Creative Digital Media

Creative & Digital Media at Post 16: Shaping the Next Generation of Creators

Creative Digital Media is at the heart of modern communication, shaping the content, campaigns and experiences that influence how we connect, learn and engage with the world around us. At UTC Sheffield City Centre, our Post 16 Creative Digital Media specialism combines creative exploration with industry experience, enabling students to develop the technical expertise, practical skills and professional behaviours valued by leading employers and universities. Through industry-standard facilities, employer-led projects and a curriculum designed around the needs of the creative sector, students build an impressive portfolio of work while preparing for progression to competitive university courses, higher and degree apprenticeships, and careers across the creative and digital industries.

Creative Digital Media Pathway

All students following the Creative Digital media specialism will study a Level 3 OCR Cambridge Technical in Digital Media. This course is worth up to the equivalent of 3 A Levels and there is the opportunity to study up to two A Levels alongside. The size of the course will depend on additional choices and individual students interests and aspirations.

The Course

Year 12: Foundation Year

1 A Level Equivalent

In this year students complete the following foundation units of the qualification, which will see them learn and use a range of software and equipment including DSLR cameras and lenses and the Adobe Creative Cloud.

Units include:

Unit 1: Media products and audiences (exam)
Unit 2: Pre-production and planning (exam)
Unit 3: Create a media product (magazines)
Unit 20: Advertising media (cross media campaign)
Unit 21: Plan and deliver a pitch for a media product
Unit 22: Scripting for media products

Year 13: Specialist Year

Up to 2 A Level Equivalent

Using their skills, knowledge and experience gained in Year 12, students will pick one of two pathways to study in their final year, with the option to pick units that will enable them to tailor their learning to their future goals.

Below are examples of units you could study under the chosen pathway:

Pathway 1: Moving Image

Unit 5: TV and short film
Unit 14: Radio production
Unit 17: Visual and special effects

Pathway 2: Interactive

Unit 4: Interactive media product
Unit 10: Create a digital animation
Unit 8: Photography for digital media products

Working with the Sector

At Post 16, students benefit from engagement with the creative and digital industries, working with employers and industry professionals through live briefs, employer-led projects, workplace visits, mentoring programmes and careers events. Students also have opportunities to secure work experience placements, gaining valuable insight into professional media environments while developing the creative, technical and professional skills needed for university, apprenticeships and future careers in areas such as film, photography, graphic design, content creation, digital marketing and the wider creative industries.

See our full list of employer partners

Destinations & Progression

Our Creative Digital Media students leave UTC Sheffield City Centre with a portfolio of work, industry experience and the skills needed to progress into the creative industries. Former students have gone on to study a wide range of creative subjects, including Television and Radio at the University of Salford, 3D Animation at the University of South Wales, Filmmaking at UWE Bristol, Games Art at Sheffield Hallam University, Graphic Design at Leeds Arts University, Media, Communication and Cultural Studies at Newcastle University, and Electronic Music Production at Leeds Conservatoire. Others have progressed into apprenticeships and employment opportunities across media production, marketing, content creation and the wider creative and digital sector.

Whether your ambition is to become a filmmaker, broadcaster, designer, photographer, animator, content creator or digital marketer, we’ll help you develop the knowledge, experience and industry connections needed to take the next step towards your chosen career.