Date of production of course specification: September 2015 Date of review of course specification: N/A Date of course approval/validation: TBC COURSE SPECIFICATION This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the course of study and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course module/unit can be found in the Course Handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually by City and Islington College. KEY COURSE INFORMATION Name of course (as it will appear on student certificate): Edexcel BTEC Level 5 HND in Graphic Design Final award (with credit rating): HND Diploma (240 credits) Possible interim award(s) (with credit rating(s)): HNC Diploma (120 credits) UCAS/JACS code (where applicable:) 012W Course to run from: September 2015 Awarding body: Edexcel Centre in which course is based: Centre for Business Arts and Technology Course Manager: Ian Busby Mode of study/attendance: Full-time day
Expected duration of course: Two years (four semesters) (full-time) Entry requirements: Applicants should normally be aged 18 years and over and will need to have at have at least one of the following: a BTEC or other Level 3 qualification in Graphic Design or a related area; relevant industry experience or currently working within the Creative Industry. All candidates must demonstrate a minimum proficiency in written and spoken English. Applicants for whom English is a foreign language should ideally either hold a recognised qualification in English e.g. British Council IELTS (minimum 6.0) or the TOEFL equivalent. Applicants may be required to sit a pre-entry English test. Is the course linked with professional body accreditation/exemption (if so, please provide brief details)? The Edexcel BTEC Higher National in Graphic Design has been developed with career progression and recognition by professional bodies in mind. There is no official accreditation in place at present although this is being explored. Are there any links to industry (if so, please provide brief details)? Course teaching staff have strong links with a number of businesses, companies and individuals within the industry. Are there organised worked placements (if so, please provide brief details)? There is optional work placement as a graded unit. If this option is not taken up, an alternative unit (Personal and Professional Development) can be taken. What are the progression opportunities upon successful completion of the course? A key progression path for Edexcel BTEC HND learners is to the second or third year of a degree or honours degree programme, depending on the match of the Edexcel BTEC Higher National units to the degree programme in question. What career opportunities will there be after successfully completing the course? Career opportunities that the course leads to include various graphic design - and design-related opportunities. The HND is a well-recognised and understood qualification by employers in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Some students progress on to degree courses, whilst others study for qualifications with a professional body. The following reference points were used in designing the course: The awards have been designed according to BTEC (Edexcel) guidance on course structure and content, and the course outcomes conform to criteria set out in the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). Edexcel BTEC Higher Nationals in Graphic Design are designed to relate to the National Occupational Standards at level 4 and level 5 developed by Skillset Sector Skills Councils in the areas of Graphic Design, which in turn form the basis of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs). COURSE OUTLINE Summary description: Edexcel BTEC Higher Nationals are designed to provide a specialist vocational programme, linked to professional body requirements and National Occupational Standards where appropriate. They offer a strong, sector-related emphasis on practical skills development 2
alongside the development of requisite knowledge and understanding. The qualifications provide a thorough grounding in the key concepts and practical skills required in their sector and their national recognition by employers allows direct progression to employment. Edexcel BTEC Higher Nationals in Graphic Design have been developed to focus on: providing education and training for a range of careers in graphic design; providing opportunities for designers to achieve a nationally recognised level 4/level 5 vocationally specific qualification; providing opportunities for full-time learners to gain a nationally recognised vocationally specific qualification to enter employment in graphic design or progress to higher education vocational qualifications such as a full-time degree in graphic design or a related area; developing the knowledge, understanding and skills of learners in the field of graphic design; providing opportunities for learners to focus on the development of higher-level skills in a graphic design context; providing opportunities for learners to develop a range of skills and techniques and attributes essential for successful performance in working life; developing learners ability to manage themselves; developing learners critical awareness and their ability to research and synthesise complex information; developing learners skills in communication and presentation; developing learners ability