BA (Hons) Digital Design and Media - Digital Photography (top up)

On this exciting future focussed programme you will explore and develop the creative, critical, professional and personal skills needed in the competitive and rapidly changing digital media landscape. The course and methods of study allow you to engage with the contemporary issues and practices which are transforming creative design, production and consumption. Emphasis can be placed on a medium of your choice and you will be encouraged to work outside of conventional forms, where appropriate, so that you are able to investigate and continually respond to the changing conventions of the sector. You will have the opportunity to develop strong digital creative skills which will make you highly employable. This programme is also ideal for employees who want to develop digital skills for career progression or to change careers. You can study 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time. We offer pathways in Digital Media, Digital Graphics, Digital Photography, 3D Design Visualisation, Surface Pattern and Textiles, Concept Art for Games and Film, and Visual Effects for Film and Games. Applicants will select their chosen pathway at the application stage, and will not have the opportunity to switch between pathways once they have commenced their studies. Some of the modules on this course will be studied collaboratively by students on all pathways, whilst other modules will be specific to the specialist pathway you are studying. As outlined in more detail below, this course is designed to allow those who already hold a relevant Level 5 qualification, such as a Foundation Degree or equivalent, to 'top-up' to BA (Hons) level. If you're looking at starting your university-level journey in Digital Design and Media, you would need to look at studying another qualification first. At Yeovil College University Centre, we offer the FdA Digital Design and Media course across seven different specialist pathways, which can be completed first, before then topping-up using the BA (Hons) Digital Design and Media course. Full-time typically equates to two days per week in taught sessions, and part-time to one day per week in taught sessions. On top of this, students are expected to work independently on research, assignments, and practical projects.

There is not a mandatory placement component to this course. However, you will have the opportunity to develop your professional readiness whilst studying the Creative Self Promotion module, and take part in work experience or work related activity (e.g. live briefs) within the Creative Industries during this programme.

Level 6 Bachelor of Arts with Honours Degree in Digital Design and Media. The awarding body is the University of Gloucestershire.

You could apply to progress onto a Master’s Degree at another University. Or you could find employment in the Creative Industry or start your own Creative Business.

You will study a range of modules that will develop your specialist knowledge, skills and professional behaviours. You will undertake a range of modules (including practical assignments, academic writing and employability tasks). These include: Experimental Project 3 (30 Credits) (specialist pathway specific), Creative Project 3 (30 Credits) (specialist pathway specific), Creative Self Promotion (30 Credits), and Dissertation: Creative Major Research Project (30 credits) Please be aware that modules studied may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline or in response to student and stakeholder feedback. Students can always find the most up-to-date information about their modules and who is teaching them in the course handbook.

Your lecturers are specialists in developing your skills to progress to your next level - most continue to work in the Creative Industries themselves! You will be taught by academics, practicing professionals and technical demonstrators. Staff are currently working on a range of live briefs within the creative sector and some of whom are educated to Master’s level.

Teaching and learning take place through structured, practical activities and demonstrations in our Studios and Labs, using a variety of resources provided including our industry standard Macs, PC’s, specialist equipment and Adobe Creative Cloud Software. Teaching is delivered in a variety of methods (e.g. tutor-led, student-led). Students are encouraged to manage their own learning, apply their learning in real-world context, develop adaptability and skills for research. Critical thinking, creativity and employability are key drivers of the curriculum. You will develop your skills whilst working on real exciting live briefs. Each semester there will be 2 days of college led learning a week for the range of modules studied. You will be expected to complete independent study each week outside of these timetabled sessions on a range of tasks. This will vary depending on the requirements of the modules. You will study modules totalling 120 credits at Level 6. For a 30 credit module, there will be around 60 hours of College-led teaching, learning and assessment, and students should expect to put in around 60 hours of independent work on top of this.

The Programme Leader is your Tutor. You will have regular one to one meetings with your Tutor to support you with your personal development planning.

For full information about tuition fees please see the 'YCUC Fees' and 'YCUC HE Fees Policy', both available in the 'Policies and Reports' area of our website. There are no required additional costs for the programme. Whilst some students may choose to buy their own device with Adobe software this isn't essential. Our technical demonstrator team can provide guidance if you require support with purchasing equipment / materials / resources for the course. Throughout the course there are opportunities to undertake trips and visits to industry exposition events and trade shows. Whilst these are not mandatory, they will enrich the learning experience. Students would be expected to fund their own travel to and from such events.

You will be assessed for each module of study through a variety of assessment methods including portfolio coursework, practical projects, written essays and presentations. The course provides you with opportunities to test your understanding of the subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. For each module you will receive ‘formative’ assessment and feedback from your tutor on the assignment work you are working on. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark. Each credit equates to the total of 2 teaching, learning and assessment hours. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study, and assessment activity. Full-time students take modules worth 60 credits per semester, with part-time students taking proportionately fewer credits per semester. All students take a total of 120 credits for the BA (Hons) degree. Your overall grade for the course is based on the marks obtained for modules taken at level 6.

Typical entry requirement for this programme is a Level 5 qualification in Digital Design and Media or related fields (e.g. Higher National Diploma (HND), Foundation Degree or Diploma of Higher Education in a creative related subject). Applicants will be invited to attend an admission interview before an offer is made and will be advised of the criteria in advance. Mature students who are aged 21 and over may not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants. They may be considered for admission if they possess industry experience and other professional qualifications that are comparable to the standard Level 5 entry requirements. International students need IELTS 6.5 overall (no less than 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in any other band) or equivalent. For further enquiries regarding entry requirements, please email university.centre@yeovil.ac.uk for more information.

An understanding of the creative industries and a desire to produce original and innovative outcomes using traditional and digital methods.

Full-time: please apply through UCAS (Campus name: Yeovil College University Centre; Institution code: Y25; Course code: DTDP Part-time: please apply direct to the Yeovil College University Centre by calling 01935 845454 or emailing university.centre@yeovil.ac.uk