Film, Photography and Media Extended Degree

This extended degree includes an intensive foundation year (Year 0), which will allow you to progress on to one of our film, photography or media undergraduate degree courses. It is both preparatory and diagnostic, meaning you’ll gain the skills required for your subsequent three years of study as well as giving you the opportunity to explore a number of different directions before choosing your specialism at the end of the year.

You’ll begin by undertaking a broad range of short studio and workshop projects in visual imagery and practical making. These will help you develop skills and techniques that are common across all our extended degree courses and are followed by short projects that focus more specifically on film, photography and media. During these subject-specific projects you’ll have the opportunity to explore sound and image recording and editing; factual, fiction and documentary material; internal and external environments; storyboard, treatments and scripts; collage, montage, animation and stop frame; focus; and close and wide framing.

All our extended degree programmes allow you to develop techniques in observational, technical and creative drawing; 2D and 3D composition; framing; sequence/series and narrative, as well as studio and workshop skills. You’ll also attend lectures and seminars, which will frame creative practice within historical, contemporary, conceptual and cultural contexts.

You’ll present work-in-progress and finished projects to peers and tutors on a regular basis, preparing you for the public exhibition at the end of year. This will help you to explore your abilities and guide you towards establishing an individual focus and direction.

By the end of your foundation year you’ll have produced a substantial portfolio of work that will allow you to progress on to one of our film, photography or media undergraduate degree courses. You’ll also have developed as a confident, creative and socially-engaged practitioner with the ability to make more informed decisions about your own work within the context of the creative field you go on to study.

Assessment

You are assessed through project work, presentation, essays and your individual portfolio.

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• At least one A level (or a minimum of 48 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC Subsidiary/National/BTEC Extended Diploma).
• English Language GCSE at grade C (grade 4) or above (or equivalent eg Functional Skills at Level 2)

We encourage applications from International/EU students with equivalent qualifications. We also accept mature students with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Suitable applicants living in the UK may be invited to a portfolio interview. Applicants living outside the UK may be required to submit a small portfolio of work via email.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Modular structure

The modules listed below are for the academic year 2018/19 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time. Year 1 modules include:

• Critical & Contextual Studies: Foundation (core, 30 credits)
• Formats (core, 30 credits)
• Project (core, 30 credits)
• Techniques (core, 30 credits)

After the course

The course is suitable for anyone planning a career in film, media and photography fields and the cultural and creative industries. Please see the career opportunities under the various relevant undergraduate degree courses to which you can progress. The opportunities for careers are extensive - one out of every 12 jobs in the UK is in the creative sectors, with employment growing faster here than in the rest of the economy.