BTEC First Certificate and Diploma in Media

Features

• BTEC First Certificate equivalent to 2 GCSEs grades A*-C
• BTEC First Diploma equivalent to 4 GCSEs grades A*-C
  
  Advantages

• Providing opportunities for learners to gain a nationally recognised vocationally specific qualification to enter employment in the media sector
• Education and training for those who work or are intending to work in the Media Industry
• Motivates learners via applied learning and assessment
• BTEC qualifications are recognised by employers and education institutions
• Provides a good progression route to more advanced qualifications eg BTEC Nationals
• Esteem of working in a sector of choice

Unit Combinations

For the BTEC First Certificate the learner is required to complete the core unit and two specialist unit from the list provided for a combined total of 180 guided learning hours (GLH) to complete the qualification.

For the BTEC First Diploma the learner is required to complete the three core units and four specialist units from the list provided for a combined total of 360 guided learning hours (GLH) to complete the qualification.

Edexcel Specification

• Specification (BF017268)

Student Progression

BTEC First Diplomas and Certificates offer direct progression on to BTEC National programmes. On completion of a BTEC National, students can progress to a BTEC Higher National or BTEC Foundation Degree programme.

A BTEC First also prepares students for employment in their chosen career.

Structure

Unit Key Features

Core Units

Unit 1: Introduction to Media Industries (30 GLH*)
Focuses on developing learners’ understanding of the media industry and the ways in which that industry is organised.
Unit 2: Research for Media Production (60 GLH)
Will develop initial skills in research techniques, concentrating on research methods and techniques, how to identify sources of information and how to use them to gather relevant material
Unit 3: Introduction to Media Audiences and Products (30 GLH)
Learners will build on their experience of responding creatively to briefs gained in their chosen specialist units.

Specialist Units

Unit 4: Video Production (60 GLH)
Introduces learners to the techniques and technology of video-based production work.
Unit 5: Audio Production (60 GLH)
In this unit learners will explore basic sound recording techniques and technology.
Unit 6: Print Production (60 GLH)
Will develop learners’ understanding of print production techniques and technology.
Unit 7: Advertising Production (60 GLH)
Introduces learners to the techniques of advertising, shows them how develop ideas for advertisements, and how to plan and produce advertisements in a selected medium.
Unit 8: Interactive Media Production (60 GLH)
Will enable learners to explore techniques associated with the production of an interactive media product.
Unit 9: Photography Techniques (60 GLH)
This unit will enable learners to explore and develop their understanding of the techniques, equipment and materials used in the production of photographs.
Unit 10: Animation Techniques (60 GLH)
Aims to introduce learners to the practical processes of animation and enables them to develop an understanding of historical and contemporary animation techniques.
Unit 11: Writing For the Media (60 GLH)
Introduces learners to the different applications of writing for the media, and then to the techniques and conventions of writing for a specific sector of the industry.
Unit 12: Web Authoring (60 GLH)
Learners will develop an understanding of the worldwide web and the appropriate skills to produce web page.
Unit 13: Factual Production for the Media (60 GLH)
Will focus on developing learners’ skills in understanding, researching, developing and producing, and evaluating factual media products.
Unit 14: Reviewing Computer Games (60 GLH)
Allows learners to investigate the history of computer games and analyse and compare games.
Unit 15: 2D Computer Games (60 GLH)
Allows learners to gain experience in the production and development of 2D games, the use of appropriate software, and in documentation and publishing games.
Unit 16: Digital Graphics (60 GLH)
In this unit learners will become familiar with the basic tools of digital graphics software used to produce images for games.
Unit 17: Media Production Project (60 GLH)
Learners are given the opportunity, either individually or in a small group, to develop some understanding of what is like to set up and see through a production project.