Lighting Design

Rose Bruford College was the first institution in Europe to offer a degree in Lighting Design, and we’re excited to relaunch this innovative course. Through hands-on experience and creative exploration, this programme equips you with the skills needed to design and work with light across a variety of contexts. You’ll collaborate with industry professionals, learning the techniques and technologies shaping the future of lighting design.
This practical course focuses on the current uses and applications of light, encouraging you to consider its role in live performance and beyond. You’ll develop transferable design skills for a range of industries, including music, film, television, opera, architectural settings, and installation art.

Why choose this course?
Career-focused learning
This course is designed for those eager to develop their own lighting design style and pursue a career across the creative industries. Our graduates have gone on to work in diverse fields such as live music, dance, opera, film, corporate events, and architectural installations.

Learn from world-class professionals
You’ll have the chance to work with and learn from leading designers, gaining valuable insights into their creative processes. Recent visiting experts have included Willie Williams (Visual Designer for U2, David Bowie, Complicité) and Andi Watson (Lighting Designer for Radiohead).

Professional experience and networking
Benefit from practice-based learning, including work placements with UK and international industry partners. In your final year, you’ll have the opportunity to work on individual or collaborative projects, building your portfolio and professional network.

State-of-the-art facilities
Train on professional-grade equipment and technologies, including lighting consoles, projection systems, and computer-aided design tools.

You may also be interested in:
Creative Lighting Control, BA (Hons)

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll begin developing foundational technical, practical, and creative skills as a lighting specialist. Through hands-on projects and simulated professional environments, you’ll explore the core concepts of lighting design. By the end of the year, you’ll be able to:
• Identify key principles and concepts of lighting design.
• Demonstrate knowledge of lighting and visual media technologies.
• Employ fundamental techniques and practices.
• Develop transferable skills for future employment.
Modules include:
• Essential Lighting
• Essential Production Skills
• Essential Video
• Shared Module

Year 2
Your second year focuses on refining your skills and applying them in more complex, professional contexts. You’ll take on roles in live productions and develop a deeper understanding of the creative industries.
Modules include:
• Advanced Lighting Design
Build on your skills, advancing to a professional standard through practical and theoretical work.
• Live Events
Explore the theories and practices of live event production. You’ll learn to design and implement lighting systems in new and challenging performance spaces.
• Production Process
Take on the role of Lighting Designer in a college production, developing your creative and technical abilities.
• The Sustainable Practitioner
Learn sustainable practices for lighting design and understand the environmental impacts of your work.

Year 3
In your final year, you’ll work independently, preparing to transition from study to professional practice. You’ll undertake placements or projects tailored to your chosen career path, gaining real-world experience and developing industry-ready skills.
Modules include:
• Vocational Practice
Analyze the techniques and processes of professional lighting designers while undertaking projects or industry placements.
• Professional Preparation and Practice
Examine the industry sector you aim to join, gaining insights into employment pathways or self-employment strategies.
• Independent Research Project
Conduct a major piece of research or a creative project, showcasing your expertise and personal interests.

Throughout the course, your learning will combine scheduled teaching, practical projects, and independent study.
• Year 1: Approximately 320 hours of taught sessions and 880 hours of independent work.
• Year 2: Around 180 hours of taught sessions and 1,020 hours of independent work.
• Year 3: Around 60 hours of taught sessions and 1,140 hours of independent work.
Assessment methods include coursework, presentations, assessed tutorials, and portfolios.

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS