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.

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.

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.

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.