Open College Network Northern Ireland · RQF Level 3
OCN NI Level 3 Diploma in Creative Arts and Digital Technologies
You don’t just earn this. You learn to use it, one-to-one, on your own real work.
- LevelRQF Level 3
- Total credits54
- Guided learning378 hours
- Units in this qualification32
Awarded by Open College Network Northern Ireland · on the Ofqual register
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See how this course maps onto your role
Ten quick questions, one per Future Fluency, asked against this qualification rather than a generic one.
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What you’ll learn
What each unit actually teaches you to do
A Level 3 Diploma, it focuses on creative arts and digital technologies. Learners will develop skills in areas such as presentation, composition, and audio editing. It is relevant for those working or aspiring to work in the performing arts sector.
These are the units Open College Network Northern Ireland registers against this qualification. It is a catalogue, not a syllabus. Which of them you take depends on the combination the qualification requires, and that is set by the awarding body rather than by us. Every unit here is regulated, and every one you earn is yours to keep.
Capturing and Editing Audio SequencesReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Use audio hardware and software to capture audio sequences effectively, ensuring good sound quality.
- Use audio software tools to edit, enhance, and manipulate audio sequences, achieving desired effects.
- Play and present audio sequences in a suitable format, considering the intended audience and purpose.
Capturing, Editing and Presenting Video SequencesReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Use video hardware and software to capture video sequences effectively.
- Use video software tools and techniques to combine video sequences.
- Use video software tools and techniques to edit video sequences.
- Play video sequences to a specified audience.
- Present video sequences to a specified audience.
CompositionReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Identify a suitable starting point for an original musical composition
- Evaluate the suitability of different instruments for a musical composition
- Use hook, melody and rhythm effectively in music composition
- Implement arrangement techniques in a musical composition
- Implement structuring techniques in a musical composition
Creative WritingReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Produce a piece of writing that is clear, concise, and has a structured direction and shape.
- Produce a piece of writing that demonstrates appropriate form and genre for a given media, such as scriptwriting, poetry, or prose.
- Produce a piece of writing that effectively conveys ideas, mood, plot, narrative, and dialogue.
- Evaluate own and others' creative writing work, providing constructive feedback and identifying areas for improvement.
Developing Drawing Skills for PaintingReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Use a range of drawing media effectively to create different effects.
- Use different drawing surfaces to achieve desired outcomes in drawing.
- Understand how drawing is used in the preparation and production of paintings, including its role in composition and planning.
- Use line and tone to create form, depth, and texture in drawings.
- Use sketchbooks to develop ideas, experiment with techniques, and record observations.
- Understand the relationship between drawing and painting, including how drawing skills can inform and enhance painting practice.
- Adhere to Health and Safety procedures when using drawing materials and equipment.
Developing WebsitesReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Create website structures and styles using appropriate coding languages and design principles to ensure usability and visual appeal.
- Use software tools to prepare and optimise content, including text, images, and multimedia, for effective website integration.
- Publish websites to a web server, ensuring accessibility and functionality across different devices and browsers.
Digital FabricationReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the health and safety issues associated with digital fabrication equipment and processes
- Use appropriate software to create designs for digital fabrication
- Fabricate a design using digital fabrication equipment, following safety guidelines and best practices
Drawing Development Methods and SkillsReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Use different drawing media, such as pencils, charcoal, inks, and pastels, to create a range of effects.
- Draw on different surfaces, such as paper, canvas, and board, adapting techniques to suit the material.
- Draw three-dimensional form, mass, space, structure and scale, using techniques such as perspective, shading, and proportion.
- Make drawings at varying tempos, from quick sketches to detailed studies, exploring different levels of detail and expression.
- Use sketchbooks to record observations, develop ideas, and experiment with different techniques.
- Understand Health and Safety procedures and safe studio practice, including the safe handling of materials and equipment.
Event Organisation within the Fine Arts or Performing ArtsReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Plan an event within the fine arts or performing arts sectors, considering all logistical and creative aspects
- Understand the role of the event manager and the responsibilities of others involved in event organisation within the fine arts or performing arts sectors
- Publicise and run an event within the fine arts or performing arts sectors, ensuring effective promotion and smooth execution
Film and Video ProductionReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the film and video production process, including pre-production, production, and post-production stages, and the roles and responsibilities of different crew members.
- Produce pre-production materials, such as scripts, storyboards, shot lists, and location scouting reports, to plan and prepare for filming.
