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Digital media, production, and technology

Use your passion for media to forge a creative career with new and developing technologies.

Studying these subjects will give you the broad skills and understanding of how to create, develop, and distribute digital content across a range of platforms and formats. You’ll learn the necessary creative and technical skills – and can choose to specialise in one of these – that will take you into roles such as mobile applications, social media, content writing, gaming, videography, animation, and virtual or augmented reality.

There are careers for digital media, production, and technology graduates across most businesses, charities, government departments, media companies, arts organisations, and others. According to government research, roles requiring digital skills pay 29% over roles that do not, meaning employers will be keen to reward you for your skills. 

The impact you could make
  • Work with a team of producers and creatives to design a digital marketing campaign for a brand you love.
  • Storyboard an idea, film it on set, and edit it for use on digital media.
  • Manage the email list and social accounts for a charity or cause you’re passionate about.
What you could study
  • Creating digital content
  • Fundamentals of digital media
  • Digital storytelling
  • Writing for media production
  • Interactive design
  • Graphics in motion
  • Visual effects
  • Sound production
  • Computer-generated imagery
  • Digital post-production
  • Managing creative productions

Study options

Options to study in this field include:

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Example module
"Video production, Foley/sound design and writing for media, studio work."
Second year music and sound production student, BIMM
Example assignment
"I did the publicity for a short film we made, I also created online content to promote a website, helped film and produce a short film."
Second year media and cultural studies student, Lancaster University

Subjects it's useful to have studied first

Some digital media, production and technology courses or apprenticeships will have requirements for previous qualifications in certain subjects. Entry requirements vary, so always check with the provider.
Art
Design technology
Computing
Engineering
Graphic design
Photography
Hard skills you'll develop
  • Script and content writing
  • Filming and editing
  • Project management software
  • Animations
  • Audio and visual production
Soft skills you'll develop
  • Communication and teamwork
  • Project management
  • Creative design
  • Research
  • Analytical skills

Careers: Where it can take you

Find out more about your career prospects from studying digital media, production and technology. The following information is based on a typical graphic and multimedia designer role.
Available jobs
75,239 vacancies in the past year
4.67% growth over next eight years
Average salary
£26,894
Up to £44,566

Career options

Art, performance and design
Digital
Film

Editor

Animator

Casting director 

Videographer

Advertising and marketing

Digital marketing

Advertising and marketing professional

SEO specialist

What is a… digital community manager?

You may never have heard of a digital community manager, but they’re the person who communicates with customers online, on behalf of a business that’s supplying products or services. They also sometimes facilitate online communication between peers, for example in the gaming industry. You might be based with the communications or marketing team within a company, and you’ll be responsible for maintaining good customer relations and the company’s reputation, as well as potentially boosting sales.

Getting in: Entry requirements

Find out more about what you'll need to study digital media, production and technology at university or as an apprenticeship.

Average requirements for undergraduate degrees

Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from digital media, production and technology applicants.

A levels
BBB
Scottish Highers
ABBBB
Vocational
BTEC DDM
Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g.Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma or SQCF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative

Second year games design and production student, University of Salford

I love how diverse the creative space is in the field, from programming, character, and environment art to UX design and 3D modelling.

Considering an apprenticeship?

Applying for an apprenticeship is just like applying for a normal job. Here’s what you need to know:
  1. Deadline

    Apprenticeships don't follow the same deadlines as applying to uni, the deadline is down to the employer.
  2. Where to apply

    You apply directly through the employer.
  3. No limits

    You're not restricted to one apprenticeship application; you can do as many as you like.
  4. Apply to university and apprenticeships

    There's nothing stopping you applying to university through UCAS, while also applying for apprenticeship vacancies.

Let's talk about... creative and design apprenticeships

Explore further

Go deeper into topics around digital media, production and technology with the following:
  1. Digitpro Magazine

    Dip into some of the articles in this magazine to understand the digital media industry better, and get tips on everything from how digital production is used to taking the best photos. 
  2. Digital Day resources

    To find out more about careers in digital, but also about specific applications, scroll through the British Interactive Media Association’s Digital Day resources for schools.
  3. Digital Marketing 101

    If you want to understand more about digital marketing, try these videos from YouTuber Adam Erhart, starting with a beginner’s guide.
  4. The media production & technology show

    If you want to take things a step further, you could visit the annual media production and technology show – a chance to find out more about the industry and speak to the people and companies working in it. 

A day in the life of a Design Apprentice

Application advice

Whether it's personal statement tips or what to write in a cover letter for an apprenticeship application, our advice will help you get ahead in your digital media, production, and technology journey.
Skills, experiences, and interests to mention
  • Say what has attracted you to these subjects. Give examples or critique content you like. If you know, add where you see yourself going in your career, or why you believe roles in these subjects are important.
  • Show your passion for the subject through mentioning how you’ve used technology creatively, videos you’ve edited, or how you’ve engaged with some of the technical or written skills you’ll need. Maybe you’ve written a script for a school play, or done the digital marketing for it?
  • Try and get some work experience too. You could offer to write social media posts for a local business, charity or public venue, or shadow at a local radio or TV station or marketing firm for the day.
  • Write about when you’ve planned a project as a group, whether in school or an outside group, and the team working and other skills you acquired.
  • Talk about your other interpersonal skills, like being creative, motivated, analytical, and able to undertake research. This is your chance to shine!

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