Diploma in Media Practices

Diploma in Media Practices

Advertising executive, creative director, graphic designer or animator? DJ, radio presenter, journalist or marketing strategist? Whichever media career you have in your sights, Boston Media House offers you a flexible qualification structure that includes a broad range of career choices, to launch you into the dynamic world of media.


Download the factsheet for additional, detailed programme information.

  • Diploma in Media Practices
  • Qualification Code: HDIPMP3
  • Dip. (Media Practices)
  • SAQA ID 83166 | NQF (HEQSF) Level 6 | Minimum Subject Credits 374, plus 5 Due Performance (DP) Credits at NQF Level 4
  • Site of Delivery: Sandton, Pretoria and Durban
What is the Purpose of the Qualification

The Diploma in Media Practices is aimed at developing specific competencies in a range of media environments. Students meeting the requirements of the qualification will be eligible to assume responsibilities in a selected focus area in the domain of media practices (aligned to their chosen area of specialisation). Additionally, candidates will be eligible to further their learning in other aspects of media from a vantage point of a solid foundational understanding of the structures, operations, and legislative framework of the media industry.

Depending on the selected area of media specialisation, successful students will be able to assume job responsibilities including:

  • In the field of radio or television production
  • In the field of advertising
  • In the field of public relations
  • In the field of marketing, sales and promotions
  • In the field of journalism
  • In the field of animation
  • In the field of graphic design
  • In the field of sound engineering

What are the Programme Outcomes

On completion of the programme, graduates will have the necessary knowledge and practical skills required to:

  • Use media specific science and technology.
  • Understand the mutual influence between culture and media.
  • Assume job responsibilities at entry level within a broad range of media communication environments, such as print and audio visual communications.

Minimum Entry Requirements

A minimum requirement for admission into the diploma is a:

  • National Senior Certificate (NSC), with English as one of the subjects passed and with endorsement for admission to Diploma study; or
  • National Certificate (Vocational) (NC(V)), with English as one of the subjects passed and with endorsement for admission to Diploma study; or
  • Prior to 2009, Senior Certificate with English as one of the subjects passed.

Alternative Entry Requirements

A number of higher education qualifications may meet the requirements for admission or advance placement into the diploma:

  • Certificate programme, NQF Level 5 (OQSF/HEQSF), minimum credits 120; or
  • Diploma programme, NQF Level 5 (OQSF), minimum credits 240; or
  • Higher Certificate, NQF (HEQSF) Level 5, minimum credits 120; or
  • Advanced Certificate, NQF (HEQSF) Level 6, minimum credits 120; or
  • Diploma, NQF (HEQSF) Level 6, minimum credits 240 or 360; or
  • Equivalent qualification from an international higher education institution, see section on International Applicants below.

International Applicants

International students who want to enrol for Higher Education studies and who do not hold a South African school leaving certificate must present a Grade 12 equivalence verification with endorsement for admission to Diploma study.

Students who have qualifications from international higher education institutions must present an equivalence certificate from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) which can be contacted on +27 (0)12 431 5000 or visit http://www.saqa.org.za/. All enquiries related to the evaluation of international qualifications are to be referred to the Contact Centre using the contact details: +27 (0)12 431 5070 or apply online at https://www.saqa.org.za/evaluation-foreign-qualifications

Also, international applicants may be required to provide proof of proficiency in English (TOEFL score of 550, or IELTS overall band score of 6.0.) prior to admission to the qualification.

Qualification structure

YEAR ONE

MEDIA

ELECTIVE SPECIALISATION

(All subjects are compulsory)

  • Academic Literacy 1
  • Advertising 1
  • Marketing 1 or Photography 1*
  • Television 1
  • Radio Broadcasting 1
  • Journalism 1
  • Public Relations 1
  • Professional Skills 1
  • Computer Skills 0 (MS Windows, MS Word, MS Excel)

*Photography 1 only available at the Sandton branch

GRAPHIC DESIGN

ELECTIVE SPECIALISATION

(All subjects are compulsory)

  • Academic Literacy 1
  • Advertising 1
  • Television 1
  • Graphic Design Practice 1
  • Graphic Design Process 1
  • Professional Skills 0 (MS Windows, MS Word, MS Excel)

ANIMATION

ELECTIVE SPECIALISATION

All subjects are compulsory

  • Academic Literacy 1
  • Television 1
  • Animation* 1
  • Art/Drawing 1
  • Professional Skills 1
  • Computer Skills 0 (MS Windows, MS Word, MS Excel)

*Animation elective specialisation only available at the Sandton branch

YEAR TWO

MEDIA

ELECTIVE SPECIALISATION

All subjects are compulsory

  • Media Skills 3
  • Digital Media Convergence 2
  • Media Law 2
  • Computer Skills 0 (MS PowerPoint) (All 2nd year)

Choose three (3) of the following six (6) electives

  • Advertising 2
  • Marketing 2 or Photography 2*
  • Television 2 & Sound Engineering 1
  • Radio 2 & Sound Engineering 1
  • Journalism 2
  • Public Relations 2

 *Photography 2 only available at the Sandton branch

GRAPHIC DESIGN

ELECTIVE SPECIALISATION

All subjects are compulsory

  • Media Skills 3
  • Digital Media Convergence 2
  • Advertising 2
  • Graphic Design Practice 2
  • Graphic Design Process 2
  • Computer Skills 0 (MS Powerpoint)

ANIMATION

ELECTIVE SPECIALISATION

All subjects are compulsory

  • Media Skills 3
  • Digital Media Convergence 2
  • Animation 2
  • Art/Drawing 2
  • Sound Engineering 1
  • Computer Skills 0 (MS Powerpoint)

YEAR THREE

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING SPECIALISATIONS

 All the subjects within each specialisation are compulsory

ADVERTISING

ELECTIVE SPECIALISATION

  • Advertising 3
  • Media Planning 3
  • Brand Management 3
  • Integrated Marketing & Communications 3
  • Creativity 3
  • Finance in Media 3
  • Entrepreneurship 3
  • Professional Skills 2 

GRAPHIC DESIGN

ELECTIVE SPECIALISATION

  • Graphic Design Process 3
  • Graphic Design Practice 3
  • Advertising 3 (core module only)
  • Entrepreneurship 3
  • Professional Skills 2

ANIMATION

ELECTIVE SPECIALISATION

  • Animation 3
  • Art/Drawing 3
  • Entrepreneurship 3
  • Sound Engineering 2
  • Professional Skills 2

JOURNALISM

ELECTIVE SPECIALISATION

  • Journalism 3
  • Internet journalism 3
  • Sub-Editing 3
  • Photojournalism 3
  • Finance in Media 3
  • Entrepreneurship 3
  • Professional Skills 2

MARKETING

ELECTIVE SPECIALISATION

  • Marketing 3
  • Media Planning 3
  • Brand Management 3
  • Integrated Marketing & Communications 3
  • Creativity 3
  • Finance in Media 3
  • Entrepreneurship 3
  • Professional Skills 2

RADIO

ELECTIVE SPECIALISATION

  • Radio 3
  • Sound Engineering 2
  • Finance in Media 3
  • Entrepreneurship 3
  • Professional Skills 2

PUBLIC RELATIONS

ELECTIVE SPECIALISATION

  • Public Relations 3
  • Media Planning 3
  • Brand Management 3
  • Creativity 3
  • Finance in Media 3
  • Entrepreneurship 3
  • Professional Skills 2

TELEVISION

ELECTIVE SPECIALISATION

  • Television 3
  • Sound Engineering 2
  • Finance in Media 3
  • Entrepreneurship 3
  • Professional Skills 2