- Produce production materials, including capturing video and audio footage, managing lighting and sound, and directing actors or performers.
- Develop a final version of a short film or sequence of a film, including editing footage, adding sound effects and music, and creating titles and credits.
- Understand the certification process for films and videos, including legal and ethical considerations, copyright issues, and distribution channels.
Health and Safety in the WorkplaceReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the organisation's health and safety procedures and policy at work
- Maintain a safe working environment in own workplace, adhering to relevant health and safety guidelines
- Understand own responsibility for health and safety in own workplace, including reporting hazards and following safe working practices
Life DrawingReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Recognise different approaches to life drawing, including classical, contemporary, and expressive styles.
- Understand proportion when drawing from a life model, and apply this understanding to create accurate and realistic representations.
- Understand the importance of maintaining a personal sketchbook for life drawing, including its use for practice, experimentation, and development of personal style.
- Understand safe working practices in a life drawing studio, including posture, lighting, and handling of materials.
Live Sound EngineeringReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Set optimal signal-to-noise ratio levels for live sound engineering equipment
- Maintain a balanced and clear audio mix throughout a live performance
- Maintain effective communication with performers and stage crew during a live event
- Perform necessary post-performance activities, including equipment shutdown and audio recording management
Location Sound Recording for Film and Video ProductionReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the properties of microphones, their application and the basic principles of recording high quality sound, including polar patterns, frequency response, and signal-to-noise ratio.
- Develop a plan for location sound recording in a short production, considering factors such as location acoustics, microphone placement, and equipment requirements.
- Record sound for a short production, using appropriate equipment and techniques to capture clear and balanced audio.
- Reflect on own and others' performance in location sound recording, identifying areas for improvement and future development.
Multi-track RecordingReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Plan a multi-track recording session, considering factors such as microphone placement, signal flow, and session workflow.
- Understand and apply health and safety procedures relevant to recording environments, including noise levels and equipment handling.
- Understand the different types of microphones and their appropriate applications in the recording process.
- Understand the stages involved in the recording process, from initial setup to final mixdown.
- Record an ensemble performance, capturing individual instruments and vocals, and critically review the recording for technical and artistic merit.
Musical Ensemble SkillsReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Develop ensemble skills on an instrument, focusing on aspects such as intonation, timing, and blend.
- Rehearse ensemble performances, working collaboratively with other musicians to refine the musical interpretation and execution.
- Give a performance of musical ensemble skills to an audience, demonstrating proficiency and musicality.
- Review the performance, evaluating individual and ensemble contributions, and identifying areas for future improvement.
Performance Realisation SkillsReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Use a range of techniques to effectively realise productions, considering aspects such as stagecraft, lighting, and sound.
- Review own performance, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for development.
- Review the overall realisation of a production, evaluating its effectiveness in conveying the intended message and engaging the audience.
Preparing for a Career or Further Study in the Creative IndustriesReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Identify a range of employment and education opportunities available within the creative industries sector
- Match personal qualities, skills, and interests to specific opportunities within the creative industries sector
- Plan a career path or further study options within the creative industries sector, setting realistic goals and timelines
Presentation Skills in PracticeReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Source relevant information for a presentation
- Plan the structure and content of a presentation
- Deliver a structured presentation to an audience, using appropriate techniques
- Evaluate the effectiveness of a presentation, identifying areas for improvement
Problem Solving SkillsReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Select a problem-solving methodology appropriate to the task, considering factors such as the nature of the problem, available resources, and time constraints.
- Develop an action plan to address a problem, including identifying specific steps, assigning responsibilities, setting timelines, and allocating resources.
- Review the effectiveness of an action plan, evaluating progress against objectives, identifying areas for improvement, and making necessary adjustments to the plan.
Song Writing SkillsReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the characteristics of popular music genres and their historical context
- Understand how subject matter is explored and presented in popular music
- Understand the use of lyrical devices, such as metaphor, simile, and rhyme, in songwriting
- Understand the use of compositional devices, such as melody, harmony, and rhythm, in songwriting
Sound Checking an EnsembleReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the process of performing a sound check for an ensemble
- Prepare a PA system for a sound check, ensuring all equipment is functioning correctly
- Sound check individual instruments within an ensemble, adjusting levels and EQ as necessary
- Work effectively with performers during a sound check, addressing their needs and concerns
- Create a balanced mix for an ensemble, ensuring all instruments are audible and well-defined
Sound for Moving ImageReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the relationship between sound and picture in film, including the use of sound effects, music, and dialogue
- Develop a plan for sound in a short film production, considering the narrative and visual elements
- Record sound for a short film production, using appropriate equipment and techniques
Studio MixingReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the fundamental principles of audio mixing and its purpose in music production.
