Course summary
On this exciting future focused programme you will explore and develop the creative, critical, professional and personal skills required in the competitive and rapidly changing Creative Industries landscape. As well as engaging with contemporary issues and practices, the FdA Digital Design and Media [Digital Graphics] encompasses areas including idea generation, creative thinking, visual language and communication, design processes and methods, layout and typographic design, image making, design for branding, design for advertising, design for packaging, web and app design, design for interaction, VR and AR . The aim is to develop creative and technical skills related to Graphic Design alongside employability and academic skills through a variety of exciting assignments and real design projects. The course delivery is constantly developing in line with changes within the Creative Industries and advances in digital technology and practice. You will learn digital design skills and Adobe software skills which will make you highly employable. 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, practising 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 Masters level. This programme is also ideal for employees who want to develop digital skills for career progression or to change careers. You can study 2 years full-time or 4 years part- time. 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. If you are interested in studying part-time, please contact Yeovil College University Centre by calling 01935 845454 or emailing [email protected]. As well as the Digital Graphics pathway, we also offer pathways in Digital Media, Digital Photography, 3D Design Visualisation, Surface Pattern and Textiles, Concept Art for Games and Film, and Visual Effects for Film and Games. 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. In the first Semester of Year 1 (September-February of the first year of the course) students will have exposure to all of the pathways available. If, at the end of this, you wish to switch your specialist pathway then you will have the one-off opportunity to do this in the February of Year 1 of your course. After this point, you will remain fixed on your chosen specialist pathway for the remaining duration of the programme. Work Experience and Placement You will study Creative Industry Employability Skills and Professional Practice and take part in work experience or work related activity (e.g. live briefs) within the Creative Industries during this programme. After the Course The qualification gained is the Level 5 Foundation Degree Arts in Digital Design and Media [Digital Graphics]. The awarding body is the University of Gloucestershire. On successful completion you can progress onto a Level 6 Top-Up degree at another University, find employment in the Creative Industry or start your own Creative Business.
Modules
Teaching and learning will take place through structured, practical activities and demonstrations in our Digital Design Lab, using a variety of resources provided including our industry standard Macs, PC’s, Wacom Tablets 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 graphic design curriculum. You will develop your skills whilst working on real exciting design briefs. In each semester there will be two 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 4, and a further 120 credits at Level 5. Each Level will be made up of a mixture of 15 credit and 30 credit modules. For a 15 credit module, on average, students will receive 30 hours of college-led teaching, learning and assessment. On top of this, students should expect to put in around 30 hours of independent study – researching, building technical skills, and working on assignments. For a 30 credit unit, 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. English and maths is embedded into the programme. You will study a range of modules that will develop your specialist knowledge, skills and professional behaviours. Level 4 (Year 1 Full Time) undertake Communication and Visual Culture, Creative Visual Research, Experimental Project 1, Creative Project 1: Digital Graphics, Creative Thinking, and Creative Industry Employability Skills. Level 5 (Year 2 Full Time undertake Creative Professional Practice, Creative Enterprise, Experimental Project 2: Digital Graphics, Creative Project 2: Digital Graphics, Creative Major Project Research, and Creative Curation. 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. 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.
Assessment method
You will be assessed for each module of study through a variety of assessment methods including 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. Most modules count for 15 academic credits although some, such as Experimental Project 1 in the first year, are double weighted and count for 30 credits. 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 per level and 240 credits for the foundation degree as a whole. Your overall grade for the course is based on the marks obtained for modules taken at level 5.
How to apply
31Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- DMDG
- Institution code:
- Y25
- Campus name:
- Yeovil College University Centre
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
120 Level 4 CATS in an associated subject
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 48 points
A level
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher
T Level
Typical entry requirements are 48 UCAS tariff points from two A levels or equivalent, BTEC Level 3 Diplomas, Access to HE Diploma, International Baccalaureate (with at least 24 points achieved), UCAS tariff points from Scottish Highers or Advanced Highers, UCAS tariff points from the Irish Leaving Certificate and Welsh Baccalaureate are generally accepted. GCSE Maths and GCSE English at grade 4 or above (or equivalent) are highly desirable. In some circumstances, applicants may be considered on the basis of a creative portfolio where they do not meet these entry criteria in full. Applicants will be invited to attend an admission interview and will be advised of the criteria in advance. We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 and over as of 1st September in the academic year of admission) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants. Please email [email protected] to find out more. An understanding of the creative industries and a desire to produce original and innovative outcomes using traditional and digital methods is also required.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
English language requirements
International applicants will be required to evidence English language skills - this could be an IELTS score of 6.0, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component, a grade 4 in GCSE English (or equivalent), or having recently completed a Level 3 qualification taught and assessed in the English language. For more information, please email [email protected].
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| EU | £7986 | Year 1 |
| England | £7986 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £7986 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £7986 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £7986 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
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.
Provider information
Yeovil College University Centre
Mudford Road
Yeovil
BA21 4DR