Calling all budding film makers! Our hugely popular Level 3 Creative Media course is your first step in to the exciting and multi-billion pound industry of media production. As streaming services continue to dominate the marketplace, now more than ever is the perfect time to enter an industry with the hope that one day you will be beaming your content in to peoples living rooms.
Using industry-standard software and hardware in our purpose built PC suites will give you the best possible start in developing the skills you will need to work in the fast-paced and creative environment of the media. This two year programme develops your understanding of the media industries and the practical techniques required to work in the rapidly changing media environment.
You will work on developing your practical skills using camera equipment and industry standard software such as Adobe Premiere to edit your productions. We will also introduce you to After Effects whereby you will create graphics and special effect sequences to being your productions to life.
You will also have the opportunity to produce live shows in our brand new TV studio, as well as create music videos for your favourite songs, recreate opening title sequences for your favourite films and television shows, and create marketing campaigns for your products, using Photoshop to design posters and Netfilx-style thumbnails.
At the start of the course, you will work with the basic skills of media production and management, developing your skills in sound design and print layout and script writing. As your level of proficiency increases the tasks will become more challenging, engaging and will unlock your creativity.
The course is taught through a range of approaches designed to provide you with the opportunity to develop technical skills for practical applications and real vocational experience or support with progression to university.
The aim is for all students to enjoy the course and achieve deep learning through which knowledge is developed, as well as gaining transferable skills including research techniques, presentations/pitches, problem based scenarios and the skills of working in a team.
Delivery methods will include practical workshop sessions in our TV studio, media editing suites, radio and sound rooms. Classroom-based theory sessions are supported by IT and computer-based research, real-world media industry situations (including live broadcasts, video editing sessions, production company meetings) and educational visits to industry trade fairs and other media industry-related events. There will also be the opportunity to get a better understanding of the world of work through work experience opportunities.
Studying Level 3 Creative Media at Northampton College will give you the opportunity to further your aspirations by progressing on to university or into the work place.
Students who successfully complete this programme can progress to higher level study at University, work experience as an apprentice or look to find employment in the Creative Arts industries.
On completion of Year 1 of this course, you will achieve a Level 3 UAL Diploma in Creative Media Production & Technology. At the end of Year 2, you will achieve a Level 3 UAL Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production & Technology.
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What will I study?
The units you will study are likely to include:
Specialist Units:
- Introduction to media processes and technical skills
- Introduction to design and research skills in creative media production
- Introduction to professional practice in creative media production
- Critical and contextual awareness in creative media production
- Investigating audio production and technology
- Investigating visual production and technology
- Investigating interactive production and technology
- Characteristics and contexts in creative media production
- Engaging with an audience in creative media production
- Preparing for progression in creative media production
- Specialist study in creative media production
All units are subject to change and may be withdrawn.
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Who is this course for?
This course is ideal for you if you have an interest in working in the Creative Arts industries or want to study the subject to a higher level and wish to gain a Level 3 qualification in creative media.
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How is the course assessed?
This course is assessed through:
- practical assignments, internally assessed
- written assignments, internally assessed
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Your Study Programme
If you are aged 16-18, you will join a Study Programme this could be a vocational or technical qualification. We will make sure you are working at the right level on your core qualification and are challenged to achieve the highest level of qualification you can.
Work experience will be part of your study programme and complement your college study and prepare you for employment. You will also get involved in activities to help you develop life skills and to build your confidence so you can make progress in your career.
If you have chosen to study for a T Level qualification, this will involve college-based theory and practice lessons along with relevant work placement to enable you to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers are looking for.
Weekly timetables will include tutorial support which may comprise of full group activities or one to one sessions to discuss individual progress or support needs.
All students will continue to improve their maths and English and if you don't have a grade 4 (C) at GCSE, we will work with you towards achieving that goal (subject to specific entry requirements for particular courses).
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Knowledge
You will develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of:
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Different audiences needs and how to produce content which meets those needs
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Media language to understand how messages are communicated to an audience
- A range of pre-production processes with consideration of the impact that these pre-production decisions can have on the quality of the final product.
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Skills
You will have the ability to:
- Utilise a range of software and hardware to produce Media content in line with industry conventions
- effectively Apply rigorous primary and secondary research skills to The development of products
- Critically evaluate research sources as well as production Work in order to make Effective improvements to completed products.
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Behaviours
What is required?
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Develop positive working relationships with others in order to produce industry standard content
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Build resilience by responding positively to feedback from staff and peers and implement this feedback to make improvements to work produced
- Productivity - organises work effectively and achieves required results within deadlines, demonstrating the drive and energy to get things done in pressurised situations and escalating appropriately when necessary.
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General info
You will be asked to pay for materials and trips at enrolment. The fee is currently £50 to cover trips and £175 for a basic kit which includes 1 TB external hard-drive, 16gb SD card, card reader, headphones, lights and other materials which will be confirmed in your enrolment pack.
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Progression and Career Opportunities
Northampton College offers a Level 4 HNC/HND in Film Production. The majority of students completing the courses progress on to University courses to study media production or to specialise in more specific qualifications such as sound design or cinematography. For those students wanting to move in to employment, students can obtain entry level jobs with local employers or pick up freelance work producing video content for clients.
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Entry Requirements for new students
Four GCSEs at Grade 4-5 or above including English Language/Literature or a Level 2 Diploma in Media with English Language and maths at GCSE grade 3
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Admissions Process
We recommend that you attend one of our exciting open events so that you can look around the department, the college and meet the tutors. You are welcome to do this before or after you apply. These events have proved very successful in ensuring students and their families see the best of what the college has to offer such as our inspirational teaching areas, teachers, library facilities and places to eat.
Once you have applied our experienced Enrolment Team will consider your application carefully and will let you know, by email, if the College would like to make you a conditional offer based on you meeting the specified entry requirements. If your predicted grades or career aims suggest that an alternative subject area or course level would be more appropriate for you at this stage, we will contact you either by telephone, email or text. If you have told us that you have some additional support needs we will contact you to find out more so that we can help you.
