Equivalent to 3.5 A Levels

(2 Year course - including the Extended Project Qualification)

Board: Edexcel

Diploma Overview
PRINCIPAL LEARNING	GENERIC LEARNING	ADDITIONAL AND SPECIALIST LEARNING
Skills, knowledge and understanding in the Creative and Media fields.	English, Maths and ICT Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS)	Optional Units that broaden and deepen learning. Eg. A Level
Work Experience
Extended Project

PUT YOUR CREATIVITY TO MAXIMUM EFFECT

Do you have a real passion for Dance, Theatre, Music, Art, Media Studies, Film, Photography? If at least some of these areas are of interest to you then this might be the course for you.

Britain has a strong track record of creative output. Over the past decade, our creative industries have grown at twice the rate of the economy as a whole. And it’s continuing to grow, as demand for creative content and creative talent increases.
Ideas are the heart of creativity. It’s the ideas that drive all the different industries, like advertising, film, interactive media, music and the performing arts.
Britain’s writers, artists, choreographers, directors, composers and comedians light up countless lives.
If you want to be part of this exciting world you need to have not only the ideas and the talent, but also the skills and knowledge to turn ideas into reality.
The Diploma in Creative and Media allows you to learn valuable skills in different situations. You’ll learn about the key themes in creativity and how to think and work creatively. This includes seeing a project through from start to finish, identifying an audience and their needs and learning about the business side of the creative and media industries.

“The Diploma in Creative and Media will help develop the creativity of all students, opening their eyes to a world of possibilities.”
Clive Jones, Chairman of GMTV

Introducing The Diploma……

• Are you keen to learn more about creative subjects that interest you – but want to keep your options open?

• Do you want a course that combines theory with practical activities?

• Do you want to choose a qualification that helps you prepare for university or a job?

The Diplomas are an exciting qualification based on a hands-on style of learning. You’ll enjoy learning in different environments including the workplace, choosing to study subjects which interest you and tackling challenging projects.

For further detail visit the national website: www.direct.gov.uk/diplomas

What will I study in a Creative and Media Diploma?

All levels of the Diploma in Creative and Media include the following areas:

• Creativity in context: The things that can influence the creative process, such as society, culture, the environment or the work of other people.

• Thinking and working creatively: Ways of exploring, experimenting with and developing ideas, skills and techniques.

• Principles, processes and practice: The skills, techniques and processes to turn your ideas into reality.

• Creative businesses and enterprise: An understanding of real situations and the skills that you need to succeed in the industry.

How is the Diploma made up?

1. Principal learning (subject learning you have to do)

The above four areas will introduce you to the main things you need to know about the sector and the creative process.

A variety of disciplines will be on offer from 2D and 3D visual art, to graphic design, textiles, drama, dance, music, film and photography.
You might, for example, want to record a music track, and produce the artwork and video to promote it. This could combine music, dance, film, 2D art and graphic design.

You will apply this in a number of practical activities and small projects, which will usually combine two or more disciplines, depending on what you are interested in.

At the same time, you will be learning how to develop your ideas and market them commercially.

You will work on a number of projects which introduce you to creative ideas and ways of working.
You could, for example, make a short film. Working as a team, you will decide which of you will write the script, direct, appear on screen, design the costumes and edit the film.

Or you could develop your performance and communication skills by taking part in a music competition and composing and performing your own song, then complete this by writing a magazine article about the competition and your experience.

You will work on a number of projects which allow you to explore creative ideas and ways of working.

You could, for example, work in a team to create a site-specific performance. This could include dance, music and drama, as well as film and textiles. You would research the history of the site and how to incorporate this into your performance, and study how other performers plan their work and combine different disciplines.

Or you could work with a local theatre and learn about how they develop a new production. This will include how they finance and publicise it, working on the rehearsal process, costumes, set design, lighting and sound set-ups.

2. Additional and specialist learning (choices you can make)

You could, for example, learn about dark-room printing if you are interested in photography or sound technology if you like music.
At each level, you can develop your particular creative and media interests further by taking specialist courses relating to your particular interests and career ambitions.

Or you might choose an A level in subjects like English or Media Studies, which would help you get onto a university course.
You can also broaden your course by taking an additional subject that reflects your other interests and career ambitions – like a language, or a science or humanities subject.

3. Functional skills in English, Maths and ICT

Like all Advanced Level students, you’ll develop a good standard of English, Maths and ICT. These subjects are essential to succeed in any business or learning environment.

4. Personal, learning and thinking skills

All Diploma students will develop personal, learning and thinking skills, such as team-working, creative thinking and self-management. These are vital skills in both life and work, and will be useful to you in the future, no matter which path you take. They are an integral part of the creative process and support the four areas of creativity.

5. Work experience

Your Diploma will give you the opportunity to do at least 10 days’ work experience. This is a great way to use the skills you have learnt in the classroom, and experience what work is like from the inside.

6. Student projects

During your Diploma, you’ll complete a main student project to demonstrate the skills and knowledge that you have learnt. This could be a written piece of work, like a report or an investigation, or it could be a practical piece of work, like an installation, a website or a play.

How are Diplomas assessed?

All Diplomas will be assessed through both exams and work marked by a teacher. Different parts of each Diploma will be assessed in different ways (for example, your project will usually be assessed by a teacher).

What is different about a Diploma?

Diplomas allow you to learn both through theory and practice. So as well as finding out about things from books and tutors, you will get to apply this knowledge by doing things in a practical environment. This could be through a performance or show, a business enterprise or by making something.
A Diploma gives you an introduction to a broad range of careers within the Creative and Media industries, and prepares you for a wide range of jobs and university courses.

Diplomas are designed by employers and universities to give you the skills and learning you need, no matter what you decide to do next.

Will my Diploma be helpful when I apply for a place at university?

Yes. Universities and colleges were involved in creating Diplomas, so you will get the skills you need to succeed on a  higher education course.
The Advanced Diploma gets the same number of UCAS points as 3.5 A levels. Listing your Diploma on your university application will show you have the knowledge and skills needed for higher education.

And because Diplomas teach you useful skills like researching projects on your own as well as working in teams, you may find it easier to adjust to study at university.

Will my Diploma be useful when I apply for a job?

Yes. The Diploma was developed with the help of employers to give you the skills, knowledge and experience you need to do well in the working world.
Because you get the chance to learn in different settings, including the workplace, you’ll get a real insight into what work is like – helping you develop skills that employers really value, like customer service and project management.

The important thing to remember is that a Diploma can help you make decisions about the future, while keeping your options open. Each Diploma is a broad introduction to an exciting area of work, but it will also teach skills you can take wherever you go.

Remember that every extra qualification you gain will help you earn more over your lifetime

What a Diploma will lead to…..

A Diploma in Creative and Media will give you the skills you need for university, training or work, and is a first step towards a future career in the sector.
It could lead you to a university degree in any number of subjects including animation, textiles, dance, film, or equally languages, philosophy, politics or architecture.

Alternatively, it could help you head towards a career as a creative or media professional, by leading to vocational training such as that provided by Drama Schools for example.

However, the Diploma in Creative and Media doesn’t mean you have to opt for a career in this sector. Because a Diploma teaches a mix of subjects, it will give you the skills that will be welcomed by colleges, universities and employers, no matter what you choose to do.