DURATION
Two years full time

INTRODUCTION

This two year full time course is designed specifically for those who wish to get a comprehensive and practical grounding in the field of radio broadcasting and production. The course places great emphasis on self-motivation, time management and group interaction. The course content includes “On Air” presentation skills, interviewing, news and sports compiling and reading, sound recording, music sequencing, digital editing, commercial recording, voice training, radio features and documentaries. Training will initially take place by producing and presenting radio programmes for the college’s campus radio. Further training is available on the colleges licensed radio station CSN FM, which broadcasts to many parts of Cork City from September to March.

Main areas of study include:
Year 1 FETAC Level 5

• Radio Programme Production E20137
• Sound Engineering and Production E20136
• Communications G20001
• Media Analysis E20008
• Media Law & Practice L22295
• Political Studies G20022
• Broadcast Journalism L21667
• Voice Production for Broadcasting L21624
• Work Experience W20008
• Word Processing B20032

Year 1 BTEC HND UNITS

• Practical Skills for Radio Production T/601/8573
• Research Techniques for Creative Media K/601/8327
• Radio Commercial Production L/601/8773
• Music Sequence Production for Radio Y/601/8775
• Law for Journalists R/601/8340
• Politics for Journalists D/601/8406
• Career Development for the Radio Industry Y/601/8890

Year 2 FETAC Level 6

• Media Industry Awareness N32750 )
• Ethical and Legal Issues in Media N32751  
• Research Skills for Journalism  N32749  
• Radio News Broadcasting  N32755  
• Documentary Practice N32949  
• Editing Practice and Techniques  N32861  
• Broadcasting Presentation Skills`N32969  
• Media Analysis E20008 (Level 5)
• Communications G20001  (Level 5)

Year 2 BTEC HND Units

• Contextual Studies R/601/8242
• Project Design, Implementation and Evaluation L/601/0995
• Special Subject Investigation M/601/8572  
• Radio Magazine Programme Production F/601/8897
• Radio Journalism M/601/8331
• Radio Documentary Production Y/601/8369
• Work Experience in the Creative Media Sector T/601/8458
• Radio Station Management R/601/8385
• Radio Drama A/601/8381

Further Educational opportunities

Students who successfully achieve an overall BTEC Higher National Diploma merit profile or higher may gain entry to final year 3 of Media Production (Radio). Single Honours BA Degree at University of Sunderland. a 3rd and final year at University of Brighton or Bournemouth University, or year 2 of 4 years, ( BA honours) in TV, Radio and New Media at the Institute of Technology, Tralee. Graduates of FETAC Level 5 Year 1 with distinction profile may be eligible to apply to higher education courses through the Higher Education Links Scheme, e.g. B.A. Degree, U.C.C.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Students have access to the college’s “Digital” “On Air” and “Production” studios. Students are also offered an opportunity to visit many national, local and community radio stations. In addition a number of visiting lecturers, broadcasters and members of the communications media deliver lectures on relevant topics.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Each student will receive experience in the presentation and production of campus radio together with live broadcasts on CSN FM. Students may also be placed with a local or national radio station. Students have previously been placed with 2FM, Newstalk and Today FM, Dublin, 96FM and Red FM, Cork City. C103FM Mallow, UCC Cork Campus Radio, Tipp FM and Radio Kerry.

FEES
Year1
Exam Fees – FETAC Level 5: €60
Exam Fees – BTEC: €220
Department of Education and Skills Fee: €200
Student Services: €220
Total: €700
Year 2
Exam Fees – FETAC Level 6: €60
Department of Education and Skills Fee: €200
Student Services: €220
Total: €480
Career Prospects

• National and Local Radio/Media
• Radio and Television Journalism
• News Networks and Agencies
• Commercial Production/ Voice over Studios

Previous Students
Past students working on National, Regional and Local commercial radio include:
Oisin Langan  NewsTalk, Dublin. Maria Mulcahy TV3, Dublin. Kevin Purcell FM 104 and INN Dublin. Simon Murdoch, John O’ Keeffe i-Radio Athlone. Victoria Nichols, Pearce McCarthy, Keith Murphy, and Kevin Keenan 96FM, Cork. Rory O Hagen, Red FM, Cork. Andrew Morrissey Radio Kerry. Laura Hallissey C103 Mallow. Alison Hyland, Owen Lonergan Tipp FM. Eoghain Fitzgerald, Spin South West, Limerick.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Leaving certificate or Leaving Certificate Applied standard. All candidates are interviewed.
CERTIFICATION

• National Certificate – FETAC (NCVA) Level 5 in Radio Production (NCVA Award Code: ERPXX). (Year 1)
• National Certificate- FETAC (NCVA) Level 6 in Media Production (NCVA Award Code: EMPRO (Year 2)
• BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production on successful completion of years 1 and 2.

COURSE DIRECTOR
Peter O’Neill