Megan, Film and Television Studies

BA Film and Television Studies student, Megan, talked to us about some of the exciting opportunities she’s been involved in alongside her studies, the importance of the student voice, and the skills she’s gained for the future. 

Curriculum redesign. What does this mean, and when did you start the project? 

We started the Curriculum Redesign project at the end of first year. My role was Student Engagement Associate.  

The department wanted to shake up the whole curriculum and start implementing things over the next 2 – 3 years. I’ll have graduated by then, but I’ve given my input for the undergraduate programmes within Cultural Media and Visual Studies, along with other people in my department as well.

Can you explain the types of changes that have been discussed for the future of the curriculum? 

The main thing with curriculum redesign is trying to interrelate the three main degree programmes. It will benefit students in the future because it was looking at modernising the skillset that the degree programmes offer.

This will be useful, especially for future skills within the cultural and creative industries, and jobs that students often seek out. It’s likely it will become more individualised in the future, looking at tailoring the content more towards industry and towards the needs of students. 

How did it feel to be part of a project like this, and to have student voices involved in the process?  

It was nice because it was organic, students were recommending things for future students, and it wasn’t just directed by staff.

They asked for our feedback on what’s currently working and what isn’t, and where we can see the programmes go in the future. We also looked at things like cultural and technological advancements. 

What skills have you gained from being involved in university projects and how will these be useful in the future?  

The main skill I've gained is confidence, not just through the curriculum redesign project but through other associated roles within the faculty too.

I’ve been a Faculty Rep, and recently I did a speech in front of over 30 reps in the faculty.  

If someone said to me a couple of years ago that I’d be doing a speech and that I’d be presenting confidently, I wouldn’t have believed them. It’s been useful for public speaking, networking, and developing those communication skills.

What other opportunities have you taken part in, and what has your experience been like? 

There’s been quite a lot!

This year I'm a Course Rep and a Faculty Rep. It involves speaking with members of staff and liaising with students, putting in feedback, seeing what’s working in the department and making suggestions. 

Another new opportunity I've got is Publicity and Promotion Liaison on the Activities Executive Committee in the Students’ Union. It’s for people already within society committees, and I’m General Secretary for the Game Society. So we look at Students’ Union feedback, look into ideas and events. 

I feel like as time’s gone on and the more of these sorts of projects I’ve been involved with, I’ve been able to tell other students about opportunities and things too. I’ve also been a peer mentor this semester, so I’ve been able to talk to those students about the wider faculty.   

What would be your advice to students thinking about getting involved in university projects? 

Make the most of every single opportunity.

I know, it's quite cliche. But it's very true in terms of just whether it's through an e-mail, through an invite to something or through like, a part time opportunity with Unitemps, which is how I found out about some of my various roles.