Digital Media Production with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

Sheffield Hallam University

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.

Course summary

• Study your foundation year, then progress to a degree with industry accreditation from the British Kinematograph Sound and Television Society (BKSTS).
• Learn to use industry-standard systems to create, capture, store, edit, compose and distribute digital media.
• Work with a wide range of professional industry standard equipment.
• Build your employability by working with nationwide digital media companies.
• Gain valuable experience by working on live projects.

This course enables you to develop the creative and technical skills needed to work with industry-standard technologies and current emerging platforms in disciplines such as film, animation, interactive media, gaming, mobile applications, web-based media, social media, virtual reality and cross-media.

How you learn

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

The course is suitable if you don't meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) Digital Media Production course, or you want extra preparation before starting degree-level study. You share the first year with other media arts and communication foundation year students, then move on to the degree.

We employ a practice-based approach to teaching and assessment set within the context of creative and industry-focused activities. You will build up a portfolio of creative work suitable for use after you graduate.

You learn through:

• lab based specialist workshops
• lectures, seminars and tutorials
• self-directed study
• live projects

In the foundation year, you'll study wide-ranging media arts and communication topics, while also focussing on your particular subject area and completing assignments in that field. You'll grow as a creative, and begin developing a professional portfolio. You'll also become familiar with Hallam's exceptional facilities and staff, so you're fully prepared for undergraduate study.

Applied learning

Work placements

You will have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your third and fourth years. This gives you a real-world experience to prepare you for your future career. You are supported in finding a placement by our experienced Placement and Employability Team who have a large range of employer contacts.

Live projects

The entire course, in terms of both content and approach, is geared towards producing employable digital media professionals through live projects. Many modules on the degree make use of Applied Projects (a University service which sources clients for live projects) that gives you the experience of working within your specialist industry.

Networking opportunities

We can provide you with the skills you need to set up your own business through our Enterprise Centre. For those involved in this opportunity, our specialist business start-up unit, The Hatchery, also provides additional free support and office space, as well as business mentors with experience in your business area. A series of guest lectures from industry professionals, networking events, competitions and other industry-based research opportunities also provide you with the opportunity to develop your network.