There’s no doubt that Bristol is a top location for those wanting to study media, the city offers a rich blend of academic excellence with unique industry opportunities. With its well-renowned creative sector, studying a media course in Bristol opens the door to various media careers in film, TV, digital media, and much more. 

Whether you’re interested in photography, film, animation, production, or graphic design, studying media in Bristol will provide the skills and connections needed to succeed in the fast-paced industry.

What is a media course?

Media courses focus on the study and practice of various forms of media, including film, TV, radio, digital media, journalism, advertising, and social media.

Media courses can be either broad or specialised, depending on the institution, and typically combine both academic study with practical skills to prepare students for further education and careers in the industry.

Why Bristol? 

Bristol offers a great mix of industry opportunities, academic quality, and creative inspiration, making it an amazing city to study a media course in.

Home to a thriving creative media scene, particularly known for its association with television production, animation, and film. The city is the base for many famous media companies, such as the BBC Natural History Unit and Aardman Animations (famous for Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep). Giving media students direct access to potential internships, networking, and job opportunities.

Bristol has a vibrant arts and culture scene, with numerous festivals (like Bristol Light Festival, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta and Dot to Dot Festival), independent cinemas, and cultural hubs like Watershed. This richly creative environment makes it easy to find inspiration and even collaborate with other like-minded people.

10 Reasons to study a media course in Bristol

If you still need a little more convincing, here are our 10 reasons why Bristol is the perfect place to study a media course:

1) Thriving Media and Creative Industry Hub

As mentioned above, Bristol is home to some of the biggest creative media companies meaning there are ample opportunities for internships, work experience, networking and industry connections.

2) Creative and Cultural Scene

Bristol has a vibrant cultural landscape with events like the Encounters Short Film Festival, art galleries, and independent cinemas. Allowing media students to immerse themselves in a rich creative environment while gaining inspiration and even opportunities for collaboration.

3) Film and Television Production Hub

Bristol is a growing hub for TV and film production, with lots being regularly filmed in the city. Media students may have the chance to work on real-world productions and gain valuable experience on set.

4) Independent and Alternative Media

Bristol has a tradition of independent media production, from independent filmmakers to alternative radio stations and online platforms. This allows students to explore diverse forms of media beyond the mainstream.

5) Access to Industry Professionals

Bristol hosts a huge network of industry professionals, many of whom collaborate with local colleges and universities for guest lectures, workshops, and sometimes even mentorship opportunities. 

6) Collaborative Opportunities

The creative community in Bristol is highly collaborative, providing opportunities to work with artists, filmmakers, and musicians. This will help media students build portfolios showcasing a variety of amazing work while gaining hands-on experience.

7) Sustainability and Environmental Focus

Bristol is renowned for its sustainability efforts, and the media industry reflects that with projects which focus on environmental issues. For example, BBC’s Natural History programming is produced in Bristol, allowing students to explore the media’s role in raising awareness about the environment.

8) Reputable Universities

If you choose to study media further, both the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England (UWE) offer acclaimed media courses. UWE is known for its practical, hands-on media courses, while the University of Bristol provides in-depth theoretical and academic approaches.

9) Cutting-Edge Facilities

Colleges and Universities in Bristol provide students with access to state-of-the-art media production facilities, including film studios, editing suites, and digital equipment.

10) Post-Graduation Employment Opportunities

With Bristol’s media and creative industries thriving and continuing to grow, there are plenty of opportunities for employment after study for those wanting to stay in the city. 

Media careers in Bristol

Bristol’s reputation as a hub for creative industries has grown dramatically in recent years making it an exciting place to pursue a media career. 

If you fancy a career in film and TV, Bristol is home to the BBC Natural History Unit, Icon Films, and Plimsoll Productions. Or if you want to get into animation and visual effects (VFX) there are plenty of amazing local companies like Aardman Animations and Moonraker VFX. There are also plenty of opportunities in local radio stations and podcasting if that’s the route you wish to go down. 

Not to mention the digital marketing agencies like Fat Media, creative agencies like McCann Bristol and Bray Leino, and the list goes on! As well as digital media, there are opportunities in local print and online journalism, such as Bristol Post and Bristol 24/7. 

As you can see, Bristol is a fantastic place for media students with its thriving creative industries and strong production scene. The city’s supportive environment for creatives makes it an excellent place to launch a successful media career.

Where can I study media in Bristol?

If you fancy a career in media then look no further! Access Creative College (ACC) is the perfect place to start your journey. 

Our media courses are tailored to the creative industries, providing a practical, skill-based education which prepares students for media careers. We have strong links with industry professionals and companies, often inviting guest speakers and arranging unique and exciting work experience opportunities. We offer vocational courses in Film, Photography and Videography, Animation and Visual Effects, and Graphic and Digital Design! We also even offer a bespoke T Level in Content Creation. 

We offer high-quality facilities which mirror real-world industry environments. Media students will have access to professional-grade equipment and editing suites, helping them prepare for the expectations of the media industry.

So, what are you waiting for? Why not attend one of our open days to see for yourself?