Extended Certificate

You will cover a variety of generic and contextual units including how to plan and pitch ideas for media products, web design, preparing for a career in the media industry, producing a music promo, and filming the opening to a feature film.

Units taken for the Extended Certificate come from the key areas below.

Film and TV Production

These units focus on audio-visual production with an emphasis on screenwriting, digital special effects, filmmaking and sound production. You will produce your own short films, sometimes working individually and other times as part of a crew, and will see your work exhibited online.

Example projects:

• Making a short film
• Design and create special effects
• Make a music video

Digital Graphics

This area of the course focuses on creating digital content for print and the web with an emphasis on graphic design, typography and photography. You will produce a poster or company logo, as well as learning how to concept character art and layout design for magazines.

Example projects:

• Producing a print-based media product
• DSLR camera photoshoot

Analysing Products and Audiences

It is essential you understand the thinking process behind the creativity. In this area of the course you will look at existing media products and how they entertain us, as well as being able to think through how to give meaning to your own media products.

Example projects:

• Naughty Dog games company case study
• Horror film stills analysis

Assessment

You will be assessed by a combination of internally-assessed assignments and externally-set and marked assessments.

Diploma

You will cover a variety of generic and contextual units including how to plan and pitch ideas for media products, web design, film poster design, producing a music promo, preparing for a career in the media industry, and filming the opening to a feature film.

In the second year you have a choice as to what you study, based on which area of the media interests you most: Film/TV, Graphics, Animation, Video Games and 3D Design. Units taken for the Diploma come from three key areas:

Film and TV Production

These units focus on audio-visual production with an emphasis on screenwriting, digital special effects, documentary filmmaking and sound production. You will produce your own short films, sometimes working individually and other times as part of a crew, and will see your work exhibited online and submitted for competitions. Example units:

• Visual effects for TV and Film
• Production and post-production for film

Digital Graphics and Animation

This area of the course focuses on creating digital content for print and the web with an emphasis on cell and stop-motion animation, web comics, motion graphics and creating animated indents for clients. You will produce a short animated film and comics as well as learning how to concept character art and layout design for magazine. Example units:

• Producing a print-based media product
• Photography for media products

Videogame Design

Videogame units focus on designing and producing digital games for desktop and mobile devices with an emphasis on sprite animation, 3D, and gameplay analysis. You will produce industry case studies, learn how to write game reviews and game design documents and work in a design team to create fully playable prototypes. Example units:

• Games industry
• Games production

Assessment

You will be assessed by a combination of internally-assessed assignments and externally-set and marked assessments.

Extended Diploma

You will cover a variety of units including how to plan and pitch ideas for media products, web design, producing a music promo, preparing for a career in the media industry, and filming the opening to a feature film. In the second year you have a choice as to what you study, based on which area of the media interests you most: Film/TV, Graphics, Animation, Video Games and 3D Design.

Units taken for the Diploma come from three key areas:

Film and TV Production

These units focus on audio-visual production with an emphasis on screenwriting, digital special effects, documentary filmmaking and sound production. You will produce your own short films, sometimes working individually and other times as part of a crew, and will see your work exhibited online and submitted for competitions. Example units:

• UK Film Studies
• Visual Effects for TV and Film
• Media Adaptations
• Production and Post-production for Film

Digital Graphics and Animation

This area of the course focuses on creating digital content for print and the web with an emphasis on cell and stop-motion animation, web comics, motion graphics and creating animated idents for clients. You will produce a short animated film, and comics as well as learning how to concept character art and layout design for magazines. Example units:

• Comics and Graphic novels
• Producing a Print-based media product
• Photography for Media Products

Videogame Design

Videogame units focus on designing and producing their own digital games for desktop and mobile devices with an emphasis on sprite animation, 3D, and gameplay analysis. You will produce industry case studies, learn how to write game reviews and game design documents and work in a design team to create fully playable prototypes. Example units:

• Games Industry
• Games Production

Special features

You will attend masterclasses given by external practitioners and former students now working in the creative industries. You will also attend media related trips and visits to see practitioners at work.

Entry requirements

At least five GCSEs at Grade 4 or equivalent in a range of subjects at GCSE level, including GCSE English and a 4 in GCSE Media Studies if taken.

OR

A Merit grade in an OCR or BTEC Certificate in a related area (6-credit qualification), and a Grade 4 or above in GCSE English. Students with a distinction grade in a related area (6-credit qualification) may be considered with a Grade 3 in GCSE English.

A-level vs Diploma