Pearson BTEC HNC in Art and Design - Digital Design
This full-time 1 year course has an emphasis on learning skills current to the visual arts industry with the aim of increasing your employability and potential progression. We mainly work as a project-based course for students who wish to develop skills in the visual arts. The course is highly practical, but it also demands academic ability. We use Project Based Learning (PBL) approaches which give you industry relevant learning, mimicking industry style briefs and projects. This will help prepare you for employment in the creative arts industries. The outcomes on this course are developed with the student groups in mind and are tailored to meet the interests and requirements of each group, your work will be largely driven by your own focus and interests and pitching these to meet the briefs. You will study a wide range of digital and production skills on the course which will include digital drawing, software use, photography, contextual studies, and animation. This will all be delivered by an experienced team of lecturers who have worked in the industry and are current practitioners in their areas. You will benefit from time with staff & technician support who can help you discover your path into your chosen industry and will be supported with access to industry standard equipment and softwares.
Academic Year: 2023/24
Course Code: 11043
Campus: Bangor
Study Type: Full-Time
Education Level Higher Education
Sessions
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Course Structure
Level 4
- Core unit Mandatory - 1 Professional Development
- Core unit Mandatory - 2 Contextual Studies
- Core unit Mandatory – 3 Individual Project – Pearson set
- Core unit Mandatory – 4 Techniques and Processes
- Specialist unit Mandatory – 12 screen-based Practices
- Specialist unit Mandatory – 18 Digital design Practices
Additional units of study (2 of the following)
- 24 Visual Merchandising
- 29 Workflows
- 30 surface design
- 31 Visual Narratives
The units will be delivered through a series of assignments that will be carried out either individually or in small groups.
Most of the studio practice is usually completed individually due to the nature of contemporary art and design practice.
The practical work is supported by contextual and theoretical studies which helps put your practice into context.
Contact Hours
15 hours contact time to include practical classes, lectures, workshops or tutorials.
Mandatory Additional Study
Maximum of 3 hours per week average over the academic year.
Personal Study
20 hours maximum studying and preparing assessments in your own time per week, and use of online material
Entry Requirements
GCSE/ Level 2 Requirements
GCSE grade C/4 in English Language, or Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills Communication, or equivalent in an approved alternative qualification
AND GCSE grade C/4 in Mathematics, or Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills Application of Number, or equivalent in an approved alternative qualification.
AND
Passes in 4 different subjects (can include English Language and Mathematics and as above), with 1 at GCE Advanced (A) level (grades A-E), and 3 at GCSE level (grades A*-C*/9-4), or equivalent in an approved alternative qualification.
UCAS
A minimum of 32 UCAS points including:
GCE A level (A2): Typical grade profile C in Art and Design or related Visual Arts subject.
OR [RQF] Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design or related Visual Arts subject with overall award profile MM
OR OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma in Art and design or related Visual Arts subject with an Overall award profile MM
OR BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design and Media Practice with an overall award profile of Merit
Access Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (NI): 45% overall [in a Visual Arts Access course] and [45%] in level 2 Access Mathematics.
International Requirements
- Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level B2
- PTE 51 IELTS 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in all skills) Or equivalent (examples of equivalent qualifications would be GCSE in English, Level 3 Programmes, Essential Skills in Literacy - Level 2, ESOL Level 2 or another qualification gained at an institution within the UK).
Admissions
Successful completion of the Admissions Process. Additional Skills Interview: Suitable applicants will be required to attend a formal interview with the course leader - either in person or online.
Portfolio
Applicants are required to submit a creative portfolio of their own work. The purpose of the portfolio is to evaluate your development as a creator and assess your ability to succeed on the course. We look for evidence of the basic technical and cognitive skills you will need to succeed.
How will I be assessed and given feedback?
Students are assessed using a range of different methods.
These may include examinations, coursework, project-based learning, presentations, practical, posters, leaflets, and case studies.
This is dependent on the requirements of each unit of study.
Oral, written and online feedback will be provided during your course to help improve and monitor performance.
Where will it take me?
The course will prepare you with a portfolio of work that demonstrates a range of practical, professional skills that can be used to seek employment opportunities in the creative industries or for further study at higher education level.
Students can progress onto the HND 2nd year at SERC after this course to achieve a Level 5 qualification and then in some cases on to a 'top up' degree.
The specific vocational content of this course, along with access to a state-of-the-art software and equipment provide an invaluable pre-requisite to employment in all aspects of the creative digital art & design industry.
How will it make me more employable?
- Gaining a vocational qualification demonstrating your technical competence.
- Gaining a Personal Development qualification demonstrating your employability skills (communication, teamwork, critical thinking).
- Gaining hands on experience through Industry Projects (PBL).
- Getting involved in activities such as the SERC Volunteer Programme and SERC Student Companies.
- Strengthening your ability to be self-reliant and self-motivated.
As well as gaining a recognised qualification you will take part in employability skills workshops and gain skills in teamwork, commitment, IT and problem solving. You will also have the opportunity to work with our student companies to get a taste for the industry itself.
Additional Costs
Field trips are not compulsory, however there are occasions when lecturers will organise talks or trips off campus which the teaching team deem supportive to the students' studies.
The department recognises the importance of providing students with the opportunity to see professional environments, both locally and internationally.
Field trips do not have a direct impact on individual academic success. Costings for field trips are based on the confirmed total number of students wishing to partake and costs are kept to a minimum
A standard kit of art materials such as sketch books, paints, brushes, pencils, pens. Approx. £100
A digital SLR camera. Approx. £150 upwards
A portfolio case with sleeves A3 or above dependent on own practice. Approx. £40-£60
A memory cards for both video and audio files approx. £25.
Students are asked to budget approx.
Accreditation
Course Modules
Level 4
Core unit Mandatory - 1 Professional Development
Core unit Mandatory - 2 Contextual Studies
Core unit Mandatory – 3 Individual Project – Pearson set
Core unit Mandatory – 4 Techniques and Processes
Specialist unit Mandatory – 12 screen-based Practices
Specialist unit Mandatory – 18 Digital design Practices
Additional units of study (2 of the following)
24 Visual Merchandising
29 Workflows
30 surface design
31 Visual Narratives
Terms & Conditions
Students will be required to comply with SERC's Terms & Conditions of study.
We strive to ensure the description of courses on SERC's website and in publications is accurate. However, for various reasons there may be occasions when the College may need to change arrangements or be unable to deliver classes due to circumstances such as reduced funding. If there are insufficient numbers applying for a course it may not be viable to deliver the class.
Available Sessions Summary
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For more information or help with this course send us an enquiry and a member of our team will get back in touch.
Higher Education
If you have just completed your A-Levels, Higher Education is most likely the option for you. HE usually covers HNC, HND & Foundation Degree level of courses including our Higher Level Apprenticeships.
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