FUSING TRADITIONAL AND EMERGING FORMS OF COMMUNICATION OUR COURSES PREPARE YOU FOR A CAREER INTHE RAPIDLY EVOLVING DIGITAL MEDIA INDUSTRIES
Created out of our extensive experience of Creative Digital Education, Bodmin College is delighted to be partnering with Falmouth University in the development of our FdA and BA Digital Media courses.
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“The work shown by the students is regularly of professional standard such that it is used by the clients themselves which is probably the most meaningful critical evaluation of their work.”
"The integration with local (and wider) industry and the use of visiting lecturers, who all work professionally in their industry, gives the students an almost ‘osmotic’ experience of working as a professional. It gives them a natural feel for how to develop themselves and their work.”
Kevin Curtis EE FdA and BA(Hons) Digital Media January 2021
about
Your Course Team
A mix of industry professionals and lecturers with several years experience support you during your time with us and help you develop the skills necessary to build a career in the industry.
Mark Talbot
Mark Talbot has a degree in Sculpture, and has taught at Bodmin College for 20 years, during which time he has pioneered the use digital technologies to enhance learning. Mark is an OCR Moderator and Team Leader and supports the development of GCSE and A Level Photography and Digital Arts. Mark also owns and runs The Square Gallery St Mawes with his wife Catherine
Jim Nancarrow
FdA Digital Media Technician
Jim Nancarrow spent the early stages of his career as a Electro Mechanical Engineer before joining Bodmin College 22 years ago as IT Network Manager. A Keen photographer Jim has been a outstanding support technician to the FdA Course.
Jessica Hill
FdA and BA(Hons) Digital Media Tutor
Jessica Hill is a Digital Art teacher with a background in Fine art. She graduated from Bournemouth Arts University where her practise was based around installations and creating kinetic sculptures. Jess has a lot of experience of working in and creating exhibitions and spent time working at the Hayward gallery in London building a 10ft lobster. She has worked in two galleries in Prague as an assistant programme manager.
Kyle Anderson
FdA and BA (Hons) Digital Media Tutor
Kyle Anderson graduated from Plymouth University with a
degree in Media Arts, working with Photography, Film, Sound and Animation. Kyle
has been working for the NFL since 2014 on the Statistics Crew as well as being
published on Social Media for South West Water and Jason Myers, previous
Jacksonville Jaguars Quarterback. Kyle has been involved in several
exhibitions, notably with The Box Museum and Ocean Studios in Plymouth.
Our Visiting lecturers visit every Wednesday throughout the academic year
Our Visiting Lecturer Team
John Crooks
Filmmaker
John Crooks is the co-founder and director of Dogbite Ltd, a creative production company specialising in film, music videos and TV advertising for both national and international brands. John has worked as a gaffer on hundreds of productions in commercials, drama and feature films, shooting and directing live broadcast, and stage management. With years of “set time” under his belt, John has a vast knowledge of the roles within production and has been running his his own Film School for the last seven years.
Brett Harvey
Writer and Director
Brett Harvey is a writer and director based in Cornwall. His short film work has won awards at The Manchester Festival of Fantastic Films, Fresh Five Festival, Viewfinder Festival, Cornwall Film Festival, Frightfest, Total Film Magazine and he was the Southwest Regional Finalist in the Orange 60 Seconds of Fame competition at the BAFTA’s in 2008. His first feature film Weekend Retreat won the Golden Chough award at the Cornwall Film Festival 2011, Best Director at the London Independent Film Festival 2012, Best Actress and Best Film at the Bootleg Film Festival 2013, Best Director at the International Film Festival of Wales 2014 and 9 awards at the Global Independent Film Awards. His second feature film Brown Willy was released into cinemas in 2016. It played in international film festivals and The New Statesman described it as “Cornwall’s answer to Withnail and I”.
John Freddy Jones
Photographer and Filmmaker
John is a freelance videographer with a keen interest in factual videos. This ranges from weddings, event videos to business case studies and promotion.
Hana Backland
Filmmaker
Hana Backland is a freelance filmmaker specialising in community, arts and education work. She also shoots behind the scenes for large film productions and regularly mentors younger filmmakers and creatives.
She's run a film festival, invented a kids-in-charge tv pilot, worked on psychosis intervention from the bottom of a swimming pool and regularly facilitates curriculum enrichment filmmaking sessions in schools.
Hana has extensive experience in devising workshops, building creative rapport with strangers, fixing problems on the fly and motivating people to give the very best they can to a project or brief.
A Wednesday in our Digital Media Centre
a short film by second year Joe Jackson
Course overview
2 Years Study at Bodmin College FdA Digital Media
2 Years
DURATION
240
Credits
8
Modules
FdA (Hons)
QUALIFICATION
1 Year Study at Bodmin College BA (Hons) Digital Media
1 Years
DURATION
120
Credits
3
Modules
BA (Hons)
QUALIFICATION
Who are we looking for
Both FdA and BA(Hons) Top-up Digital Media are awarded by Falmouth University. Falmouth University is a higher education institution with the power to award degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions up to the level of taught Master’s in accordance with its Articles of Government.
Students who successfully complete the FdA Digital Media will be eligible to apply for entry onto the final year BA(Hons) Top-up.
As part of the course you'll have a cutting-edge Digital Media Centre purpose built for the course. Facilities include Apple computers and a drive-in digital studio.
The development technologies available include digital design and editing suites, digital still and moving image studios and a physical computing lab.
Our students are makers. They learn through doing and dissolve definitions such as online/offline to explore how physical computing meets behavioral design. Supported through workshops across a wide variety of media and programming skills, you'll be introduced to design fundamentals in sketching and notation, and the three sets of tools and techniques that focus Digital Media's output: interaction, image and audio design.
We are looking for fresh thinking contributors and we welcome applications from diverse educational backgrounds.
Students with a passion for creative technology, media production and computing, alongside film-makers, designers, artists, gamers, writers and image-makers are at home in our dynamic, multi-disciplined FdA and BA(Hons) Digital Media Courses. We look for students who are excited by collaboration and experimentation, fusing traditional media and digital development to shape new forms of communication.
In your first year you'll learn the basics of designing and programming for online media and mobile apps, video production, sound recording and mixing, graphics and hardware interfaces.
In year 2 we encourage you to focus on your areas of interest as well as studying the more advanced problem-solving and technical skills development.
The Modules that make up our Fda Digital Media
*All modules on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award. Rules governing progression and degree classifications are explained in
Further information about assessment and feedback can be found in Falmouth University's Assessment Principles on the Student Regulations webpage
STUDY BLOCKS Each Study Block spans 15 weeks, which typically comprises 12 weeks of learning and teaching, and 3 weeks of assessment and feedback.
FdA Year 1 Modules
DTM101 FOUNDATIONS
This module focuses on the craft of telling stories and how you connect audiences to your narrative. Through a series of practical and theoretical assignments you will be introduced to the fundamental principles of visual language alongside the exploration of production practices and techniques associated with Digital Media.
A compelling multi-layered narrative stimulates an audience’s curiosity and imagination. Drawing your audience through your story, you will explore what makes a captivating narrative and evolve a visual and audio vocabulary of still and moving image language that will form the basis for you to begin to shape your individual character and position as an emerging practitioner.
This module explores the relationship between stakeholders in a communication process. Relationships with place will be informed by the needs and expectations of a client.
Location specific projects exploring interdisciplinary themes and media, (including sound, moving image, photography, illustration) will encourage students to investigate diverse and experimental approaches to storytelling, challenging perceptions through human interaction with immediate locations.
Place interactions may offer greater understanding, historical or cultural perspectives, communicate messages, send us the right way or just help us to know more.
You will engage with the key changes brought about by interaction; the blurring of lines between creator and observer, systems and users, in new and emerging Digital Media practices and technologies.
This module explores the relationship between stakeholders in a communication process. Relationships with place will be informed by the needs and expectations of a client.
Location specific projects exploring interdisciplinary themes and media, (including sound, moving image, photography, illustration) will encourage students to investigate diverse and experimental approaches to storytelling, challenging perceptions through human interaction with immediate locations.
Place interactions may offer greater understanding, historical or cultural perspectives, communicate messages, send us the right way or just help us to know more.
You will engage with the key changes brought about by interaction; the blurring of lines between creator and observer, systems and users, in new and emerging Digital Media practices and technologies.
This
module marks an important transitional stage for you as an emerging practitioner,
from tutor set assignments and group managed outcomes to independent goal
setting and a more individual approach to the discipline.
You will begin to reflect
more critically on future prospects, with a greater emphasis on personal
exploration of future directions as you begin to tailor your experience through
growing specialisation and ambition.
You
will negotiate self‐directed or client led assignments, identifying potential
opportunities, developing new insights and challenging conventions as you begin
to build your professional identity and positioning
within emerging and (often) temporary contexts and platforms associated with
the discipline.
This module will
equip you with knowledge to engage in constructive and critical debate and will facilitate further development of research
methodologies, theory, scope and
contexts of contemporary Digital Media practice towards a sustained written
outcome reflective of your individual enquiry.
This module supports
your creative and personal academic and career ambitions. It is informed by
risk, experimentation and ‘real world’ contextualisation - the essential
drivers for the module DTM201 Realisation.
This module
introduces a range of theoretical and practical positions that have been
informed by and arisen from methods of contemporary and future digital
media practice.
You will develop
critical understanding of the dynamic relationship
between Digital Media technologies, social formations and individual subjectivities.
There will be a strong
emphasis on developing a proactive and enterprising approach to applying your
understanding to your production work.
This module will
prepare you for progression to stage 3 study in relation to the extended
contextual assignments, and more independent project management expectations of
creative studio practice.
This module enables you to independently express
your passion for a specialism within Digital Media and grow confidence in
delivering projects within a professional context.
Building on skills developed during the earlier
stages of the course, this module encourages you to evolve and deploy skills
and competencies in applied digital media practice from idea generation,
through project development and production to delivery.
The module enables you to become more autonomous in
your practice as you begin to prepare for Stage 3 of the award and a personal
exploration of future directions.
You will be encouraged to embrace new experiences
and pursue more challenging independent goals in conceptual development and
technical competencies.
The practice based self‐negotiated assignments will
encourage you to identify potential new opportunities and develop new
insights into existing problems by challenging conventions.
DTM203 CONTEXT
This module explores the relationship between stakeholders in a communication process. Relationships with place will be informed by the needs and expectations of a client.
Location specific projects exploring interdisciplinary themes and media, (including sound, moving image, photography, illustration) will encourage students to investigate diverse and experimental approaches to storytelling, challenging perceptions through human interaction with immediate locations.
Place interactions may offer greater understanding, historical or cultural perspectives, communicate messages, send us the right way or just help us to know more.
You will engage with the key changes brought about by interaction; the blurring of lines between creator and observer, systems and users, in new and emerging Digital Media practices and technologies.
The
module marks an important transitional stage in the award, from tutor set
assignments and managed project outcomes, to independent goal setting and
personal exploration of future directions.
This module will prepare you in the development of
your portfolio for either progression to Stage 3 of a degree course or
professional creative practice. The module will create the platform for you to
critically develop and communicate your creative Digital Media practice.
You will be expected to engage with both self-authored
and/or externally set briefs that allow you to explore subject-specific areas
of interest, at the same time pushing and challenging your creative potential.
As part of this you will be encouraged to embrace new
experiences and accept more challenging goals. You will be supported by workshops
on brief writing and project management. You will be expected to present your
work, during the module and at assessment, including final outcomes and
development work.
