UWL students gain BBC broadcasting experience on their first day as freshers

First year BA (Hons) Media and Communications, BA (Hons) Journalism with Content Creation and BA (Hons) Esports students at the University of West London (UWL) were given an exciting opportuity to take part in live radio interviews for the BBC on their first day of teaching on Monday 28 September.

Students from UWL’s London School of Film, Media and Design recorded interviews at the University’s Blast Radio station, sharing their experiences starting university life.

The sessions were led by UWL alumna Sian Medford, now a Live Radio Producer at the BBC Asian Network. Sian, who won the prestigious Gold Charles Parker Prize in 2019 for the UK’s best student audio feature, returned to produce an as-live feature with the students.

Discussing the realities of student life

Across two recording sessions, students explored topics that are relevant to those beginning university, including cooking for themselves, commuting to campus, getting to lectures on time, budgeting and managing finances and tips for settling into halls of residence.

The conversations provided students with valuable experience in sharing their stories and speaking confidently in a broadcast environment.

From UWL studios to the BBC airwaves

The first group of students took part in interviews recorded by the BBC and broadcast on Jaz Singh’s afternoon show on the BBC Asian Network.

Jaz Singh, who reached the final of the second series of the hit television programme The Traitors, presents the network’s afternoon show from 3pm to 6pm, Monday to Thursday.

A second group of students recorded interviews which were sent over to the BBC for editing and broadcast later in the week.

Learning by doing

For the students involved, the experience offered a unique insight into professional radio production, from creating content to hearing how interviews are presented on air.
Suzi Bowerman, Co-Course Leader for Media & Communications and Senior Lecturer in Radio & Sound Design at UWL, said:

“I am excited that the students got the experience of creating the content but also hearing how it’s cut together and how it lands live on air. It was a fun way for them to kick off their time with us at UWL.”

Sian Medford said:

“It was great to reconnect with UWL, Blast Radio and my former lecturers. My years at the university played such an important role in preparing me for where I am today. From being a student at UWL to now producing a peak-time show on national radio, it’s always a pleasure to share the knowledge and insight I’ve gained along the way with students who are in the same position I was in just a few years ago and hopefully inspire them to see what’s possible beyond university.”

Student Jay Pender said:

“It was interesting seeing how interviews on radio can be pre-recorded and put together into a more cohesive format for when it goes live on air later.”

Student Leyre Almanzar Perez said:

“Being on live radio for the first time was an opportunity that got me out of my comfort zone and helped me feel more confident in myself.”