This programme incorporates classroom-based study with work-based learning to prepare you for entry to the workplace or full-time Further or Higher Education. The course is funded by Skills Development Scotland.
Creative and Digital media encompasses the range of creative roles where interactive media storytelling and commerce collide. The utilisation of creative digital content to enable either a product of another service such as marketing, advertising or information gathering, offers a vast array of job roles ranging from pure creative to more technical and data-driven responsibilities within film, TV, VFX, animation, games, radio, advertising and marketing communications, publishing, print and fashion and textiles.
In addition to all of this – and more importantly – this growing sector needs people! One third of tech companies cite talent shortages as an inhibiter to expansion and there are significant opportunities for young creative people whose interest in digital media extends beyond consuming content and into creating it and getting it out to audiences.
Find out more about this course from Skills Development Scotland
The Foundation Apprenticeship in Creative and Digital Media is for pupils in S5 and S6.
Over one or two years you will complete a National Progression Award at SCQF Level 6 in Creative and Digital Media: Technologies, Processes and Practices and a large part of the Diploma in Creative Digital Media. The National Progression Award will include units in:
You will also participate in a Media Project during which you will showcase your understanding of the creative process by producing a creative and digital item to meet with a given brief. You will also undertake work–based learning during which you will attend an extended work placement with an industry partner equivalent to a day a week. During that time you will develop essential skills for the workplace and be assessed on your performance against the following units:
Pupils completing this Foundation Apprenticeship on a Short Duration Delivery Model (1 year programme) will be expected to undertake both coursework and work based learning elements within the same year, generally spending equivalent of a day a week in a College staff delivered class and a day a week on placement. We recommend that applicants for the one year delivery model only study 3 additional school based courses alongside the Foundation Apprenticeship.
Everything you need to know about applying for this course.
This course is suitable for students who are entering their Senior Phase at School and who are on track to achieve passes in related National 5 awards in S4. Related areas of prior study would include Computing, Art, Graphic Communication and Design and Technology.
Applicants need to be capable of working at SCQF level 6 and have a good level of written and spoken English.
Whilst you are taking part in the course you will be required to:
Eating and drinking is not permitted in the workrooms or classrooms. Drinking water is available from water dispensers in the corridors within the College buildings.
Pupils would benefit from studying subjects such as Higher Computing, Higher Art, Higher Graphic Communication and NPA Digital Media alongside the Foundation Apprenticeship during S5 and S6.
This course involves a work based learning experience and will require the equivalent of 6 hours per week allocated to this in the second year of study, or during the first year if studying the full Foundation Apprenticeship over one year.
A selection process will be applied to all applicants.
Whether you wish to progress in your studies or enter the world of work, North East Scotland College has excellent progression opportunities, with links to eight universities across Scotland and great relationships with industry employers.
Upon successful completion of this course, you may be able to progress to one of the following full-time courses at North East Scotland College:
This course will prepare you to access a range of university degree programmes. Foundation Apprenticeships are accepted by all Scottish Universities as equivalent to at least one Higher. For further information you should consult the entry criteria for individual courses at the institution of your choice.
A Foundation Apprenticeship forms the skills, knowledge and competence which can be built on to progress to employment via a Modern Apprenticeship.
“I’m a huge champion of the College and the value of practical courses they offer. My time there undoubtedly contributed to the career I have today and there is a large alumni of talented creatives working in agencies and freelance both locally, nationally and indeed globally who started out from NESCol.”
“NESCol is a great college – it has a really relaxed atmosphere and is in a great location. It was so easy to get to after dropping my son off at nursery, and the lecturers are so encouraging and involved.”
“I didn’t really enjoy the subjects I learned at school, so I think the best part of studying at college was being able to choose what I wanted to study. I was able to gain knowledge in something I was extremely passionate about which made a huge difference.”
“I would definitely recommend NESCol to everyone who wants to study computing. No matter what age, or if this is their first course, or – if like me – you want to change your career. It’s a very friendly environment, well quipped when it comes to computing facilities and – most importantly – with very, very supportive and highly knowledgeable lecturers.”
“The lecturers have got such diverse photography experience and they love sharing their own experience and work they’ve done… We really get a chance to sample all aspects of photography at NESCol. I also really like the facilities. The college has got their own studios, they’ve got so much different equipment, and they’ve got a dark room. So I get to experience all those things without buying the equipment.”
“I enjoy Computing because it’s such a broad field. There’s a variety of skills to learn and you can easily develop a niche. No two projects will be the same and since it’s such a fast-paced field, there are always new developments to keep abreast of.
“The computing courses give you lots of practical skills and a strong foundation to expand upon.”
“I was so nervous about starting College and felt uncertain about my abilities but NESCol completely changed that. I loved the course, learned so much from my lecturers and it gave me a new found confidence. It’s not easy at times being a busy Mum and juggling study but I have proven I can do it. When I started at NESCol I would never have believed I’d end up studying at a prestigious art school and firmly believe that my time at College has given me an advantage in coping with the demands of a degree. I’d say to any parents out there who feel they want a second chance at education to go for it and grab the opportunity with both hands, it really can change your life. “
“By sharing my experience I hope I can inspire anyone with autism.”
“I am really enjoying experimenting with mixed media especially textiles”
“I had a fantastic experience at college, I would return tomorrow if I could. The best thing for me was the support. The lecturers are fantastic.”
This course is only available to pupils in S4 to S6 across Aberdeen City and Shire, giving pupils the opportunity to experience life as a College student whilst staying on at school.
You can apply for a place on this course by completing an online application form, which you can access using the ‘Apply Online’ button. Once completed, this will be received by our Admissions Team who will then process your application.
jobs increase in Scotland between 2017 and 2024
average salary
national occupation in ages 25-34 yrs
Please note that courses are subject to minimum viability levels. In the event of insufficient numbers of applications, courses may be withdrawn from the programme. Certain courses are arranged with schools working in a consortium arrangement – in such cases, pupils from consortium schools will be given priority in the allocation of places.
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