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OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical in Digital Media

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Cambridge Technical in Digital Media

The Cambridge Technicals in Digital Media is a vocational qualification at

Level 3.

They’re designed with the workplace in mind and provide a high-quality alternative to A Levels. The course was launched in 2016 after consultation with universities, employers and industry specialists to make sure students gain the right combination of knowledge, understanding & skills required for the 21st century.

The EXTENDED CERTIFICATE is the equivalent of one A-level and will run alongside other A-level or BTEC options.

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What does the course involve?

A wide range of centre assessed units with practical and wider project-based assessment opportunities, as well as examined units on Media products and audiences, pre-production and planning, social media and globalisation, and research for product development.

Students will practically apply their skills and knowledge in preparation for further study, apprenticeships or the workplace.

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How is it different to an A-level course?

  • More practical
  • More internal & practical assessments
  • Closer links to industry & real word practice
  • Fewer essay based assessments
  • Less media theory

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Digital

Media

pre-production

Media audiences

Social media

Audio-visual production

Print production

Cross-media content

scripting

Journalism & news

Preparing for working in the industry

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Mandatory Units

Content

Assessment

Media Products & Audiences

(90 Guided Learning Hours)

Develop your understanding of how different media institutions operate in order to create products that will appeal to specific target audiences.

Two hour written exam.

Pre-production and planning

(90 Guided Learning Hours)

Develop your understanding of the pre-production process that the creative media industry follows when creating a media product.

Two hour exam - written & practical elements.

Create a media product

(60 Guided Learning Hours)

Produce a print/audio/audio-visual media text for an industry client: create a proposal to meet a client brief, produce planning materials create and manage original content for the product ,apply editing techniques

Internal assessment

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Optional Unit Examples

Content

Assessment

Pitching a Media Product

(30 Guided Learning Hours)

A media product does not simply exist in a vacuum. There is much work to be done before the product is finally consumed by an audience. Like most commercial products, a media product starts life as an idea in the mind of its creator or creators who then have to sell the idea to those who have the means to produce it. To convince the producers that it is a good idea, the creator(s) have to show how the end product might look or sound, and convince them that there is a unique selling point to attract a particular audience.

Internal assessment

Advertising Media

(60 Guided Learning Hours)

Analyse how audio-visual, print and audio elements are used within advertising campaigns. Plan & create an original marketing campaign.

Internal assessment

Create a Personal Media Profile

(30 Guided Learning Hours)

The creative media sector is competitive and being prepared is one step nearer to students achieving their chosen career. This unit will be a showcase of the work they have created, supported by a personal media profile. Students will identify content to be included in their showcase, as well as create an adaptation of a piece of their existing media work.

Internal assessment

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What skills & knowledge will students gain?

Students will develop professional and social skills through interaction with performers, clients and peers; as well as theoretical and technical knowledge and understanding to underpin these skills. This will allow their creativity and flair to be harnessed in the design and production of media products used within the industry.

Students will develop conceptual ideas, and visualise these all the way through the production cycle; from planning and pre-production right through to editing, post production and presentation of products.

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What skills & knowledge will students gain?

They’ll also learn how to analyse target audience requirements, research market demand and bring a media concept alive working in line with legal and regulatory requirements, in a safe and effective way, protecting themselves and those they’re working with from injury or harm.

Students will also gain an understanding of how different businesses and organisations in the media sector work.

When it comes to progression or employment, students will learn about the variety of opportunities available to them, and the roles and responsibilities of media businesses and organisations within the sector.

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Is this course for me?

  • I am an avid consumer of a range of media texts
  • I would like to engage with all aspects of practical media production
  • I am able to work to deadlines and will be genuinely committed to spending time outside of my timetabled hours on my productions – either planning and researching and filming a project, spent in post-production editing your work.
  • I prefer practical & coursework based assessments
  • I enjoy linking theoretical study to real-life scenarios & industry practice

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Why Uckfield College?

  • Excellent resources: two dedicated mac suites, filming studio, digital cameras, sound recording equipment access to Adobe Creative Cloud.
  • Experienced teaching staff with professional media experience.
  • Outstanding results: 2024 grades are in the top 10% of the country
  • 6th form rated Outstanding by OFSTED

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What could I do next?

Cambridge Technicals provide a strong basis for progression to university or apprenticeships within the media industries.

The course is recognised for UCAS tariff points.

The media continues to be a rapidly growing industry in the UK with employment opportunities across different media sectors.

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For further information: