Program Overview

Foundation Year School of Digital Arts (SODA)

The School of Digital Arts (SODA) Foundation Year course offers a range of creative possibilities. If you’re ambitious and want to build an amazing portfolio whilst learning from professionals in the field, then the SODA Foundation Year provides you with the skills and experience to successfully transition between school and university or as part of a career change.

Course Overview

This course is designed to equip you with the academic and foundational technical skills required to progress directly onto one of our undergraduate digital arts degrees. You’ll develop your academic study skills and expand your creative and technical abilities through hands-on projects. You'll also get the chance to explore your interests, investigate relevant creative practices, and build on your collaborative working experience.

Features and Benefits

• Helps you to develop the study skills and academic knowledge you will need to start Year 1 of your course with confidence.
• Has content that is tailored so that it is appropriate to your chosen degree.

Accreditations, Awards, and Endorsements

Teaching Excellence Framework

We have received an overall gold status in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), meaning we're rated as an outstanding university for our student experience.

Year 1

On this course you will study the following units:

Core Modules

Digital Storytelling

This introductory module provides you with the research skills, analytical thinking and understanding of practices related to a variety of digital media and audiences. With a focus on digital storytelling, you will develop your knowledge and understanding of academic writing, research, analysis and evaluation skills, while making connections between theory and your own practice.

Digital Visuals and Sound

This module introduces you to foundational concepts in digital sound and visuals creation, and their interplay and importance to media production. Through hands-on projects, you will develop your creative and technical skills by exploring a range of digital forms, tools and techniques. Emphasis is placed on understanding the relationship between sound, visuals and audience engagement.

Collaboration in the Creative Industries

This module will prepare you for working collaboratively, which is a key expectation in the creative industries and an integral part of all SODA courses. The module includes approaches to group dynamics, peer support and feedback, collaborative creativity, and time and project management. You will be encouraged to research creative practitioners and workflows to inform your practical outcomes.

Individual Portfolio Development

This module will equip you with the skills to create a portfolio tailored to your chosen discipline. Through work-in-progress reviews and feedback you will build confidence in articulating your creative process and further develop your communication, presentation and critical reflection abilities. The portfolio of work will showcase your creative development and understanding of industry practices.

Study and Assessment

Study

• Year 1 25% lectures, seminars or similar; 75% independent study

Assessment

• Year 1 100% coursework

Ten credits equates to 100 hours of study, which is a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions, and independent study. A three-year degree qualification typically comprises of 360 credits (120 credits per year). During the course, you are likely to be required to engage in collaborative projects, group work activities and to give presentations to your peers/tutors. Some or all of this work may be formally assessed, depending on the course you are studying. The exact composition of your study time and assessments for the course will vary according to your option choices and style of learning.

Entry Requirements

These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2026/27 academic year. Please check back for further details.

Typical Offer

72-80 UCAS tariff points

IELTS Score

5.5 with no element below 5.5

UK Students

Level 3 Qualifications

72-80 UCAS tariff points.

• A Levels – e.g. DDD-CDD
• Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma – MMP
• Access to HE Diploma - Pass with a minimum 74 UCAS Tariff points
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Pass overall
• OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade MMP
• T Levels - We welcome applications from students undertaking T Level qualifications. Eligible applicants will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of Pass as a condition of offer.
• IB Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum overall score of 24 or minimum 74 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects
• Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to GCE A level are also considered.
• A maximum of three A level-equivalent qualifications will be accepted towards meeting the UCAS tariff requirement.
• AS levels, or qualifications equivalent to AS level, are not accepted. The Extended Project qualification (EPQ) may be accepted towards entry, in conjunction with two A-level equivalent qualifications.

Level 2 Qualifications

GCSE grade D/3 in English Language or equivalent, e.g. Pass in Level 2 Functional Skills English

International Students

IB Diploma

IB Diploma with minimum 24 points overall or 74 UCAS Tariff points from Higher Level. If you plan to meet the Level 2 course requirements through your IB Diploma you will need to achieve Higher Level 4 or Standard Level 5 in English

IELTS

5.5 with no element below 5.5

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the 2026/27 academic year are still being finalised for all courses. You can find information on 2025/26 standard undergraduate fees for UK/Channel Islands and EU/Non-EU international students. All fees stated may be subject to change for the 2026/27 academic year.

Careers Support and Prospects

Employed or in Further Study

88.7% of our UK-domiciled, full-time, first degree graduates are employed or in further study 15 months after graduation.

Graduate Outcomes survey 2021/22 leavers, HESA data.

Explore Your Options and Build Sought-After Skills

Through our Careers Service, you will be supported and encouraged to get ready for further study or working life, including starting your own business.

Through Future Me, you’ll explore your career plans. And through Rise, you will top up your skills with hundreds of online short courses.

Our groundbreaking research with industry means we have unrivalled business connections that can help open doors to your dream career.

You’ll get chances to meet employers, and help preparing for interviews.

And the support doesn’t stop when you graduate. Our recent graduates can access services and support to start and boost their careers. As an alumnus, you will have lifelong access to our online career resources.

Your City, Your Community, Your Campus

Life in Manchester Your city campus Your student community

Bustling night and day, Manchester offers an inspiring and welcoming setting for your studies.

With a history of driving progress, it’s home to a diverse community of bold creatives, sport obsessives, and pioneers in science, engineering, health, education, business and law.

Manchester offers something to satisfy every interest and ambition – and our city-centre campus puts you right at the heart of it.

Our world-class campus offers modern learning spaces, a lively Students’ Union, and fantastic social hubs and sporting facilities.

We’ve invested £400 million in new, award-winning facilities – from state-of-the-art studios, labs and lecture theatres to interactive seminar rooms, revitalising green spaces and cosy study spots.

All expertly designed to give you an outstanding student experience and set you up for the future.

Home to one of the UK’s largest and most diverse student communities, Manchester Met is a place where difference is celebrated, and everyone is treated as an individual.

You’ll never be short of opportunities to meet new people, explore your passions, and get the support you need to succeed, your way.

And The Union is the perfect place to start – offering over 130 clubs and societies, an ever-changing social calendar and a free advice centre for every student.