Program Overview

Careers in media are in-demand, exciting and diverse, ranging from public relations to radio, television, film, interactive media, gaming and photography. If you are interested in a career in media, Fanshawe’s Pre-Media program gives you the opportunity to sample and discover elements of various media careers. You’ll lay a solid foundation in media in preparation for a more focused education within a specific career.

Program Details

Program Code
PMD1
Credential:
Ontario College Certificate
Duration
30 weeks
Start Dates
Locations
Availability

Full Time Offerings

2025 January
London
Open
2025 September
London
Open
2026 January
London
Open
2024 September
London
Closed
Start Dates
Locations
Availability

Full Time Offerings

2025 January
London
Open
2025 September
London
Open
2026 January
London
Open
2024 September
London
Closed

Your Learning Experience

Ignite your creativity during this one-year Ontario College Certificate program. Begin your introduction to various media industries through courses in visual media, storytelling, audio fundamentals, interactive media and design, communications, performance and collaborative media production. 

 

Hands-on experiences throughout the program use industry-standard software in each field, and courses are taught by creative educators and media professionals. 

By exploring different media fields and gaining industry skills, you’ll be equipped to choose the media career that’s right for you. Graduate with a solid foundation in media and communications and the tools to find your passion and follow it. 

 

This preliminary year is intended to provide the student with the opportunity to sample from and discover the various aspects unique to each media program within the School of Media and Digital Arts. This will allow the student to gain a solid understanding in preparation for a more focused education within a specific media field. 

 

Successful graduates of this program will have developed a solid foundation in the skills and knowledge of various media and communication fields. The goal is to give the student the tools to make a more educated and conscious choice for a career program best suited to reflect their interest and skill set.

 

Graduates may consider applying to the following programs: Journalism - Multimedia Broadcasting Radio & Media Production, Broadcasting Television & Film Production, Interactive Media Design, Music Industry Arts, Photography, Game Design and Game Development.

 

Career Information

Fanshawe’s Pre-Media program provides graduates with entry-level media skills in the fields of audio and visual media, storytelling, performance and interactive media. By exploring different media and gaining industry skills, graduates will be better equipped to choose the media career that is best for them.

 

Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduation employment rates among large colleges in Ontario?

Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Pre-Media program:

Social Media Assistant

Schedule social media conversations with artists, community groups, target audiences. and community leaders.

Community Animator

Support outdoor movie nights, including set up and take down of technical equipment, safety equipment checks, photography, crowd engagement and promotion of neighbourhood programs.

Photo and Media Staff

Produce, edit and archive video and photography, updating social media with engaging content.

 

Steven Karst Headshot

I wanted a career change to a digital media related field, however I wasn't sure what I wanted to do exactly. Pre-media allowed me to gain knowledge and skills in a broad range of areas, as well as dip my feet into things I wouldn't have considered before. I found I was drawn to photography and was given strong fundamental skills that have been very useful as I continue my education here at Fanshawe College.

Steven Karst
2023 Graduate
Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to

1. Apply common industry practices to written proposals and print documents, visual storyboards, and interactive presentations.
2. Present and report on research done about mass media and social media technologies.
3. Choose appropriate tools, techniques and applications to create media assets and presentations.
4. Develop a career plan and produce a portfolio of self-promotional materials for the chosen field.
5. Employ a variety of strategies, tools, and techniques to develop creative concepts and ideas to address the requirements of an audience, product or project.
6. Collaborate with a production team in the creation of media projects.
7. Utilize a variety of industry standard audio/video software applications and techniques in the creation of media for a wide range of platforms.

 

Program Coordinator:

Brian Nuttall

Admission Requirements

OSSD (with courses from the College (C), University (U), University/College (M), or Open (O) stream), or equivalent, or mature applicant.

Students who do not have a high school diploma may wish to consider taking the Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) grade 12 Equivalency Certificate.

Note:
Successful completion of the Pre-Media program enables applicants to be given additional consideration when applying for a program in the School of Contemporary Media.
International Admission Equivalencies
Admission equivalencies for Fanshawe depends on your country of study. Please enter your location to see the requirements for your country below.
English Language Requirements

English Language Requirements

Test Score
TOEFL iBT 79
IELTS Academic Overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 5.5 in any of the four bands
CAEL Overall score of 60 with no score less than 50 in any of the four bands. score of 80 in listening
PTE Academic 53
Cambridge English Overall score of 169 with no language skill less than 162
ESL4/GAP5 Minimum grade of 80% in Level 8, 75% in Level 9, or 70% in Level 10
Duolingo Overall score of 105, with no score lower than 95

 

Learn More about English Language Requirements

Recommended Academic Preparation

Recommended Academic Preparation

  • Grade 12 English (C) or (U) OR Grade 12 The Writer's Craft (C) OR Grade 12 Business and Technological Communication (O)
  • Grade 11 or Grade 12 Communications Technology (M) OR Grade 11 Introduction to Computer Science (U) and Grade 12 Computer Science (U)
  • Grade 11 Media Arts (M) or (O) OR Grade 12 Media Arts (M)
Applicant Selection Criteria

Applicant Selection Criteria

Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available spaces in the program, the Applicant Selection Criteria will be:
  1. Preference for Permanent Residents of Ontario
  2. Receipt of Application by February 1st (After this date, Fanshawe College will consider applicants on a first-come, first-served basis until the program is full)
  3. Achievement in the Admission Requirements

Courses

Level 1
Take all of the following Mandatory courses:
WRIT-1037Reason & Writing 1-Contemporary Media3
This course will introduce contemporary media students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking.
DEVL-1041Careers in Contemporary Media 13
This course will explore the many different career options that exist in the Media industry. Topics will include guest lectures, industry and studio tours, research and information sessions, interviewing industry professionals, personal branding research.
MMED-1035Visual Media 13
This course will introduce students to the core concepts of image and audio capture. Key concepts will include: still image capture with use of DSLR cameras and set up hardware.
MMED-1039Audio Fundamentals3
This course will explore the processes of sound design. Key concepts will include: audio hardware and software, audio editing techniques, basic mixing, audio in digital environments, digital audio recording.
MMED-1037Interactive Media & Design 14
In this course, students will explore photo and video editing using Photoshop and Premiere Pro. Key concepts in Photoshop include basic photo manipulation practices, translation of art from traditional to digital mediums, and proper file type usage. Key concepts for Premiere Pro include core practices of video editing, adding effects and transitions, adding graphics and audio, and utilizing a greenscreen to create cohesive, creative, and professional videos.
MMED-1038Storytelling for Media3
This is an introductory course into the basic writing structures for a broad range of media. Writing for media, media formats, storyboard development, and storyboard and shoot focused video material are among the topics that will be covered.
View all courses

Tuition Summary

London

Canadian Costs
$3,511.82
Total Cost of Program
International Costs
$15,993.28
Total Cost of Program

*Total program costs are approximate, subject to change and do not include the health and dental plan fee, bus pass fee or program general expenses.

 

Contact/Questions