Key to success in this module is the independent
project management expectations of the studio assignments and your
professionalism in delivering work for client/s. This will enable you to
sustain and build upon your commercial relationships and critical business
skills developed during the course.
Your work will be presented in a major exhibition to
mark the end of your stage 2 study.
The Modules that make up our BA(Hons) Digital Media Top-up
*All modules on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award. Rules governing progression and degree classifications are explained in
Further information about assessment and feedback can be found in Falmouth University's Assessment Principles on the Student Regulations webpage
BA(Hons) Year 3 Modules
DTM301 INNOVATION
Through a range of challenges including client and self-initiated briefs that explore alternative models of practice, you will be encouraged to reflect upon your strengths, motivations and personal futures in Digital Media Industries and begin to shape your personal transition out of the degree and into professional practice.
The module will emphasise the importance of analysis, innovation, collaboration and idea generation within the process of creative problem solving, whilst identifying and understanding the challenges of a client’s requirements.
Students will develop strength in a portfolio of work that prepares them for the next stage in their career journey. A portfolio will first and foremost challenge creative potential and encouraging diversity and breadth, with the aim to locate high quality professional practice within a wide range of professional contexts.
This module will guide you through conducting an inventory of the knowledge, talent, strengths and skills you have. This will form the basis for developing your professional strategy.
You will begin by analysing your industry and learning experiences to date and identify appropriate professional career options based on your studies and industry experience (including work placements).
Topics covered during this module will include: Professional skills for Business (flexibility, adaptability, influence and negotiation) Communication theories and practice Building collaborative relationships Life long learning: Professional Development and professional membership How to apply for graduate jobs and post graduate education. CVs, LinkedIn and interviews.
Starting a small business, becoming self-employed, freelance, sole trader, Ltd Liability, grants and business start up support
Professional Project Management Strategy and tools
Your work for this module will focus on: Contextual research study in which you will apply knowledge to develop your own academic and professional voice. You will employ advanced research methods to critically evaluate your own research, applying academic rigour and intellectual criticality to deliver a substantial and complexed study that communicates a deeper understanding of your selected area of Digital Media. You will explore current and future markets responding to perceived gaps in knowledge and understanding, and identify opportunities for your professional practice.
Drawing on Innovation and Critical Contexts this module will support you in positioning your
practice contextually, creatively and strategically in your transition to first career steps or
postgraduate study.
This final realisation will draw on your extended knowledge of the professional contexts of
digital media practice, critical theory and will result in a sophisticated resolution of a final
body of work at a professional level.
Workshops and creative discussion will reflect on personal practice, focus on the strength of
your ideas and challenge conventions.
You will carefully consider communication tools and distribution channels for your work that
may include online and offline spaces. You will develop a clear rationale in a folio that
evidences your understanding of industry practice and supports your chosen potential career
paths.
Your final body of work will be the result of detailed autonomous exploration in order to
accomplish individual and authentic output, in your chosen area of digital media.
A Portfolio pitch presentation to clients, tutors, invited industry guests and alumni will
enable you to identify and demonstrate your independent engagement with opportunities
relevant to your next steps following graduation.
For this you will select and integrate a range of media to produce compelling communication
to articulate your work, your ideas, your unique interests, values, strengths and individual
ambition following graduation, in visual and oral form to your audience.
Building on a range of approaches to Digital Media through viewing, discussion and analysis, you will choose your own path through our degree. You will be encouraged to work for a broad range of clients on 'Live Work'. You will be supported to develop your communication with clients and ensure that you creatively meet set briefs. You will also be encouraged to develop skills in entrepreneurship and will be supported to set up your own business whilst studying.
