Access to HE Diploma (Creative Digital Media)

Key Facts

Level:
Level 3
Subject Sector:
9.3 Media and Communication
Credits:
60
Qualification No:
QAAQ003963
Price:
View price list
Age Range:
19+
QAA aim code:
40012669

Qualification Summary

The Diploma provides learners with a wide choice of units to support progression into Creative Digital Media degree programmes. The mandatory group of units ensures that learners have a good understanding of themes relevant to Creative Digital Media including key topics in Digital Design Principles, Introduction to the Media and Visual Studies. Learners can choose from a variety of optional units linked to Art and Design.
In addition to the graded units, learners must choose from a selection of mandatory and optional ungraded units to support underpinning skills for work within the sector and for further academic study.

Learners must achieve a total of 60 credits, of which 45 credits must be achieved at level 3 from graded units which are concerned with academic subject content and the remaining 15 credits must be achieved at level 3 from units which are ungraded. All learners must register for at least one 6-credit or one 9-credit unit as part of their programme of study; this can be a graded or ungraded unit. The maximum number of credits that can be made up from 6-credit or 9-credit units is 30 credits; this can be from graded and ungraded 6-credit and 9-credit units.

Why choose this qualification?

This Access to HE Diploma has been fully reviewed and revalidated for the 2024-25 academic year. Updated teaching and learning support materials are also available to Gateway Qualifications recognised centres.

The Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma is an academic qualification that is designed to prepare learners for study at degree level. The diploma is designed to give the learner the relevant academic subject knowledge and underpinning study skills required to progress onto a relevant degree programme.

As an Access Validating Agency (AVA), all of our Access to Higher Education (HE) Diplomas are compliant with Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) regulations.

Units

Graded Academic Subject Content Units

Learners must complete 45 credits from the Mandatory Units: Graded Academic Subject Content, Optional Units: Research Graded Academic Subject Content and Optional Units: Graded Academic Subject Content groups.

Mandatory Units: Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must complete 15 credits from the mandatory graded units.

Digital Design Principles

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035208
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to the Media

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035252
Click here to view full unit details

Visual Studies

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035146
Click here to view full unit details
Optional Units: Research Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must achieve 6 credits from this group

Research and Creative Development for Media Studies

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035284
Click here to view full unit details

Research: Final Major Project for Media Studies

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035294
Click here to view full unit details
Optional Units: Graded Academic Subject Content

Learners must achieve 24 credits across the optional graded unit groups. Only two 6 credit units may be taken from this group.

3D Design

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035188
Click here to view full unit details

Developing a Brand

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035202
Click here to view full unit details

Digital Art for Multimedia

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035206
Click here to view full unit details

Digital Marketing Communication

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035212
Click here to view full unit details

Digital Sound and Video Capture

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035214
Click here to view full unit details

Digital Video Production

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035216
Click here to view full unit details

Exploring Different Journalistic Genres

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035224
Click here to view full unit details

Film Editing

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035226
Click here to view full unit details

Graphic Design

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034976
Click here to view full unit details

Media Studies: Textual Analysis

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035258
Click here to view full unit details

Media and Society

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035256
Click here to view full unit details

Multimedia Practice

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035262
Click here to view full unit details

Photography

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035270
Click here to view full unit details

Produce copy for Digital Media Communication

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035272
Click here to view full unit details

Reportage Photography Practice

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035280
Click here to view full unit details

Representation within the Media

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035282
Click here to view full unit details

Script Writing

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035300
Click here to view full unit details

Understanding Art, Design & Cultural Media Influences

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035325
Click here to view full unit details

Understanding Digital Marketing and Research

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035327
Click here to view full unit details

Understanding Narrative

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035331
Click here to view full unit details

Understanding Social Media Advertising and Promotion

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035335
Click here to view full unit details

User Experience (UX) 3D Design Project

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034860
Click here to view full unit details

Video Pre-Production

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU035341
Click here to view full unit details

Website Design and Development

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
6
Unit No:
QU034690
Click here to view full unit details

Writing for Magazines

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035349
Click here to view full unit details
Ungraded Units

Learners must achieve 15 credits from the Mandatory Units: Ungraded and Optional Units: Ungraded groups.