- Demonstrate practical mixing techniques, including EQ, compression, and panning, to achieve a balanced and polished sound.
- Evaluate the characteristics of a well-executed mix, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
Teamwork Skills in Practice within the Creative Arts and Digital Technology SectorsReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the different roles and responsibilities of individuals within a team environment
- Contribute to the setting of team goals and individual objectives, aligning with overall project aims
- Communicate effectively with team members, using appropriate methods to convey information and ideas
- Develop a plan to improve co-operation and collaboration within a team, addressing potential challenges
- Review team performance against agreed goals and objectives, identifying areas for improvement
Technical Sound and Audio ProductionReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Understand health and safety issues relating to sound and audio production, including safe handling of equipment, noise levels, and electrical safety.
- Use sound and audio production equipment, including microphones, mixing consoles, recording devices, and editing software, to capture and manipulate audio signals.
- Develop ideas for sound and audio production, including brainstorming, storyboarding, and creating soundscapes to enhance visual media or stand-alone audio projects.
- Understand professional working methods in sound and audio production, including communication protocols, time management, and adherence to industry standards.
- Work effectively within a group situation, contributing ideas, sharing responsibilities, and resolving conflicts to achieve common production goals.
- Reflect on own work in sound and audio production, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and developing strategies for improvement.
Three Dimensional Modelling and AnimationReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Know about the historical development of computer 3D animation, including key milestones and influential figures.
- Apply 3D modelling concepts to the building of a simple 3D scene, including creating basic shapes, applying textures, and setting up lighting.
- Build a simple 3D character and add rigging to enable animation.
- Use 3D character animation techniques to create movement and expression, and render a final 3D animation.
- Understand Health and Safety procedures and safe studio practice when working with 3D modelling and animation software and equipment.
- Reflect on own performance in 3D modelling and animation, identifying strengths and areas for improvement.
Undertaking a Solo PerformanceReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Demonstrate technical skills on an instrument to a proficient level
- Develop effective and consistent practice routines to enhance performance
- Develop an appreciation of music from different historical periods and diverse styles
- Understand the elements of musical competence and the requirements of effective performance
Using Cameras and Accessories for Film and VideoReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Understand safe photographic and video making practice, including risk assessments and adherence to health and safety regulations.
- Use the features of a camera, including settings for aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance, and understand the function of various camera accessories such as lenses, tripods, and filters.
- Use a camera and accessories to capture high-quality images and video footage, demonstrating effective composition, lighting, and sound recording techniques.
- Transfer images and video from a camera to a computer or other storage device, ensuring data integrity and appropriate file management.
Using Imaging SoftwareReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Obtain, insert and combine information for images from a variety of sources, including digital cameras, scanners, and online databases, ensuring appropriate resolution and file formats.
- Use imaging software to create, manipulate and edit images, including adjusting colour balance, cropping, resizing, retouching, and adding special effects.
Using Multimedia SoftwareReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Plan multimedia products, considering target audience and purpose.
- Obtain content for multimedia outcomes from appropriate sources.
- Input content into multimedia software.
- Combine content to build multimedia outcomes that meet specified requirements.
- Use multimedia software tools to edit multimedia content effectively.
- Use multimedia software tools to format multimedia content appropriately.
- Play multimedia outcomes to test functionality and appearance.
- Present multimedia outcomes to a specified audience.
Using Social Media to Market and Promote Events, Products and ServicesReal unit · Open College Network Northern Ireland
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the opportunities presented by using social media for marketing and promotion, including increased reach and engagement.
- Understand the threats associated with using social media for marketing and promotion, including reputational damage and security risks.
- Understand the application of social media platforms and tools for marketing and promotion purposes.
- Use social media platforms effectively to market and promote events, products, and services.
The honest bit
You’ve started things before
Most courses were built for a room full of people who aren’t you. A cohort moves on whether or not your week allowed it, and by the third week the thing you’re behind on becomes the reason you stop opening it.
There’s no cohort here, and no timetable to fall behind. Before anything starts, Zavmo asks when you’re sharpest and how long you can realistically sit down for, then builds the sessions around those answers. A bad fortnight changes your pace. It doesn’t put you behind.
