Courses in Media & Technology | Buxton & Leek College

Media Studies

Check out the available courses at the bottom of this page!

This programme is aimed at school leavers aged 16-18 and those who wish to start their career working in the Media industry.

Both Level 2 and Level 3 Creative Media courses are excellent for those who have a variety of interests associated with different media industries. If you are interested in the encapsulating world of creative media and want to explore and learn the skills and talents in this forward-thinking sector whilst juggling the demands of modern technology, then this well-rounded course is for you. The Creative Media courses provide a wonderful and varied insight into one of the country’s most exciting and ever changing industries. With potential work experience opportunities at local newspapers, radio stations and marketing agencies prepare to fully immerse yourself in the world of media and allow yourself to go as far as your creativity will take you.

You can take a virtual tour of our campuses and facilities here.

Available courses

Tell me about the course
This programme is aimed at 16-18-year-olds who would like to progress onto a Level 3 course, apprenticeship or employment within the media creative industries. If you love being creative and have a particular interest in television, journalism, marketing, photography, interactive media or radio, then this course is perfect for you.

The Level 2 Creative Media Skills course is designed to give you the opportunity to develop the fundamental creative skills needed to prepare you for Level 3 study or an apprenticeship in creative media or a related sector. You could progress on to a vast range of creative media careers including Graphics Designer, Studio Sound Engineer, Advertising Art Director, Computer Games Tester, Photographic Technician, Radio Broadcast Assistant, TV/Film Assistant, Web Content Editor and many more.

You will gain the broad range of skills and competences needed to work within this creative sector and will be supported by staff to focus on a specialism that you are most interested in. The course is made up of three mandatory modules:
1. Exploring and Developing Creative Media Skills – You will explore and develop a broad range of skills within different areas of media, which may include moving image, games, interactive, sound or graphic and publishing.
2. Personal Development – You will gain a broad understanding of the opportunities within the creative media sector and the type of skills needed to work in particular roles. This module allows you to investigate roles in the sector, identify areas for personal skills development and advance your skills relating to your personal aims and interests.
3. Responding to a Creative Brief – You will apply the skills you have learned throughout the programme and advance your creative skills through the development and production of an extended response to a creative brief. You will do this by investigating all aspects of the brief, proposing your ideas and plans and applying an ongoing process of creative development, review and refinement to realise your creative intentions and present finished outcomes.
This is a full-time course and is delivered on our Buxton campus in our specialist Mac suite where you will have access to all the equipment you need to explore your full creative talents; including recording devises, cameras and editing software.

You will learn through a combination of theory-based sessions, live briefs and practical workshops and you will demonstrate the skills and knowledge learned in a variety of ways including essays, reports, presentations and pitches. In addition, you will have the opportunity to participate in work experience with local employers across Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Your progress will be fully supported and tracked by a highly experience tutor with years of real-life experience.

At BLC we offer an enhanced student experience with trips to museums and galleries, and visits from guest speakers who provide workshops and offer invaluable advice on the media industry. You will also take part in our impressive yearly art exhibition and community arts events, such as the Staffordshire Contemporary Artist and Designer Fair.

As part of this study programme, you will also continue to improve your maths and English skills in taught sessions.
What qualification will I get

Level 2 Diploma in Creative Media Skills
What can I go onto next?
You could progress on to;
- employment in the creative media sector,
- or the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practise.
How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed on an ongoing basis through practical projects, briefs and assignments throughout the duration of the course.
Entry Requirements

You will need a minimum of three Grade 3 GCSE

Tell me about the course
This programme is aimed at 16-18-year-olds who have a keen interest in media and the media sector and would like to progress onto higher education, apprenticeships or employment within the media creative industries.

The Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Media course is designed to give you the opportunity to develop the fundamental creative skills needed to prepare you for employment, university or an apprenticeship in creative media or a related sector. You could progress on to a vast range of creative media careers including TV Runner, Graphics Designer, Producer, Boom Mic Operator, Camera Person, Photographer and many more.

You will gain the broad range of skills and competences needed to work within this creative sector and will be supported by staff to focus on a specialism that you are most interested in. The course is made up of two mandatory learning modules and four assessment units:
1. Exploring and Developing Creative Media Skills – You will explore and develop a broad range of skills within different areas of media, which may include moving image, games, interactive, sound or graphic and publishing. You will carry out two assessments to demonstrate what you have learned; A1 Skills Development and A2 Creative Project.
2. Advancing Creative Practice – You will gain a better understanding of the media industry and you will continue to advance and refine your technical skills and ability to respond creatively to industry briefs. You will engage in activities such as technical workshops, projects, practical sessions, seminars, visits, talks from guest speakers and employer engagement. Advanced creative practice and a deeper understanding of the industry will inform one another and broaden your responses. You will carry out two assessments to demonstrate what you have learned; B1 Personal Progression and B2 Response to an Industry Brief.
This is a full-time course and is delivered on our Buxton campus in our high-tech media suite where you will have access to all the equipment you need to explore your full creative talents, including recording devises, cameras and editing software.

