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Email:courseenquiries@bcu.ac.uk
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Entertainment Design
- BA (Hons)
- 3 Years
- Full-time
- 09/2026
- Undergraduate
- Margaret Street
Course summary
We all want to be entertained — but what if you could be the one who designs the magic? From film sets to festivals, live events to immersive worlds, BA (Hons) Entertainment Design puts you centre stage in shaping unforgettable experiences.
Our BA (Hons) Entertainment Design course prepares you to work across the dynamic and fast-growing entertainment industry where creativity meets experience. The scope and opportunities in entertainment design are boundless. Whether it’s immersive theatre, theme parks, music festivals, museum exhibitions, escape rooms, film sets, interactive installations, brand activations, a live event or digital environment, entertainment designers are the creative minds behind the scenes who design the spaces, narratives, atmospheres, and interactions that bring all these experiences and more to life.
Rooted in a rich legacy of performance design at BCU, the BA (Hons) Entertainment Design degree builds on the decades of experience we have gained in creative practice while preparing you for where the industry is heading next. You’ll explore what entertainment can be, and how you can shape it.
What's covered in this course?
This is a doing course. You’ll design, prototype, make, test, present, and refine. Every module offers a balance between developing academic knowledge, building technical skills, and harnessing creative autonomy, so you can develop a practice that’s both grounded and ambitious.
You’ll work with the core principles of entertainment design — storytelling, space, figure, and audience — and learn how they interact to create impactful experiences. You’ll also develop your own direction through research, studio practice, collaboration, and critical reflection.
Throughout the course, you’ll engage with industry-informed briefs and real-world challenges using emerging tools and technologies, while also exploring sustainable design practices and the ethical use of AI to ensure your work is both innovative and responsible. Our affiliation with creative professionals ensures that you’re learning is relevant—and what you create makes you industry-ready. Informed by sector leading organisations such as the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Blackhurst and Co, Katapult, Scruffy Dog Creative Group, Digbeth Loc. Studios, and Boomtown Festival, you'll have the opportunity to gain invaluable exposure to the creative processes, expectations, and innovations driving the entertainment design industry.
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Margaret Street
Study options
- BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years
Start dates
- 09/2026
Apply by
14 January
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Application codes
- Course code:
- 1275
- Institution code:
- B25
- Campus name:
- Margaret Street
- Campus Code:
- M
- Points of Entry:
- Year 1
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Birmingham City University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- 1275
- Institution code:
- B25
- Campus name:
- Margaret Street
- Campus Code:
- M
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 112 points
A level - BBC
A Level: 112 UCAS tariff points / BBC (or equivalent). AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels. A maximum of four subjects will be considered.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
112 UCAS tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass with 60 credits. At least 45 credits at level 3.
Accepted subjects: Arts, Media and Publishing subjects preferred but other subjects also considered.
Scottish Higher
112 UCAS tariff points from three Advanced Highers (CCD) or two Advanced Highers (CD) plus two Highers (CC).
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
112 UCAS tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
112 UCAS tariff points. Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications. Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
Scottish Advanced Higher
112 UCAS tariff points from three Advanced Highers (CCD) or two Advanced Highers (CD) plus two Highers (CC).
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 points
Obtain a minimum of 28 points overall.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
Minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects
GCSE/National 4/National 5
This course does not require evidence of GCSE qualifications.
T Level
Merit overall. All subjects accepted but Digital Production, Design and Development and Craft and Design preferred.
Welsh Baccalaureate: 112 UCAS tariff points. Considered with three A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 112 UCAS tariff points.
NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 112 UCAS tariff points.
WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 112 UCAS tariff points. Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s).
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma: Merit overall
Foundation Studies (Art and Design, and Art, Design and Media): Distinction overall
Additional entry requirements
- Portfolio
- Applicants will also need to submit a good portfolio.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | overall with no less than 5.5 in any level |
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| EU | £18570 | Year 1 |
| International | £18570 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
*The Government is proposing to apply an inflationary increase to regulated tuition fees for 2026/27 and the University is planning on increasing fees to that maximum level once confirmed.
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