Creative and Digital Media
Full-time
Part-time
One year
Two year
September 2025
In a nutshell
This one-year, CertHE 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 'CertHE'?
A Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) at Level 4 is awarded after one year of full-time study at university. Our CertHE programmes are hands-on and practical, with flexible learning options available so you can choose to study full or part time.
CertHEs are a great choice for a wide range of reasons. Your personal or professional goals might mean that you don’t want or need a full degree but know that some higher education in your chosen field would be beneficial. You might want to experience university level study, including support and access to facilities, without the commitment of a three year degree.
You can take a CertHE 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 CertHE.
A CertHE can lead directly to a career as you will have gained valued skills and experience, or you might choose to continue with further studies.
The course is also available as a two year Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE).
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
All about the course
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 one year route. Modules may include:
Video Creation and Edit for Social and Digital Media
This module brings the creating and editing skills you have been learning together, and gives you the opportunity to practise a complete shoot and edit to a professional standard.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running 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 are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
Be a part of a creative and supportive community
All our Creative Digital Media and Gaming courses are delivered by the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology. We are a creative community with a focus on creating a collaborative environment where you can thrive and gain the skills needed to pursue your dreams.
Our Engagement Team coordinates school-wide events such as the Create Student Awards, academic conferences, networking and volunteering opportunities, welcoming and wellbeing fairs and exhibitions like our annual Degree Show.
For non-course matters, you will have access to our university-wide support service askUS, who will support and guide you to be successful in all aspects of your life.
Throughout your time at Salford, you’ll be mentored and supported by experts. And once you graduate, it won’t end there. You’ll join a thriving alumni network across Greater Manchester and beyond, meaning you’ll be supported professionally and personally whenever you need it.
GMIoT
Located across England, Institutes of Technology (IoTs) are a national network of partnerships between local colleges, universities, and leading employers.
We are a proud partner in the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology. This means as a student on this course you will benefit from being part of the University of Salford community, with access to our facilities and support, and taught by our tutors. You will also be part of the GMIoT network, with access to additional events and activities.
What about after uni?
Graduates can go straight into industry, working for a wide range of employers in various junior creative digital media 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.
Career Links
We have industry links with a range of media organisations, including Channel 4, ITV, BBC Sport and The Hut Group.
What you need to know
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.
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
72 points
A Level
72 points
BTEC Extended Diploma
MMP
Scottish Highers
72 points
Irish Leaving Certificate
72 points
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.
How much?
Your tuition fees are regulated by the UK government who has proposed changes to tuition fees for UK students studying in England from 1 August 2025. The fee stated reflects this proposed change, but remains subject to parliamentary approval. Your tuition fees may increase in your first and each subsequent year of your programme to the maximum amount permitted by UK law or regulation for that academic year.
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,535 per year |
| Part-time | 2025/26 | Part-time fees will be calculated on a pro rata basis. |
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.