Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice (Film & Media)

Course Code

Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice (Film & Media)

Course Type

Course Duration

2 years

Location

Central Campus

Start Date

1 September, 2025
TV camera filming student

This Level 3 Creative Media Practice course is designed for learners aged 16-19 who wish to work in the film, media, broadcasting or content creation industries. Learners will have a passion for developing skills, knowledge, and behaviours necessary for a career in content creation, video production and film making.

Throughout the course you will develop both technical and practical skills using our industry-standard video, audio, post-production, and design tools and equipment, covering a range of production techniques, including:

  • Film & TV Production
  • Camera Operating
  • Video Editing
  • Lighting
  • Sound Recording
  • Directing & Producing
  • Podcasting
  • Graphic Design
  • Pre-Production

You will also explore the modern media landscape, gaining insight into various types of media organisations and how they develop and fund their content. The course will also introduce you to key workplace practices that ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality media and broadcast production, helping you understand what it takes to thrive as a media professional.

You’ll need four or more GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including English, or a related Level 2 equivalent qualification.

In Year 1, learners will complete 2 extensive coursework-based units:

A1: Skills Development

Learners will explore key fundamentals of creative media practice, learning how skills are integrated and connect to generate developed outcomes

A2: Creative Project

Learners will apply the skills they have been developing throughout the programme to a creative project that demonstrates their ability to self-direct a response to a brief, from inception to communication of outcomes.

On successful completion of these units, learners will progress onto Year 2 to complete 2 further units:

B1: Personal Progression

Learners should explore a range of career opportunities, produce valuable materials and demonstrate specialist skills relating to your goals for personal progression.

B2: Creative Industry Response

Learners will focus on advancing their practical, critical and reflective skills to produce work in response to an industry brief. They will use the knowledge, understanding and experience they have gained to plan, prepare and develop a proposal for a project and apply advanced skills to carry it out from concept to resolution.

 

Facilities:

Students on this course benefit from state-of-the-art facilities including:

  • 4K and HD Digital Video Cameras
  • DSLRs
  • Professional Lighting Equipment
  • Sound Recording
  • Podcast Equipment
  • Green Screen Facilities
  • Adobe Creative Cloud Software (Premiere Pro, After FX, Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator, Animate, Lightroom, Audition)
  • 170 Seat Theatre with high-end projection for film screenings

Employers:

We’re proud to work with a number of employers so our students can leave with real-world experience. Some of the employers we work with include:

  • Rural Media
  • Age UK
  • Black Country Women’s Aid
  • West Midlands Police
  • Brook Charity
  • Create Britain

Students have a range of enrichment opportunities on our course including:

  • BFI Film Academy. Learners have the opportunity to apply for the BFI West Midlands Film Academy. Previous students have spoken highly about how this opportunity enriched their study through support and mentoring from industry professionals through workshops and production.
  • BBC WM talks, tours and industry panels
  • Birmingham Film Festival (Screenings and Panels)
  • Aesthetica BAFTA Short Film Festival (Screenings, Industry Panels, Masterclasses)
  • Trip to Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studios

When you’re not studying, there’s a wide range of enrichment activities to get involved in – perfect for making new friends, building confidence, and gaining experiences that will boost your CV or university application.

Through the Student Union and college committees, you can take part in everything from sports teams, enterprise and volunteering projects to fundraising campaigns and even the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

There’s something for everyone – from joining a debating society, to attending inclusive cultural events and festivals, or enjoying one of our regular film nights and theatre trips.

Assessment is 100% coursework based.

You will learn a range of skills and techniques that you will then apply within your project work.  A project brief will be given to you in the form of a creative, industry-related scenario. You will be expected to undertake research, develop your ideas and experiment with designs before producing your final artwork in response to the brief. You will also regularly evaluate your process, reflecting on the effectiveness of your work.

You will generate substantial evidence to submit for assessment over the duration of each assignment, including all of your planning and developmental work, sampling of techniques, reflection on your processes and ideas development and the production of the actual final artwork.

The work you submit for each assignment is assessed against specific criteria to pass, merit or distinction levels. Learners must achieve a pass grade or higher for every criteria in all 4 units in order to achieve the qualification.  The exam board will moderate a sample of learner work each year to confirm grades have been awarded to meet the national standards.

Your tutors will provide regular feedback throughout the course, to support your progress and help you to set personalised targets to improve and achieve.

The BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma is equivalent to 3 A Levels, and will qualify you to progress onto:

  • University
  • Employment
  • Apprenticeship

Future career options might include:

  • TV or Film Camera Operator
  • TV or Film Sound Technician
  • Lighting Technician
  • Video Editor
  • Broadcast Engineer
  • Graphic / Motion Graphic Designer
  • TV or Film Production Assistant
  • TV or Film Assistant Director
  • TV or Film Director
  • TV or Film Producer
  • Radio Broadcast Assistant

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Course Details

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Located in West Bromwich, Sandwell College boasts best in class facilities and exceptional teaching standards.
Alongside delivering outstanding pass rates, the College is proud to offer unrivalled mental health services and welfare support, ensuring that every student has access to the advice and guidance they need.

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