Amy Jo Smith
Studio Junior at Pepper Communications Ltd Plymouth. www.pepper.co.uk
Nial Thomson
Appointed Production Assistant at GMS Graphic Media Solutions. Roche. www.gms.uk.com
Mark Pearson
Photographer and Photo Chemist. Major exhibition in 2019 at Devonport Guildhall www.markpearson.co.uk
Fatcake Collective: Joel Dash, Sam Wright, Marisa Moore
2017&18 Graduates
Fatcake Collective allows fresh graduates an opportunity to continue to collaborate and work with each other, in a professional and commercial environment, after their degree.
Fatcake Collective offers this structure of support for ex-students looking to use the skills they have gathered to start their own creative businesses. We work on a variety of projects with local businesses, providing creative digital solutions such as; photography, film, illustration and graphic design.
Laura Tyrrell 2018 Graduate
Self-employed Laura Jayne Photography
https://bit.ly/2HZJcH8
Zack Vincent and Fin Davis 2019 Graduates
Self-employment, Film Production Company, Zeitgeist Pictures.
FdA Digital Media tuition fees for 2021 entry for UK/EU students will be £7500 per academic year.
BA(Hons) Digital Media tuition fees for 2021 entry for UK/EU students will be £7500 per academic year.
Additional course expenditure is likely to include: • A Laptop – It doesn’t matter which platform (Apple or Windows, though a mac can run windows software through Boot Camp). It should have 16GB RAM, at least a 500GB hard drive plus. Buy as fast a processor as you can afford. Approximate cost £500. We have loan equipment and plenty of computers in our Digital Media Suite for you to use if you need time to purchase your own machine.
• A backup external hard drive. A 512gb SSD External Portable Drive is approximately £85
• A decent waterproof bag for transporting digital kit. The approximate cost for this is £40
• There will be some on-going expenses as the course progresses, particularly digital equipment and consumable materials, so budget for some expenditure each week. We recommend you allow yourself £250 to purchase additional materials and equipment (if possible) during the year.
In addition to formal qualifications, we will require a portfolio of work and sketchbooks to support your application.
Viewing your work is the best way for us to understand your creative thinking and to assess whether you would be able to thrive on FdA Digital Media.
While we expect that you will have been developing your work prior to applying, you are not expected to submit a portfolio with your initial application. We will send you clear instructions once you've submitted an application
Formal qualifications
A typical offer is between 104 and 120 UCAS points for entry to undergraduate courses, primarily from Level 3 equivalent qualifications such as A levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma. You can check how many points your qualifications are worth using the online UCAS Tariff Calculator
We also look for qualities which can't always be evidenced through qualifications alone. We seek students who are prepared to innovate, push boundaries, research and think for themselves. We require our students to be self-motivated and passionate about their subject area. For this reason, we will ask to see a portfolio of your work and we'll also meet with you to discuss your creative practice and your ambitions; we don't look at your UCAS points in isolation.
Therefore if you are predicted to achieve grades that fall outside of the 104 and 120 UCAS points range please continue with your application and contact the Admissions team if you need any advice.
Levels of academic study in England, Northern Ireland and Wales are officially recognised through the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). The National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) helps to compare International qualifications against these recognised standards as established as part of the Bologna Process.
Examples of UK qualifications and levels: Level 3: A Levels, Extended (National) Diploma, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate
International Applicants
Bodmin College welcomes international applications, however, EU or International students must have settled status in order to apply. We are unable to support international students who require a Tier 4 Student Visa to study in the UK. Typically students from EU countries, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man will not require a Tier 4 visa. If you are unsure whether you require a Tier 4 Student Visa, please check the UK Visas and Immigration website.
If English is not your first language we will request an English language exam report to ensure that you meet our language requirement. For undergraduate study this is an IELTS (Academic) overall score of 6.0 (with a minimum score of 5.5 in all four areas tested) or a recognised equivalent such as Pearson PTE Academic. These tests must have been taken no earlier than two years before you start at Falmouth.
