Digital Media Production

The Creative and Cultural Industries are recognised as being key growth areas in Britain’s economy. They include a wide range of employment opportunities - from Creative Arts for Employment to Digital Media Production and the Heritage Industry - and incorporate new technology as well as traditional media. It is an exciting and dynamic area in which to work. Research has shown that to be successful those working in the industry need to be flexible in their approach, and able to combine high level specialist creative skills with transferable skills, such as market awareness and financial know-how.

This Foundation Degree has been designed by Staffordshire University and its partner colleges with the support of people working in the industry to ensure that it is relevant. Students will be expected to use real experience in the workplace to generate a portfolio demonstrating successful application of creative skills. This means that the Foundation Degree is suitable both for those already working in the industry who would like to update their skills and for those who are progressing from another qualification in the same subject area.

Technological advances in digital media mean that this is a fast-moving and exciting area to work, whether you have chosen Moving Image, Photography or New Media. 

Colleges are able to give training in the most up-to-date technology, and you will work with tutors who are practitioners, ensuring your experience is closely allied to current industry practice.  You will not be expected to work in a single area – rather you will be expected to explore cross and inter-disciplinary working, allowing innovation and creativity in the development of a very distinctive portfolio.

Some parts of the Degrees are common across the subject areas, enabling the sharing of ideas, and creating a vibrant and supportive environment for learning. This includes such things as research and study skills and business planning - which might lead to joint events and activities, just as happens in the industry.

This course has been developed in response to identified training needs in the industry, so you can be confident that you are learning the most up-to-date skills using the latest technology. You will learn how to plan, develop and create digital media products, as well as understand the working environment such as legal and ethical requirements, how to survive as a freelancer and how to sell yourself and your work.

There is a common course of modules which you will study, for example: Understanding the Media; Creativity and Social Context and Professional and Contextual Studies.

You will study your own specialist areas in the four pathway modules, some of which are double modules and all include work-based learning:

• Introduction to Specialist Pathway: Moving Image/New Media/Photography
• Exploring Specialist Pathway 1:  Moving Image/New Media/Photography
• Exploring Specialist Pathway 2: Moving Image/New Media/Photography
• Personal Development in Specialist Pathway: Moving Image/New Media/Photography

Assessment happens in a variety of ways, and includes underpinning knowledge as well as a portfolio of skills application. Verbal, written and practical skills will be assessed, and you will be given formal and informal feedback to help you understand your progress, and support to help you improve your work.

Study time will vary from college to college, but all will have studio and lecture time, including core days when you must attend to ensure you are briefed in the crucial aspects of your subject.  You will be expected to take responsibility for your own studies and carry out a substantial amount of work in your own time and in the workplace. Your tutors will help you plan your time to make sure you use it effectively.

As a holder of the Foundation Degree in Digital Media Production you will be entitled to add FdA after your name.

Today, digital media is used in every line of work, so this award may lead you into areas that you had not expected – not just as a specialist photographer or moving image producer.  You may, for example, work in the marketing department of a large company, or work freelance as a website designer or photographer.  Your skills will enable you to work as technical support in a school or college, or you may wish to seek employment with local and national media organisations.

Successful completion of the Foundation Degree in Digital Media Production will give you the opportunity to progress onto one of the BA (Hons) Entrepreneurship for the Creative and Cultural Industries awards at Staffordshire University, which include: Entrepreneurship in Photography, Moving Image and New Media. You may also choose to progress to another suitable BA (Hons) award at Staffordshire University: with the close working relationship between the University and your college, you will be guided towards the best choice for your portfolio and experience.

For more information about Digital Media Production please contact: