Are you passionate about the news and desperate to be part of the UK's highly respected journalism industry? Do you sit and watch documentaries and think to yourself that you would love to shout about issues that are important to you? If so, then our Level 3 Multimedia Journalism course is for you.
The days of journalists only writing articles for newspapers or magazines is over. Todays working journalists are skilled in not only news writing, but camera operation, radio broadcasting, video and audio editing skills, as well as image manipulation and page layout skills.
This course aims to introduce you to the exciting world of multimedia journalism by studying a variety of digital and broadcast journalism practices including traditional and modern print and broadcast journalism methods, digital and online research techniques, interview and communication skills, and projects involving clients and real-life work situations.
This two year programme develops your understanding of the media industries and the practical techniques required to work in the rapidly changing media environment, and will provide you with the skills to cope in the fast paced world of Journalism that requires employees to be innovative, creative, quick thinking and knowledgeable.
At the start of the course, you will work with the basic skills of journalism, developing your skills in sound and television, print layout, interviewing and writing. As your level of proficiency increases the tasks will become more challenging; engaging and unlocking your creativity.
The course is taught through a range of approaches designed to provide you with the opportunity to develop technical skills for practical applications and real vocational experience or support with progression to university.
Delivery methods will include practical workshop sessions in our brand new TV studio, media editing suites, radio and sound rooms. Classroom-based theory sessions are supported by IT and computer-based research, real-world media industry situations (including live broadcasts, video editing sessions, production company meetings) and educational visits to industry trade fairs and other media industry-related events. There may also be the opportunity to get a better understanding of the world of work through work experience opportunities and commissions.
Please do note that as a working journalist, we expect all applicants to be comfortable with communicating with a range of diverse people that you may not know. In addition, applicants must be comfortable working in groups as there is a considerable amount of collaboration with colleagues required when working in the industry.
Studying UAL Level 3 Journalism at Northampton College will give you the opportunity to further your aspirations by progressing on to university or into the work-place.
On completion of Year 1 of this course, you will achieve a Level 3 UAL Diploma in Creative Media Production & Technology. At the end of Year 2, you will achieve a Level 3 UAL Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production & Technology.
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What will I study?
The units you will study are likely to include:
Specialist Units:
- Introduction to media processes and technical skills
- Introduction to design and research skills in creative media production
- Introduction to professional practice in creative media production
- Critical and contextual awareness in creative media production
- Investigating audio production and technology
- Investigating visual production and technology
- Investigating interactive production and technology
- Characteristics and contexts in creative media production
- Engaging with an audience in creative media production
- Preparing for progression in creative media production
- Specialist study in creative media production
All units are subject to change and may be withdrawn.
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Who is this course for?
This course is ideal for you if you have an interest in working in the journalism or public relations sectors, work well in groups and wish to gain a Level 3 qualification in Journalism.
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How is the course assessed?
This course is assessed through:
- practical assignments, internally assessed
- written assignments, internally assessed
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Your Study Programme
If you are aged 16-18, you will join a Study Programme this could be a vocational or technical qualification. We will make sure you are working at the right level on your core qualification and are challenged to achieve the highest level of qualification you can.
Work experience will be part of your study programme and complement your college study and prepare you for employment. You will also get involved in activities to help you develop life skills and to build your confidence so you can make progress in your career.
If you have chosen to study for a T Level qualification, this will involve college-based theory and practice lessons along with relevant work placement to enable you to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers are looking for.
Weekly timetables will include tutorial support which may comprise of full group activities or one to one sessions to discuss individual progress or support needs.
All students will continue to improve their maths and English and if you don't have a grade 4 (C) at GCSE, we will work with you towards achieving that goal (subject to specific entry requirements for particular courses).
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Knowledge
You will develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of:
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Different audiences needs and how to produce content which meets those needs
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Media language to understand how messages are communicated to an audience
- A range of pre-production processes with consideration of the impact that these pre-production decisions can have on the quality of the final product.
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Skills
You will have the ability to:
- Utilise a range of software and hardware to produce Media content in line with industry conventions
- effectively Apply rigorous primary and secondary research skills to The development of products
- Critically evaluate research sources as well as production Work in order to make Effective improvements to completed products.
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Behaviours
What is required?
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Develop positive working relationships with others in order to produce industry standard content
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Build resilience by responding positively to feedback from staff and peers and implement this feedback to make improvements to work produced
- Productivity - organises work effectively and achieves required results within deadlines, demonstrating the drive and energy to get things done in pressurised situations and escalating appropriately when necessary.
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General info
Students will be expected to purchase some basic equipment relevant to the course. This will be conveyed to them in the form of a kit list, sent via email during the summer before they enrol.
There may be opportunities to go on trips throughout the year, the cost of these will be discussed with students ahead of time.
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Progression and Career Opportunities
Northampton College offers a range of media based HNC/HND Programmes at Level 4. Students choosing to study Journalism at Level 3 usually progress on to University as the field is highly competitive. At this level, students can choose to specialise in written journalism, video production or page layout which can then determine their career paths. There are opportunities to move in to jobs within Advertising and Marketing, PR, Journalism, Video Editing and graphic design at HE level. Roles included in these areas include Copywriters, Broadcast Assistants, Editors, Feature Writers and Press Officers.
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Entry Requirements for new students
Four GCSEs at Grade 4-5 or above including English Language or a Level 2 Diploma in Media with English Language at GCSE Grade 4 and maths at GCSE grade 3.
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Admissions Process
We recommend that you attend one of our exciting open events so that you can look around the department, the college and meet the tutors. You are welcome to do this before or after you apply. These events have proved very successful in ensuring students and their families see the best of what the college has to offer such as our inspirational teaching areas, teachers, library facilities and places to eat.
Once you have applied our experienced Enrolment Team will consider your application carefully and will let you know, by email, if the College would like to make you a conditional offer based on you meeting the specified entry requirements. If your predicted grades or career aims suggest that an alternative subject area or course level would be more appropriate for you at this stage, we will contact you either by telephone, email or text. If you have told us that you have some additional support needs we will contact you to find out more so that we can help you.
