Duration:
2 years full-time for FdSc (Foundation Degree)
Upon successful completion of this course you'll have the option to join our BSc (Hons) Film Production Technology and top up to a Level 6 qualification. Find out more about topping up your degree.
Location:
Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies, Nottingham
UCAS course code:
P313
Institution code:
N91
- A-levels – DDE; or
- BTEC Extended Diploma – MPP; or
- 64 UCAS Tariff points from three A-levels or equivalent qualifications; and
- GCSE - English and Maths Grade C / 4
We also consider equivalent qualifications and combinations.
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.
This degree is validated by Nottingham Trent University. You can apply through UCAS.
Fees & 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.
Throughout this film production degree you’ll learn the skills needed to work in a variety of technical roles within the film production process. You can also expect to gather a wide range of experience whilst developing a specific area of expertise and develop a strong portfolio of work, tailored to your career aspirations.
All students on the film production degree have the opportunity to take part in Industry Week and learn from industry professionals. By the end of the course you’ll have a strong portfolio of film work, tailored to your own career aspirations, and be ready to launch your career in the film industry.
Confetti’s Technical Services team host 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, as well as glide cams, 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.
Teaching and learning experiences will include:
- lectures
- seminars
- group tutorials
- academic tutorials
- workshops
- presentations and pitches
- visiting industry professionals
- team working
- independent study
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
There is a varied range of assessment methods throughout the course, which includes:
- film production development work
- film productions
- research tasks
- case studies
- portfolio work
- reports and evaluations
- lab reports
- essays
- visual and verbal presentations
A two year Foundation degree is a great choice if you want to have the option to graduate with a Level 5 qualification and start your creative career early. With an accessible UCAS tariff – this type of degree is perfect for you if you prefer a more practical approach to your studies. After completing two years you will graduate with an FdSc/FdA qualification and choose whether you want to continue and enroll on a top up year for a full BSc qualification or whether you would rather stop your education and start your creative career.
Topping up your existing qualification
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 of the equivalent BSc degree to ‘top up’ to a full honours degree.
What you'll study in year 1
This is your introduction to a range of equipment used on a film set. Develop the skills and understanding required for camera operation, audio acquisition and lighting techniques for film. Examine the scientific principles behind the skills that inform the film-maker’s ability to achieve a cinematic quality product when using lighting, audio and camera technologies.
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 and distribution.
You’ll develop your ability to project manage the technical requirements of a film shoot. You’ll learn 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 assessments, 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.
You’ll work collaboratively as a part of a production team on a film set. As part of the team, you’ll be expected to demonstrate your proficiency working with a particular piece of hardware in a particular discipline. You’ll also need to demonstrate a detailed understanding of camera, lighting and audio technologies.
You’ll learn how to use post-production software for both visual and audio. You’ll develop an understanding of the technologies involved and impact on the creative process. You’ll gain experience and understand the relationships between different software, developing skills that will enable you to apply post-production theory in a practical way.
What you'll study in year 2
This is your introduction to the technical specifications and requirements of a range of complex film grip equipment. You’ll learn to operate equipment whilst also investigating the scientific principles surrounding camera and lighting technologies when shooting for visual effects content. You’ll plan and shoot a technically-complex sequence using appropriate specialist equipment.
During this module, you’ll research markets, festivals and competitions to inform the development and production of your own short film. Working under the guidance of an industry partner, you’ll undertake the pre-production of your own short film. You’ll be expected to make appropriate judgements in the planning of your production and demonstrate the ability to problem-solve.
You’ll produce a short film aimed at a film festival or competition. You’ll learn how to work in film production environments working to the necessary health and safety regulations. You’ll also develop your production management skills, learning to effectively manage workflow and processes in the successful delivery of your own short film.
During this module you will 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.
Within this module students will 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. Using the knowledge, understanding and skills acquired in these module students will work with an industry partner or client to post-produce a product to be shown in the cinema.
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. This year, in light of the current restrictions, we’ve taken this showcase online.
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
- Actor Noel Clarke
- Screenwriter Russell.T.Davies
Check out our OnDemand service here.
Continue your studies
Each case will be considered individually, but upon completion you’re automatically entitled to enter into the 3rd year of our BSc (Hons) Film Production Technology to gain a full BSc qualification.
Future careers
You can also move straight into your career, in areas which might include:
- 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
Partners
