Duration:
3 years full-time for BSc (Hons)
Direct entry into year 2 or 3 available with previous HND/FdSc

Location:
Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies, Nottingham

UCAS course code:
P317

Institution code:
N91

  • A-levels – BBC; or
  • BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM; or
  • 112 UCAS Tariff points from at least two A-levels or equivalent qualifications; and
  • GCSE – English and Maths Grade C / 4.

International qualifications

We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:

English language entry requirements

You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors. Find out more about advisors in your country.

Fees and funding:

Visit our fees & funding page for more information.

Additional Costs

Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.

We advise you to budget between £50 - £250 for an external hard drive. Whilst you will be provided with storage for your work on the servers it is also good practice to back up your digital files to an external source.

Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.

Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.

Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.

Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.

This course will help you develop the skills required to work across a variety of technical roles within the film production process, giving you breadth of experience whilst developing a specific area of expertise, with a strong portfolio of film work.

Throughout this three year course you’ll develop new skills working with the latest film production technologies in order to develop your understanding of the art of filmmaking.

You’ll master the technological skills required by the cinematographer, lighting technician and sound recordist, as well as studying in detail the art of post-production. You’ll develop your creative and technical understanding of industry-standard software including Avid Media Composer and the Adobe Creative Suite.

In addition, you’ll learn to use grip equipment used within film production and develop the technical discipline required when working with 4K cinematography, data management and post-production workflow. You’ll also study the science, art and application involved in practical effects, whilst exploring the importance of self promotion, brand management and screening events. You’ll also complete a self-directed technology investigation on a subject of your own interest.

Confetti’s Technical Services team will be holding workshops throughout the year on safe operation of unmanned aerial photography drones. CAA PfCO trained pilots will show you how to safely and legally operate camera drones in the UK.

We now stock both DJI Mavic Pro and Inspire drones, which will be available for use by degree level Creative Media students after completing training.

Drones and the camera gimbals they carry are now a key filmmaking tool, allowing access to cinematic shots previously inaccessible to most.

In addition to developing practical skills you’ll also undertake a wide range of industry and work-related opportunities through live projects, Confetti’s Industry Week, guest lectures and work-based learning.

Within individual modules the delivery of the material encourages increasing levels of skill development and student participation, ensuring that, as you progress through the course, you become a more confident and independent learner. We aim to include a range of methods of delivery that may include;

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Workshop
  • Group tutorials
  • Academic Tutorials
  • Presentations and Pitches
  • Team working
  • Independent learning
  • Visiting industry professionals

All the modes of delivery are structured to develop on-going abilities and skills through exploring ideas and problem solving.

93% of our degree students would recommend studying at Confetti to others. (National Student Survey 2020)

Trips

We organise some fantastic trips for students - we recently took a group on a trip to New York, where they had a chance to visit world-famous film studios and explore the amazing city with a camera. Read all about it here.

What our current students think

"The course is the perfect level of practical to theory and the class sizes are small allowing you one-on-one time with tutors."

Kirsty Macadam

Advice from our alumni

"Confetti provide all of the industry-standard software, and help direct you on a career path if you haven’t yet decided. The tutors are very helpful and it is a great atmosphere to learn in."

Elliot Macey

Assessments for each module place an emphasis on portfolio building and each portfolio for each module will contain a range of evidence such as practical work, production management evidence, reflection, evaluation, research projects, presentations and written work.

Each assessment undertaken will enable you to experience a variety of technological roles within Film Production whilst enabling you to experience industry standard working practices and software. The varied assessment tasks have been designed to prepare you for the range of skills you require to work in the global film industry.

A three year Bachelor degree is a great choice if you’re looking to gain a full Level 6 qualification. With a higher UCAS tariff – this type of degree is perfect for you if you prefer a more theoretical approach to your studies combined with significant elements of practice. After graduating you will be able to progress onto a postgraduate course or start your creative career.

Topping up your existing qualification

If you already have an FdSc, HND or equivalent you can join this BSc course by direct entry into year 2 or 3, depending upon your qualification and experience.

Each case will be considered individually, but if you have passed an FdSc from Confetti and decided you want to continue your studies, you’re automatically entitled to enter into the 3rd year to ‘top-up’ to a full honours degree.