And you only pay once you start learning. Searching and planning are free, and you can cancel any time — so the cost of finding out is an afternoon, not a year.
Your passport
Every credit is a stamp you keep
Level 3 credits are regulated. They don’t vanish when a subscription ends or a website closes. They travel to any employer, and Zavmo keeps the map of what you’ve earned and what’s next.
Each stamp is a real unit registered against this qualification.
Who’d teach you this

The Evidence Evaluator
Assessor
Helps you show what you can actually do, gathering the evidence that proves it as you learn.
Meet all twelve tutorsWhere this connects
Where these credits take you
A qualification is never a dead end here. See the jobs its credits open, the national occupational standards its units map to, and the future skills they quietly build.
- Manage the work of teams in the creative industries
- Monitor and use social media to promote venues and events
- Position and operate microphones
- Research and assess locations for production filming
- Work on projects involving immersive technology
Where this can lead
Event Production Director
Your journey as an Event Production Director at Zavmo is just the beginning. We're committed to helping you grow, whether that's becoming a master of your craft or stepping into leadership. We'll give you the opportunities, the training, and the support to build a truly impactful career.
See the whole journey →Showing 6 roles, drawn from 15 job records mapped to this qualification.
Skills it covers
What the job actually needs. These are the standards the units are built against, in the words employers and awarding bodies already use for the work itself.
How you’ll actually learn this
One-to-one, on your own real work
A qualification is usually something done to you: sit the class, sit the exam, hope it sticks. Here it’s the opposite. You learn it one-to-one with a companion, on your own real work, and you keep going until you can use it, not just recall it.
Applied to your work in any of these jobs
Learners will develop skills to capture audio sequences using hardware and software, ensuring sound quality. The unit also covers editing, enhancing, manipulating, and presenting audio sequences using appropriate software tools.
- Remember
- Understand
- Apply
- Analyse
- Evaluate
- Create
Built for OCN NI Level 3 Diploma in Creative Arts and Digital Technologies
32 units in this credential, in the order it lists them, awarded by Open College Network Northern Ireland.
- Capturing and Editing Audio Sequences
- Capturing, Editing and Presenting Video Sequences
- Composition
- Creative Writing
- Developing Drawing Skills for Painting
- Developing Websites
and 26 more in the full unit list below.
One to one, not one to many
No two people run this the same way
A course is written once and handed to everyone. This is assembled around you, and keeps changing as it learns you. Five things it reads, and what each one changes.
- Your actual work Every unit is taught against a live piece of your own work, not a worked example from a textbook.
- What you already know The first conversation finds your starting point, so you skip what you can already do and spend the time on what you cannot.
- The conditions you learn under Not a learning-styles quiz. The evidence does not support those. The dimensions the research does back, read once and used to shape the plan.
- How far you got last time It picks up mid-thought. The tutor knows what you said, what you struggled with, and what it asked you to try.
- Which tutor suits the moment Twelve of them, each for a different kind of thinking. The one who walks you through a first idea is not the one who stress-tests it.
See how you learn, free. Eight questions, no sign-up. A directional taster; the diagnostic inside Zavmo goes deeper and keeps adapting.
Why it sticks
Most courses stop at remembering
There’s a well-known ladder of how deeply you learn something, called Bloom’s Taxonomy. Most courses get you up the first two rungs: you remember some facts, you pass a test, you forget it. Real skill lives at the top. Judging, deciding, creating. And this isn’t a generic ladder: every rung has a named Zavmo tutor who walks you up it.
- 6CreateThe Creative Catalyst
- 5EvaluateThe Evidence Evaluator
- 4AnalyseThe Analyst
- 3ApplyThe Coach
- 2UnderstandThe Connector
- 1RememberThe Builder
Where most courses leave you Where Zavmo takes you
The value
Why the companion is worth £70 a month
You’re not paying for the units. They’re regulated, and the same wherever you earn them. You’re paying for the one thing that decides whether you actually get there: a companion that makes them stick, on your real work.
That is one-to-one on this qualification, every day, on the work you already do, for £70 a month. Your first module is free, so you can see the teaching before you pay for any of it. Billed monthly, cancel any time and billing stops.
Earned on your own work, taught to the top.
Everything you just read, learned one-to-one on the job you already do. Your first module is free, so you can see the teaching before you pay for any of it.
Build my plan, freeNo card. See how this qualification maps onto your role and meet the tutors who’d teach it, free. The learning begins when you subscribe. It’s £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.