BTEC L3 Creative Digital Media - KS5

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The Media is powerful. It is persuasive in shaping the views of society. SJB students will learn to interrogate what has become so easily consumed in the media landscape. We aim to equip the students with essential 21st century skills and knowledge–media literacy, creativity, critical thinking and employability.

Exam board: Pearson/Edexcel

Qualification: Level 3 BTEC

PEARSON Creative Digital Media Production Level 3 BTEC Specification

BTEC Level 3 Media Curriculum Map 2025 

What will you study:

Over the two-year course, you will complete the following specialist units:

  • Unit 3: Digital Media Skills Develop core practical and technical skills in digital media production, applying them to meet the requirements of creative briefs while combining processes such as filming, editing, and design.
  • Unit 10: Film Production – Fiction Plan, shoot, and edit a complete fictional film project. You will learn about narrative development, directing, cinematography, and post-production, producing a finished short film.
  • Unit 24: Sound Editing Gain hands-on experience in editing pre-recorded digital sound (WAV/AIFF). You will learn why sound is edited for factual and fictional content, use industry-standard software and equipment, and create professional audio clips for film, TV, games, or online media.
  • Unit 25: Sound Recording Explore the theory and practice of recording sound indoors and outdoors. You will work with microphones, recorders, and accessories to produce a portfolio of recordings that demonstrate how location and acoustics shape audio quality.
  • Unit 36: Lighting Techniques Investigate how lighting creates meaning in media production and varies across genres (e.g. film noir, horror, news, music video). You will study professional lighting equipment and setups, then plan and safely rig lighting for a range of creative purposes.

 

By completing these units, you will develop a wide variety of knowledge and skills including:

  • Practical filmmaking skills: camera work, shot composition, lighting, sound, directing, editing

  • Technical competence with digital media tools (software & hardware)

  • Planning, project management and pre-production skills (scripting, storyboarding, budgeting, scheduling)

  • Creative problem solving, adaptability, and attention to visual detail

  • Ability to work both independently and in teams; collaboration across roles (e.g. director, editor, sound)

The course can open pathways into many media-related and creative fields. Here are some examples particularly relevant to these units:

  • Film & Television Production: roles such as assistant production, camera crew, editing, sound design, cinematography

  • Post-production: editing rooms, visual/audio effects, colour grading, sound mixing

  • Technical roles in broadcasting or studio work

  • Media and content creation: YouTube, online platforms, independent filmmaking, documentary production

  • Higher education: degrees in Film Production, Media Studies, Digital Media, Broadcasting

  • Related creative sectors that need visual, technical, and production skills: advertising, marketing, visual effects, video games, events video

  • A genuine interest in film, media, storytelling, and practical production work

  • A minimum of grade 4 in GCSE English Language or Literature

  • Preferably at least grade 4-5 in GCSE Media Studies, Art & Design, or another creative subject

  • Confidence in using technology (computers, editing software) is helpful

  • Internal Units (10, 24, 25, 36): Assessed through coursework and practical projects, including film production, sound editing and recording, and lighting. Evidence includes finished media products, production paperwork, and reflections, all internally marked and externally verified by Pearson.

  • External Unit (3 – Digital Media Skills): Assessed through a set task provided by Pearson. Students complete an audio-based production brief under controlled conditions, applying technical and creative skills to plan, produce, and edit audio content to a professional standard.

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