You want to work in TV - so should you go to University first?

6th February 2023

We recently asked the members of the Facebook Runners group whether they felt that going to University (or not) was worth it in the light of their careers in the industry so far. It produced a mixed response, and a fairly evenly split vote where around half thought it had helped, and a half thought not.

If you are thinking about whether you should go, some of the answers might be helpful in helping you make an informed choice (and also how to help your chances if you do go):

“Unless you passionately want to study and learn about the technicality of a specific area I personally don’t believe you need a degree at all. I’ve only ever been asked about experience never education level. 4 and a half years in and 4 and a half years of experience as opposed to people who left college at the same time who now have a degree and maybe 6-12 months experience”.

“I think if I hadn’t have done the course I wouldn’t have had a clue on how a set operates or how to even think about gaining work. During my 3 years there I worked on a wide range of projects from documentaries, music videos, fiction, commercial, giving me an insight into what avenue I’d like to go down. Also through the university I got my first industry credit as an AD trainee on a short film which is what kickstarted my CV and gave me the belief that I can keep gaining work. If I hadn’t had gone to uni I wouldn’t have met some of the brilliant friends I have now, one of which was the reason I got my first HETV credit”.

“If I didn’t go to Uni, I wouldn’t have met my friend who got me my first job. I would have found the industry too scary to even try and wouldn’t have known where to start even if I did have the confidence”.

“I grew up in XXX and, although the industry is growing down there, it’s difficult to make a start. University gave me my ticket to leave, to learn the practical/technical skills that my college just didn’t supply me with and I couldn’t afford to learn by myself. My Course Director at University also put a lot of focus into our professional futures - careers events, film festivals, work experience, and ensuring we had a plan for after we had completed our course. One of the careers fairs he took us to is where I found my first gig after University...I don’t think that university is totally necessary for everyone trying to make it, but it certainly made my life a lot easier!”.

“I started university in September studying media. After a short period of time there I realised that the course wasn’t for me and decided to try a different one again doing media. I joined in November and decided to leave last week coming to the conclusion that university just wasn’t something I wanted to do!  I’d just say to people don’t feel pressured into thinking you have to go to university/stay in university if you don’t like it”.

“I think I learnt a lot in both my degrees in the U.K. I was interested in the theoretical side of things as well as practical skills. I think my degree was useful for that. In University I got practical experience by making various short films at the Film Society, and other media related jobs, but the location of the University in my undergrad certainly didn’t help so there was no runner opportunities in that area at the time. I think the main issue really was the Visa problem. There are very rare cases in the TV and Film industry when companies would offer an sponsorship, so I needed to focus on a company who would do that. I think to this day no company I’ve seen has granted international student media related visas. Now I have no visa problems due to my personal life, and I’ve worked in personal projects and I’m producing my first feature film, but really my degree/ university didn’t help”.

“Practical and theory course. Good networking opportunities. Did work experience whilst in 3rd year, offered a job on leaving”.

“As an occasional lecturer, I would suggest that academic learning at uni is NOT the same as on the job training… it’s not supposed to be. What uni does is give you a space to explore your own ideas, learn critical thinking and analysis, generally be surrounded by people who are interested in the same stuff as you, introduce you to concepts and ideas and tools and people you wouldn’t otherwise experience… and all that isn’t directly related to “getting a job in media” or learning how to do a specific job, but it does surround you in The Culture, which makes you more likely to be interested in the right stuff, think in the right way and interact with the right people to progress through a career in media faster…”.

“I don’t think the degree you do necessarily impacts your chances of getting a job in TV, but I think going to University gives you so many other valuable experiences. I did a gap year before going to university and during this time got a job with BBC News as a runner in their newsroom. So by the time I finished university I already had some experience and it was this that helped me get other TV jobs, not my degree.  However University is also a lot more than just the degree; it gives you so many other valuable life experiences like moving away from home, living with people you’ve never met etc”.

“I think university gave me the space and time I needed to grow into someone who could handle the TV industry, if I had tried to break in straight out of high school I don't think I would've gotten far. But I would say the majority of the content of my degree did not give me any skills that helped me find work in TV. However in my final year, my lecturer would often invite industry experts in for us to pitch ideas to etc. There were also events where we could volunteer as runners or help with filming. At one of these events I got on some very good terms with the MD of an indie production company and when I finished my dissertation I asked them for some work experience which ultimately kick started my career. Other people on my course didn't take those opportunities and I think many of them didn't manage to break into the industry. So a degree isn't worth it just on its own but if you can get experience with it, say yes to every opportunity even if it means giving up a Saturday night, then it could help you get started”.

“No job yet - but I’m doing a non media degree and I firmly believe it will help: 

a) i knew I was interested in film when I started uni but was immature and would have been frankly a menace on set, it gave me time to grow and learn about what I want 

b) i learnt things that will help me survive empty periods where I can’t find a job (experience as a barista and kitchen assistant in the SU, tutoring in my subjects, transferable skills from societies) and 

c) I genuinely really love learning (which I know doesn’t apply to everyone so discount this if its not relevant) so its helped me figure out how to continue learning outside education while still getting in camera time and being involved with film
d) I have friends here who are interested in film, or related subjects and while that's not the same as networking, it's so much easier to keep motivated when you have other people reminding you why you want to do this and who believe in you
That said - the amount of student debt is insane and I have no idea how that will play out finances wise in the future”.

