Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £15,860 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
Come to an open day
Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Course summary
- Study your foundation year, then progress to a degree with industry accreditation from the British Kinematograph Sound and Television Society (BKSTS).
- Learn to use industry-standard systems to create, capture, store, edit, compose and distribute digital media.
- Work with a wide range of professional industry standard equipment.
- Build your employability by working with nationwide digital media companies.
- Gain valuable experience by working on live projects.
This course enables you to develop the creative and technical skills needed to work with industry-standard technologies and current emerging platforms in disciplines such as film, animation, interactive media, gaming, mobile applications, web-based media, social media, virtual reality and cross-media.
View our students' work
Find out more about the Media Arts and Communications department and view the work of some of our students.
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
The course is suitable if you don't meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) Digital Media Production course, or you want extra preparation before starting degree-level study. You share the first year with other media arts and communication foundation year students, then move on to the degree.
We employ a practice-based approach to teaching and assessment set within the context of creative and industry-focused activities. You will build up a portfolio of creative work suitable for use after you graduate.
You learn through
- lab based specialist workshops
- lectures, seminars and tutorials
- self-directed study
- live projects
In the foundation year, you'll study wide-ranging media arts and communication topics, while also focussing on your particular subject area and completing assignments in that field. You'll grow as a creative, and begin developing a professional portfolio. You'll also become familiar with Hallam's exceptional facilities and staff, so you're fully prepared for undergraduate study.
Course leaders and tutors
Peter Spence
Senior Lecturer in Film and TVCurrently teaching a number of film theory modules on the BA (Honours) Film and Media Production course, Peter is also an award-winning film-maker whose work has scr … Read more
Applied learning
Work placements
You will have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your third and fourth years. This gives you a real-world experience to prepare you for your future career. You are supported in finding a placement by our experienced Placement and Employability Team who have a large range of employer contacts.
Live projects
The entire course, in terms of both content and approach, is geared towards producing employable digital media professionals through live projects. Many modules on the degree make use of Applied Projects (a University service which sources clients for live projects) that gives you the experience of working within your specialist industry.
Networking opportunities
We can provide you with the skills you need to set up your own business through our Enterprise Centre. For those involved in this opportunity, our specialist business start-up unit, The Hatchery, also provides additional free support and office space, as well as business mentors with experience in your business area. A series of guest lectures from industry professionals, networking events, competitions and other industry-based research opportunities also provide you with the opportunity to develop your network.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- Digital content creation
- Digital creative direction
- Digital marketing and branding
- Marketing management
- Social media management
- Project management
- Front end development
- App design and development
- Graphic and motion design
- Mixed reality design
- Games cinematics
- Graphic design
- Illustration
- Videography
Previous graduates of BA (Honours) Digital Media Production have gone on to work for
- Hallmark
- Joi Polloi
- Remedy Entertainment
- Sheffield Doc/Fest
- talkSport
- Spotify
- The Financial Times
- Hydra Creative
- Wildcat Digital
- Rise at Seven
Others have established their own companies or work in freelance roles.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour | Keeping safe on Campus
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with
- professional film and stills cameras
- 360 video, lighting and studio equipment
- VR, mobile and interactive media devices
- specialist film, animation and photography studios
- a full-sized professional green screen studio
- state-of-the-art PC and mac labs
- industry-standard software tools
- a purpose-built cinema
Learn more about your department
Media, Arts and Communications Facilities Tour
Take a look around the media, arts and communication facilities at Sheffield Hallam University with lecturer Saskia Wilson.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 80
With at least 32 points from one A level or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example:
- CDD at A Level.
- MMP in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- A combination of qualifications which must include an A level grade C or BTEC grade M.
GCSE
- English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
- Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.p>
• An Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
We may also accept you, if you have limited qualifications but can show evidence of ability and a genuine commitment to studying Media Arts and Communication.
We treat the foundation year as part of the Media Arts and Communication degree programme. Offers made to students will be for four years of study (or five years of study including a placement). This is made up of the foundation year plus one of our Media Arts and Communication degrees.
Some applicants may be invited to attend an informal interview with the course leader to ensure that the programme is suitable for themselves and their aspirations.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Creative Synergies In Media Production | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Media In Context | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Media Project | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Preparing For Independent Practice And Study | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Creating Digital Content | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Digital Media Fundamentals | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Digital Storytelling | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Interactive Design | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Level 4 Live Industry Project | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
Year 3
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Immersive Digital Design | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Level 5 Live Industry Project | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Managing Creative Productions | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Photography And Video Production | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: App Design And Development | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Creative Sound Practice | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Documentary Production (Photography, Sound And Moving Image) | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Introduction To Concept Art | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Virtual Reality Design | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 4
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Final year
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Digital Media Arts | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Final Digital Media Project | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Professional Design Project | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and are therefore subject to changes in government policy. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2023/24 is £15,860 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Digital media courses (PDF, 225.8KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
