The BBC and Birmingham City University (BCU) have announced a strategic partnership to give the next generation of media professionals practical skills and industry experience in the creative industries.
The 10-year collaboration will establish a centre for creative skills and learning at the Tea Factory in Digbeth, the BBC's new Midlands headquarters.
The partnership will help to deliver undergraduate and postgraduate courses across media, journalism, content creation, production, and broadcast technology.
Subject to final planning and landlord’s approvals, BCU will lease space within the Tea Factory and create training facilities built to BBC specifications. These will include hi-tech studios, workshops, teaching rooms, and breakout areas.
Students will learn in environments designed around current industry standards and practices. Meanwhile, the BBC will gain access to specialist training, studio, and technical facilities to support workforce development and skills training.
The partnership is designed to help bridge the gap between education and employment.
The BBC will contribute to workshops, shadowing opportunities, masterclasses, and live industry briefs, as well as lectures.
Simone Marquis, Chief Talent and Inclusion Officer, BBC, said: "We're delighted to be partnering with Birmingham City University to create new opportunities for talented people who aspire to careers in broadcasting, journalism, content creation, and media technology.
Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor, Birmingham City University, said: “We believe students learn best by doing, and there is no better preparation for the real world than learning your craft on industry-standard technology, alongside one of the world’s most respected broadcasters.”
According to a panel of leading media education experts on the IBC2026 Future Tech Ignite stage, one of the key issues facing M&E is the development of realistic expectations between further education and industry. Discover more here.
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