Distinguished Leadership and Institutional Growth
Fanshawe College has been guided by visionary leadership throughout its history, beginning with Dr. James A. Colvin, who served as the college’s first president from 1967 to 1979 and established the foundational principles that continue to guide the institution today. The college’s longest-serving president, Howard Rundle, led the institution for 18 years until his retirement in 2013, overseeing significant expansion and development. The current president, Peter Devlin, who assumed leadership in 2013, brings unique perspective as a former Lieutenant General in the Canadian Army, reflecting the college’s commitment to leadership excellence and disciplined approach to education.
Under this distinguished leadership, Fanshawe has experienced remarkable growth, expanding from its original three-building London campus to a comprehensive multi-campus system serving tens of thousands of students. The college’s revenue increased by $64 million in the 2022-23 budget year, demonstrating its financial stability and continued growth trajectory that supports ongoing investment in facilities, technology, and educational programs.
School of Contemporary Media Excellence
The Broadcasting – Television and Film Production program operates within Fanshawe’s School of Contemporary Media, one of 15 academic schools that collectively offer over 200 degree, diploma, certificate, and apprenticeship programs. The School of Contemporary Media represents the college’s commitment to staying current with rapidly evolving media technologies and industry practices while maintaining the fundamental storytelling and production skills that form the foundation of effective media communication.
The school’s comprehensive approach to media education ensures that students receive exposure to multiple aspects of contemporary media production while developing specialized expertise in their chosen field. This interdisciplinary approach reflects the reality of the modern media industry, where professionals often work across multiple platforms and must understand the interconnections between different forms of media communication.
Comprehensive Broadcasting, Television and Film Production Program
The Broadcasting – Television and Film Production program (BRT3) is a two-year Ontario College Diploma program that provides students with comprehensive training in all aspects of video content creation. Recognizing that video content creators are the backbone of the media and entertainment industry, the program is designed to meet the high demand for skilled and talented producers across multiple delivery platforms using high-tech tools and traditional production techniques.
The program’s unique strength lies in its access to the largest TV and film studio outside of Toronto, providing students with professional-quality facilities that mirror those found in major production centers. This exceptional facility, combined with comprehensive hands-on training, ensures that graduates are prepared for immediate employment in public and private broadcasting, audio/video production studios, and production departments across the media industry.
Hands-On Learning and Professional Preparation
The program’s two-year, hands-on approach places students behind the camera producing a diverse variety of content including narratives, documentaries, live sports, news, commercials, and promotions. Students write, produce, shoot, and edit video content that is aired throughout the region or shown at film festivals, providing them with real-world experience and professional portfolio development opportunities that are essential for career success in the competitive media industry.
Throughout their studies, students are mentored and guided by industry professionals who bring current industry knowledge and professional networks to the educational experience. The program includes field placements in the industry, ensuring that students gain practical experience in professional production environments while building the professional relationships that are often crucial for career advancement in the media industry.
Comprehensive Curriculum and Skill Development
The program’s curriculum encompasses all areas of creative and technical video content creation, ensuring that graduates have the versatility necessary for success in the diverse and rapidly evolving media landscape. Core areas of study include studio production, cinematic production, field production, mobile sports production, computer graphics, post-production editing, scriptwriting, and sales, marketing, and entrepreneurship, reflecting the program’s understanding that modern media professionals must combine creative and technical skills with business acumen.
The first-year curriculum includes foundational courses such as Reason & Writing for Contemporary Media, TV Production & Applied Theory, Film Production & Applied Theory, and Production Management & Writing for Media. These courses provide students with both theoretical understanding and practical skills while emphasizing the importance of clear communication and professional writing in media production.
State-of-the-Art Facilities and Technology
Fanshawe’s investment in facilities and technology reflects its commitment to providing students with access to professional-quality equipment and production environments. The college’s TV and film studio, recognized as the largest outside of Toronto, provides students with experience using industry-standard equipment including studio cameras, video equipment, field cameras, switchers, audio systems, character generators, servers, and professional lighting systems.
The comprehensive technical training includes single camera production, cinema camera operation, single and double system sound recording, lighting for film production, gripping, and understanding of crew roles that comprise professional film productions. This thorough technical preparation ensures that graduates are immediately productive in professional production environments and can adapt to the rapidly evolving technology landscape of the media industry.
University Transfer and Educational Pathways
A distinctive feature of the program is its articulation agreement with Western University, which provides students with the opportunity to obtain both an Ontario College Diploma in Broadcasting – Television and Film Production and an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Media, Information and Technoculture (MIT). Students can start at Fanshawe and transfer into the third year of the MIT program at Western University, completing both credentials in only four years.
This pathway reflects Fanshawe’s commitment to providing students with flexible educational options that can accommodate different career goals and academic interests. The partnership with Western University, one of Canada’s leading research universities, demonstrates the quality and academic rigor of Fanshawe’s programs while providing students with access to both practical, hands-on training and theoretical, research-based education.
