BA (Hons) Creative and Digital Media (Top-Up)
- Course type
- Undergraduate
- Course qualification
- BA (Hons)
Course summary
What is the fee?
For all course options, see fees and funding
Where will I study?
º£½ÇÂÒÂ× School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology
What is the UCAS code?
PW92
How long will I study?
One year
Overview
This course is ideal if you want to take your Diploma of Higher Education, HND or similar course in Media to the next level and top up to a full BA (Hons) Degree.
You will enhance your previously learned practical skills with greater coverage of academic subjects such as media ethics, documentary making and future media trends. This is different from regular study – it allows you to top up your previous qualification or return to university study after a break from your level 5 qualification.
We have picked some of our most popular and successful modules to complement your previous learning and give you the ability to attain a full degree certification, finishing with your own bespoke project module combining your skills, academic knowledge and following your own personal media interests.
You will:
- Enhance your previous practical skills with academic knowledge and research
- Study in our facilities across two campuses including at MediaCity
- Study alongside students from different areas, enhancing your network
This is for you if...
You have previously attained a HND or DipHE or other Level 5 qualification in media and want to top up
You want to return to study after some time in industry
You want to explore the ethics, future technology and wider application of media skills
How you'll learn
Future careers
The course is designed to take you from a media and content creator into an ethical and knowledgeable entrepreneur. You will have a portfolio that demonstrates your knowledge, skills and behaviours for a wide field of jobs in the creative industries. You will be ideally placed to work as a freelance creative for organisations in the private, public and third sectors. Job roles include but are not limited to Digital Producer, Content Producer, Videographer
Career Links
We have industry links with a range of media organisations, including Channel 4, ITV, BBC Sport and The Hut Group. This course is part of the GMIoT network and will give ready access to networks within and beyond the region.
You might also choose to go on to further study on a postgraduate or research course.
Modules
This course has taken a selection of modules from our various media related courses to give you the ability to top up your previous study to a full degree. You will study documentary making, power and policy within media, computational ethics and the future of creative advertising. These are combined to give you the knowledge and behaviours of a professional that go beyond those of a skilled creator, and empower you to become a knowledgeable and ethically guided creative force, with the ability to look ahead at the media industry and adapt to it.
Click below to expand the module list and read more about each one.
All core modules
Computational Ethics Project
This module will introduce you to the fundamental ethical questions that surround computing industry, governance, and artistic practice. It will engage questions such as automation’s impact on human autonomy, responsibility for machine-made decisions, predictions about human behavior, data-based stereotyping of humans, the relationship of design and equity, and replacing humans with computers in intimate relationships. The module aims to foster your responsible computational practice and allows you to explore and develop your own questions and interests.
Docs Without Rules
Docs Without Rules provides students with opportunities to explore creative documentary production using real world media techniques, tools, processes and briefs. The module explores the language and grammar of documentary film and how and why the rules can be broken and engenders in students a risk taking and explorative attitude to the creative development of their work.
Interests, Power, and Media Policy
The purpose of this module is to provide you with a critical awareness of the ways in which influential interests and power can shape the nature of communication media policy. You will explore a range of policies as well as the main actors and institutions who devise and influence media policy creation.
The Future of Creative Advertising
This module covers:
- The application of new technologies and industry innovations
- Current industry trends and techniques in digital marketing
- Understanding creative use of AI and other future-focused initiatives
Creative and Digital Media - Personal Portfolio Project
Your final portfolio will combine everything you have learned in this study with your previous skills and personal interests to shape a portfolio that is ready for industry and showcases your best work.
We take a flexible approach to our course delivery that promotes diversity and inclusivity and provides a blended learning experience, which will vary to meet specific programme requirements. This learning time includes formal lectures and interactive activities such as seminars, tutorials, practical sessions, laboratory and studio learning. Smaller classes may be used to support collaborative activities such as project and group work and presentations. A range of different assessments and feedback is offered to meet the needs of both our diverse student body and specific subject needs.
Our undergraduate courses are normally made up of 20 credit modules which are equal to 200 hours of learning time. A three-year degree qualification typically comprises a total of 360 credits (120 credits per year).
Please note that exact modules and content offered may vary in order to keep content current and, for courses that offer optional modules, may depend on the number of students selecting particular options. When accepting your offer of a place to study on a programme with optional modules, you should be aware that optional modules may not all run each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you can undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
Entry requirements
If you are a motivated and creative individual who wants to take their skills to the next level, then this is the course for you. This one year top-up will transition you into a ‘thinking creator’, with extended knowledge of ethics and applied media theory. Industry experience as well as your previous studies will serve to enhance your experience.
Standard entry requirements
GCSE
English Language at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent) is required.
You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below
Previous study at Level 5
Applicants should have completed 240 credits in level 4 and 5 in an appropriate and relevant higher-level qualification equivalent e.g. Foundation Degree, HND, or DipHE in Media, Digital and Creative Media, Social Media Content Creation, or a related subject.
Alternative entry requirements
º£½ÇÂÒÂ× Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the º£½ÇÂÒÂ× Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
Fees and funding
See below for fee information.
2026/27
| Type of study | Fees |
|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,790 per year |
The tuition fees shown are for the first year only. If your course lasts longer than one year, fees may increase each year in line with inflation, up to the maximum limits set by the UK Government.
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
How to apply
Enrolment dates
Student information
Terms and conditionsUCAS information
Course ID PW92
Institution S03