Turning a hobby into a career with a Master’s
Hi, I thought I’d share this case study for anyone interested in changing careers at a postgraduate level or in getting into media and radio 
Birmingham City University postgraduate student Olanrewaju originally did an undergraduate degree in Psychology in Nigeria. But while he was studying, he’d been volunteering at his school’s radio station and realised that broadcasting was actually what he wanted to pursue properly.
Instead of ignoring that interest, he decided to go for a postgraduate degree and applied for the MA in Media Production at BCU to build on the practical experience he’d already had.
One of the reasons he chose BCU was the hands-on approach. Compared to his previous degree, he found postgraduate study much more practical and workshop-based, with smaller classes and more opportunities to actually collaborate with people. It wasn’t just theory – it was making things, producing content and getting real experience.
He’s said that the support from tutors made a big difference, too. Regular tutorials, detailed feedback and guidance helped him understand what he was good at and where he needed to improve. He also mentioned that student support was helpful early on, especially with things like academic referencing (which can be a big adjustment if you’ve studied in a different country before).
In terms of the course itself, it wasn’t just about presenting on the radio. He studied broader aspects of broadcasting, including a module on Community and Development Radio, where he learned how to set up and manage a community station and understand the legal side of broadcasting. It gave him a much wider understanding of how the industry works beyond being “on air”.
Since starting the course, he’s built up a proper portfolio. For his final project, he created his own podcast series. He also joined Scratch Radio (BCU’s student radio station) and launched the university’s first Afrobeats show. On top of that, he was featured as a guest co-host on a local BBC evening radio show, which is a pretty major opportunity while still studying.
He’s also attended industry events like the Charles Parker radio conference hosted at the university, which helped him connect with professionals in the UK broadcasting scene.
Overall, it sounds like the course helped him turn something that started as a hobby into a realistic career path. More than anything, he’s said it’s boosted his confidence and helped him feel ready to work professionally in broadcasting!
I hope this is useful to anyone thinking about switching fields for postgrad, or who’s into radio and wondering whether a media production degree is worth it.
Check out the course page if you're interested, and get your free guide to
postgraduate study or ask me anything
Abbie
BCU Rep
Birmingham City University postgraduate student Olanrewaju originally did an undergraduate degree in Psychology in Nigeria. But while he was studying, he’d been volunteering at his school’s radio station and realised that broadcasting was actually what he wanted to pursue properly.
Instead of ignoring that interest, he decided to go for a postgraduate degree and applied for the MA in Media Production at BCU to build on the practical experience he’d already had.
One of the reasons he chose BCU was the hands-on approach. Compared to his previous degree, he found postgraduate study much more practical and workshop-based, with smaller classes and more opportunities to actually collaborate with people. It wasn’t just theory – it was making things, producing content and getting real experience.
He’s said that the support from tutors made a big difference, too. Regular tutorials, detailed feedback and guidance helped him understand what he was good at and where he needed to improve. He also mentioned that student support was helpful early on, especially with things like academic referencing (which can be a big adjustment if you’ve studied in a different country before).
In terms of the course itself, it wasn’t just about presenting on the radio. He studied broader aspects of broadcasting, including a module on Community and Development Radio, where he learned how to set up and manage a community station and understand the legal side of broadcasting. It gave him a much wider understanding of how the industry works beyond being “on air”.
Since starting the course, he’s built up a proper portfolio. For his final project, he created his own podcast series. He also joined Scratch Radio (BCU’s student radio station) and launched the university’s first Afrobeats show. On top of that, he was featured as a guest co-host on a local BBC evening radio show, which is a pretty major opportunity while still studying.
He’s also attended industry events like the Charles Parker radio conference hosted at the university, which helped him connect with professionals in the UK broadcasting scene.
Overall, it sounds like the course helped him turn something that started as a hobby into a realistic career path. More than anything, he’s said it’s boosted his confidence and helped him feel ready to work professionally in broadcasting!
I hope this is useful to anyone thinking about switching fields for postgrad, or who’s into radio and wondering whether a media production degree is worth it.
Check out the course page if you're interested, and get your free guide to
postgraduate study or ask me anything
Abbie
BCU Rep
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