For more information on what qualifications and testing centres we accept, please refer to: http://www.falmouth.ac.uk/international/qualifications
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We recognise that not all applicants will have the formal qualifications that meet our entry requirements, but that they might have other, equivalent qualifications or experience that would qualify them for study on the FdA.
If this is the case, please refer to Falmouth University’s Admissions Policy and APL Policy and Procedures [www.falmouth.ac.uk/student-regulations] and contact Admissions.
So you're considering Bodmin, you'll probably have a few questions about the course, what we look for when we're selecting our students, and what it's like to study here.
How do I apply?
Undergraduate courses To apply to one of our undergraduate courses you will need to make an application through UCAS
For Ucas course links please select the relevant course below
Whats the deadline for applying?
The deadline for all UCAS undergraduate courses is 15 January in the year you wish to commence studying. In practice, we may be able to accept late applications if places are still available. It's best to check with the Admissions team first. If you wish to take a gap year and apply for a deferred place, you need to apply a year early. For example, applications for 2022 entry must be made by 15 January 2022.
If you are a UK/EU applicant and places are still available, then we may be able to accept late applications until the course becomes full. However, we do recommend you submit your application before the deadline to maximise your chances of gaining a place.
What happens next after I have applied?
We will let you know as soon as we've begun to process your application, usually by email and with a letter to your correspondence address.
The UCAS cycle opens in October each year. We are normally in a position to start considering applications in November, for entry the following September.
What UCAS codes will I need?
Fda in Digital Media at Bodmin College is a franchised provision. You will be paying your tuition fees to directly Falmouth University.
The UCAS institution code for Falmouth University is F33.
Fda Digital Media Course code is T348
BA(Hons) Digital Media Top-up is PE04
What do you mean by a Level 3 qualification?
Levels of academic study in England, Northern Ireland and Wales are officially recognised through the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). The National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) helps to compare International qualifications against these recognised standards as established as part of the Bologna Process.
Examples of UK qualifications and levels:
Level 3: A Levels, Extended (National) Diploma, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate
Can I change my application to deferred entry once I've applied?
While we welcome deferred entry at the time of application, once an offer has been made we can only defer your entry in exceptional circumstances. Your request will need to be put in writing and supporting evidence sent to Admissions.
Please contact the Admissions team as soon as possible if you find yourself in this situation.
Can I nominate someone else to handle my application?
We will not discuss your application with anyone apart from you unless you formally ask us to.
If you'd like someone else to handle your application on your behalf, please send a letter to the Admissions office with the details of your nominated contact.
Can I reapply to Bodmin if I've been unsuccessful?
While you can't reapply to the same course in the same admissions cycle, we would welcome another application from you next year.
It is possible to apply to a different course at Falmouth in the same admissions year, if there are places available.
I am returning to study after a break from education. How do I apply?
You need to apply in the same way as other applicants.
Undergraduate applicants must apply through UCAS. See 'how do I apply?' above.
Is there a minimum or maximum age requirement for applying?
All applicants apply in the same way, regardless of their age. Undergraduate applicants must apply using UCAS.
There is no upper or lower age limit for students entering higher education. However, the recognised entry requirements for Bodmin's courses are unlikely to be achieved by most candidates below the age of 17. If a student is under the age of 18 on joining Bodmin, we will send you a form of consent, which will need to be signed by you and your parent or guardian. In the case of emergencies, a member of Bodmin staff may need to act in loco parentis (in place of a parent) and this is a requirement of an offer being made to someone under 18.
Do I need a portfolio to apply to Bodmin
Yes, we will require a portfolio of work and sketchbooks to support it. Viewing your work is the best way for us to understand your creative thinking and to assess whether you would be able to thrive on FdA Digital Media.
While we expect that you will have been developing your work prior to applying, you are not expected to submit a portfolio with your initial application.
We will send you clear instructions once you've submitted an application.
What makes a strong portfolio?
