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Introduction
Our Set Design and Production programme aims to provide you with creative, technical and professional skills relevant to developing a career in the creative industries. Highly practical and industry-focused, the programme embraces a multi-skilled approach to the development of design methodologies and construction methods.
With a strong emphasis on creative collaboration, the programme works with industry professionals across all levels to ensure working practicesare current, relevant, agile and sustainable. You will be continuously developing your ‘toolkit’ of skills and industry connections.
There is a focus on nurturing and training you as a professional practitioner, to develop in-depth knowledge and understanding of current working practices within the creative industries. This is achieved through a variety of skills-based practical modules that use industry professionals throughout the programme. The skills and training embedded in the programme will equip you for a portfolio career in a variety of design, scenic arts, self-employment and entrepreneurship roles. The vocational nature of this programme reflects current trends in the creative industries.
Why choose this course?
• Practical, hands-on teaching in workshop/studio environments.
• Practical assessments with no traditional exams
• Learn from and collaborate with experienced industry professionals who currently work on stage, TV, film and events, forging connections along the way.
• By the third year, you can specialise in the area of your choice.
• Study abroad available in the United States.
Overview
The first year of the Set Design and Production programme focuses on developing basic building blocks in the production process, where you establish your ‘toolbox’ of skills that will carry you through your degree.
You will explore topics such as scenic construction, drawing, design, lighting, sound, scenic art plus much more.
Students are supported throughout the degree as they build their confidence whilst improving their skills. Importantly, their individual creativity as designers, makers and technicians is nurtured.
The second year concentrates on the application of these skills in a variety of practical projects and installations. These include design process, design realisation and production projects, plus the opportunity to work on third year productions or industry work placements.
The final year centres upon applying your training to a professional production process. You will get the chance to explore a major project and a studio or site performance. Exposure to these types of processes, along with Professional Practice which develops your portfolio, CV, tax awareness, interview technique, SWOT and personal development plans, will prepare you for your career in the Creative Industries.
Module Topics
Year One - Level 4 (Cert HE, Dip HE & BA)
• Contemporary Challenges: Making a Difference (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Learning in the Digital Era (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Personal Project (20 credits; optional*)
• Principles of Design (20 credits; compulsory)
• Production Technologies (20 credits; optional***)
• Props and Production Roles (20 credits; compulsory)
• Scenic Art and Costume (20 credits; optional***)
• Scenic Construction and Drawing (20 credits; compulsory).
Year Two - Level 5 (Dip HE & BA)
• Changemakers: Building your Personal Brand for Sustainable Employment (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Changemakers: Creativity and Value Creation (20 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Design Process (20 credits; compulsory)
• Design Realisation (20 credits; compulsory)
• International Study Abroad (20 credits; optional**)
• Personal Project (20 credits; optional*)
• Production for Screen (20 credits; compulsory)
• Production Project (20 credits; compulsory)
• Work Placement (20 credits; optional**).
Level 6 (BA)
• Independent Project (40 credits; compulsory; Graduate Attributes Framework module)
• Individual Project (20 credits; optional*)
• International Independent Study Abroad (60 credits; optional**)
• Major Project (30 credits; compulsory)
• Personal Project (30 credits; optional*)
• Professional Practice (20 credits; compulsory)
• Site-Specific Theatre (30 credits; compulsory)
• Work Placement (30 credits; optional**).
*This optional module is designed to offer students a retrieval position where the collaborative tasks specified in a particular module make it impossible for those learning outcomes to be met, such as where there are extenuating circumstances or a failure.
**This is an optional work placement/international study module. Where this option is selected through consultation with student and module tutor, up to two compulsory modules can be replaced.
***Students choose between Production Technologies OR Scenic Art and Costume at Level 4 in Semester 2.
Modules
You will be invited to visit the University to discuss the course and present a portfolio of your work (digital or physical).
A minimum of 64 UCAS points is required for entry to this course. However, we are keen to judge each application on merit, and this entry is based on an individual basis.
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry Criteria
You will be invited to visit the University to discuss the course and present a portfolio of your work (digital or physical).
A minimum of 64 UCAS points is required for entry to this course. However, we are keen to judge each application on merit, and this entry is based on an individual basis.
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Assessment
Projects/Performances/Events
Students regularly have opportunities to take part in performances and events, this assists their professional growth and application of skills and knowledge.
Regular tutorials
We hold formal and informal tutorials throughout the degree. Each student can discuss their work with the module tutor or Programme Directors during tutorials. We look at practical development, conceptual growth and future ambitions.
Presentations
Presentations normally take place at the end of a module, exhibition or performance, in order to measure a student’s performance against established assessment criteria.
Process workbooks
At levels four and five, students will document their process and practical output in a workbook that demonstrates their learning and individual pathway preferences. At level 6, students write about their work in written tasks.
During this course, students may be required to explore texts containing themes and issues that may be perceived as intellectually, socially and emotionally challenging.
Career Opportunities
Our graduates have gone on to a variety of careers and further study, including:
• Arts management
• Costume maker
• Education
• Events management
• Postgraduate study/research
• Scenic artist
• Set construction
• Stage management
• Technicians
• Theatre designer
• Wardrobe supervisor
Who have our students & graduates worked for?
• Aztec Events
• Bay Studios
• BBC
• Bush Theatre
• Leviathan Workshop
• Marigold Costume
• National Theatre Wales
• National Theatre, London
• Netflix
• Regents Park Theatre
• RWCMD
• S4C
• Scamp Theatre
• Theatr Na N'Og
• Theatre by the Lake
• Torch Theatre
• Wales Millennium Centre
• Welsh National Opera
Plus many more...
Career Opportunities
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