Broadcast Engineering MSc

Developed and delivered in partnership with the BBC, our MSc Broadcast Engineering is designed to meet the growing demand for technically proficient, creative problem-solvers who can contribute to the constantly evolving broadcast industry.

Whether you are looking to advance your career or build specialist expertise, the course is designed to elevate your skills and prepare you for the challenges of a rapidly changing sector.

Broadcast technologies are continually evolving, integrating with systems such as IP-based media delivery, games, virtual environments, and AI, to transform how media is created, managed, and delivered. The UK has long been at the forefront of this evolution, with a high calibre of recognition in the TV production and technology industries. The course is underpinned by this UK expertise. This unique collaboration with the BBC will provide you with the opportunity to engage with industry professionals and develop practical skills using industry-standard broadcast facilities and technologies.

This course is shaped by close engagement with industry, drawing on live case studies, current industry standards, and the expertise of teaching staff with ongoing involvement in broadcast engineering, research and practice. You will engage with industry-standard systems and real-world production challenges throughout the course, ensuring your learning reflects the rapidly evolving demands of the broadcast and media technology sector.

You will develop advanced technical knowledge and hands-on expertise across the theories, technologies, and practices that underpin modern broadcast engineering. This course embodies a STEAM-based approach, combining rigorous engineering and technical foundations, from broadcast systems and networking to AI and data-driven technologies, with the creative and production disciplines central to modern media-making. Through project modules grounded in industry practice and standards, you’ll develop the technical depth expected of an engineer alongside the creative, collaborative, and problem-solving skills needed to deliver real-world solutions to current industry challenges.

If you're technically minded and enjoy solving complex problems in a fast-paced environment, broadcast engineering offers a rewarding route into the dynamic and ever-evolving media technology industry.

Teaching will take place at BCU's City Centre Campus and, subject to final planning approval, at the BBC's new Midlands headquarters at the Tea Factory.

What’s covered in the course?

You’ll apply analytical and problem-solving skills to evaluate interconnected systems, make informed technical decisions under pressure, and develop solutions aligned with technical and operational requirements.

Develop professional competence through effective communication, collaborative working within multidisciplinary broadcast environments, and apply safety awareness and professional standards when managing complex technical operations.

Gain comprehensive technical knowledge of broadcast systems, alongside an understanding of the protocols and technologies that enable audio and video workflows.

You’ll manage your professional development, critically evaluating emerging technologies and responding to technological change.

Develop a critical awareness of the environmental, ethical and societal implications of broadcast engineering technologies, including their impact on energy consumption, resource use and sustainable production practices.

Professional placement year

This course offers an optional 20-week professional placement, enabling you to gain valuable industry experience following successful completion of your taught modules. If you choose to pursue a placement, you will need to secure a suitable placement related to your chosen area of study. Opportunities are secured through a competitive recruitment process, and placements with specific employers cannot be guaranteed.