Digital Media
Head of Department: Miss J Brown
Exam board: OCR
Qualification name: Cambridge Technical in Digital Media (Extended Certificate)
Qualification code: 05843–05846
Why choose this subject?
Film and TV are two of the world’s biggest industries. This qualification has been developed to meet the needs of the film, television and digital production industries in the U.K. and London specifically. Students will develop professional techniques and approaches in both theoretical and technical skills. The course will enable students to develop and visualise ideas through the production cycle, from planning and scripting in pre-production through to filming, editing and post-production. Students will also learn how different media institutions operate to create products that will appeal to specific target audiences and how meaning is created through visual codes.
Course requirements
It is advantageous if students have studied similar unit content at Level 2 (OCR Creative iMedia). It is recommended that students have, or are working towards, five GCSE grades 9-4, including maths and English.
Related subjects at Sixth Form
Digital Media integrates well with subjects across the curriculum and is as relevant to a student studying Arts subjects, as it is to one studying Science subjects. (Art, Business Studies and Economics, English, REP, Psychology, Politics, Science).
Where could it lead?
Most students who complete the CTEC in Digital Media will progress to university, where a wide range of media and film degree courses are on offer to students. Alternatively, students can choose to directly enter the screen industries in roles such as runner, production assistant, assistant director or as an intern.
Syllabus details
Learners will take five units, made up of three mandatory and two optional units. Unit 1 (Media Products and Audiences) and Unit 2 (Pre-Production and Planning) are assessed through externally set written examination papers, worth a maximum of 80 marks, and 1 hour 30 minutes in duration. Your teachers will internally assess the other three units and OCR will moderate them: Unit 3 (Create a Media Product), Unit 16 (The Creation and Use of Sound in Media) and Unit 20 (Advertising Media).
The units are graded Pass, Merit and Distinction. The qualification is graded P, M, D, D*. This qualification receives UCAS tariff points.
Further important information
The Extended Certificate takes 360 guided learning hours (GLH) to deliver, which is the same size as one A level. It also provides students with the flexibility to achieve other qualifications, whether vocational or academic, in preparation for employment or further study in this sector via apprenticeships or higher education. You will also have the opportunity to meet a range visiting lecturers, speakers and industry professionals.
