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Pre-degree

Certificate of Higher Education: Preparation for Design, Media and Screen (online)

Food waste made into sustainable plastics.
Work by Daisy Delaney-Baxter, BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media, London College of Communication.
, London College of Communication, UAL
College
London College of Communication UCAS code
DMS2 Start date
September 2023 Course length
1 year

This exciting and challenging online course will enable you to develop your creative, academic and professional potential in design, media and screen. Choose from a range of pathways including graphic design, advertising, journalism, branded spaces, public relations, illustration, animation, film and photography.

Why choose this course at London College of Communication

  • With a mix of synchronous and asynchronous teaching and learning approaches, you’ll have opportunities to explore online platforms such as Moodle, Blackboard Collaborate, Panopto, MyBlog, Padlet and Miro – building vital experience for an increasingly digital world.
  • You’ll be encouraged to explore a wide range of media, and to mix traditional methods of making with digital and interactive processes.
  • Undertaking a major project in a specialist area of your choice will help you to feel prepared for the first year of your undergraduate degree.
  • Successful completion of this course will guarantee you the offer of a place on an undergraduate degree at London College of Communication (LCC).
  • This version of the Certificate in Higher Education is offered entirely in online mode. Alternatively, you may be interested in applying to the face to face mode of this course.

Face to face mode

This version of the Certificate in Higher Education is offered entirely in online mode. Alternatively, you may be interested in applying to the face to face mode of this course.

Open Days

The next Open Day for this course will be announced soon.

Course overview

On the Certificate of Higher Education: Preparation for Design, Media and Screen course, you’ll develop the essential skills needed to be curious, brave, and committed to your chosen creative pathway.

What to expect

  • By gaining experience in a range of subjects such as graphic design, advertising, journalism, branded spaces, public relations, illustration, animation, film, and photography, you’ll be encouraged to consider which pathway is most suited to your talents and potential.
  • You’ll develop practical skills in teamwork and creative problem-solving through online collaborative workshops. With 24-hour access to a wide range of digital resources, you’ll also be able to access additional support from a dedicated course librarian.
  • After successfully completing the course (and holding the appropriate language qualifications), you’ll be guaranteed an offer of a place on an undergraduate course at LCC. This will depend on your portfolio and the interests you develop during the year, and while we can’t guarantee that you’ll be made an offer on a specific course of your choosing, we will ensure that you’re offered a place on a course that’s relevant to you.

Work experience and opportunities

London College of Communication offers a broad range of subjects across our Design, Media and Screen Schools. This expertise will help you to feel fully prepared for the first year of your undergraduate degree.

Studying on the Certificate of Higher Education course will also provide you with access to lectures from visiting industry speakers, introducing you to the professional world while providing useful insight for your future career choices.

Mode of study

Certificate of Higher Education: Preparation for Design, Media and Screen runs for 31 weeks in full- time mode.

Contact us

Register your interest to receive information and updates about studying at UAL.

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Course units

Block 1 – Introduction and Specialist Studies 

Unit 1: Orientation to Study in Design, Media and Screen (20 credits)

This is a diagnostic unit that will offer you the opportunity to consider which specialist pathway is most suited to your talents and potential.

It provides a broad introduction to online studio practice in a range of specialist workshops, and will introduce you to all 3 specialist areas at London College of Communication: Design, Media and Screen.

Unit 2: Contextual and Theoretical Studies (Part 1) (20 credits) 

The unit prepares you academically to enter the first year of an undergraduate degree at LCC, enabling you to begin exploring the theoretical study of design, media and screen.

You’ll be supported to develop communication skills in a number of both written and spoken formats that are essential for further study at the College.

Unit 3: Specialist Studies: Design, Media and Screen (20 credits)

Halfway through Block 1, you’ll progress to the most suitable pathway, choosing from 3 pathways which reflect the 3 Schools at LCC: Design School, Media School and Screen School.

Specialist Studies: Design will provide you with a range of creative, practical and theoretical approaches relevant to the design industry.

Specialist Studies: Media will introduce a range of creative, practical and theoretical approaches within the Media School to develop a preparatory body of knowledge and skill.

