Factual Development and Production

Entry requirements

You do not need to work in television or have a formal qualification to apply for this Diploma, but you must be able to demonstrate a genuine passion for, and informed interest in, factual television.

Months of entry

January

Course content

Equip yourself with the skills to take your Factual Development ideas to the next level. It’s an exciting time to be working in factual television! Factual programmes are at the heart of the UK television schedules, whether it’s The Great British Bake-Off, The Repair Shop, Married at First Sight, 24hrs in A&E or Gogglebox.

The market for factual programmes has never been more diverse - be it the multitude of available platforms for factual content, the range of form and content, or the new opportunities and initiatives for talent of all kinds.

The Factual Development and Production Diploma is a year-long, part-time blended learning diploma, which seeks to capture the dynamism of mainstream factual television in 2023 and provide you with the skills you need to make your own professional contribution to it.

Learning from industry professionals, including channel commissioners and top producers in production and development, this course plots the evolution of factual programmes from the initial idea to transmission and beyond.

The Factual Development and Production Diploma is supported by Discovery. Each year, the course culminates with the students pitching an idea for a series to a Discovery commissioner. The winning pitch is optioned by the channel, securing £5,000 for further development and the support of a Discovery executive producer.

On leaving the course, you could join many of our former students who are now successfully working in the Industry in senior positions.

What You Will Study

The curriculum has a specific focus on programme development - on brainstorming ideas, writing proposals/creating decks, producing sizzles, pitching to commissioners. It embraces all kinds of factual programmes: from low-cost, high volume daytime formats to premium peak-time series.

This blended learning course is delivered from the NFTS hubs in London and Cardiff, but is available to students across the UK and features a stimulating combination of weekly online sessions and occasional in-person workshops (including a 2-day camera course). Across the year, students are required to complete six assignments.

The course is made up of a number of modules and workshops, where participants learn by ‘doing’, as well as understanding theory and developing a variety of practical and creative skills.

Information for international students

This course is open to UK applicants and EU/EEA Nationals with UK pre-settled/settled status (subject to meeting residency requirements) and applicants who are currently in the UK on a valid visa for the full duration of the course.

Fees and funding

Please visit our website for fees information. All production costs are included in the course fees, including the use of School facilities and equipment.

Successful applicants will be invited to apply for the Discovery Networks International scholarship.