“My university course was 70% practical, making 6-7 films every year on c300s with primes so an industry standard camera (at the time!). I can't believe I talk to people who only made 2-3 films the entire time they were at Uni! I left Uni with nearly 15 short films I'd worked on which might not mean anything in the industry but definitely gave me the practical problem solving skills I needed to be the camera assistant I am now. I also chose to do a course that had mandatory work experience modules so we had to go and make our own contacts in the real world. These 2 things combined made my course well worth it, even when the end result (the degree!) Was pretty meaningless once in the industry. I ended up getting work via networking events in my local area but again felt my course gave me the confidence to do this and approach people I wanted to work with! Be selective about which course and it can be worth it!”.

“I did education and it helped me get a job - the jobs have been small, day job projects and not studio jobs however I've either been headhunted or I've got them through connections in my degree. I would say education was worth it for me as it helped beat my anxiety and self doubt in my ability and knowledge. You definitely still need to put yourself out there though”.

“I did a BTEC in media which taught me the foundations in editing and then I went straight into TV from there bosh!”.

“I did a Media and Cultural Studies course, non-practical, and graduated 1998, but it never helped me get a job. Unfortunately after many failed applications and the necessity to eat I fell into a variety of other jobs, the longest being in recruitment. Continued applying for jobs in TV but still nope nada. Had a career break to be a full time dad yet still now find my media degree to be an obstacle as many of the opportunities/ training/ apprenticeships offered (aside from getting over the 18-25 hurdle, I'm 48) seem to exclude media grads. I seriously wish I'd studied something else now and had a completely unrelated degree which wouldn't have excluded me from certain opportunities. I'd advise those considering going to study media at uni these days if it's not a screen accredited course don't bother. £30k for a pretty useless piece of paper is pretty steep for the "experience " of going to University”.

“I did a non-media undergrad (English literature) and a media related Masters. Both helped but also didn’t help in different ways. Masters helped me with technical skills. English helped with research, analysis, knowledge of the world, story telling, and writing. I managed to get full time work as a junior editor after my Masters. However, freelancing as a runner was not working out. As long as you’re doing film related stuff outside of your course, I wouldn’t worry about a non-media degree. Several industry people I’ve spoken to have actually said they sometimes prefer people with degrees like history for research jobs”.

“I did a mix of courses/jobs for years. And I will always say that in this industry, it is WHO you know”.

“If you only do the course without being proactive outside of the course, or if you don’t have an option to do some kind of work experience. It’s probably not for you. At the end of the day it’s about drive. If you don’t go to uni but you have the drive to research and find out about networking, courses and schemes available outside of uni, then that’s what will get your foot in the door. If you really want something, you will find a way no matter your education. Especially now, there’s so many schemes and opportunities for people not at university or graduates, it’s amazing. Uni is helpful to find yourself and building confidence, and sets some kind of grounding in a people filled atmosphere. But you can find that on schemes and courses. Go to uni if you want the uni experience of making films, don’t go to uni if you’re not interested in doing that. It’s about the person’s individual circumstances and needs”.

“Personally I believe people are more into experience/what you’ve gone out and done than the degree itself”.

“I didn't go to university. Following A-levels I became a carer. I got a one off job shopping/buying for a commercial with a stylist via Facebook due to my skills from the market cash handling and working with the public/trusted and responsible worker etc. I began working dailies in costume alongside my part time contracts for about 1 1/2 - 2 years. In 2019 I was offered redundancy and I chose to go freelance at this point. Two days later I got a call asking if I could be in XXX the next morning for 8am for a week and a half's work. I said yes, drove down in my car and stayed at a friend of a friend's until I could sort accommodation. I ended up staying on that production for 3 1/2 months, made several great contacts I've worked with numerous times since and have been working full time in the industry since for nearly four years now. Life experience has counted for so much more for me than any of my education. Nothing I studied (apart from the usual maths, English and science basics) has been used in my career. Just know you do not have to go the traditional route. You just need a crack to squeeze through.

The life skills that have helped me are:
the ability to prioritise
Asking lots of questions. (not enough questions get asked!)
Talking with people, not just from your department.
Be willing to try different approaches and take people's advice. 

Hoarding knowledge and tricks/tips is not the way to keep all the work to yourself. Becoming known as good at your job and good to go to advise for is more valuable to others”.

”For me the degree doesn't help you get work, but if you're someone who wants to create and nurture your own craft, giving you the opportunity to use good equipment and head your own projects, it's a fantastic idea. I really enjoyed it for this very reason, although I understand that the degree doesn't hold much value when finding work”.

“I did a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in TV & Radio production, then went straight into working at several startup production companies, moved to London and worked in TV for a while, then went back to a startup in a senior role, now back in London again in another senior role at a much bigger organisation. On the job learning and training worked for me, and being at startups gave me the flexibility to experiment with new ideas whilst also having to be resourceful with the smaller teams and budgets we had to play with. I think University is a good option for some, but vocational training is also a good route to go down”.

“Massive shout to no uni at all. You learn everything on the job and everyone starts the same as a runner at the bottom anyway - you could start 3 years earlier and have no student debt I've been working in TV for 12 years now and never had any issues. When employing people I also don’t necessarily take notice of their uni experience but their experience in work”.

Here is the original poll on Facebook