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Set Design for Stage & Screen at The Northern School of Art - UCAS

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Course summary

This industry-focused programme is designed to meet the demands of the fast-growing entertainment industries. Guided by a team of experienced practitioners from theatre, film, TV, modelmaking, graphics, illustration, and product design, students gain the practical and academic skills needed to excel in diverse creative fields. With the support of industry leaders, including production designers from the BBC and Netflix, the programme delivers a curriculum that mirrors real-world expectations. Unique opportunities set this programme apart, including on-campus access to professional build spaces where students can design and construct full-scale sets. These can then be showcased in our state-of-the-art theatre or TV studio as part of full-scale productions. Collaboration is at the heart of this programme. Students work with peers from complementary disciplines such as Acting, Film, Costume, and Photography, developing professional portfolios and showreels that highlight their skills and creativity. Close ties with industry ensure access to live projects, work experience, and mentorship, providing invaluable insight and connections. Whether specialising in research, design, set construction, or scenic painting, students graduate as highly skilled, industry-ready professionals, prepared to contribute to the ever-evolving world of stage and screen design.

Modules

Level 4 - Foundation and Orientation In your first year (Level 4), you will be introduced to the Design Process, which a Set Designer will go through to produce research, concepts and final proposals. The modules are designed to introduce you to a wide range of 2D and 3D Traditional and digital techniques pertinent to set design including perspective drawing, digital model making technical drawing and card modelmaking which is leading to the development of design predominantly in Theatre Design. This is supported by Industry awareness which explores the many avenues of employment which our undergraduates progress on to. • Visual Communication • Core Workshop Skills • Design Process • Creative Thinking • Industry Awareness • Production 1 Level 5 - Development and Exploration Your second year (Level 5) builds on the foundation explored in Level 4, allowing you to develop more advanced, industry-standard skills pertinent to a creative art department. This includes collaboration throughout the faculty to create a full-scale TV/Film project which will include our Actors, Writers, Visual FX Artists, Modelmakers and Costume Designers. In preparation for Level 6 study, this level focuses on Film and TV design and through Advanced Visual Communication gives you the chance to develop your specialist skills further, which may also include digital techniques utilising 3D modelling, scanning and printing working with Industry standard software. During this stage, you are also encouraged to seek relevant work experience or external collaborations when suitable opportunities arise. • Production 2 • Creative Discussion • Advanced Visual Communication • Production Design Methodology • Professional Practice Level 6 - Consolidation and Expertise In your final year (Level 6), you will consolidate your skills, experience, and creative identity as a key member of a creative team. Working on self-initiated projects, you will refine your skills and explore your future professional direction. This year provides the opportunity to realise your creative ambitions, demonstrate independence and originality, and prepares you for a successful transition into professional practice or further study. • Specialist Practice 1 • Specialist Practice 2 • Professional Futures and Final Show • Dissertation and Report

Assessment method

In course assessment. Each module is assessed upon completion and given a percentage mark.


How to apply

Application codes

Course code:
W490
Institution code:
C71
Campus name:
The Northern School of Art
Campus code:
H

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

International applicants

We do not currently accept students from outside of the UK. However, we can accept applications from those have evidence of pre-settled status to live, work and study in the UK. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Your potential is our main focus when assessing your suitability for the programme you have applied to. Because of this, we take into account all aspects of your application and not just your academic profile. If you are a mature applicant (i.e. 21+ years), we will place more emphasis on your portfolio and the skills and experience you can demonstrate at interview. Your portfolio, which you bring to interview, is an integral part of the assessment. It should demonstrate your current skills, interests and knowledge where appropriate. It is also expected that you will bring evidence of written work to interview and/or have a Level 2 qualification in English/Literacy.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://northernart.ac.uk/study-with-us/hartlepool-campus/supporting-you/how-to-apply/

Additional entry requirements

Interview

https://northernart.ac.uk/study-with-us/hartlepool-campus/supporting-you/how-to-apply/

Portfolio

https://northernart.ac.uk/study-with-us/hartlepool-campus/supporting-you/how-to-apply/


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
85%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
90%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Channel Islands £9535 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535 Year 1
England £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

As with most creative programmes delivered at higher education, this programme will have additional costs such as material and basic tools and contribution towards educational visits to ensure successful completion of the programme. The School offers financial support packages to help with this, whether this be through means-tested bursaries and/or grants. In addition, the School offers subsidised resale of course materials, free use of studios etc. More detailed information is provided at the interview stage; however, if you require this sooner please contact [email protected]
Set Design for Stage & Screen at The Northern School of Art - UCAS