Rigorous Admission Standards and Student Support
The program maintains high admission standards that ensure incoming students have the academic foundation necessary for success in the demanding curriculum. Requirements include an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent and Grade 12 English at the C or U level. For students who do not meet these requirements, the college offers academic upgrading and a one-year Pre-Media Preparatory Program that provides exposure to multiple programs in the School of Contemporary Media.
International students are welcomed with comprehensive English language requirements that include multiple testing options such as TOEFL, IELTS, CAEL, PTE Academic, Cambridge English, ESL4/GAP5, and Duolingo, reflecting the college’s commitment to supporting students from diverse linguistic backgrounds while maintaining academic standards necessary for program success.
Diverse Campus Locations and Learning Environments
Fanshawe’s multi-campus structure provides students with access to diverse learning environments and specialized facilities. The main London campus houses the primary broadcasting and film production facilities, while the London Downtown Campus provides urban learning opportunities, and regional campuses in St. Thomas, Simcoe, and Woodstock offer specialized programs and serve local communities throughout Southwestern Ontario.
The college’s 2018 opening of 130 Dundas Street, which houses 1,600 students from the School of Information Technology and the School of Tourism, Hospitality and Culinary Arts, demonstrates ongoing investment in facilities and commitment to providing students with modern, well-equipped learning environments that support both academic success and professional preparation.
Industry Connections and Career Outcomes
The program’s strong industry connections are evidenced by its mentorship programs, field placements, and the professional success of its graduates in public and private broadcasting, audio/video production studios, and production departments throughout the media industry. Students benefit from guidance by working industry professionals who provide current industry insights, professional networking opportunities, and real-world perspective on career development and industry trends.
The program’s emphasis on portfolio development ensures that graduates have professional-quality work samples that demonstrate their abilities to potential employers. The fact that student work is aired throughout the region and shown at film festivals provides additional validation of the quality of education and professional preparation provided by the program.
Comprehensive Student Life and Athletic Programs
Fanshawe College’s commitment to comprehensive student development extends beyond academic programs to include robust athletic and student life opportunities. As one of the six founding members of the Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) in 1967, Fanshawe has a long tradition of athletic excellence, currently competing in 14 varsity sports with 19 teams including basketball, volleyball, soccer, golf, cross country, badminton, baseball, and softball.
The Fanshawe Falcons athletic program provides students with opportunities for competitive athletics, leadership development, and community engagement while building the teamwork and discipline skills that are valuable in both academic and professional contexts. The college’s student government and diverse extracurricular activities create a vibrant campus community that enhances the educational experience and provides opportunities for personal growth and leadership development.
Innovation and Future Development
Fanshawe College’s commitment to innovation is demonstrated through its continuous investment in new facilities and programs that respond to evolving industry needs and technological advancement. Recent developments include the 2011 opening of the Centre for Applied Transportation Technologies with capacity for 1,500 students, the 2013 establishment of the Norton Wolf School of Aviation Technology, the 2014 creation of the School of Public Safety, and the 2016 opening of the Canadian Centre for Product Validation.
The college’s 2018 establishment of the School of Digital and Performing Arts, which offers creative programs previously offered by the School of Contemporary Media and School of Design, reflects its commitment to adapting organizational structures to better serve student needs and industry requirements while maintaining the interdisciplinary approach that characterizes effective media education.
Global Perspective and International Engagement
Fanshawe’s significant international student population, with 11,706 international student visas in 2023 representing the third highest total in Canada, creates a diverse learning environment that reflects the global nature of the media industry. This international diversity enhances the educational experience for all students while preparing them for careers in an increasingly globalized media landscape where cultural competence and international perspective are essential for success.
The college’s partnership with private ILAC International College and its goal of increasing international student enrollment by 50% by 2025 demonstrates its commitment to global engagement while maintaining the quality and standards that have established its reputation for excellence in media education.
Excellence in Applied Media Education
Fanshawe College’s Broadcasting – Television and Film Production program represents excellence in applied media education, combining comprehensive theoretical knowledge with extensive practical experience, state-of-the-art facilities with industry mentorship, and individual skill development with collaborative teamwork. The program’s location in one of Canada’s largest colleges, with access to the largest TV and film studio outside of Toronto, provides students with unparalleled opportunities for professional preparation and career development.
The college’s commitment to maintaining current technology, providing industry-relevant curriculum, and supporting student success through comprehensive services and facilities ensures that graduates are prepared for immediate employment and long-term career success in the dynamic and competitive media industry. This comprehensive approach to media education, combined with strong industry connections and flexible educational pathways, makes Fanshawe College an excellent choice for students seeking careers in broadcasting, television, and film production.
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