DURATION
Two year 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. 

MAIN AREAS OF STUDY

Year 1 

• Radio Programme Production
• Sound Engineering and Production.
• Communications
• Media Analysis
• Media Law Practice
• Broadcast Journalism
• Voice Production
• Work Experience
• Word Processing

BTEC Core Units

• Media Industries
• Research Techniques
• Practical Skills Audio
• Law
• Politics
• Commercial Production
• Music Sequencing

Year 2

BTEC Core Units 

• Contextual Studies
• Media Project
• Professional Practice Audio
• Demo Tape Production
• Magazinne Programming
• Radio Journalism
• Documentary
• Multi Track Recording
• Work Experience

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 in “Broadcasting Media and Popular Culture” (BA honours) at University of Wales, Cardiff or year 2 of 4 years, ( BA honours) in TV,  Radio and New Media at the Institute of Technology, Tralee.

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 and Today Fm, Dublin, 96Fm and Red FM, Cork City. C103FM Bandon and Mallow, UCC Cork Campus Radio, Tipp FM and Radio Kerry.

Career Prospects

• National and Local Radio/Media
• Radio and Television Journalism
• News Networks and Agencies 
  

Previous Students

Past students include Oisin Langan, NewsTalk, Dublin. Maria Mulcahy TV3, Dublin, Simon Murdoch, Victoria Nichols, Anthony Young, Keith Murphy, Andrew Morrissey and Kevin Keenan 96FM, Cork City. Chris Curtis, Kevin Purcell, Erika Ni Thuama, Louise Dennehy and Rory O Hagen, Red FM, Cork City. Laura Hallissey, Myra Hayes and Sharon Conroy C103 Bandon and Mallow, Alison Hyland, Tipp FM, Eoighen Fitzgerald, Spin South West, Limerick.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Leaving certificate or Leaving Certificate Applied standard. All candidates are interviewed.

CERTIFICATION

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

COURSE DIRECTOR

Peter O’Neill