News that a multi-million Hollywood style studio is to be set up at Broxbourne in Herts, is news to the ears of graduates of The Bedford College Group.
Students at the South Bank Centre in Bedford are preparing for a career in films with a range of performing arts and movie-making technical skills.
Among them is the “top up” degree course taking students to full BA qualifications.
Of 14 students who embarked on the brand new Media Technology and Music Production BAs (Level 6) all have now heard they have passed, and four gained 1st Class degrees.
Course Manager Sean Doyle MA, said: “We are so proud of all our students who are now well-placed to seek careers in the fast-moving fields of movies and music.”
The students themselves are a great mix of people proving how “progressing” from entry level courses to a full degree is very accessible at The Bedford College Group. This applies across a range of subject areas where people can study at a Higher Education level bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk
Patrick Taylor, Music Technology graduate, of Milton Keynes travelled to the South Bank Centre in Bedford because: “There is nothing else like this in the area. The lecturers here know how the industry works and offer great insights.”
Patrick progressed from a Foundation Degree into the top up at Bedford College. In addition to being a guitarist, Patrick, is working in ‘mastering’ engineering in the industry, and as a technician at Milton Keynes Theatre.
Fellow Music Technology success, Ryan Shackleton, 23, of Clapham, Bedford joined the college as a Level 3 student and worked his way towards his degree. He has made contacts in South Korea and plans to work there alongside his new musical friends.
“It’s very welcoming and comfortable here at Bedford College, but also inspiring.”
Media production graduate Charlotte Afflick from Wootton came to college at the age of 16 to take a Level 3 BTEC in Media, TV and Film. She stayed on to progress through her Higher Education journey via a Foundation Degree and now has a 1st in Music Production. “It’s brilliant at Bedford College. Covid could have put a spanner in the works, but the staff made it all fit and now I am looking to head towards a career in production management.”
John Harrison, aged 42, decided to pursue his interest in movies as a profession, signing up as a mature student. Living in Bedford, the location of the campus and the flexibility of hours meant he could keep his job while writing scripts and planning his first film with a fellow 2021 graduate Matthew Jolaosho, who has a film in the Toronto Film Festival.
https://bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/about/news/matthew-taking-the-movie-business-by-storm/
Alex Mortby Director of Higher Education said: “Our Higher Education courses are well recognised by a wide range of major employers in engineering, technology, health and care services, and our links with the arts and creative industries offer vital in-roads for students. The Bedford College Group is a great place to be an undergraduate, all the quality of teaching and contacts, without the living away costs of going to university.”
August 10: Thinking of going through clearing to find a degree course?
Look at The Bedford College Group campuses in Beds and Northants. No need to ramp up accommodation costs, or give up local jobs. Final date for applications October 19.
Want to consider your options for progression to a degree without staying simply staying on at school?
Log on to Bedford College Group’s Virtual GCSE Advice Day Thursday 12th and Friday 13th August.
