FDA Digital Media Foundation degree at Bodmin College
FDA Digital Media at Bodmin College was established in 2011 and is taught in English. As a recognised UK degree-awarding body, your qualification will be nationally recognised upon completion.
About this course
Explore the financial support available to help fund your undergraduate degree. From the provider’s course page.
FDA Digital Media is a Foundation degree (FDA) at Bodmin College. It runs 2 years, studied full-time.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Media & Communications, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2021-23. Continuation 85% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
FdA Year 1 4 modules
- FOUNDATIONSCompulsory
Module details
This module focuses on the craft of telling stories and how you connect audiences to your narrative. Through a series of practical and theoretical assignments you will be introduced to the fundamental principles of visual language alongside the exploration of production practices and techniques associated with Digital Media.
Assessment: Coursework-based
- PLACECompulsory
Module details
This module explores the relationship between stakeholders in a communication process. Relationships with place will be informed by the needs and expectations of a client. Location specific projects exploring interdisciplinary themes and media, (including sound, moving image, photography, illustration) will encourage students to investigate diverse and experimental approaches to storytelling.
Assessment: Coursework-based
- COLLABORATIONCompulsory
Module details
This module explores the relationship between stakeholders in a communication process. Relationships with place will be informed by the needs and expectations of a client. Location specific projects exploring interdisciplinary themes and media, (including sound, moving image, photography, illustration) will encourage students to investigate diverse and experimental approaches to storytelling.
Assessment: Coursework-based
- GROWCompulsory
Module details
This module marks an important transitional stage for you as an emerging practitioner, from tutor set assignments and group managed outcomes to independent goal setting and a more individual approach to the discipline. You will begin to reflect more critically on future prospects, with a greater emphasis on personal exploration of future directions.
Assessment: Coursework-based
FdA Year 2 4 modules
- FORMATIONCompulsory
Module details
This module supports your creative and personal academic and career ambitions. It is informed by risk, experimentation and 'real world' contextualisation. This module introduces a range of theoretical and practical positions that have been informed by and arisen from methods of contemporary and future digital media practice.
Assessment: Coursework-based
- REALISATIONCompulsory
Module details
This module enables you to independently express your passion for a specialism within Digital Media and grow confidence in delivering projects within a professional context. Building on skills developed during the earlier stages of the course, this module encourages you to evolve and deploy skills and competencies in applied digital media practice.
Assessment: Coursework-based
- CONTEXTCompulsory
Module details
This module explores the relationship between stakeholders in a communication process. Relationships with place will be informed by the needs and expectations of a client. Location specific projects exploring interdisciplinary themes and media will encourage students to investigate diverse and experimental approaches to storytelling.
Assessment: Coursework-based
- PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIOCompulsory
Module details
The module marks an important transitional stage in the award, from tutor set assignments and managed project outcomes, to independent goal setting and personal exploration of future directions. This module will prepare you in the development of your portfolio for either progression to Stage 3 of a degree course or professional creative practice.
Assessment: Coursework-based
BA(Hons) Year 3 3 modules
- InnovationCompulsory
Module details
Through a range of challenges including client and self-initiated briefs that explore alternative models of practice, you will be encouraged to reflect upon your strengths, motivations and personal futures in Digital Media Industries. The module will emphasise the importance of analysis, innovation, collaboration and idea generation within the process of creative problem solving.
Assessment: Coursework-based
- Critical and Professional ContextsCompulsory
Module details
This module will guide you through conducting an inventory of the knowledge, talent, strengths and skills you have. This will form the basis for developing your professional strategy. You will employ advanced research methods to critically evaluate your own research, applying academic rigour and intellectual criticality.
Assessment: Coursework-based
- TransitionsCompulsory
Module details
Assessment: Coursework-based
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
You'll study digital media across two years, building practical and critical skills from foundations to specialist practice. Year 1 typically covers media theory, production techniques, camera, audio, editing and writing for different platforms, and how media industries operate commercially. Year 2 moves into digital cultures, social media and data-driven communication, alongside practical streams in journalism, PR and strategic communication. You'll usually choose specialisations such as film and TV, games and interactive media, social media, or production portfolio work. The course typically progresses through foundational modules towards applied work: audience research, ethics and specialist options that let you develop depth in your chosen area. A capstone project or production often concludes the course.
Who it's for
This course suits students with A-level qualifications or equivalent; 90% of accepted students entered with these qualifications. It is designed for those seeking practical, skills-focused training in digital media production and theory before progressing to further study or employment.
Careers & job market
Across Media and Communications courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating. Starting salaries for graduates typically range from £22,000 to £28,000. After five years, earnings nationally range from £22,525 to £31,800. Of working graduates, 60% are in highly skilled work or further study.
University & format
This is a Foundation degree (FDA) in Digital Media delivered full-time over 2 years at Bodmin College, taught in English. The qualification is recognised by a UK degree-awarding body and holds national recognition.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 90% |
| an Access course | 10% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at Bodmin College →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Media & Communications graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in media & communications · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Media & Communications nationally
National figures for Media & Communications graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
continued or completed
continued into the next year or completed their qualification
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Published threshold met. Sample size is not included in this snapshot. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Job market & outlook
How Media & Communications graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Media & Communications graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Media companies
- Agencies
- In-house comms teams
- Broadcasters & charities
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Media & Communications graduates.
Media Operations, VP (Parental Leave Cover)WPP MediaMedia Relations ManagerCommonwealth War Graves CommissionMedia ManagerUS Tech SolutionsMedia Planning and Buying CoordinatorBurberryMedia Sales ExecutiveService ServiceMedia Planner/BuyerDifferent Technologies Pty Ltd.Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.5 out of 10: continued 85%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Media, journalism and communications across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Bodmin College
335 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Media & Communications right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Bodmin College from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by Bodmin College; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Bodmin College’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Bodmin College and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates earn?
What will it cost me?
Request information about FDA Digital Media
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