Creative Digital Design Professional
The Creative Digital Design Professional Degree apprenticeship is an innovative blend of higher education and work-based learning.
Employers and apprentice information
Employers
- Develop employees into confident Creative Digital Design Professional who can work across a wide range of businesses and functions
- Created in collaboration with employers, this qualification is found in the finance, retail, music, technology, publishing and media industries, as well as in government departments
- Apprentices will implement design concepts to develop and communicate new products and to provide design solutions
Our employers say
“In terms of impact, we have been able to go to market with new services quicker, such as creating an e-commerce e-learning platform which became part of the coursework of the apprentice,” says Ash Rishi of COUCH Health.
Apprentices
- If you have aspirations of working in a design role, then the Creative Digital Design Professional Degree Apprenticeship could be for you
- Create compelling digital design solutions to internal and external clients, across a range of sectors and contexts
- Apprentices go on to become Creative Digital Design Professionals in a variety of exciting roles, including as Creative Director or Studio Manager
- Based in the £35m, pioneering School of Digital Arts (SODA)
Our apprentices say
“Since embarking on this programme, I have found myself more frequently thinking as a designer would, asking more questions and looking at the intention behind designs,” says Abigail Abrahams from Christie’s.
About this programme
The apprenticeship is aimed at developing employees into confident Creative Digital Design Professional who can work in a wide range of businesses from online platforms and agencies, to finance, architecture, education and journalism.
They will be prepared for the challenges of operating in a rapidly changing digital world, benefiting from real-world best practice and innovative academic thinking.
Developed collaboratively with employers, this innovative programme has been created to meet the increasing demand for talent in this exciting field. It is suitable for introducing bright new talent and college leavers who wish to develop as creative digital design professionals, or existing designers (Digital Designer, UI Designer or Web, App, Front-end Designer) looking to take their career to the next level, or progress from a Level 3 qualification in graphic design, content production, advertising or marketing.
Creative Digital Design Professional Apprentices will develop knowledge, skills and behaviours including:
- Creative processes: key perspectives, approaches and schools of thought and how to apply them
- Digital design tools and methods, and understanding their strengths and weaknesses and application
- User centred and accessible design, user research and UX
- Responsive and mobile first design
- Fundamentals of branding
- Visualisation of data
- 3D Data capture, processing and models for use in real world, e.g. Architecture, Construction, Games, Engineering
- Contemporary immersive technologies, such as AR/VR/XR
Apprentices will be based in our ground-breaking School of Digital Art (SODA), a £35 million government-supported investment and strategically positioned in Manchester, a global city that has emerged as a leading force in the UK’s digital economy. SODA offers the ideal playground to launch your digital career.
To find out more about how you can partner with us to offer degree apprenticeships within your organisation, fill out our contact form, email apprenticeships-employer@mmu.ac.uk, or call 0161 247 3720 (9:30am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday).
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Programme content
Year 1
- Creative Digital Design Fundamentals
- Introduction to User Experience
- Graphic Design Fundamentals
- Accessible Design
- Platform Production Fundamentals
- Visual Identity and Branding
Year 2
- Digital Media Platforms 1 – User Interface
- Data Visualisation and Storytelling
- Digital Media Platforms 2 – Audiovisual
- The Communication of Ideas
- Managing and Operating Digital Brands
- Concept and Prototype Development
Year 3
- Workflow, Process and Practice
- Project Design and Delivery
- Digital Design Governance
- Emerging Platforms and Technologies -3D
- Digital Media Platforms 3 - Immersive
- Technology and Design Emerging Practice
Year 4
- Production Planning and Management
- Design Leadership and Strategy
- Career Development and Portfolio
- Creative Digital Design Synoptic Project: Define and Design
- Creative Digital Design Synoptic Project: Do and Review
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Delivery model
A blended delivery model is planned for this programme, designed in response to employer and apprentice demand for flexible online and face-to-face teaching. There will be 18 days of teaching per year, which is three days per unit, plus extra online touchpoints.
In a 12 week period, three units will be conducted with only two units running concurrently. At the start, there is an intensive two-day teaching block on campus which covers both units. This gives apprentices a solid introduction to the subjects and to the tutors, as well as giving them the opportunity to exchange ideas with their peers.
There is then a further day of teaching and assignment support delivered online in half days, plus online interactive question and answer sessions to help with application of learning for the workplace and assignments.
Apprentices will be assigned a skills coach who will guide them to effectively embed their learning into their organisation’s marketing operations.
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Qualifications awarded
Upon successful completion of the programme, apprentices will achieve a BA (Hons) in Creative Digital Design, as well as a Creative Digital Design Professional Level 6 degree apprenticeship.
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Entry requirements
Candidates for the Creative Digital Design Professional Degree Apprenticeship should have a minimum of 104 points at A2 (grades BCC) or an equivalent, e.g. BTEC DMM.
We also welcome applicants who have fully completed and passed the apprenticeships listed below:
- Level 3 Junior Content Producer Apprenticeship
- Level 3 Junior Advertising Creative
They also need GCSE Mathematics and English Language (grade A*-C / 9-4) or equivalent – or must complete Level 2 Functional Skills qualifications alongside the apprenticeship. There are no additional costs for these qualifications.
We will evaluate any applicants who do not have these qualifications, but have relevant workplace experience.
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Funding
Degree apprenticeships are paid for by employers, not apprentices.
Employers with a payroll of more than £3 million can use their apprenticeship levy contributions to pay for places on apprenticeship programmes.
Any business with a payroll below £3 million is eligible for government funding that will cover at least 95% of the cost of an apprenticeship programme.
Additional incentives are also available to employers who recruit new apprentices into their business.
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Next steps
If you are an employer
We will support you every step of the way to offer apprenticeships at your organisation, whether you intend to upskill current employees or attract new recruits.
You can speak to us via our contact form, by emailing apprenticeships-employer@mmu.ac.uk or by calling 0161 247 3720 (9:30am - 4:00pm Monday to Friday).
If you are an employee
If you are already employed, encourage your employer to contact us to discuss offering an apprenticeship.
If you are a student
Sign up to our Degree Apprenticeship mailing list to get alerts about vacancies and events.
For more information and advice on applying for an apprenticeship, visit our guide.
