Laura McCamley is studying for an AVCE in Media and Drama at North Down and Ards Institute of Further Education in Bangor.
“I chose to enrol in North Down and Ards Institute because it offered the course in media and drama that I reckoned would help me achieve my objective of a career in journalism. The institute also had an excellent reputation in terms of its teaching and facilities and was located in Bangor, my hometown. My first step was to contact the institute for information about the entry requirements for the AVCE course in Media and Drama in my final GCSE year at Strathearn School in Belfast.
“I gained 10 GCSEs and decided against staying on for A levels because I was keen to get started on my chosen career. I chose media because I have an interest in current affairs and in media photography in particular. My grades more that satisfied the usual entry requirement for the course of four GCSEs grades C or above, including English Language.
“The two-year course, one of the Institute’s most popular, is excellent because it provides a good foundation for a media career and includes media production systems, such as audio, television and print, photography, my own particular interest, as well animation and writing and editing copy. Another factor in my choice of this particular course is its standing within the media interest. The qualification is recognised as the gateway to a broad range of media posts, and I reckoned it would be the best route for me.
“The facilities for photographic students to develop their knowledge and skills are first class. I’ve also found the teaching staff to be both knowledgeable and helpful. They really take an interest in the work of their students.
“I enjoy the flexibility and informality of work and study at the institute. A student has much more freedom than at school. While there is still a structure of classes and meetings with tutors, the student is given greater scope to work independently. Unlike school the AVCE course is not on examinations but on continuous and contains both individual and group tasks. Work and study is also tested externally throughout each academic year. Students, above all, are treated as adults and are expected to adopt a responsible and disciplined approach to independent study. I haven’t found difficult because at grammar school there was a focus on independent study and homework.
“The institute, of course, is geared to independent study. To facilitate this, the institute has an excellent library and easily accessible electronic study resources that include the internet.
“Work experience is not built into the programme, students are given support in finding suitable work placements. Through the institute’s longstanding contacts with media organisations, students have the opportunity to work with experienced staff within the industry. Thus I’ve worked with the Ulster Tatler magazine and with Chris Hill Photography in Belfast, one of Northern Ireland’s leading photographic businesses.
“Studying at the institute also enabled me to remain at home in Bangor and this has helped me in budgeting to cover fees and other expenses from my grant. It’s also enabled me to make a great many new friends from North Down and further afield, including a number of international students. The social life is good, and the institute, for instance, has a very enthusiastic drama group.”
TOP TIPS FOR FURTHER EDUCATION STUDENTS
1. Find out as much as you can from a number of colleges about the entry requirements, teaching and facilities for your chosen career. This will help in identifying the best course and teaching methods that suit your specific career. You can find out a lot about local institutes over the internet.
- You’ve got to consider if you are prepared for and sufficiently disciplined to work on your own initiative. An essential requirement is a desire to gain new or essential skills for your career.
- Be prepared to enter the life of the institute. There are lots of opportunities to meet new people and make lasting friendships by joining clubs and societies for example. So, be ready to enjoy institute life.
- You’ll probably need a part-time job to supplement your grant. The institute may help you find a job linked to your course. The practical work experience will help in your course.
- Don’t be sidetracked by the social life or part-time work. Achieving your qualification will require discipline and good time management. So, your main focus must be on the course work.