Creative Media Practice (TV & Film) - Level 3 National Extended Diploma

Essentials

Duration: 2 Years Full-time
Start date: 1st September 2025
End date: 4th June 2027
Information Event: Yes

Course fee: FREE (Eligibility criteria may apply)

Year 1 

In your first year, you will build a strong foundation in the core skills required for film, television, and digital media production. You will explore how ideas are developed from concept to screen, learning the fundamental principles of visual storytelling, cinematography, sound, and editing. 

You will gain hands-on experience planning and producing short films, factual content, and studio-based productions. This includes developing scripts and storyboards, operating cameras and sound equipment, and editing footage using industry-standard workflows. Alongside practical production skills, you will also learn how professional productions are structured, including roles within a crew, health and safety practices, and production planning. 

You will work with professional tools and software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, and industry-standard camera and audio equipment, developing confidence in both technical and creative decision-making. 

Year 2 

In your second year, you will take your film and television practice further through a series of focused, professionally aligned projects. You will refine your production skills across camera, lighting, sound, and post-production, while developing a stronger understanding of narrative structure, genre, and audience. 

You will work in small production teams, gaining experience of collaborative workflows that reflect real-world industry practice. Emphasis is placed on communication, problem-solving, and managing productions under time and creative constraints. You will also engage with industry professionals through talks, workshops, and feedback sessions, helping you to develop both technical confidence and a clear creative voice. 

Throughout the year, you will build a substantial portfolio that reflects your strengths, interests, and ambitions within TV and film production. This culminates in the Final Major Project, where you will independently plan and produce a major piece of work. This could include a short film, documentary, television segment, or studio production. The project allows you to specialise, take creative ownership, and produce a professional-quality outcome that showcases your skills and readiness for progression. 

Course Content

This course is the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice. Units include: 

• Film and television production techniques 
• Camera operation and cinematography 
• Sound recording and audio production 
• Editing and post-production workflows 
• Scriptwriting and storytelling for screen 
• Studio and multi-camera production 
• Live events production 
• Production planning and risk assessment 
• Research and audience analysis 
• Teamworking and professional practice 
• Pitching ideas and presenting creative concepts 
• Project and production management 

If you are accepted onto this course without a Grade C or above in Maths and/or English you will be required to complete the relevant Essential Skills qualification. This will be a compulsory part of your timetable.  This course is subject to the College’s Fitness to Practise and Study Policy.

 

Course Aims

The course aims to develop students’ creative, technical, and professional skills, preparing them for progression into employment within the TV, film, and media industries, or onto related university courses in film production, television, media, or digital arts. 

Special Features

Students benefit from teaching delivered by experienced media practitioners with current industry experience. The course provides access to specialist equipment, studio facilities, and professional software, alongside opportunities to engage with industry guests and live project briefs. This ensures learning remains practical, relevant, and aligned with current industry expectations. 

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July in the year of proposed entry to the course and have at least 4 GCSE's at Grade C or above or other relevant qualifications.

Former students have gone on to work for the BBC, UTV, Sky and a wide variety of independent production companies. Approximately nine out of ten students who complete progress to university; we have academic partnerships with the UK`s top TV training college, Ravensbourne, the University of Westminster and the University of Northumbria. As well as TV production, students also progress into related areas like film-making, journalism, marketing, PR, publishing and multimedia.