New iMedia Course: GCSE Equivalent

Published by Kingsley School, Bideford on Friday 30th of January 2026

Preparing Pupils for the UK’s Thriving Media Industry

The UK’s creative and media industries are among the fastest-growing sectors in the economy, contributing billions each year and offering diverse, future-focused career opportunities. From digital design and animation to gaming, interactive media and visual storytelling, the media industry continues to shape how we communicate, learn and entertain. For young people with creativity, imagination and an interest in digital technology, it offers exciting and highly employable career pathways.

At Kingsley School, we are proud to introduce the Cambridge National in Creative iMedia (Level 1/2) — a forward-thinking course designed to prepare pupils for careers in areas such as characters and comics, animation and audio production, interactive digital media, visual imaging and digital games. Through practical projects and real-world briefs, Kingsley pupils gain the skills, confidence and industry awareness needed to take their first steps into these creative professions.

Course Overview: Cambridge National in Creative iMedia (Level 1/2)

The Cambridge National in Creative iMedia provides pupils with a strong foundation in digital media production and an understanding of the wider media industry. Through a combination of hands-on coursework and an externally assessed exam, learners develop the skills needed for further study or future careers within the creative sector.

Pupils will learn how to design, plan, create and review digital media products, responding to real-world briefs and working with specific target audiences in mind. The course is ideal for pupils who enjoy practical, project-based learning alongside structured theoretical understanding.

Course Structure and Units

The qualification is suitable for both Level 1 and Level 2 learners and is made up of mandatory and optional units.

Mandatory Units

Creative iMedia in the Media Industry
Externally assessed exam – 40%
This unit introduces pupils to the media industry, covering:

• Media sectors and job roles


• Audience demographics and targeting


• Legal and ethical considerations


• Pre-production planning and workflows

It provides essential industry knowledge and prepares pupils for how creative media operates in professional contexts.

Visual Identity and Digital Graphics
Internally assessed coursework – 30%
Pupils plan, design, create and export digital graphics to meet a client brief, developing creative, technical and problem-solving skills while responding to real-world requirements.

Optional Specialist Unit

Alongside the mandatory units, pupils will complete one additional unit selected from the following options:

• Characters and Comics 


• Animation and Audio 


• Interactive Digital Media 


• Visual Imaging


• Digital Games 

This allows pupils to gain deeper experience in a specific area of digital media, chosen to complement the overall course and individual interests.

Assessment and Grading

The qualification is assessed through a balanced combination of exam-based and coursework-based learning, ensuring pupils can demonstrate both theoretical understanding and practical ability.

• Unit R093 (exam): 40%


• Unit R094 (coursework): 30%


• Optional unit (coursework): 30%

Grading Structure (GCSE Equivalent)

Level 1

• Pass (1)


• Merit (2)


• Distinction (3)

Level 2

• Pass (4–5)


• Merit (5–6)


• Distinction (7–8)


• Distinction* (8–9)

Why Choose Creative iMedia at Kingsley?

Through engaging, client-focused projects, pupils gain hands-on experience while developing practical, creative and technical skills. The course encourages independence, collaboration and confidence — key attributes for success in further education and creative careers.

Creative iMedia at Kingsley is an excellent choice for pupils considering pathways into:

• Digital design and marketing


• Animation, audio and visual production


• Gaming and interactive media


• Creative technology courses at post-16 and beyond

The course reflects Kingsley’s commitment to preparing pupils for a rapidly evolving digital world, combining academic rigour with creativity and real-world relevance.

Find Out More

If you would like to discuss the Cambridge National in Creative iMedia in more detail, including suitability for your child and future progression pathways, we would be delighted to help.

To arrange a conversation or ask any questions about the course, please contact Jack Gordon at jgordon@kingsleydevon.com