Mandatory Units: Ungraded

Learners must achieve 9 credits from this group

Academic Writing Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034692
Click here to view full unit details

Preparation for Higher Education

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034710
Click here to view full unit details

Study Skills for the Creative Arts

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035365
Click here to view full unit details
Optional Units: Ungraded

Learners must achieve 6 credits from this group

Academic Reading Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035351
Click here to view full unit details

Communication - Speaking and Listening

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034696
Click here to view full unit details

Developing Professional Attributes

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034702
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to 3D

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035162
Click here to view full unit details

Introduction to Drawing & Painting

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU035164
Click here to view full unit details

Presentation Skills

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034712
Click here to view full unit details

Presenting Information Using ICT

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034714
Click here to view full unit details

Professional Interpersonal Behaviours

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034718
Click here to view full unit details

Promoting Wellbeing and Building Resilience

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034720
Click here to view full unit details

Study Skills for Higher Education

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034730
Click here to view full unit details

Sustainability Project

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034732
Click here to view full unit details

The Fundamentals of Environmental Sustainability

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034734
Click here to view full unit details

Writing Reports

Level:
Level 3
Guided Learning Hours:
Not available
Credits:
3
Unit No:
QU034736
Click here to view full unit details

Intended learner groups

a) Adults who, because of social, educational or individual circumstances may have achieved few, if any, prior qualifications and wish to progress to HE
b) Adults who have gone straight into industry (perhaps following apprenticeship routes) who wish to progress to HE.
c) To provide preparation for study in UK HEIs.

How this diploma meets learners' needs

The mandatory units include an introduction to Discovering Art, Design & Cultural Movements, Introduction to the Media and Visual Studies 2D. Optional units can be selected that will support progression onto the chosen degree programme and include a range of units within these areas. Learners will have the opportunity to research an aspect of one of these subjects which interests them.

What this diploma covers

The units include a balance of units which allow the learners to keep their options open until they have fully decided on their preferred route at degree level. The ungraded units have been chosen to support both progression into higher education and also to allow the learners to develop skills relevant to the subject area e.g., Academic Writing Skills and study skills for the creative arts.

Delivery methods

Face to face
Blended learning
Online learning
Work placements would also be beneficial to widen opportunities. Throughout the diploma, learners should research the work of other artists/designers/specialists in the medium as a way of underpinning knowledge and to use as a means of developing own style. Assessment methods include: Essays, projects, presentations, self-evaluation, sketchbooks, artefacts, portfolio of evidence, report, creation of scripts, articles, production diary, worksheets, promotional campaign

Successful completion criteria

Learners will probably require a pass in maths and English at GCSE level or a Functional Skills qualification in English and Maths to progress onto a degree course.

Progression routes

• BA (Hons) Animation
• BSc (Hons) Creative Computing
• BSc (Hons) Digital Television Technology
• BA (Hons) Digital Photography
• BA (Hons) Graphic Design
• BA (Hons) Motion Graphics
• BA (Hons) Digital Content Creation
• Illustration with Animation BA (Hons)
• Filmmaking BA (Hons)
• Photography, Video and Digital Imaging BA (Hons)

Provider approval criteria

Depending on the choice of unit, centres will require access to relevant software, hardware and technical equipment.

Funding information

There are now two main sources for funding information, a straightforward ESFA Qualification Search and the more detailed Find a Learning Aim website.

The new Find a learning aim (FALA) service provides a search tool that you can use to check the funding status of any qualification, framework, unit, standard or T Level:

View this qualification on the ESFA’s Find a learning aim website

The Education and Skills Funding Agency search provides funding information on qualifications. It does not provide funding information for units, non-regulated activity and work placements, for this information please use Find a learning aim (FALA).

View this qualification on the ESFA Qualification Funding Search

How to find a learning aim

If you’re not sure how to use the new find a learning aim website, we’ve created a handy walkthrough to help you:

How to Use: Find a learning Aim

We have done our best to collate and summarise the key information, and wherever possible we alert our providers to changes in funding policy.

This funding information is provided in good faith and it is always advisable to check directly with the funding agencies before committing to delivery.

Related Qualifications