What you'll study in year 1

This module introduces you to a range of equipment used on a film set. You’ll develop the skills and understanding required for camera operation, audio acquisition and lighting techniques for film. You’ll examine the scientific principles behind the practical skills that inform the filmmaker’s ability to achieve a cinematic quality product when using lighting, audio and camera technologies.

Throughout this module you’ll study the historical development of film technology and assess the impact technological change has had on the industry. You’ll be given the opportunity to investigate a range of film examples, past and present, in order to assess the impact technology has had and continues to have on changes in film production, distribution and access.

This module will develop your ability to work in small groups to project manage the technical requirements of a film shoot. You’ll be taught how to break down a script in terms of its technical requirements whilst also learning about the different stages of project management in preparation for location filming including location scouting, risk assessment, kit specifications, crewing, budgeting and scheduling. You’ll be expected to show a detailed understanding of the health and safety regulations that govern the film industry and in particular location filming.

During this module you’ll be expected to work collaboratively as a part of a production team on a film set. As part of the production team it is expected that you’ll demonstrate proficiency working with a particular piece of hardware in a particular discipline. Through self-reflection and evaluation you’ll also need to demonstrate a detailed understanding of the camera, lighting and audio technologies applied to your production.

Throughout this module you’ll learn how to use post-production software for both visual and audio. You’ll develop an understanding of the technologies involved and its impact on the creative process. You’ll gain experience within the workflow of the technologies and understand the interrelationships between software, developing skills that will enable you to implement post-production theory in a practical way with a varied pool of resources.

What you'll study in year 2

This module introduces you to the technical specifications and requirements of a range of complex film grip equipment. You’ll learn to operate the equipment whilst also investigating the scientific principles surrounding camera and lighting technologies when shooting for visual effects content.  You’ll then be required to plan and shoot a technically complex sequence using appropriate specialist equipment.

This module will require you to independently study the short film genre. You’ll be expected to research appropriate markets to inform the development and production of your own short film to be entered into a relevant and well justified short film competition. Working under the guidance of an industry partner you’ll undertake the pre-production of your own short film, ensuring that the correct health and safety regulations are fully considered. You’ll be expected to make appropriate judgments in the planning of your production and demonstrate the ability to problem solve.

During this module you’re expected to independently produce a short film aimed at a film festival or short film competition. You’ll be expected to demonstrate the ability to work in appropriate film production environments working to the necessary health and safety regulations. You’ll independently undertake production management of the workflow, processes and professional practice in the successful delivery of your own short film.

Within this module you’ll develop more advanced skills in the areas of post-production for film. This will involve visual effects, colour correction and picture grading for film post-production; and dubbing, mixing, ADR and Foley for audio post-production. You’ll also learn how to deliver content for distribution for cinema using the correct technical procedures. Using the knowledge, understanding and skills acquired in this module you’ll work with an industry partner or client to post-produce a product to be shown in the cinema.

During this module you’ll undertake appropriate self-directed projects, working collaboratively on creative work, allowing you to directly apply the knowledge and skills learnt throughout the programme in the context of the workplace. This module aims to develop your overall professionalism and provide you with the knowledge and resources to begin a career in the creative industries.

The nature of creative industries is increasingly defined by freelance and self-employed models of work. Consequently, individuals seeking work in industry need to appreciate the pressures of working on multiple projects to strict deadlines and the subsequent demands this place on time and resources. Similarly, an understanding of professional practice and the legal and economic imperatives in industry is important, as is effective communication, self-efficacy and autonomy. This module aims to develop these skills and knowledge by challenging you to develop a range of self-directed projects.

What you'll study in your final year

The aim of this module is for you to develop an innovative and ambitious digital film project of your own design demonstrating flexibility and creativity whilst working both independently and in collaboration with others. You’ll develop critical and technological skills that allow you to develop and realise your professional digital film production. Alongside developing professional production skills, you’ll also extend your theoretical knowledge in order to develop your understanding of creative film practice.

This module will provide you with a broad framework for planning your own film exhibition event. Working in collaboration with your peers you’ll undertake planning and project management to host your own film festival. You’ll explore factors including how to organise a film festival, build partnerships and identify a suitable programme of films for exhibition. Working with your peers you’ll investigate the operational issues and technical considerations required for your festival and you’ll research how to raise appropriate finance and work with budgets and cash flow. The module will also explore the press and marketing of films festivals and you’ll plan and execute appropriate marketing strategies for your own film exhibition.

