This practical diploma course is designed to give budding production managers a head start to launch a career in film or TV production.

“I wish this course had been around when I started as a Production Manager, as I would have made a lot less mistakes!” Sue Vertue, Producer of Sherlock.

What does it take to be a Production Manager? Someone who can multi-task, be dynamic, communicate well and stay calm under pressure; is creative with budgets but keeps an eye on the bottom line; who knows enough about health and safety to protect the cast and crew but not detract from getting the right shot; who knows about the best locations at the best price – and who knows production from start to finish. Our graduates are extremely sought after to fill exciting positions from entry level to senior production positions.

We believe the best way to prepare for a career in production is to learn the essential skills and put them straight into practice, working to industry standards using professional processes, software and systems on real productions. This unique course combines taught sessions with extensive hands-on production management of our award-winning short drama films, animations, documentaries, live and multi-cam TV shows. Production Managers at NFTS collaborate across the many departments on several productions, filmed on location and in our studios at NFTS, on 16mm and digital formats to experience setting up many different types of shoots.

Working to industry standards and with the full production budget costs and equipment provided by NFTS, you get to focus on managing the production and working closely with the creatives - there’s no better way to hone your production skills.

Delivered in partnership with the BBC and working with leading industry partners, the course aims to give students the specialist knowledge and practical work experience needed for a successful career. Student Membership to the prestigious Production Guild is also provided. 

A 10-day work experience placement is included and previous students have enjoyed placements at Eon, Carnival Films, IMG, Neal Street Productions, Hartswood Films, Endemol, Bedlam Productions, Kudos, Keo, BBC Studios, Renegade, World Productions, See Saw Films, and Revolution Films.

Graduates have gone on to work successfully on award-winning productions. Recent credits include Killing Eve, Silent Witness, The Crown, Call the Midwife, Mary Poppins Returns, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Dunkirk, Doctor Strange, Jason Bourne, Spectre, Wonder Woman, The One Show, Mowgli, Sherlock Gnomes, Paddington 2, Black Mirror, The South Bank Show, The Doctor Who Gave up Drugs, Catastrophe, and many more.

All NFTS students can attend the School’s masterclasses programme, with recent guests including Martin McDonagh (In Bruges, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag, Killing Eve), Asif Kapadia (Amy, Senna, Diego Maradona),  Lynne Ramsay (You Were Never Really Here, We Need to Talk About Kevin), Louis Theroux, and M Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Glass).

​This course is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries, and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality-mark which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.​

The NFTS wants to encourage applications from the brightest and best talent out there, whatever your background. That’s why we have made scholarship funding available for this course – find out more here. Two scholarships are also generously provided for this course by Sargent-Disc.