DipHE Creative and Digital Media
- Course type
- Undergraduate
- Course qualification
- DipHE
Course summary
What is the fee?
For all course options, see fees and funding
Where will I study?
Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology
What is the UCAS code?
PW90
How long will I study?
Two years, Four years
Overview
This two-year, DipHE programme trains you to become a digital media creative whilst also developing the required skills for delivering and distributing video content across platforms including business, government and the charity sector.
This course focuses on mastering the software and hardware you need in order to be an indispensable team member in this fast-growing field as well as developing your creative abilities and understanding.
Find out more by signing up to our upcoming Open Day, of if you have any general questions please contact course enquiries.
What is a 'DipHE'?
A Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) at Level 5 is awarded after two years of full-time study at university. Our DipHE programmes are hands-on and practical, with flexible learning options available so you can choose to study full or part time.
You can take a DipHE straight from college when you have completed qualifications like BTECs or A-Levels. Some people choose to take a gap year first or spend some time working before they start a DipHE.
Diplomas of Higher Education are perfect for people who want a university experience, but do not want to take a full undergraduate degree qualification. You get the support and teaching quality of a degree but don’t have to commit to three years of study before you begin. A DipHE can lead directly to a career as you will have gained valued skills and experience, or you might choose to continue with further studies.
This course is also available as a one year CertHE programme.
The DipHE Creative and Digital Media programme, represents a forward-thinking initiative that equips students with the technical skills and knowledge they need to excel in our ever-evolving digital landscape. This innovative approach to education is precisely what our industry requires, and I fully endorse the programme to anyone looking to gain a competitive edge in the digital media world.
Richard Wormwell, Head of Production Innovation, Dock 10.
The most important consideration for any student should be how employable they will be once qualified. As a specialist recruiter in creative, digital and marketing, we’ve seen a significant increase in demand over recent years for people with media and content creation skills. The DipHE Creative and Digital Media course offers a well-structured industry-focused curriculum; students will develop a specialist and in-demand skillset, whilst learning the wrap-around context of how their skillset fits into the bigger picture. It’s hugely encouraging to see the University of Salford taking the lead in developing courses that are laser-focused on employability.
Andy Chesters, Director, Orchard Creative and Marketing Recruitment.
You will:
- Learn how to produce content, create stories and put ideas together to develop digital and creative content
- Edit video, using industry standard software
- Develop immersive content
- Learn the skills necessary to develop a small business and run your affairs as a freelancer
How you'll learn
Future careers
Graduates can go straight into industry, working for a wide range of employers in various roles.
A typical employer might be Channel 4, or one of the production companies that produce content for that channel. Alternatively, you might work for the marketing department of an e-commerce company, or for a sports team, or public sector body. You might also consider a role within the hundreds of advertising, marketing, and production agencies which serve the industry.
In the North there is a substantial and growing market which includes media companies such as the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Lime Pictures, as well as online companies like Rental Cars, The Hut Group, AO.com, Money Supermarket, Beauty Bay, Auto Trader, Missguided, BooHoo, and other organisations including Manchester United, Liverpool FC and Manchester City.
Graduates of the programme could also find roles in government, large organisations including the police, or major charities, who are all strongly represented in the region.
If you want to continue your studies, you may choose to top-up to a full degree with our one year BA (Hons) Creative and Digital Media (Top-Up) course.
Career Links
We have industry links with a range of media organisations, including Channel 4, ITV, BBC Sport and The Hut Group.
Modules
This course has been designed by media industry content developers and producers. Modules that make up the programme have been developed as new learning experiences bespoke to the course, which will give you a concentrated two-year experience to prepare you for employment or top-up study.
The structure below reflects a two year route. Modules may include:
Year one
Mobile, Media and Marketing
This module will cover:
- Contemporary marketing in a mobile-first world
- Anticipating, understanding and fulfilling customer needs and desires
- Creating and curating social media content to engage audiences
Planning, Pre-Production and Ethics
The art of planning and pre-production is essential to the success of any production. This module introduces the student to the beginning of that journey. Having a thorough understanding of budgets, costings, planning, and the logistical requirements of a production will enable content to be delivered successfully. Equally important is an awareness of ethical considerations, including responsible resource use, transparent decision-making, fair treatment of contributors and crew, and the social impact of the content being produced. By integrating ethical practice into every stage of planning, students can ensure their productions are not only efficient and well-managed but also respectful, responsible, and aligned with professional standards.
Video Shoot and Sound
In this module you will learn how to create a video including how to use a camera, how to light a scene, how to focus and how to record sound to a professional standard.
Client Communications
This module will show you how to communicate with and nurture relationships with clients. This will include how to understand, articulate and interpret live briefs and projects and progress to delivering appropriately constructed and designed content to a deadline.