You will learn through a combination of theory-based sessions, live briefs and practical workshops and you will demonstrate the skills and knowledge learned in a variety of ways including essays, reports, presentations and pitches. In addition, you will have the opportunity to participate in work experience with a range of local employers across Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Your progress will be fully supported and tracked by a highly experienced tutor with many years of real-life experience in both print and digital media.

At BLC we offer an enhanced student experience with trips to Media City, and visits from working professionals within world-famous organisations, such as the BBC, who provide workshops and offer invaluable advice on tackling the competitive media industry.
What qualifications will I get?

Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Media, equivalent to three A-levels.
What can I go onto next?
You could progress on to;
- an apprenticeship,
- a BA (Hons) Degree in a variety of subjects including Digital Communications, Media Production, Journalism, Radio, Photography, Marketing and Events Management,
- or employment in the creative media sector.
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed on an ongoing basis through practical coursework assignments and the production of media products such as a short film or website. There are four assessment units:
1. A1 Skills Development
2. A2 Creative Project
3. B1 Personal Progression
4. B2 Response to an Industry Brief
Entry Requirements

You will need a minimum of four Grade 4 GCSEs including English.

Fees & Financial Support Course Types & Levels

Level 4 BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media Practice

Tell me about the course
This programme is aimed at 18-year-olds and adults 19-years and older who have completed Level 3 Media studies, Art and Design or a related course, and are now ready to make a choice as to your future career path.

The Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media is designed to give you a broad introduction to the subject area and allow you to acquire the skills and experience to prepare you for subject specialisation at university, or employment. You will gain a wide range of sector knowledge tied to practical skills gained in research, self-study, directed study and workplace scenarios.

The qualification offers learners the opportunity to experiment widely and take creative risks in order to develop a broad portfolio of work and professional behaviors required for progression. It will also provide opportunities to develop creative art and media skills over the course of study through a process of self- direction, reflective practice and communication, which are key skills from progression to higher education.

Through formative and summative assessment, you will complete a selection of modules covering creative design and media through an exploratory phase and confirmatory phase in your final major project of your own choosing. This course allows you to focus on your own specialism and explore it further.

Teaching and research methods will emphasize practical and theoretical approaches and integrate them through a creative process. The qualification consists of one module that covers all learning and teaching. All covering specific technical and specialist pathways to the leaner interest and ambitions across the creative design and media sectors.

The module has 6 mandatory content areas:
- Investigation
- Experimentation
- Evaluation
- Realisation
- Communication
- Self- directed practice.
This is a full-time course and is delivered on both our campuses at Buxton and Leek, with the availability of workshops, as well as the completion of the FMP work to be carried out within our Leek School of Art and Buxton Media suites. You will have dedicated Mac suites where you will have access to all the equipment you need to explore your full creative talents, including recording devises, cameras and design and editing software, such as Photoshop, Premier Pro and Lightroom.

You will learn through a combination of theory-based sessions, live briefs, practical workshops, self-directed study, visits and field trips, and you will demonstrate the skills and knowledge learned in a variety of ways including reports, presentations, reflections, pitches, portfolio work and a final major project.

Your progress will be fully supported and tracked by a highly experienced tutors with many years of real-life experience in both art, design, sound, photography, TV and digital Media.

At BLC we offer an enhanced student experience with trips and visits from working professionals within world-famous organisations, such as the BBC, who provide workshops and offer invaluable advice on tackling the competitive media industry.
What qualifications will I get?

BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media Practice
What can I go onto next?
- Undergraduate courses available through the University of Derby in the Media and Art sector – BA (Hons)
- BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production at BLC
- Higher Degree Apprenticeships
- Employment
- BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production at BLC
- Higher Degree Apprenticeships
- Employment
How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through practical assignments and the production of Art and Media products.
Entry requirements

You will need a minimum of a Level 3 Media or Art qualification or related subject at Level 3. This can include A Levels.

Media Studies

Media Studies

Check out the available courses at the bottom of this page!

Available courses

Level 2 Creative Media Skills

Tell me about the course

What qualification will I get

What can I go onto next?

How will I be assessed?

Entry Requirements

Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Media

Tell me about the course

What qualifications will I get?

What can I go onto next?

How will I be assessed?

Entry Requirements

Level 4 BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media Practice

Tell me about the course

What qualifications will I get?

What can I go onto next?

How will I be assessed?

Entry requirements

If you would like to talk to someone at BLC just call 0800 074 0099 or you can email us an enquiry to enquiries@blc.ac.uk

If you would like to talk to someone at BLC just call 0800 074 0099
or you can email us an enquiry to enquiries@blc.ac.uk