BBC newsgathering truck gives Ravensbourne University London students a behind-the-scenes broadcast experience
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Ravensbourne University London had a standout moment this week as we welcomed one of the BBC’s premier newsgathering trucks, UKI1904 - a vehicle normally deployed to cover major stories across London and the UK.
These trucks are at the heart of the BBC’s reporting infrastructure, travelling all over the country to cover everything from breaking news to national celebrations, and offering a fascinating glimpse into life on the road for broadcast engineers.
Our 1st Year BSc Broadcast Engineering students were joined by two BBC professionals: Stuart Rose, Location Engineer, and Ellen Rose, Senior Studio Director. The day began with an engaging classroom session before moving outside for a deep dive into the OB vehicle itself. Students explored the truck’s technical systems, learned how crews rig and test equipment under pressure, and got hands-on with radio cameras and wireless microphones.
BBC OB truck at Ravensbourne
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The visit was not only an invaluable learning experience for the students, but also a memorable moment for staff. Even colleagues with decades of BBC experience had the rare chance to step inside a UKI truck for the first time.”
Ravensbourne Univeristy are incredibly grateful to Stuart and Ellen for their generosity, insight, and enthusiasm, and to BBC Operations Manager Morwen Williams for supporting this opportunity. Special thanks also go to Richard Murrell from the Department of Media, Film, TV & Music for helping make the visit possible.
A brilliant day for Broadcast Engineering at Ravensbourne, and an inspiring first taste of industry life for our students. Experiences like this highlight how important learning directly with industry is at Ravensbourne, helping students build real-world skills and connections from the start of their studies.
Find out more about our BSc Broadcast Engineering course here.
