About this course
This course will give you the unique opportunity to combine academic study with industrial work experience, helping you to develop a range of skills in management leadership, business and entrepreneurial activity within the creative industries. Areas of study include:
- script writing
- video and film
- editing
- graphics
- web design / development
- digital archive work
- visual effects.
Sponsored by Nottingham Skillset Media Academy, this course will be delivered by Nottingham Trent University (NTU), New College Nottingham (NCN), Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies and Broadway Cinema and Media Centre.
Students who successfully complete this course will have the opportunity to progress onto honours degree study on NTU's BA (Hons) Multimedia or NCN's BA (Hons) Design or BA (Hons) Digital Media Design courses.
Any questions?
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 4680
Visit the School of Art & Design website.
Please note the following information for applicants
This new two year foundation degree is modular and designed to give you a mixture of practical, theoretical, and technical skills, as well as an in-depth experience of working in the commercial sector.
Both years of the course have a similar structure; during term one you'll study full-time, developing your academic skills. Terms two and three will see you engaged in practical work experience with media companies throughout the East Midlands, with the support and supervision of your Course Leader.
As well as studio and workshop sessions, you'll learn through tutorials, seminars, lectures, on-line lectures and, importantly, through your experience on placement.
Year One
Term one
Studio and workshop sessions with NTU and with Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies will give you an exciting opportunity to work on projects including:
- pitching
- designing
- filming
- editing
- presenting
- graphics
- sound
- image manipulation
- entrepreneurism
- academic writing and research.
You will develop skills in filming, editing, sound, web and image manipulation. During this busy first term you'll also have the opportunity to improve your academic writing and prepare for your placements in terms two and three.
Term Two and Three
At the start of the term you will prepare for placement interviews and carry out an entrepreneurial project to improve your professional skills and abilities. You'll spend two blocks of 8 - 10 weeks working with an employer (or employers) in the media sector within the East Midlands. During this time you will also undertake a negotiated project.
Year Two
Term One
You will study full-time, based at Nottingham Trent University and New College Nottingham, developing in-depth technical, research and craft skills.
Modules will develop your commercial awareness and academic research and writing skills including:
- Convergence and audiences fragmentation
- lower cost technology and user-led content
- design process and problem solving
- critical thinking and research.
Term two and three
You will undertake two, ten week blocks of work experience with selected media companies within the East Midlands whilst also producing a research report on an agreed area of commercial activity. You’ll also be required to undertake a more in-depth negotiated project that should be of use to your employer, and help you to develop your business and analytical skills.
Assessment
Assessment is based on coursework. This will include a negotiated project (agreed with your employer) and a research assignment. You will also produce an online blog that will detail your experiences with your employer, and record your academic achievements and progress during your placements.
Specialist equipment and facilities
The studios and workshops at Nottingham Trent University, New College Nottingham and at Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies are equipped with a comprehensive range of modern specialist equipment including:
- High Definition (HD) cameras
- Editing suites
- TV and recording studios
- Sound recording studios.
Any questions?
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 848 4680
Visit the School of Art & Design website.
Your future career
This course aims to prepare students for employment in a range of sectors including:
- film and television
- web and interactive design
- graphics
- theatre
- sound / radio.
The creative industries continue to show significant growth and this course's close contact with professional practice ensures that graduates will have the skills to position themselves well for employment.
Students who successfully complete this course will have the opportunity to progress onto NCN's BA (Hons) Design or BA (Hons) Digital Media Design courses.
Work placements
Looked on favourably by employers, work placements are a key aspect of this course helping you to enhance your academic and professional skills, and employment prospects.
You will complete two blocks of work experience during each year of the course, each lasting approximately between 7-10 weeks. These placements will help to give you real, hands-on experience within the industry, opening up exciting opportunities.
Whilst planning and undertaking your placements, you will be supported by course staff and Nottingham Skillset Media Academy's Employment Engagement Manager. Participating employers include design and marketing agencies, and independent television production companies.
Giving you competitive advantage
In today's competitive job market graduates often find that a degree is no longer enough to attract employers. A carefully programmed work placement is a tremendously valuable addition to your education. You'll gain real-life work experience that will make you stand out from the crown and enhance your employability in your chosen field of work.
What are the benefits of a work placement?
Practical work experience has many benefits for you. It can help in your day-to-day studies and often leads to paid employment in holidays or after the completion of your studies. It can enhance your commercial awareness and your ability to link theory and practice.
How to apply
Application for this course is through UCAS application form. For more general information on the UCAS application process please visit the UCAS website.
Application deadline
- 2012 entry: 15 January 2012
Applications received after this date will be marked as late, and only considered if places are still available after all on time applications have been assessed.
We have a number of open days that take place throughout the year. If you'd like to visit us click on the 'Book an Open Day' button at the top right of this page.
Interviews and portfolios
Selection for this course takes place through UCAS application form and, where invited, interview and portfolio.
If you are invited to attend an interview, you'll bring your portfolio with you. You can find out more about interviews, and tips for your portfolio, in our FdA Media Creatives interview and portfolio information. 
Non-standard / mature students
We welcome applications from non-standard applicants over the age of 21 for this course, and will assess candidates of this nature on an individual basis. If you're a non-standard applicant you'll still need to apply by UCAS form but you don't necessarily need to meet our minimum entry requirements - you must, however, have portfolio work to present at interview.
Any questions?
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us.
Email us
Telephone: +44 (0)115 9418 418
