Online SEND Foundation Film and Animation Course

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This SEND online Level 3 Diploma in Film and Animation is provided to cater for the individual needs of SEND students and unlike the standard foundation course, offers a SENDCO, more tutor time, additional bespoke learning materials, progress reports and attendance to online meetings with local authorities. OCAD works with most local authorities in the UK and can be added as a named provider to EHCPs. The course is a one year three-stage, full-time programme designed for serious career-oriented students who wish to be artists or designers. This exciting and transformative course gives students the skills they need, providing them with unique insights into the dynamics of this ever-evolving industry. Alternatively, you can study the course part-time for two years at no additional cost.

Our unique SEND online Level 3 Diploma in Film and Animation is tailored to meet the individual needs of SEND students. This course, unlike the standard foundation course, provides a SENDCO, additional tutor time, bespoke learning materials, progress reports and access to online meetings with local authorities. We collaborate with most local authorities in the UK and can be included as a named provider to EHCPs.

This one-year, three-stage, full-time programme is designed for students who are serious about pursuing a career in film and animation. The course equips students with the necessary skills and provides them with a deep understanding of the constantly evolving film and animation industry. Alternatively, you can study the course part-time for two years at no additional cost.

OCAD’s specially tailored course for students with special educational needs and/or disabilities, with a primary emphasis on practical learning. This course goes beyond the boundaries of film and animation design theory, ensuring the development of essential professional design skills.

Just like all our film and animation programs, the SEND foundation film and animation diploma is exclusively online and based in the UK. The duration of the course is one year, but if desired, students can extend their studies with an additional fee.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates receive a nationally recognized film and animation diploma qualification, equivalent to the attainment of 3 A-Levels in terms of UCAS points. This diploma is accredited by one of the UK's leading vocational awarding bodies, SEG ABC Awards.

Graduates with a diploma in film and animation also achieve a specialist portfolio that showcases their unique brand of film and animation design, enabling them to gain admission to top universities and employment as a professional qualified film and animation designer.

Entry requirements

To enrol in our online SEND Foundation Film and Animation course, students must meet the following criteria:

Be aged 16 years or over
Hold a GCSE / IGCSE in art or photography, or have a strong portfolio
Mature students do not need to have an exam qualification. You will need some ability to draw and paint, and have a desire to succeed. Please send an example of your work if unsure of the level.

Our foundation film and animation course is fully online, students must have access to a strong internet connection as well as basic art materials to complete the course.

Study Options

Flexible study options in film and animation:

Part-time programmes (2 years): available all year around – enrolling now

Full-time programmes (1 year): start December to January and September to October. Exceptions may apply.

Accreditations and UCAS Points

Our online SEND foundation film and animation course is accredited by one of the nation’s leading education awards, the SEG ABC Award. It is also UCAS application supported.

Accreditation: SEG ABC Awards
OFQUAL Regulated: Yes (Ofqual number 500/8476/8)
UCAS Tariff: up to 112 points – equivalent to two A Levels at A* grade in terms of points – university entry requires 80 -100 UCAS points
UCAS application supported: Yes

Additional Course Information

Our unlimited one-to-one specialised tuition helps give our students all the support they need as they work through their portfolio.

Level 3 or Level 4?

The qualification that students will receive is a Level 3 Diploma. Level 3 qualifications are FE (further education) and prepare for University. LEAs fund students up to this level and the qualification carries UCAS points for entry into HE (higher education).

There is a final graded unit which is actually a Level 4 unit, which helps students prepare for HE, as it gives experience at this slightly higher level. This unit shows on your transcript for the qualification (the sheet that breaks down all units, credits and grade) as a Level 4 unit. However, the qualification is awarded as a Level 3 qualification overall.

The exam board do offer a Level 4 foundation diploma, but it does not carry any UCAS points whatsoever, so it is unlikely to be useful to any of our students. (This is because Level 4 is seen as HE and not FE.) If students want to go for a Level 4 version of the course, they can, but this is to be discussed once enrolled, as it will mean no UCAS points! The degree that students go on to study will be level 4+, so there is no need to gain a Level 4 qualification at this stage.

Portfolio support: Yes
Tuition: Face to face, one to one – unlimited
Progression: to any University / BA Honours Degree

Personalised Digital Studio Access

Students who enrol in our online SEND foundation film and animation course receive access to their own online studio where they can work through their course.

Units and assignments are listed along with supporting resources, video tutorials for skills development, step by step guides and more.

Development of a digital portfolio

Once work is completed, photographs are taken of the work and uploaded to the college e-portfolio.

There, other students and teachers can view them for assessment and deliver constructive, friendly written feedback on how to progress.

Online support whenever you need it

In addition, students on our online film and animation courses are invited to discuss their progress with an experienced and qualified personal tutor and receive face to face verbal feedback, encouragement and support.

Students may also benefit from relationships with their fellow online students as they can view profiles and comment on each other's artwork if they wish.

The course comprises three distinct stages; Exploratory stage, Pathway stage and finally Confirmatory stage. Each stage is 12 to 24 weeks in duration depending on whether you study full-time or part-time. These can be extended if required.

The Exploratory stage is the first stage of the course and as the title suggests it gives you the opportunity to understand at a deeper level what art and design is and to experience working in a number of disciplines. Within each discipline, you will use a range of materials and processes and learn the value of drawing and photography as a starting point.

You are offered 5 projects from which you study 3.

Photography (mandatory)
Fine Art
Graphic Design and Illustration
3D (Architecture, 3d Design, Sculpture)
Fashion and Textiles

The Pathway stage is where you choose which pathway/discipline you wish to explore further and at a greater depth. Your tutors will review with you your work from the exploratory phase and this will inform your decision. The final decision is of course yours.

The Confirmatory stage is the final stage of the foundation diploma and the only stage that will decide your final grade. You will be asked to write a statement of intent with the support of your tutor. This document will outline your chosen final major project. Your final major project is practical and can be in any form you choose; showreel, a dress, a series of photographs, a painting, an animation, a design for an interior, architectural design, a video game etc.