Course details may be subject to change.
This creative and technical course forms part of a two year programme that is designed to stretch and challenge those who are looking to progress into a career in the media industry. You will have the opportunity to explore a choice of sector areas, and will develop key practical and research skills. Studying the first and second year of this course will also prepare you for progression to study a degree level course at New College Durham's University Centre or at university.
Entry Criteria
4 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English or maths or Functional Skills Level 2
Additional Costs
A £30 contribution for trips and materials is expected. Additionally, optional trips may incur an additional cost.
Furthermore, it is recommended that you purchase a 32GB SD card (preferably class 10, 90MB/s), and optionally, a large memory stick or external hard drive, along with over-ear headphones.
What are the next steps?
You will be invited to attend an individual informal interview.
Please bring a showreel or a portfolio of work with you to your interview - all applicants will be considered.
Study Aims
This creative and technical course is designed to stretch and challenge those who are looking to progress into a career in the media industry. You will have the opportunity to explore a choice of sector areas, and will develop key practical and research skills.
This fast paced, exciting qualification will allow you to develop and test your creativity. You will be provided with the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to progress to degree level study or employment.
Modules Studied
Module:
- Exploring and Developing Creative Media Skills.
Units: Skills Development: You will delve into the fundamental aspects of media practice, exploring how skills in photography, audio, video, and post-production are woven together to generate refined and developed outcomes.
Creative Project: You will have the opportunity to apply the acquired skills developed throughout the programme to a creative project. This project serves as a platform for showcasing your capability to independently navigate and respond to a given brief, overseeing the entire process from inception to the completion of the product.
Times of Delivery
- Monday - 9am - 4.15pm
- Tuesday - 9am - 4.15pm
- Wednesday - 9am - 4.15pm
- Thursday - 9am - 4.15pm
- Friday - 9am - 4.15pm
Any times indicated are based on current courses and may be subject to change in future years. Full timetables will be confirmed at the start of each course.
Teaching and Assessment
This course is 100% coursework. You will take part in a number of workshops, lectures and presentations. You will also have the opportunity to work with a number of clients on live briefs.
Industry Links
We are very proud of the strong industry links we have with industry. To enhance your experience, we work with a number of media companies and industry professionals. Previous projects and work experience placements having included:
- The Media Hub in Sunderland
- Bishop FM
- Lumiere Festival
- County Durham Cricket Media Centre
- Durham Constabulary.
You will also have the opportunity to attend sessions with guest speakers, such as:
- Media practitioners from the BBC and ITV
- Communicorp
- Metro FM
- Assistant Directors Association.
You will also be encouraged to attend and enter film festivals such as Aesthetica in York and The Royal Television Society Young Peoples' Media Festival in Sunderland.
Maths and English
English and mathematical skills are embedded in all elements of the programme.
Placement
You will be encouraged to pursue a work placement to get experience working in a relevant area. This could include photography, journalism, radio production, video production, video editing, or working in an environment that focuses on producing TV, film, audio or photography.
You will be given opportunities to work with live clients, enter competitions and attend workshops with industry practitioners.
This course is ideal if you wish to work as a Production Lighting Assistant, Production Assistant, Junior Researcher, Junior Media Planner or Photography Assistant.
On completion of the National Diploma, you could progress to the second year to complete the Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice.
To further your employability skills, you could progress to our FdA in Film & Media Production. This will prepare you for more advanced roles in the industry.
