Creative Media Production & Technology

We also offer a 1 year Level 2 diploma course, that allows you to enter in at a lower entry point to gain experience and confidence before moving onto the 2 year Level 3 Extended Diploma course. See more information further down the page. 

To kick off the year we will start with a series of short, hands on practical projects designed to introduce you to a range of techniques. We will explore animation, games design and lens based media to expand your horizons and explore your creativity.

Developing an idea using informed contextual research is a huge part of the creative process. In this unit we will explore how to support and develop initial ideas through the exploration of strong and effective research.

In this unit you will explore the roles and requirements used in industry. You will develop your understanding of how professional digital artists approach a project and what skills you will need to develop for a career in the creative industries. 

Here we will explore important historical contexts related to our industry, as well as exploring key theories that will influence your own work. We will look at influential directors, artists and games designers to understanding how to elevate your work to the next level. 

Voice over, atmospheric soundtracks and effects. This unit will explore the impact audio has on our work and how it helps bring our ideas to life. You will be using microphones and audio recorders to capture sound and then using industry standard software to manipulate it. 

In this unit you will focus on creating high impact visuals. This could be through camera techniques, professional graphic design, sleek animation, or high end game asset development.

In this unit you will produce an interactive experience for your audience in the form of ‘choose your own adventure’ game. You might choose to create a CGI narrative or use live action footage to guide your audience through your story where they will ultimately choose the outcome.

The final major project! This is the last project of the first year and will use all the skills you have built so far. Here you will be able to choose your area of specialism to develop an extensive project that shows your creative ability. Will you develop a fantastic animation project? Develop a playable game? Build some amazing 3D assets? Shoot a short film? In this unit the tutors will support you, but the outcome itself – that’s up to you! 

We also offer a 1 year Level 2 diploma course, that allows you to enter in at a lower entry point to gain experience and confidence before moving onto the 2 year Level 3 Extended Diploma course. 

At the start of your second year on the course you will work to develop a focussed, in-depth project that explores how you can visually communicate a more complex and extensive concept. You will spend many weeks exploring you own specialism and creating an advanced practical outcome that really shows what you’re capable of!

Understanding our audience is a key component to any successful project. In this unit we will look to learn how we can identify our audience, and then ensure the work we produce will be well received by them.

At this stage of the course students will be starting to consider what steps lie beyond their time on our course. In this unit we will support you to make plans for your next steps. We will explore higher education opportunities, as well as employment and apprenticeship avenues. We will help and support you in creating applications to universities, as well as making CV’s and building interview experience to ensure you can take your next steps with confidence. 

This unit is an extensive, detailed research project where you will explore an area of the creative industries that will help you elevate your own work. You will produce a body of research that will explore an area important to you. This could be looking at an influential animator who has inspired you, or looking to interview a games designer that has been important to your passion for the creative industries. Whatever you explore you will finish this unit with a broad and mature understanding of the industry you are hoping to enter. 

This is it – the big one! This project is the final major project of your time on the course. Here you will work for many weeks to produce the very best work you can. Entirely shaped by you, the tutor team will support you to develop an ambitious project that will represent everything you have learned on the course. Leave nothing on the table – show the world what you can do! 

On the Creative Media course you will learn by doing, gaining hands on experience with cameras, equipment and software, you will create a range of digital creations that span games, film and animation platforms. 

The dedicated tutor team will guide you as you develop specialist skills and develop increasingly professional projects. Alongside this you will explore key areas of academic study, researching key contextual areas of our industry and applying this learning to your own work to inform and develop ambitious, sophisticated end results that will stand you in good stead for further study or employment.

Hereford College of Arts has a diverse mix of students, including people with different learning styles and needs. We have a positive, inclusive atmosphere where all of our students are able to access support for their studies. Find out more here.

English and Maths are an integral part of the course.  

If you do not yet have the necessary grades (Grade 4/C or above) you will get additional teaching and support to study for either a GCSE or functional skills qualification, depending on your prior GCSE grades. 

The Study Skills team at HCA is committed to providing a high standard of specialised and individually tailored support to improve outcomes for all students. This support includes extra provision for those who:

• Would benefit from enhancing their academic writing, referencing and critical thinking skills;
• Need to further develop their English and Maths abilities;
• Require exam access arrangements such as 25% extra time;
• Have particular learning requirements and need to focus on developing their organisation, planning and academic abilities;
• Have English as their second language (EAL);
• May benefit from using Assistive Technology to develop greater independence.

Study Skills support is currently delivered through specialist English, Maths or EAL sessions, as well as provision for students focusing on their coursework. The team aims to support learners in setting their own targets in order to develop their independence and achieve their full potential throughout their chosen course of study.

All students also have access to scheduled drop-in sessions for support for all areas including coursework, English and Maths, study skills, EAL, information, advice and guidance. Find out more here. (Insert link)

You will be fully equipped for your creative journey with all students having access to their own dedicated machine with all the industry standard software you need. As well as this you will have access and training to all the equipment you will need to make your creations, from cameras, lighting, microphones, VR headsets and more.

We understand that deciding what course to do, or what career path to follow, can seem a bit daunting. Our Careers programme and Information, Advice and Guidance services are accredited by Matrix Standard and our team is always on hand to provide information, advice and guidance to students. 

Our post-16 courses offer an outstanding foundation to pursue a career in the creative industries and beyond. 

Every year students progress onto degree courses at some of the top arts and stage schools in the UK, or go on to study other subjects from Medicine to Marketing.

You can apply at any point during the year directly to HCA. We receive a high number of application across our four subject areas so we recommend that you make your application as early as possible.

Find out more here. 

Once you have completed the online application form we will write to you and invite you to attend a face-to-face interview or audition. 

We will also send you some guidance to help you prepare - but the main aim of your interview is to give us the chance to get to know you, and for you to get a feel for the course team.

We schedule interview/audition in blocks to give you a chance to meet some of the other students who will be starting the course with you.

At HCA we want you to apply happy. The application process doesn't need to be scary. Remember, we are looking for your passion and potential - not perfection. And we are here to help every step of the way so you feel comfortable through the process.

Level 3 Extended Diploma (2 years)

• Minimum 5 GCSEs at Grade 9 – 4 (A*- C), or a Level 2 Diploma Merit grade in your subject.  

  To ensure that you qualify, it is highly desirable that you achieve at least a Grade 4/C or above in English and Maths.

• Interview and portfolio or audition.
• Minimum age: 16 years old.

Level 2 Diploma (1 year)

• Minimum 4 GCSEs Grade 9 – 2 (previously A* – F)

  To ensure that you qualify, it is also highly desirable that you achieve at least a grade 4 / C or above in English or Maths.

• Interview and portfolio or audition.
• Minimum age: 16 years.

We are passionate about access to outstanding education. Every student comes to us at a different point in their journey. Students have a broad range of subject area experience, academic qualifications and personal circumstances.

One way to ensure you get the most out of the course is by making sure you start in the right place.

All our curriculum areas offer a Level 2 entry, which will provide you with an outstanding foundation in the subject before moving on to the two-year Level 3 course. 

You can start at Level 2 with lower GCSE grades (outlined above), or limited experience in the arts. 

The fees for the additional Level 2 year is funded by the Government in the same way, so you won’t have to pay additional course fees at any point in your diploma studies.

Course leads will make a recommendation based on results - as well as meeting you and talking to you - if they think you would benefit from starting your studies at Level 2.

There is always some movement between groups early on in the first term, as you find your own level within the college. 

Almost all of our students progress from Level 2 onto our Level 3 courses - with many going on to thrive, and go on to study a degree after their diploma.