Quick facts
| Qualification type | Level 3 Diploma |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Study times | You will be expected to be in college for a minimum of 3 days per week, from 9:15 to 4:00. Your timetable will be confirmed at induction. |
| Entry requirements | 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above. You will be invited to attend an interview where we will discuss your prior experience and aspirations. We will also set you a project prior to starting the course. |
| Campus | West Suffolk College Sixth Form Campus, Bury St Edmunds |
| Work placements | Work experience opportunities |
Is it for me?
Film and TV is one of the most exciting and creatively diverse industries to get into.
This practical-orientated course will give you valuable insights into the film and television industry and real-life work experience through our in-house production studio, taking on project briefs from external clients.
The course will equip you with fundamental skills in scriptwriting, production planning, camera operation, lighting, directing, VFX, and sound. These skills will be honed to a high level, allowing you to create a showreel that will serve as a valuable tool for your future career prospects.
Throughout the course you will be working with industry professionals, and work on commissions for companies in the local area. These opportunities provide you with outstanding work experience, networking skills and the confidence to make a successful career in film and TV.
What you'll learn
Topics covered include:
- Editing and Audio Techniques
- Camera Techniques
- Production Planning
- Lighting
- Sound
- Direction
- 2D Animation
- Interview Techniques
- Music Video Production
- Advertising
- Writing for Television and Film
- VFX
In your second year, you'll take part in our '48-hour film challenge', which requires you to work in a production team to write, produce and edit a short film. This is screened at an awards ceremony.
Equipment required for the course
- External Hard-drive - for example: LaCie Rugged 1TB USB 3.0
- SD card Class 10 minimum 32gb - for example: Sandisk Extreme Pro
- Monitor Headphones with 3.5mm jack connection for example: AKG K52 - 3.5mm
- Total of approximately £120
Work experience placements
You will be required to undertake a level of work experience while completing the course to help give you the opportunity to make connections and learn more about the industry.
Assessment
There are no exams. Throughout the course you will generate a portfolio of evidence to show how you are developing within the media and film industries. You will be producing both practical work in addition to presentations, mood boards, evaluations and research documentation.
Your grade for both years is based on a large project of your choosing. You work on this at the end of each year, and so long as it fits within the boundaries of the qualification, this could anything from producing a music video to making a short film.
Example careers
- Producer
- Director
- Casting Director
- Set Runner
- Camera Operator
- Journalist
- Correspondent
- Social Media Producer
- Sound Editor
- Grip Crew Supervisor
- Video Editor
- Special Effects Supervisor
- CGI Animator
- Cinematographer
- Location Manager
- Lighting Director
Days & times
Starting September 2025
Wednesday
Thursday