Media

Access to Higher Education: Creative Digital Media Level 3 Full-time

In Brief

Start Date / Duration

This course starts in September 2025 and runs for one year. Dates and times are to be confirmed but you will study for 12 hours per week.

Entry requirements

  • You will need to be 19 when the course commences in September
  • Entry to the course is by interview. We take a strong interest in previous experience and would love to see or hear recent written work, computer-based or online materials
  • Level 2 English is desirable

You will achieve

Access to Higher Education Diploma Level 3 Creative Digital Media, awarded by Gateway

Course overview

The diploma allows you to undertake study related to creative and digital media topics. You will have the opportunity to develop skills which will enable progression to a range of degree level programmes including a focus on Discovering Art, Design & Cultural Movements, Introduction to the Media and Visual Studies 2D with a range of optional units.

The core progression pathway of this Access to HE course is for film, TV and digital media. You will learn to work with a vast number of applications form the Adobe Suite including Premiere Pro, Photoshop and Lightroom.

Course content

The course is made up of various units that will run independently and combined throughout the year. Pathways have been chosen to best suit a wide range of creative media areas that each learner will undertake and complete.

The units include an introduction to Discovering Art, Design & Cultural Movements, Introduction to the Media and Visual Studies 2D. These units will support progression onto your desired degree programme, including our progression to a level 4 HNC with Barnsley College University Centre, and incorporate a range of new skills. Learners will have the opportunity to research an aspect of one of these subjects which interests them. The units are designed with balance which allow you to keep your options open until you have fully decided on your preferred route at degree level. They have been chosen to support both progression into higher education and to allow you to develop skills relevant to the subject area e.g., Academic Writing Skills and study skills for the creative arts.

All units are currently subject to curriculum changes due to an update of specification being made.

  • Introduction to the Media
  • Digital Design Principles
  • Visual Studies 2D
  • Digital Sound and Video Capture (Film)
  • Film Editing (Film)
  • Graphic Design (Digital Design)
  • Website Design (Digital Design)
  • Final Major Project (Research based project)

These units cover a wide range of skills across Film and Digital Design.

Core knowledge and understanding is acquired via lectures, seminars, workshops, group work, computer assisted learning, case studies, video, and other multi-media presentations.

You will be taught through lectures, practical sessions, and independent learning. We foster a culture of independent learning and decision making that will develop your problem solving and analytical skills.

You will complete project-based assessments which will combine several units to give you an employment-based assessment. The teaching will reflect the project approach and will include aspects of teamworking.

You may need pen, paper and other stationery. All other equipment will be provided

SciTech Digital Innovation Centre
Falcon Street
Barnsley
S70 2EY

Some examples of pathways relevant to this Access course –

  • HNC Level 4 Creative Digital Media Production (Barnsley College)
  • BA (Hons) Animation
  • BSc (Hons) Creative Computing
  • BSc (Hons) Digital Television Technology
  • BA (Hons) Digital Photography
  • BA (Hons) Graphic Design
  • BA (Hons) Motion Graphics
  • BA (Hons) Digital Content Creation
  • Illustration with Animation BA (Hons)
  • Filmmaking BA (Hons)
  • Photography, Video and Digital Imaging BA (Hons)

See what careers are available in the Media sector. Use our online careers tool, Career Coach, to find out what your next steps could be.

How much does the course cost?

Course fees: £3384. You can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to pay for this course. See below for more information.  

Extra information

This course may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan.

For eligibility information and details about how to apply, visit the Advanced Learner Loan page. Or contact our Information Team by calling 01226 216 123 or emailing: info@barnsley.ac.uk

If you’re undertaking an Access to Higher Education (HE) course and then go on to complete an HE qualification, the outstanding balance of your Advanced Learner Loan will be written off, once you have fully completed both courses.

For further information please contact our friendly Information Team on +44 (0)1226 216 123 or email info@barnsley.ac.uk

Barnsley College has a range of sports opportunities for all students to take part in, gain professional training and compete nationally and internationally. We also have a state-of-the-art fitness village, Honeywell Sports Village where students can make use of our fitness suite, spinning studio and classes for competitive rates. You don’t have to be studying sport to get involved in the Sports Academy.

Our Additional Learning Support team can provide you with the support you need. Call 01226 216 769 for further information.

Please note we reserve the right to change details without notice. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Access to Higher Education: Creative Digital Media Level 3 Full-time

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