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Audio Storytelling for Radio and Podcast MA

London, Stratford (UCL East)

This practice-based MA focuses on the art of audio storytelling and the crafted audio feature, drawing on resources from the global audio community in many parts of the world. Students have in depth contact with leading practitioners throughout, culminating in a graduate project mentored by industry professionals.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£15,100
£7,550
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£34,400
£17,200
Duration
1 academic year
2 academic years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 28 Jun 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

We seek students who can show evidence of active engagement with visual or audio storytelling in previous work or study experience. We require a portfolio of work to support all applications. This should consist of one piece of creative work including (but not limited to) audio production/ filmmaking / installation of no more than 20 minutes duration, writing, painting, photography, music composition, or theatre. For those with a performing arts background, evidence of productions such as photos or reviews can be submitted in place of portfolio works.

We normally require an upper second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Applicants with lower second class degrees (i.e. UK 2:2 or the overseas equivalent) may be considered if their application is supported strongly by relevant experience. In exceptional circumstances, we will also consider applicants without higher education qualifications provided they demonstrate a significant track record in this or a related field.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

This practice-based MA will train you in the craft and techniques of audio storytelling, drawing inspiration from the global audio industry and equipping you to join it and shape it. Through this programme you will learn the skills necessary to produce short and feature-length creative audio works for radio, podcasts and other audio platforms. You will learn to use a range of techniques and experiment with form. You will also gain the relevant technical know-how to produce your ideas to a professional standard.

This programme has been designed to meet the demands of a new and growing market for audio, one which hinges on the ability to deliver creative and compelling stories. You will also be supported as you experiment and take risks, drawing on the foundational techniques to develop your own creative voice. Across the programme you will also be introduced to and engage with ethical questions around immersive storytelling. The programme is designed to include a number of modules you can choose from, a selection of which is offered in Anthropology, to allow you to enrich your appreciation and understanding of factual storytelling in different contexts and media.  

You will have contact with active practitioners through our tutors, mentors and masterclass providers and acquire tools and resources to help you navigate this new and thriving landscape.

Who this course is for

This programme is best suited to students looking to start or expand their audio storytelling practice in a professional framework, guided by leading industry figures and informed by innovative approaches to audio storytelling.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

Learning about audio storytelling in an anthropological setting provides many opportunities for cross-disciplinary research and creativity. Public Anthropology at UCL is an environment where industry and academia intersect. Along with learning storytelling and technical skills, students can explore anthropological methods and ideas leading up to creating an ambitious practical work, mentored by leading factual audio storytellers.  

UCL Anthropology ranks fourth in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023, making it the top ranked institution in London, and third in the UK and Europe for the subject.

The programme is based at our brand new UCL East campus in East London, forming part of the School for Creative and Cultural Industries. Students will benefit from cultural and educational connections with our East Bank partners such as the V&A and BBC, as well as state-of-the-art facilities including media studios, exhibition, performance and curating spaces, and a 160-seater surround-sound cinema.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

This is a new degree so there are no alumni yet. However, student work from its sister module, taught as an optional to undergraduates and postgraduates, won the coveted Charles Parker prize in 2022.

Employability

The programme provides you with all the research, pitching, pre-production, production, editing, delivery and entry-level distribution as well as ethical skills required for producers in radio, audio or podcast. Audio storytelling is part of advertising, sound design, marketing and PR in addition to broadcasting and podcasting. The rigours of rapid turn-around audio production and delivery also provides a general training for anyone willing to work in an industry that demands problem solving, communication skills, teamwork and creative initiative.

Networking

Students will have the opportunity to network with figures from across the world of audio and factual storytelling, including guest speakers, mentors and masterclass practitioners. In addition to this, students will be encouraged to develop relationships with individuals across the audio industry throughout the duration of the programme. There will also be the opportunity to attend key industry events owing to UCL’s London location.

Teaching and learning

You’ll learn through lectures, tutorials, personal listening, supplementary reading, critical discussions and fast-turnaround practical exercises. The compulsory module Advanced Audio Storytelling Practice for Radio and Podcast will be delivered primarily through supervised project work. Across the programme, you will spend a minimum of six hours each week completing recording and editing exercises, building up a portfolio of work.

You will be assessed on audio works of varying lengths and styles, on critical evaluations and pre-production folders.

There will be approximately 320 hours in the classroom (in seminars, lab work, lectures) and around 600 hours of guided independent study along with one-to-one time with tutors and mentors.

Modules

The programme comprises three compulsory modules and three optional modules chosen from a list of options offered in the department.

Introduction to the Practice of Audio Storytelling gives you a comprehensive skillset - both technical and creative - to produce high-level professional short-form creative audio works. Through lectures, seminars, practical exercises and critical analysis you will develop a solid foundation in audio storytelling.

International Audio Criticism and Analysis will help you build a deep knowledge of different historical and cultural audio production styles.

For Advanced Audio Storytelling Practice, you create a feature-length audio work guided by a leading industry mentor. Designed to equip you for entry into high level audio work, alongside advanced work in pitching, project planning, budgeting, music and editing, copyright and ethics, you will have a series of lectures and masterclasses focussed on bridging the path into professional work.

As a part-time student you will take the compulsory modules Introduction to the Practice of Audio Storytelling and International Audio Criticism and Analysis as well as one or two optional modules in the first year. In the second year, you will take Advanced Audio Storytelling and the remainder of your optional modules.

Compulsory modules





Optional modules










Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MA in Audio Storytelling for Radio and Podcast.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £15,100 £7,550
Tuition fees (2024/25) £34,400 £17,200

Additional costs

As the programme is based at the UCL East campus in Stratford, students will need to fund their own travel between the Bloomsbury and UCL East campuses if they choose to take an optional module available only at Bloomsbury.

Students are expected to complete their coursework on campus, as the computers on site are equipped to support video editing.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

UCL East Scholarship

The scholarship works to support the ambitions of east Londoners by funding the fees and living costs of eligible Master's programmes including this MA at UCL. Further details at: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/scholarships/ucl-east-london-scholarship.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Aziz Foundation Scholarships in Social and Historical Sciences

Value: Full tuition fees (equivalent to 1yr full-time) (1yr)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

UCL East London Scholarship

Deadline: 20 June 2024
Value: Tuition fees plus £15,700 stipend ()
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

Next steps

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study audio storytelling at graduate level
  • why you want to study audio storytelling at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of a challenging academic environment and this programme in particular
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

How to submit your portfolio

Submit your portfolio by including a link to an external site of your choice in the application (e.g. in the personal statement).

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Anthropology
Anthropology

public.anthro@ucl.ac.uk

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