Your portfolio says a lot about you. Even though there are no set rules for a successful portfolio, and each course has its own specific requirements, we can make some broad recommendations. It's our intention that you use these as a general guide to help you decide what to include, and what not to include. Make sure your portfolio is:
Organised - arrange your work and know the contents of your portfolio - make sure you can find things quickly in an interview
Relevant and current - include pieces that are relevant to the course you're applying to and select recent work - we're most interested in the work you are doing now, not work you made years ago
Unique - stand out - show how you experiment with materials, processes, colour and different ways of ‘seeing', show the variety and breadth of your work and your technical ability
Selective - go for quality rather than quantity and select your most interesting pieces, even if they're not ‘finished' - choose work that you feel strongest about, not just the work your tutor likes, to demonstrate your passion to us
Open - show us how you think - include sketchbooks and workbooks to reveal your thought-processes and your ability to experiment, problem-solve and develop concepts.
FAQ
We hope we've covered most of the answers to your questions in our FAQs (below), but if you still have some questions and need some more advice before you apply, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Or better still, come and see us at one of our open days.
Where is Bodmin College?
We are located in Cornwall, in the south west of England. We are approximately 4 hours by train from London, one hour from Exeter and about 45 minutes from Plymouth.
Can I make a visit?
Yes, we recommend you do. We encourage all prospective applicants to see our facilities first-hand and to meet our staff. There are two ways to do this: book a place on an open day or book a personal tour.
To book a personal tour please contact Mark Talbot, Course Leader: tm@bodmincollege.co.uk.
What financial support is available ?
UK
UK undergraduate students are eligible for a tuition fee loan as long as you haven't been to university before. Exactly how much you can borrow, in the form of a living fee loan, will depend on your household income. Contact Student Finance England to find out more.
Applications for government loans and grants for students from England need to be submitted on-line to Student Finance England. If you normally live in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, you will need to apply to your regional finance team for your loan or grant: Student Finance NI, Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), or Student Finance Wales.
EU applicants
Full-time EU students can apply for a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England but any living expenses will need to be funded though the authorities in your home country. If you have been resident in the UK for three years or more before the start date of your proposed course, for reasons other than education, you may be eligible for a maintenance loan or maintenance grant from Student Finance England. Contact the EU customer services team for further advice and an application form.
What other support is there for our students?
We can provide free, confidential advice with any problem, large or small. Our partnership with Falmouth University means that the Falmouth University student union (FXU) can also provide impartial support for a wide range of welfare, financial or academic issues.
It's our aim for you to have the best possible experience at Bodmin, to make the most of your course and fulfil your potential. For more information on any of our services, please contact us.
I've already got qualifications. Do I still need to submit samples of work??
Yes you will. This is a course that requires pre-interview work.
We are most interested in your creative ability and this cannot always be evidenced by qualifications alone.
What do you mean by a reference?
A reference is also known as a letter of recommendation. We would generally expect your reference to be written by an academic tutor who can attest to your suitability for study and to your enthusiasm for your chosen subject.
However, if you're not currently in education, an employer can also write a reference or letter of recommendation for you.
What if I already hold an equivalent qualification to the one I want to apply to?
If you are a UK/EU resident applying to a course which is at an equivalent or lower level to a qualification that you already hold, you will be considered as ‘ELQ status' by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). This may mean that you will not be eligible for government student finance and you will have to fund your studies privately.
For example, if you were to apply for FDa (Hons) Digital Media and you already held a BSc in Computer Science, you would be considered ELQ because both courses are at an equivalent level. An applicant with a postgraduate MA applying for a undergraduate foundation degree would also be classed as ELQ for funding purposes.
Will a disability affect my application?
We are committed to ensure that, wherever practical, students with disabilities are able to study with us through the support and facilities available. You should declare your disability when you apply so we are able to correctly assess how we can support you through the application process and beyond, if you were to become a student here.
Your academic ability will be assessed by academic staff and we will assess the support we can offer you.
What do I need to bring with me to interview?
