Access to Higher Education: Creative Digital Media Level 3 Full-time
Course Overview
Access to Higher Education: Creative Digital Media Level 3 Full-time
This Access to Higher Education course in Creative Digital Media allows you to develop skills which will enable progression to a range of degree level programmes relating to Film, TV and Digital Media. During this course you will learn technical skills in film and digital design, as well as academic skills for preparation for Higher Education.
You will learn to work with a vast number of applications, including Premiere Pro, Photoshop and Lightroom.
The course is made up of various units that will run independently and combined throughout the year. Pathways have been chosen to best suit a wide range of creative media areas that each learner will undertake and complete.
The units include an introduction to Discovering Art, Design & Cultural Movements, Introduction to the Media and Visual Studies 2D. These units will support progression onto your desired degree programme, including our progression to a level 4 HNC with Barnsley College University Centre, and incorporate a range of new skills. Learners will have the opportunity to research an aspect of one of these subjects which interests them. The units are designed with balance which allow you to keep your options open until you have fully decided on your preferred route at degree level. They have been chosen to support both progression into higher education and to allow you to develop skills relevant to the subject area e.g., Academic Writing Skills and study skills for the creative arts.
All units are currently subject to curriculum changes due to an update of specification being made.
Introduction to the Media
Digital Design Principles
Visual Studies 2D
Digital Sound and Video Capture (Film)
Film Editing (Film)
Graphic Design (Digital Design)
Website Design (Digital Design)
Final Major Project (Research based project)
These units cover a wide range of skills across Film and Digital Design.
Located at: SciTech Digital Innovation Hub
Course Start: September 2025
Course length: 1 Years
Study Mode: Full-time
Course Code: QMEDAXD311
Course Fees and Funding
How much does the course cost?
Course fees: £3384. You can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to pay for this course. See below for more information.
Aged 19 or over and thinking about studying a course?
You may be eligible for free or reduced course fees. Please visit the How to apply and fees page for further details.
Other funding information
You may be eligible for assistance with expenses such as travel, books, equipment and childcare. For further information please contact Student Services by calling 01226 216 267.
This course may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan.
For eligibility information and details about how to apply, visit the Advanced Learner Loan page. Or contact our Information Team by emailing: info@barnsley.ac.uk or calling 01226 216 123.
If you're undertaking an Access to Higher Education (HE) course and then go on to complete a Higher Education qualification, the outstanding balance of your Advanced Learner Loan will be written off, once you have fully completed both courses.
Course Content
You will need to be 19 when the course commences in September
Entry to the course is by interview. We take a strong interest in previous experience and would love to see or hear recent written work, computer-based or online materials
Level 2 English is desirable
Core knowledge and understanding is acquired via lectures, seminars, workshops, group work, computer assisted learning, case studies, video, and other multi-media presentations.
You will be taught through lectures, practical sessions, and independent learning. We foster a culture of independent learning and decision making that will develop your problem solving and analytical skills.
You will complete project-based assessments which will combine several units to give you an employment-based assessment. The teaching will reflect the project approach and will include aspects of teamworking.
Some examples of pathways relevant to this Access course
HNC Level 4 Creative Digital Media Production (Barnsley College)
BA (Hons) Animation
BSc (Hons) Creative Computing
BSc (Hons) Digital Television Technology
BA (Hons) Digital Photography
BA (Hons) Graphic Design
BA (Hons) Motion Graphics
BA (Hons) Digital Content Creation
Illustration with Animation BA (Hons)
Filmmaking BA (Hons)
Photography, Video and Digital Imaging BA (Hons)
See what careers are available in the Mediasector.Use our online careers tool,Career Coach, to find out what your next steps could be.
Other Resources
For further details, please contact our Information Unit by calling 01226 216 123 or emailing: info@barnsley.ac.uk
Having good English and Maths qualifications are important for most careers and we want to give you the help you need to succeed.
If you are aged 16 - 19 and don't hold a grade C/4 or above in GCSE English and Maths, you will automatically be included in your study programme. If you want to work towards achieving a higher grade in English and Maths, we can help you do that too and we offer Level 3 Mathematical Studies (Core Maths) which maybe added to your study programme, subject to approval from your chosen department.
If you're aged 19 or above and don't hold a grade C/4 or above in GCSE English and Maths we can help. We offer FREE English and Maths qualifications that can be studied on a part-time basis, subject to eligibility.
If you need any further information, please contact our Information Unit by calling 01226 216 123 or emailing: info@barnsley.ac.uk
Our Additional Learning Support team can provide you with the support you need. Call 01226 216 769 for further information.
Barnsley College has a range of sports opportunities for all students to take part in, gain professional training and compete nationally and internationally. We also have a state-of-the-art fitness village, the Sports Village, where students can make use of our fitness suite, spinning studio and classes for competitive rates.
Barnsley Sports Academy offers state-of-the-art facilities and diverse sports programs, enabling students to achieve academic and athletic excellence. Remember, you don't have to be studying Sport to join Barnsley Sports Academy.
Disclaimer: Please note we reserve the right to change details without notice. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
The course information on this page was last updated 18 June 2025.
