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University Level

HND Creative Practice

Course overview

Our Level 5 Creative Practice course addresses both the historical and contemporary context of creative practice within the photography, film making and graphic design specialisms.

Tutors will guide you on how to become exceptional practitioners, by learning key technical skills, developing their own unique style, understanding key aspects of the industry and becoming confident and independent. We endeavour to ensure that our students are prepared for the realities of the contemporary creative industries workplace.

Taught by our highly experienced, industry expert tutors and lecturers, you will utilise the industry standard facilities we have at our Hillsborough Campus, which includes; Mac suites, Wacom tablets, large studios with state-of-the-art Prophoto equipment, TV studio, green screens, DSLR and Medium format stills cameras and Sony film cameras.

Our smaller cohorts ensure that you receive significant and essential one-to-one time with your tutors. This enables you to produce a high level of academic work, be creative and gain independence across this essential year of study.

Alongside studio and classroom lectures, workshops, seminars and critique sessions, there will be opportunities for external workshops, industry visits, visiting lecturers and guest speakers from across the creative industries.

This Higher National Diploma further includes essential visits to galleries and industry each semester. Visits can include but are not limited to: Sheffield Galleries, Bradford Science & Media Museum, The Tate, Open Eye & Another Place in Liverpool, Media City, Manchester and The Photography Show, Birmingham NEC.

About the course

Although you are taught as one cohort, your qualification will be in a specific pathway, depending on the pathway which you select upon enrolment, as below:

Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Photography (2023) – 610/1803/X

Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Graphic Design (2023) – 610/1797/8

Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Film and Television (2023) – 610/1793/0

Level 4 Higher National Certificate (or equivalent) qualification in either Photography, Film and Television or Graphic Design.

Assessment methods include:

  • Coursework

  • Presentations

  • Portfolios

  • Group Discussion

We aim to provide students with the experience, knowledge and confidence to function in their specialist pathway. For next steps we do offer the opportunity to apply to a top up to a full degree at Sheffield Hallam University.

Trips and Visits

This Higher National Diploma further includes guest speakers, and essential visits to galleries and industry each semester.

Visits can include but are not limited to:

  • Sheffield Galleries

  • Bradford Science & Media Museum

  • The Tate

  • Open Eye & Another Place in Liverpool

  • Media City, Manchester

  • The Photography Show

  • Birmingham NEC

Further Information

Additional information about higher education at UC Sheffield can be found here.

The Sheffield College is a registered provider with the Office for Students.

Fees

Approximate costs for a HE course is between £7500 and £8000. You can apply for a loan via Student Finance England. Please note all quoted fees are subject to change.

More information regarding annual fees for university level study at UC Sheffield can be found here.

Terms and Conditions

You can find details of our higher education policies, procedures and T&Cs here.

Ad hoc visits occasionally incur costs, students are advised of these in advance and only where not mandatory.
12,270
Employed in 2026 across Sheffield
12,164
Graduate jobs predicted in Sheffield, during 2027
£30,981
Average salary
Click here to apply through UCAS

Key Information

Course Code
P00513
Subject Area
Media
Campus
Hillsborough Campus
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05/11/2026 4:32 pm
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