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NRC Logo

Course Code
PTFB01184
Level
Level 2
Course Type
Traineeships
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
1 Year
Start & End
1 September 2025 - 5 June 2026
Location
Ballymena (Farm Lodge)
Interview Required?
Yes

The NI Traineeship provides a high-quality vocational education and training programme those who aspire to work within a specific sector.

Full details of the programme is available in our Traineeship page.

All assessment for the course is carried out via coursework, there are no examinations for this qualification. Assessment will be both practical and written, with the practical taking the higher percentage. Students will be assessed individually but, just like the creative media industry, you will also learn how to work as part of a team. Students will be given projects which reflect industry needs which helps to ready them for future employment.

This new NI Traineeship programme is aimed at students who want to specialise in creative digital media from an early stage. Our learners will study for 15 hours per week across one academic year.

During this time, you will learn a range of skills, including:

  • Graphic design
  • Web design
  • Film
  • Photography
  • Motion graphics
  • Digital audio
  • Project management
  • Entrepreneurship

There is a continuous demand for creative media skills throughout all sectors of the economy; every business needs a website and social media content. The film, television, gaming and animation industries in Belfast are thriving and providing job opportunities for digital creatives in Northern Ireland.

This one-year entry-level course will set you on a very definite pathway to employment.

If you have a talent for design, if you love working with computer software and if you want to become part of the creative media industry then this is the course that you are looking for.

Equipment

All hardware and software used on the course is industry standard and will allow you to gain invaluable experience before entering the world of work or further study. You will get the opportunity to learn a variety of software including:

  • Photoshop
  • Illustrator
  • After Effects
  • InDesign
  • Dreamweaver
  • Premiere Pro
  • Blender
  • Visual Studio Code

You will also get to use a range of professional hardware including:

  • DSLR Cameras and lenses
  • Lighting equipment
  • Graphics tablets
  • Sound equipment

World Skills competitions

Our students also get the opportunity to compete in the creative media section of the World Skills competition. This allows students to benchmark their skills against their peers across the UK. It also gives you the potential for travel if you make it to the final which is usually held at the NEC in Birmingham each year. Numerous past Level 2 creative media students from NRC have made it to the final over the past five years.

Industry engagement

We have excellent connections with the local creative media industry sectors and welcome a broad range of guest speakers throughout the year. Some of these contacts have resulted in students receiving placement opportunities and eventually permanent jobs with the company.

There are plenty of different pathways and progression routes after studying our level 2 course. Many of our former students choose to continue their studies on our award-winning level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice. This then allows them to progress to university or to pursue a Level 5 HND in Creative Media at one of our other campuses.

Level 2 vocational studies provide an opportunity to get a real head start in an exciting and innovative sector which is growing constantly.

You must:

  • Be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July in the year of proposed entry to the course.
  • Have a minimum of a Level 1 qualification defined as 4 GCSEs at grades D-G including Maths and English grades D-F or equivalent. However, most areas will require higher grades in Maths and English.  See our Traineeship page for specific grades for each vocational area.
  • Attend an information session.  

Course Fees

This course is free of charge.

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