What does it include?

This is a course which offers a realistic, industry based package of transferrable skills. You will focus on different areas of the creative media industry that employers and companies have identified as desirable skills in employees. No matter which group you study in, your skills will be focused on practical projects and development of relevant theory.

Each project will offer a focused study into an important area of the industry. The idea behind this course to provide learners with the strongest opportunity for employment and provide skills that can be applied in all areas of media, film photography and sound.

Each year is structured with assessment points where you will submit work. You will also have classes during the year that study industry skills, practices and protocols. During your course you will complete units such as;

• Speech Package Production
• Pre-production Techniques
• Audio-Visual Editing Techniques
• Single Camera Techniques
• Designing Idents for TV
• Sound Recording Techniques
• Digital Photography
• Creating a Showreel
• Multi-Camera Production

We believe that it is important to support you so that you can pursue a future in creative media production, so the course will include helping you to improve and develop your communication skills with additional GCSE English and Maths where appropriate if you have progressed from a lower level vocational course. If you are coming directly from school you must have GCSE English language at grade C. You will receive group and individual tutorial support to keep you on track and if needed additional learning support is available.

What do I need to get on to it?

To be a successful applicant to our programmes in Media and Sonic Arts you should have the following qualifications:

• You will have a minimum 4 GCSEs at grade C or above, including English Language Or
• A Level 2 qualification at Merit or above with Functional Skills Literacy qualification at Level 2
• At interview you will need to demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to this area of work.
• You will take an Initial Assessment at interview, which you will need to pass at Level 2 to gain access to the course.

All courses are subject to a successful and positive reference from a previous tutor or employer.

The Application & Interview Process

After your application is received, you will be invited to the college for an interview and expected to demonstrate yourself as an enthusiastic, professional member of the student group.

We will write to you before the interview, requesting anything that you may be required to bring with you. This could be some previous work or projects you have been involved in.

You must provide a positive reference from either your school teacher/form tutor or a previous employer.

You must also bring your grade certificates for completed qualifications and any predicted grades that you have for pending qualifications.

You should also bring a pen and have some questions prepared about the course you are applying for.

Remember you are applying for a place on a competitive course and should be displaying the skills required to impress and succeed in achieving a place on that course.

How is the Course assessed?

You will be assessed continually through practical project work, coursework, written assignments and through giving presentations.

A commitment to high attendance and punctuality is essential to completing the course successfully. You will be subject to a performance review with your tutor if your attendance drops below 90%.

You must keep your attendance high and submitting work within deadlines is a condition of the course.

You will be provided with feedback and support on how to improve grades from your lecturer as long as you meet your submission deadlines. You will receive a grade and supportive feedback within 3 weeks of a successful deadline submission.

Assignments are planned at the beginning of each year to avoid deadlines clashing however sometimes there are busier times of the year. You are however given more than a sufficient amount of time to complete projects/assignments and providing you meet your deadlines you will not be overworked.

If you fall behind you will be subject to performance tutorials with your tutor and be given a plan to support you to getting back on track however completion of work is your own responsibility and meeting deadlines is a compulsory part of your achievement. If you miss deadlines you will not have feedback and grades returned within a short time frame, as your tutors will have other assignments from the course schedule needing marked.

Where does it lead?

Progression into higher education study on HNC or HND Music Production at City of Westminster College

UCAS applications to HE institutions to study HND/HNC, Foundation Degree or BA(Hons) courses or possible career opportunities in Music Recording, Film & TV, Video Editing, Live Sound Engineering, Systems Installation, Sound Design for Theatre & Film and Broadcast Sound for the Internet, TV & Radio.

Apprenticeships programmes within the Creative Media Sector subject to successful applications.

Facilities

All of our courses have access to the same facilities however you will use them in different capacities throughout your experience.

At level 3 you will be required to become a self-managed learner building on skills you have developed at previous levels. The expectation at level 3 is that you are mature, professional, reflective and motivated. You should be able to seek appropriate support where required and complete work independently without excuse.

The school of Media & Sonic Arts has a variety of resources and facilities exclusive to its courses including;

• Analogue & Digital Audio Recording Studio
• Multi-camera TV studio
• Various DV CAM, DV and DSLR Digital and Video Cameras
• Apple iMac with Final Cut Studio, Logic Studio, Pro-Tools and Adobe CS5 Production Package
• Radio Booth and Dialogue Recording Facilities
• Various Portable Lighting Options for Film & Video Recording
• Various appropriate musical instruments and source recording options

Awarding Body

EdExcel

You can find all programme details with the following links:

http://www.edexcel.com/quals/nationals10/media/Pages/default.aspx 

For further information and to apply

If you wish to apply for this course, please complete a College application form.

If you need help before choosing your course, please contact our Information & Advice Centre or come along to one of our Open days.