to handle information; equipping individuals with knowledge, understanding and skills for success in employment in the graphic design area; enabling progression to an undergraduate degree or further professional qualification in graphic design or related area; providing opportunities for specialist study relevant to individual vocations and contexts; supporting individuals employed or entering employment in the graphic design area; developing the individual s ability in the graphic design area through effective use and combination of the knowledge and skills gained in different parts of the programme; developing a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attributes essential for successful performance in working life and thereby enable learners to make an immediate contribution to graphic design; providing flexibility, knowledge, skills and motivation as a basis for future studies and career development in the graphic design area. What will I be expected to achieve? On successful completion of the course, you will be expected to have developed the following skills: Knowledge and understanding synthesis of a range of concepts, knowledge and skills relating to graphic design; application of complex theories to practical realistic work situations in the graphic design sectors; ability to read and use appropriate literature and contextual information with a full and critical understanding; insight and judgement in relation to the margins and consequences of error; ability to take responsibility for your own learning and recognise your own learning style; Subject-specific skills: 3
ability to undertake studio practice in a responsible, safe and ethical manner; ability to develop an appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of graphic design, and the capacity to give a clear and accurate account of a subject, marshal arguments in a mature way and engage in debate and dialogue both with specialists and non-specialists; ability to engage with complex and/or unpredictable situations in graphic design contexts; ability to obtain and integrate several lines of subject-specified evidence to formulate and develop ideas ability to apply subject knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar problems; independence of approach to study and the generation of graphic design evidence; Transferable skills: ability to analyse, synthesise and summarise information critically; ability to think independently and solve problems; ability to innovate and work in a creative way; ability to take responsibility to manage and direct your own and others activities; research and investigative skills; responsiveness to change and ability to multi-task; ability to recognise the moral and ethical issues of design-based enquiry and experimentation and appreciate the need for ethical standards and professional codes of conduct; ability to design, plan, conduct and report on assignments. How will I learn? You will be taught in small groups by a team of highly experienced lecturers and practitioners, who together offer a diverse range of commercial and academic experience. Most of the regular teachers are practicing designers themselves and their core teaching is richly supplemented by that of specialist visiting tutors and a selection of guest speakers. The course will be delivered using a mix of formal theory lectures, blended/e-learning on-line, practical demonstrations and workshops, directed assignments in the studio or on location, independent study, group seminars & critiques, blended learning, individual and group tutorials. Each stage of the course will comprise a minimum of 1200 learning hours. Typically, 180 of these hours will be subject-specific content delivered by way of lectures, and the remainder will be made up of a combination of tutorials, blended learning, guided reading and time spent working on assessments. Each module specification will indicate the breakdown for that module. How will I be assessed? Assessment is continuous, by coursework and skills/knowledge tests. Assignments will cover all the main areas of current professional graphic design practice, echo real industrial tasks and encourage the development of strong technical and creative skills along with an analytical approach. Assessment methods will include: essays project reports 4
case studies time-constrained assignments; individual and group presentations and projects compilation of a digital portfolio; practical computer work. job pitches What do I have to do to pass the course? You must achieve a minimum of 120 credits (of which at least 65 must be at level 4) to be awarded an Edexcel BTEC Level 4 HNC, and a minimum of 240 credits (of which at least 65 must be at level 4 and at least 125 must be at level 5) to be awarded an Edexcel BTEC Level 5 HND. What grade/level of qualification can I get? Learners who achieve the minimum eligible credit value specified above will achieve the qualification at pass grade. Learners will be awarded a merit or distinction qualification grade by the aggregation of points gained through the successful achievement of individual modules. The graded section of both the HNC and the HND is based on the learner s best performance in modules at the level or above of the qualification to the value of 75 credits. The number of points available is dependent on the module grade achieved and the credit size of the unit