You'll explore interactive filmmaking technology and techniques, allowing you to build on your film production skills whilst investigating audience interaction beyond the screen, through technology advances.

The types of technology you'll cover could include:

  • Using apps to allow the audience to direct the story
  • Streaming websites
  • Augmented Reality
  • Virtual Reality
  • 360 Reality Audio
  • Exhibition of interactive films

The module will build on technical skills you have already developed over the previous two years, allowing you to build more complex narrative and deliverables.

Building on the technical skills you have developed thus far, you will learn how to work with relevant materials and equipment, and gain grounding in the essential artistic, scientific and technological principles underpinning the planning process and production of interactive film.

This module provides you with the opportunity to undertake sustained investigation into a specific area of creative technology that builds on your previous knowledge, experience and skills acquired during levels 4 and 5. This module will allow you to explore critically a specific issue or area of personal interest within your chosen field allowing you to explore individual lines of enquiry connected to your career goals. You’ll achieve this by undertaking a self-initiated practical research project supported by tutor supervision.

As part of this investigation you’ll also enhance your abilities to communicate your findings with an audience and consolidate your skills in project management and self directed work, both of which are vital for a career within the creative media industries.

The module serves to acquaint you with the key skills and practices required to undertake and complete independent project research and to create practical creative media technology products as a response.

On this course you'll study at Confetti HQ:

  • Industry-standard cameras from Sony and Blackmagic
  • A 25 seat media production lab running Avid Media Composer and Adobe Creative Cloud
  • A 25 seat screening room
  • A 37m2 Green Screen VFX studio with VFX infinity curve screen
  • A 144m2 studio space with industry-standard digital video cameras and full lighting rig
  • Industry spec production gallery with 4k production facilities
  • Foley suite
  • Production and meeting rooms
  • Access to audio post-production equipment

Degree Showcase

Every year we welcome family, friends and industry professionals to watch, listen, test and play the fantastic work of our degree students.

Splendour

Our students documented the entire event through filming and photography, and some worked with our industry partner Notts TV to film and record all of the backstage action.

At Confetti, we offer students the chance to ‘Do It For Real’ – get out into real industries and experience working in various roles that take their interest.

Our Talent Development team work closely with Course Leaders to link students with opportunities across the local and regional film and TV industries.

Notts TV

Confetti participates enthusiastically in the life of Nottingham. One of the key ways in which we do that is through Notts TV. Launched in 2014, we’re proud to have received 17 Royal Television Society award nominations in our short time on the airwaves. Every single day, NTU and Confetti students work alongside professional broadcasters to create news, sport, factual and lifestyle programming. Every single week this amasses over twenty hours of original content, thousands upon thousands of hours since launch.

This unrivalled opportunity to ‘Do it for Real’ in the fast-moving and hungry environment of live television is the perfect training ground. As you’d expect, this is borne out in the numbers of our graduates who go on to work in the industry. You can see them today on Sky, ITV and the BBC as well as many others – have a look at some of our alumni profiles to see what they’re up to now.

52 Notts TV pathway graduates now work for major broadcasters including Sky, the BBC and ITV.

Industry Week

We also hold an annual Industry Week, where guest speakers and mentors from the film and TV industries are invited in to talk to students. Our students have the opportunity to learn from people working in the industry right now, and can make invaluable contacts during this week.

Past Industry Week guests have included:

  • BAFTA-nominated actor Stephen Graham
  • Director Shane Meadows
  • Director Paul Campion
  • Cinematographer Neil Oseman

Check out our talks OnDemand here

Continue your education

Your time at Confetti doesn’t have to stop once you finish your undergraduate course. Choose to continue your studies on our postgraduate degrees that can help you further develop your skills and obtain the experience you need to get a head start in your career.

Future careers

  • Camera operator
  • Camera assistant
  • Gaffer
  • DIT
  • Edit assistant
  • Offline-editor
  • Online-editor
  • Colour grader

Previous students are working at companies, such as:

  • Pinewood Studios
  • Spool Films
  • The Football Association
  • UEFA
  • Plum Pictures

Open Days

Saturday 1 July - NOTTINGHAM
REGISTER NOW
Saturday 15 July - London
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Partners