Specialist Studies: Screen will provide a range of creative, practical and theoretical approaches relevant to the screen industry, such as film, television, animation and games design.

Block 2 – Progression and Contexts

Unit 4: Personal Progression Project (40 credits)

Building on knowledge gained in previous units, this unit supports a more independent learning approach, enabling you to produce a substantial body of work.

The work will showcase your personal interests and area of intended progression in an online studio exhibition and presentation which will be supported by a visual and written research report.

Unit 5: Contextual & Theoretical Studies (Part 2) (20 credits)

This unit prepares you for more specialist theoretical study of communication in the design, media and screen disciplines.

Learning and teaching methods

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Workshops
  • Guest speakers
  • Interactive simulations
  • Group and individual tutorials
  • Portfolio-based project
  • Critical essays
  • Presentations through a range of media
  • Professional development portfolio, including aspects of the Creative Attributes Framework
  • Curated online journals

Facilities

  • Student at a desk typing on a computer
    Credit: © Alys Tomlinson © Alys Tomlinson, Portfolio by by Craig Green, MA Games Design, London College of Communication.
    Online tools and platforms

    You'll have access to a range of tools and platforms, including Office360, to help you study online. Our IT support team can also help you with any technical issues during your course.

  • Library Services at London College of Communication, LCC

    Library services

    We offer a wide range of library resources and support across all 6 Colleges. Find out how you can get the most out of our resources.

  • Academic Support session. Image by G Barton, 2017
    Academic support online

    Our academic support services offer online tutorials, workshops and resources to help you enhance your study skills.

Staff

Course Leader

Dr. Alexandra Antonopoulou

Fees and funding

Home fee

£6,935

This fee is correct for 2022/23 entry and is subject to change for 2023/24 entry. Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£15,080

This fee is correct for 2022/23 entry and are subject to change for 2023/24 entry.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

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Entry requirements

The course team are committed to making university education an achievable option for a wider range of people and seek to recruit students from diverse socio-economic, cultural and educational backgrounds. This course supports progression to our undergraduate courses at London College of Communication.

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:

A typical applicant might have:

  • Minimum requirement one GCE A Level (or equivalent) at grade C or above (preferred subjects include English; History; Media; Business; Art and Design, or other subjects within Social Sciences), plus three GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C).

Applicants might also have overseas qualifications or others:

  • International Baccalaureate Certificates – two at ‘Higher Level’ and one at ‘Standard Level’ - all Grade 4 or above
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma
  • Pass at UAL Extended Diploma in Art and Design
  • Pass at Access to HE Diploma
  • Pass, Pass, Pass at BTEC Extended Diploma
  • Equivalent EU or Non-EU qualifications

We also welcome applicants with relevant professional and vocational qualifications, a previous degree in any subject, or from mature students who do not have formal qualifications but may have relevant experience in the industry.

English language requirements

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability when you enrol.

Please note: You can take the IELTS Academic Test if studying the Cert HE Online mode. (If studying the Cert HE in the UK, you must take a SELT (Secure English Language Test) such as IELTS Academic Test for UKVI).

The English level required by the University for this course is:

  • IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 4.5 in any one skill.

Following achievement of the Certificate of Higher Education, enrolment onto our undergraduate degree courses requires the following English level:

  • For degree courses requiring a portfolio, such as BA (Hons) Graphic and Media Design, BA (Hons) Design for Branded Spaces, and some non-portfolio degree courses such as BA (Hons) Advertising, BA (Hons) Contemporary Media Cultures, BA (Hons) Media Communications: IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in any one skill  
  • For some text-based degree courses, such as BA (Hons) Journalism, BA (Hons) Magazine Journalism and Publishing, BA (Hons) Public Relations: IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in any one skill

Please check the individual course page for the IELTS level required for study on LCC undergraduate courses  and for more information on reaching the required level view our English language requirements page.

Students may be eligible to join the UAL Pre-sessional English language course to achieve the required level.

