BSc (Hons) Broadcast Engineering

• Digital and satellite transmission
• Streaming and live events
• Virtual production
• Video and audio (UHD and Dolby)
• Artificial Intelligence

If you are studying the BSc (Hons) Broadcast Engineering with Integrated Foundation Year version of this course, key topics of your integrated foundation year may include:

• Core principles of media communication design
• Colour theory and aesthetic principles
• Character development and genre exploration
• Sequencing techniques and timing
• Editing, lighting, and sound design
• Proficiency in software and applications (Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition)
• Comprehensive understanding of the production process: Pre-production, Production, and Post-production
• Social, cultural, ethical, and technological considerations (AI, data privacy, representation, and inclusivity)
• Utilisation of broadcasting, and multimedia facilities

If you choose to add an Integrated Foundation Year on this course, you will be first introduced to the fundamental principles of digital media. Your foundation year gives you the time, space and support to explore your strengths, build confidence and prepare for the demands of project-based, industry-focused learning. Modules are as follows:

• Module 1: Diagnostic exploration - making informed choices
• Module 2: Technical - Technical knowledge in practice
• Module 3: Specialist - Innovating specialist practice
• Module 4: Integration - Integrated practice for progression to Higher Education

Please note: Students starting this course with the Integrated Foundation Year in September 2026/27 will study the 2027/28 approved modules in Years 1, 2 and 3.

Year 1

In their first year students learn broadcast industry fundamentals and will receive a foundation in electronics and engineering principles.

Modules may include:

• Production Skills and Technologies
• Moving Image Industries
• Storytelling On Screen
• Professional Life Practice: Developing your Practice
• Professional Life Practice: Exploring your Practice

Year 2

Students will apply the skills and techniques gained in the first year and experiment creatively on increasingly challenging projects. They will learn the art of science and colour, live event broadcasting, computing in relation to broadcasting, and event technology.

Modules may include:

• Fundamentals of Sound
• Live Studio and Outside Broadcast
• Virtual Production
• Electronics
• Professional Life Practice: Applying your Practice
• Work Based Learning

Year 3

In their final year students will develop their major engineering project, which may be a prototype or a piece of equipment, or a piece of broadcast engineering software for example. Students will also study emerging technologies and standards to prepare them for future industry developments.

Modules may include:

• Immediate future of broadcasting
• Final Major Project
• Professional Life Practice: Situating your Practice
• Performance Module

Year 1

Build a thorough technical grounding in core electronics and engineering principles and live TV studio operations. Learn the fundamentals of modern media technology while gaining a comprehensive overview of the broadcast industry.

• Rave Beginnings and Production Skills
• The Broadcast Industry
• TV Studio
• Introduction to Broadcast Technology

Year 2

Apply advanced engineering concepts to complex, real-world media projects. Master virtual production workflows, colour science, sound fundamentals and live event broadcasting, backed by a professional work placement.

• Employment Skills
• Virtual Production Workflows
• Electronics
• Work Placement
• Live Studio and OB
• Fundamentals of Sound

Year 3

Master emerging broadcast technologies, hardware prototyping, and industry-standard software development. Deliver a self-directed final major project and showcase your work to prospective employers across the tech and media sectors.

• Future of Broadcasting
• FMP Prep
• Final Major Project
• Showcase
• Media Problem Solving

All modules are subject to revalidation.

A diverse range of assessment methods will be utilized, encompassing assignments, technical reports, physical builds, learning journals, and digital passports.

A variety of learning and teaching methods are employed in this course. 

These include but are not limited to;

Briefings, lectures, project work, seminars, workshops, collaborative work, online activity, individual tutorials, group presentations, critiques, external visits, technical support and self-directed independent study.

Study hours

BSc (Hons) Broadcast Engineering

• 864 hours of face-to-face taught
• 2736 hours independent study learning

BSc (Hons) Broadcast Engineering with Integrated Foundation Year

• 1152 hours of face-to-face taught
• 3648 hours independent study learning

Please note that students may occasionally be required to provide their own materials, specifically for the second-year electronics module. Additionally, the third-year showcase module incurs an estimated printing cost of £100 per year.

Students are strongly recommended to have a personal laptop suitable for design software. Shared studio computers are available on campus for students who do not yet have their own device. If a new equipment purchase is necessary, please allocate a one-off budget of approximately £600 to £1,200, ideally timed for the commencement of Year 1.

Our campus 

You'll study in a building designed to encourage collaboration between the different disciplines and practices within Ravensbourne, and to stimulate the work of innovative professionals and creative collaboration.

It features a variety of workspaces, including social and quiet areas, high-tech creative suites, technology hubs, design studios and more. 

Want to see where you'd be studying up close? When you book a guided building tour, you can see our fantastic facilities for yourself and find out more from one of our helpful student ambassadors.

Our local area

Ravensbourne is ideally connected - North Greenwich station is just a 2-minute walk away from our campus and offers amazing views from the Greenwich Peninsula.

These transport links offer an easy route to some of London's major business hubs, perfect for reaching possible placements or networking events with employers in the worlds of business or technology.  

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English and Maths in addition to any of the below;

• Two A Levels at grade CC or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade MPP
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma
• T Level (pass or above)
• Access to Higher Education Diploma
• International Baccalaureate at grade 24 or above
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 64 UCAS Tariff points

At Ravensbourne we take a flexible approach to admissions, as we want you to know exactly what you need to achieve in your exams to guarantee a place on the course. We still think exams are important and look forward to hearing about your successes, but we place just as much importance on the work you will share with us as part of our interview process.

Selection criteria:

Students should ideally have a background in technology, science, maths, design or media.  Experience in live events or theatre is also valuable.  Applicants do not need to submit a portfolio of work, but they may wish to do so. 

This course is likely to appeal to if you are interested in STEM careers but have not thought of broadcast engineering, so you would be asked to show your interest by researching roles and coming to interview prepared with questions about how this course matches your interests. 

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English and Maths in addition to any of the below;

• Two A Levels at grade DD or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade PPP
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 48 UCAS Tariff points

At Ravensbourne we take a flexible approach to admissions, as we want you to know exactly what you need to achieve in your exams to guarantee a place on the course. 

Selection criteria:

Students should ideally have a background in technology, science, maths, design or media.  Experience in live events or theatre is also valuable.  Applicants do not need to submit a portfolio of work, but they may wish to do so. 

This course is likely to appeal to if you are interested in STEM careers but have not thought of broadcast engineering, so you would be asked to show your interest by researching roles and coming to interview prepared with questions about how this course matches your interests. 

There are no interview or portfolio requirements for this course.