Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design Practice (Digital & Creative Media)

Course Code

Digital & Creative Media

Course Type

Course Duration

2 years

Location

Central Campus

Start Date

1 September, 2025
Digital and creative media interface

The Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design (Digital & Creative Media) is a two-year full-time course for enthusiastic, creative and highly motivated people. If you want to have fun working hard, creating ideas and designs using the latest digital design software, this is the course for you. We want people with high aspirations to unlock potential and learn exciting new skills in graphic design, animation and games design

You will need four GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English, or you will have completed a full equivalent Level 2 qualification. In addition, you will be required to share examples of your creative work at interview, or by emailing images directly to the course tutor.

  • Gain work experience with leading employers through our exciting partnerships with organisations such as Sandwell Council and Kaleidoscope Plus Group
  • Work with professional designers and content creators
  • Work to professional briefs to create a portfolio of work
  • Attend creative media workshops at leading universities
  • Showcase your end-of-year work in the Festival of Arts Exhibition
  • Support and guidance with UCAS applications and university interview process

Modules:

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

A1: Skills Development
You will explore key fundamentals of art and design practice, learning how skills are integrated and connect to generate developed outcomes.

A2: Creative Project
You will apply the skills you have been developing throughout the programme to a creative project that demonstrates your ability to self-direct a response to a brief, from inception to communication of outcomes.

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

B1: Personal Progression
You will explore a range of career opportunities, produce valuable materials and demonstrate specialist skills relating to your goals for personal progression.

B2: Creative Industry Response
You will focus on advancing your practical, critical and reflective skills to produce work in response to an industry brief. You will use the knowledge, understanding and experience you 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:

  • Fully equipped photography studio
  • Darkroom, complete with black and white processing and printing facilities
  • A range of film and digital cameras and accessories
  • Professional lighting equipment
  • Apple Mac suite for image management and manipulation
  • Industry-standard design applications in the Adobe Creative Suite, eg. Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator
  • Valuable guidance and support from highly experienced and knowledgeable teaching staff with real industry knowledge

Employers:

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

  • Sandwell Council
  • Powered by CAN
  • Multistory
  • Create Britain
  • ERIC Creative Careers
  • Visit Harry Potter Studios
  • Take a trip to Comic Con
  • Visit the famous Museum of Brands in London
  • Workshop and tour at Staffordshire University
  • View the end-of-year design show at University of Wolverhampton
  • Participate in annual Festival of Arts exhibitions

 

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. You 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.

On successful completion of this Level 3 Digital & Creative Extended Diploma in Art and Design, you can progress to a HNC, HND or a full degree at university to study games design, graphic design, animation, content creation or related media or marketing specialisms.
Alternatively, you might want to offer your services as a freelance content creator or undertake an apprenticeship.
We discuss many options with you throughout the course and help you decide where you want to go.

Course Details

Qualification

Exam Board

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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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