Motion and Interactive Design
This module will teach the creative elements and processes required to visualise user journeys for web interaction and motion design. It is underpinned by the technical knowledge learned in Innovation and Technologies module, and will focus on narrative processes in combination with motion design.
Video Edit
This module will accompany 'Video Shoot and Sound' by studying the process of video editing in parallel. The student will use their footage from 'Video Shoot and Sound' to help inform the video edit process. The beginning of the module will outline the fundamental processes of video editing, from a perspective of workflow and terminology rather than specific software training. This allows students to approach any video editing software with knowledge and understanding. The individual edit will develop the individual learners fundamental skills, where the group project will emulate project management and team processes as found in a small scale production business.
Year two
Creative Collaboration
Digital designers very rarely work alone. In the complex digital landscape we live today, designers and developers almost never work in isolation from other professionals. This module will provide you with the opportunity to work with students from other programmes in industry-led briefs, developing your understanding of project management and professional communication.
Planning and Pre-production
This module covers the basics of what you will need to do, as industry professionals, before a shoot in order to make sure it is properly put together. This covers topics from insurance, cast management and risk assessment to health, safety and budgeting.
Storytelling with Future Technologies
This module introduces you to emergent technologies and their applications in multiple design contexts such as entertainment, marketing, retail and education. Examples of emergent technologies include AI, virtual and augmented reality. This module focuses on storytelling, exploring the new creative and expressive affordances of emerging technologies in industry and how we can use them to tell stories.
End-to-End Content Creation
On this module you will have the chance to take the creation of an advertising video through its entire journey. This brings together for you all the skills you have so far acquired in video conception and creation, from analysing the market and the audience, to creating and delivering the right video to the client, to distributing it
Final Major Project
This module takes you right out into the real world of production. It provides you with the opportunity to showcase your creative and digital media skills through engagement with, and delivery of, a live industry brief.
We take a flexible approach to our course delivery that promotes diversity and inclusivity and provides a blended learning experience, which will vary to meet specific programme requirements. This learning time includes formal lectures and interactive activities such as seminars, tutorials, practical sessions, laboratory and studio learning. Smaller classes may be used to support collaborative activities such as project and group work and presentations. A range of different assessments and feedback is offered to meet the needs of both our diverse student body and specific subject needs.
Our undergraduate courses are normally made up of 20 credit modules which are equal to 200 hours of learning time. A three-year degree qualification typically comprises a total of 360 credits (120 credits per year).
Please note that exact modules and content offered may vary in order to keep content current and, for courses that offer optional modules, may depend on the number of students selecting particular options. When accepting your offer of a place to study on a programme with optional modules, you should be aware that optional modules may not all run each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you can undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
Entry requirements
As an applicant for this course, you will:
- be an enthusiast for digital media content, and curious about how it is created, measured and used to bring about success for broadcasters, production companies, sports teams, government and charities.
- know who the major broadcasters are and what their video-on-demand sites (like iPlayer and ITV Player) do.
- have a good working knowledge of social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and any other social platforms people are using. You might also know something about big ecommerce sites like Amazon, MyProtein and PrettyLittleThing.
- possibly have experimented with making videos or podcasts already and seen the potential of them.
- be aware of TV shows and podcasts and already have a set of favourites you could discuss – thinking about what makes them good, which target audience they are focusing on, and what challenges might have been involved in producing them.
- be curious to know about how to shoot and edit video, how to look at social media analytics, how to work out which channel to use, and how to create content that resonates with very different target audiences.
Not sure how many UCAS points you have? Use the UCAS Tariff Calculator to find out.
Standard entry requirements
GCSE
English Language at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent) is required. Maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) is preferred but not essential.
You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below
UCAS tariff points
64 points
A Level
64 points
BTEC Extended Diploma
MPP
Scottish Highers
64 points
Irish Leaving Certificate
64 points
Access to HE
Pass Level 3 Access to HE Diploma with 64 UCAS points
Diploma in Foundation Studies (Art and Design)
Pass = 80 points
T Levels
Pass (D/E in core subject)
International Baccalaureate
Equivalent to 64 UCAS tariff points
European Baccalaureate
Equivalent to 64 UCAS tariff points
Alternative entry requirements
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
Fees and funding
See below for fees information.
2026/27
| Type of study | Fees |
|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,790 per year |
| Part-time | Part-time fees will be calculated on a pro rata basis. |
The tuition fees shown are for the first year only. If your course lasts longer than one year, fees may increase each year in line with inflation, up to the maximum limits set by the UK Government.
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
How to apply
Enrolment dates
Student information
Terms and conditionsUCAS information
Course ID PW90
Institution S03