Course structure and requirements: COURSE CONTENT The course will comprise two stages, as described below. Each stage will involve you taking a series of mandatory core modules and specialist modules at Level 4 (HNC) and Level 5 (HND) totalling 120 credits (normally four per semester) which must be completed to attain the qualification. The mandatory core modules will be based on introducing you to the following concepts: Visual communication: you will be expected to research and use a range of graphic design and other visual communication techniques and approaches, and critically examine and develop techniques used in your own work. Ideas generation: you will be expected to develop your knowledge of visual language through the evaluation of the work of other artists, craftworkers and designers. You will be asked to interpret the meanings and messages in particular art and design movements and also in the work of individual artists, craftworkers and designers. You will experiment with a range of traditional and non-traditional materials and processes. Context: you will study cultural history that informs current thought and debate within art, craft and design. The emphasis will be on research and study skills and on acquiring source material and knowledge. You will be provided with the knowledge, skill and understanding necessary to define and research and historical context and relate it to the present. You will also be expected to demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge of historical and contemporary ideas in their own work. Professional practice: you will be expected to relate practical studies in art, craft or design to a professional context. You will learn to present and promote your work to professional standards. 5
The specialist modules will be focused on the area of Graphic Design, where you will: develop your knowledge and practical experience of a range of 2D, 3D and time-based digital applications, contextualised within your developing practice; develop and explore your digital image processing skills, together with your knowledge of the associated technology and systems. Stage 1 [N.B. each stage of the course is equivalent to 120 credits or one year of full-time study] Title of Module Type (e.g. Core,, Elective) Code/ Edexcel unit no Semester Level Visual Communication in Art and Core 01 Autumn 4 15 Design Ideas Generation in Art and Design Core 02 Autumn 4 15 Typographic Skills 24 Autumn 4 15 Contextual and Cultural Referencing Core 03 Autumn 4 15 in Art and Design Digital Image Creation and 111 Spring 5 15 Development Personal Style in Graphic Design 21 Spring 4 15 Professional Practice in Art and Core 04 Spring 5 15 Design Advertising Campaigns Core 18 Spring 4 15 Credits What do I need to do to pass this stage? To pass this stage, you will need to successfully complete all of the above modules. Each successfully completed module will be graded as a pass, merit or distinction based on your performance in the assessments. A pass will be awarded for the achievement of all outcomes against the specified assessment criteria for each module. Merit and distinction grades will be are awarded for higher-level achievement. Assessment criteria for each module are set out in the module specifications. Summary of grades In order to achieve a pass in a unit In order to achieve a merit in a unit In order to achieve a distinction in a unit all learning outcomes and associated assessment criteria have been met pass requirements achieved all merit grade descriptors achieved pass and merit requirements achieved all distinction grade descriptors achieved The Assessment and Award Board for the course will meet at the end of the first stage to confirm student achievement and decide on progression or conditions of progression if re-sits or re-takes are required. Stage 2 To be completed as per the above, based on core and specialist modules that are selected by course teams Title of Module Type (e.g. Core, Code/ Edexcel Semester Level Credits 6
Interactive Media Web Authoring Audio-Visual Techniques in Interactive Media Advanced Typographic Design Interactive Media Design and Prototyping Project Design, Implementation and Evaluation Communication with Images in Art and Design Photographic Techniques Interactive Media Presentation References and Sources in Art and Design Personal and Professional Development Work-based Experience, unit no Elective) 64 Autumn 5 15 Imported 77 Autumn 4 15 A&D unit 25 Autumn 5 15 63 Autumn 4 15 Core 5 Spring 5 20 23 Spring 5 15 110 Spring 4 15 Unit 66 Spring 5 15 Unit 22 Spring 5 15 Unit 12 Spring 5 15 Unit 15 Spring 5 15 Choose 2 from 4 What do I need to do to pass this stage? To pass this stage, you will need to successfully complete all of the above modules. Each successfully completed module will be graded as a pass, merit or distinction based on your performance in the assessments. A pass will be awarded for the achievement of all outcomes against the specified assessment criteria for each module. Merit and distinction grades will be are awarded for higher-level achievement (see summary of grades above). Assessment criteria for each module are set out in the module specifications. The Assessment and Award Board for the course will meet at the end of the second stage to confirm student achievement and decide on awards along with whether or not re-sits or re-takes are required. 7