- Developing Photography Practice
- Cultural Contexts
- Naturalist Skills
- Communicating the Natural World
- Collaborative Brief
- Documentary
- Interpreting Animal Behaviour for Media
- Wildlife Photography
- Natural History Filmmaking
- Professional Development
- Theory & Research Methods
- Graduate Project
- Minor Project
- The Application of Media in Conservation
- Festival and Exhibition
- Research Project
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Wildlife Media with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £17,000 after 3 years, £19,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £15,500 and £24,500. The £19,500 median after five years is £4,000 less than the UK median for Cinematics and photography.
What do graduates of BA Wildlife Media with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria do next?
75% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Wildlife Media with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria?
95% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Wildlife Media with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria?
The average entrant had 132 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Wildlife Media with Foundation Year at University of Cumbria?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.