Your portfolio, paper, printed or digital
Project work
Sketch books, digital or paper
A piece of writing (a personal study, a media essay etc.)
Your portfolio should:
Demonstrate your ability to investigate ideas
Use a range of media
Show investigations and experimentation in media
Be organised and well presented
Viewing your work is the best way for us to understand your creative thinking and to assess whether you would be able to thrive on FdA and BA Digital Media courses.
What will happen at my interview?
You'll be interviewed individually with your portfolios and sketchbooks, by two academic members of staff
At your interview you'll have a tour where you'll have the chance to ask any questions. Please prepare questions to ask too.
You will normally receive a response from your interview through UCAS within 5 days.
What will happen at my Telephone/Skype interview?
We use the same requirements, as best as possible, to our in person interviews, so please look at these points to help you prepare. In Addition we would like to see a digital portfolio of your work .
As soon as possible before your interview please send a link to your online portfolio. It is important that you also have access to this online portfolio during the interview so that we can discuss your work together.
Your portfolio should contain project work, evidence of preparatory work (photographs of sketchbooks) and a piece of writing (a personal study, a media essay etc) The piece of writing can be emailed separately.
How can I prepare for my interview?
We would like to understand why you might wish to Digital Media at Bodmin. We would like to be able to see that you have some of the fundamental skills that that underpin this subject, your ability to think creatively and your visual language through the use of both traditional and digital technologies.
We want to hear from you as a person. How you are motivated. The activities and the interests you have.
Your the experiences that have led you to wish to study this subject.
Your portfolio, paper, printed or digital
Project work
Sketch books, digital or paper
A piece of writing (a personal study, a media essay etc.)
Your portfolio should:
Demonstrate your ability to investigate ideas
Use a range of media
Show investigations and experimentation in media
Be organised and well presented
What are we looking for in a successful applicant?
We will be looking for applicants who show:
Enthusiasm and commitment to Digital Media.
Good communication skills.
Analytical skills in relation to digital media arts and design.
Ability in some of the following areas Photography, digital image manipulation, video, web, graphic design, digital arts.
Creativity and innovation.
An aptitude for using digital creative technologies in your work.
We will look for understanding of digital technologies and their creative use. We will also look for abstract thinking but only if it is applicable to your recent work/study.
We'll also look at your qualifications, personal statement and reference on your application.
What are the indicative weekly study hours?
FdA and BA (Hons) Digital Media are both a full-time course; typically, students should expect to spend 35 - 40 hours per week on a combination of taught and self-directed study.
What will I be expected to pay for as part of my course?
Materials and equipment list and costs will include the following:
A5 and A3 Sketchbook
A backup external hard drive (500gb minimum), estimated cost £35 Optional
Laptop – it does not matter which platform (Apple or Windows). It should have 16GB RAM, a large hard drive 500GB plus. Buy as fast a processor as you can afford. You will have access to a computer for your work in our FdA Digital Media Centre.
There will be ongoing expenses as the course progresses, particularly digital equipment and consumable materials, so budget for some additional expenditure. We recommend you allow yourself £250 to purchase additional materials and equipment (if possible) during each year.
Important information
Important information pertaining to your studies, and the regulations that govern your studentship, can be found on Falmouth University's website here.
In particular, you should note the 'Student Terms & Conditions', 'Academic Regulations', 'Student Code of Conduct', and 'Academic Integrity Policy'.
If you are dissatisfied with the level of service that you have received with Bodmin College and wish to make a complaint, please read and follow the Bodmin College Complaints Policy and Procedure, which can be found on Falmouth University's website here.
University's Academic Calendar for study block/term dates can be found on Falmouth Universities website here
There is no accommodation available at Bodmin College when studying with us, however the College is situated just outside of the Town Centre. In the vicinity of the college there are a wide range of one bedroom accommodation options available between £450 and £500.
One bedroom accommodation is available through agents such as:
Right Move: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/Bodmin.html
