Creative Media Practice (TV & Film) - Level 3 National Extended Diploma
Course Type
Further Education
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
2 Years
Start & End Date
1 September 2026
2 June 2028
Location
Coleraine
Information Session Required
Yes
In your first year, you will build a strong foundation in the core skills required for film, television, and digital media production. You will explore how ideas are developed from concept to screen, learning the fundamental principles of visual storytelling, cinematography, sound, and editing.
You will gain hands-on experience planning and producing short films, factual content, and studio-based productions. This includes developing scripts and storyboards, operating cameras and sound equipment, and editing footage using industry-standard workflows. Alongside practical production skills, you will also learn how professional productions are structured, including roles within a crew, health and safety practices, and production planning.
You will work with professional tools and software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, and industry-standard camera and audio equipment, developing confidence in both technical and creative decision-making.
In your second year, you will take your film and television practice further through a series of focused, professionally aligned projects. You will refine your production skills across camera, lighting, sound, and post-production, while developing a stronger understanding of narrative structure, genre, and audience.
You will work in small production teams, gaining experience of collaborative workflows that reflect real-world industry practice. Emphasis is placed on communication, problem-solving, and managing productions under time and creative constraints. You will also engage with industry professionals through talks, workshops, and feedback sessions, helping you to develop both technical confidence and a clear creative voice.
Throughout the year, you will build a substantial portfolio that reflects your strengths, interests, and ambitions within TV and film production. This culminates in the Final Major Project, where you will independently plan and produce a major piece of work. This could include a short film, documentary, television segment, or studio production. The project allows you to specialise, take creative ownership, and produce a professional-quality outcome that showcases your skills and readiness for progression.
The course aims to develop students’ creative, technical, and professional skills, preparing them for progression into employment within the TV, film, and media industries, or onto related university courses in film production, television, media, or digital arts.
This course is the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice. Units include:
If you are accepted onto this course without a Grade C or above in Maths and/or English you will be required to complete the relevant Essential Skills qualification. This will be a compulsory part of your timetable.
This course is subject to the College’s Fitness to Practise and Study Policy.
Students benefit from teaching delivered by experienced media practitioners with current industry experience. The course provides access to specialist equipment, studio facilities, and professional software, alongside opportunities to engage with industry guests and live project briefs. This ensures learning remains practical, relevant, and aligned with current industry expectations.
Former students have gone on to work for the BBC, UTV, Sky and a wide variety of independent production companies. Approximately nine out of ten students who complete progress to university; we have academic partnerships with the UK`s top TV training college, Ravensbourne, the University of Westminster and the University of Northumbria. As well as TV production, students also progress into related areas like film-making, journalism, marketing, PR, publishing and multimedia.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July in the year of proposed entry to the course and have at least 4 GCSE's at Grade C or above or other relevant qualifications.
Applicants must show evidence of prior video production work and planning.
No fees.
For most students, full-time Further Education courses at Level 1-3, including Apprenticeships, have no course fees.
Level 1-3 Further Education (full-time)
Level 3 Access Courses (full-time)
Fee information is available from any campus reception.
All tutors are qualified and experienced counsellors. This underpins the authenticity of teaching and learning activities as students engage with practitioners who understand the challenges and opportunities of the counselling role. The following teaching team deliver this course at Northern Regional College:
Staff Team
In your first year, you will build a strong foundation in the core skills required for film, television, and digital media production. You will explore how ideas are developed from concept to screen, learning the fundamental principles of visual storytelling, cinematography, sound, and editing.
You will gain hands-on experience planning and producing short films, factual content, and studio-based productions. This includes developing scripts and storyboards, operating cameras and sound equipment, and editing footage using industry-standard workflows. Alongside practical production skills, you will also learn how professional productions are structured, including roles within a crew, health and safety practices, and production planning.
You will work with professional tools and software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, and industry-standard camera and audio equipment, developing confidence in both technical and creative decision-making.
In your second year, you will take your film and television practice further through a series of focused, professionally aligned projects. You will refine your production skills across camera, lighting, sound, and post-production, while developing a stronger understanding of narrative structure, genre, and audience.
You will work in small production teams, gaining experience of collaborative workflows that reflect real-world industry practice. Emphasis is placed on communication, problem-solving, and managing productions under time and creative constraints. You will also engage with industry professionals through talks, workshops, and feedback sessions, helping you to develop both technical confidence and a clear creative voice.
Throughout the year, you will build a substantial portfolio that reflects your strengths, interests, and ambitions within TV and film production. This culminates in the Final Major Project, where you will independently plan and produce a major piece of work. This could include a short film, documentary, television segment, or studio production. The project allows you to specialise, take creative ownership, and produce a professional-quality outcome that showcases your skills and readiness for progression.
The course aims to develop students’ creative, technical, and professional skills, preparing them for progression into employment within the TV, film, and media industries, or onto related university courses in film production, television, media, or digital arts.
Students benefit from teaching delivered by experienced media practitioners with current industry experience. The course provides access to specialist equipment, studio facilities, and professional software, alongside opportunities to engage with industry guests and live project briefs. This ensures learning remains practical, relevant, and aligned with current industry expectations.
This course is the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice. Units include:
If you are accepted onto this course without a Grade C or above in Maths and/or English you will be required to complete the relevant Essential Skills qualification. This will be a compulsory part of your timetable.
This course is subject to the College’s Fitness to Practise and Study Policy.
Former students have gone on to work for the BBC, UTV, Sky and a wide variety of independent production companies. Approximately nine out of ten students who complete progress to university; we have academic partnerships with the UK`s top TV training college, Ravensbourne, the University of Westminster and the University of Northumbria. As well as TV production, students also progress into related areas like film-making, journalism, marketing, PR, publishing and multimedia.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July in the year of proposed entry to the course and have at least 4 GCSE's at Grade C or above or other relevant qualifications.
Applicants must show evidence of prior video production work and planning.
Course Fees
No fees.
For most students, full-time Further Education courses at Level 1-3, including Apprenticeships, have no course fees.
Level 1-3 Further Education (full-time)
Level 3 Access Courses (full-time)
Fee information is available from any campus reception.