Selection criteria

The portfolio and details on your application (including the academic reference and your personal statement) will be used by the course admissions tutors to assess your suitability against the following criteria:

  • Visual language: quality of structure, use of line, shape - 2D or 3D, form, scale, space, light, colour, texture and time.
  • Ideas generation: quality of ideas and thought process, expression of design thinking.
  • Research and its application (including images from sketchbooks): evidence of investigation and use of appropriate resources.
  • Materials, media exploration and experimentation; experimentation and testing of materials to achieve outcomes.
  • Contextual awareness and its influence on the portfolio; understanding and application of subject knowledge and context.

Apply now

Home International

Apply for this course though Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS):

  • University code: U65
  • UCAS Course code: DMS2

London College of Communication courses are listed under University of the Arts London.

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 18:00 GMT on 25 January 2023 for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

Personal statement advice

This is an important part of your application and should demonstrate to the team that you have a broad interest in the arts, media and current affairs and that you can investigate and evidence research.

You should also demonstrate a focused interest in a particular area of design, media or screen subjects and show that you have thought carefully about why you want to study on this course.

You can demonstrate this through your previous work experience or study, personal experience and your ambitions for personal development as a student at LCC. You should ensure your statement is written clearly and free of any spelling mistakes.

It is your chance to impress the team by demonstrating your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it will help you in the future.

State what you personally would bring to the course, and explain what motivates you to learn, explore and experiment.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.

Read our Admissions Policy for details, and request your deferral by contacting us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Making a deferred application (for entry in 2023/24)

Home applicants are permitted to make a deferred application.

There are two ways international students can apply to the course:

Application deadline

We recommend you apply by 18:00 GMT on 25 January 2023 for equal consideration. However this course will consider applications after that date, subject to places being available.

Personal statement advice

This is an important part of your application and should demonstrate to the team that you have a broad interest in the arts, media and current affairs and that you can investigate and evidence research.

You should also demonstrate a focused interest in a particular area of design, media or screen subjects and show that you have thought carefully about why you want to study on this course.

You can demonstrate this through your previous work experience or study, personal experience and your ambitions for personal development as a student at LCC. You should ensure your statement is written clearly and free of any spelling mistakes.

It is your chance to impress the team by demonstrating your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it will help you in the future.

State what you personally would bring to the course, and explain what motivates you to learn, explore and experiment.

Immigration history check

You will be asked to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. We will not be able to proceed with your application until you have submitted your completed Immigration History Form.

Visas and immigration

Applicants who will need a Student Visa should check the Visas and Immigration page which provides important information about UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) requirements.

Deferring your place

This course accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner.

Read our Admissions Policy for details, and request your deferral by contacting us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Making a deferred application (for entry in 2023/24)

International applicants are not able to make a deferred application.

After you apply

Portfolio advice

Applicants will be asked to present a digital portfolio (with a maximum of 20 images) that they consider would help support their application.

The portfolio of work is an important part of the application, and it must clearly evidence development work as well as work from completed projects.

Applicants from non-design backgrounds can include:

  • Descriptions of any professional projects
  • Documentation of work where possible including reports, presentations or research projects for which they have been responsible

Please note, if uploading any text examples as part of the portfolio, they should be saved as an image and then uploaded, or alternatively the text can be pasted into an image title text box (no character limit).

Initial application check

All application forms, personal statements and references are read and considered by the academic team against the selection criteria listed in the Entry Requirements and Selection Criteria sections.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the final outcome of your application through your portal. We look forward to receiving your application and reviewing your work.

Requesting feedback

This course receives a high number of applications. Unfortunately, we can’t provide feedback to everyone who is unsuccessful. We can only provide feedback after you’ve had an interview. We are only able to provide feedback to you directly, or to someone you have told us in writing can receive it on your behalf. If you would like to request feedback  please contact us through the UAL Portal using the Contact Us button in your My Application(s) tab.

Successful applicants will be guided through the rest of our admissions stages and towards enrolment on the course.

Careers

Successful completion of this course will guarantee you the offer of a place on an undergraduate degree at London College of Communication (LCC).

Whilst we cannot guarantee that you will be made an offer on a specific course of your choosing, we will ensure you are offered a place on a relevant course at the College. This chosen course will depend on your portfolio and the interests you develop during the year.

London College of Communication

Contact

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7514 6500
Address
Elephant & Castle

London
SE1 6SB