This document contains Joe Duffy's UCAS application. It includes details of his GCSE grades and current study at UAL Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology. It also provides information on several university courses Joe is considering, including Computer Game Design at University of Huddersfield and Games Design and Production at University of Salford. Joe's personal statement discusses his academic history, focusing on art and animation projects. It highlights the skills he has gained in planning, designing, and animating projects. Joe explains that he does not have a clear career path but is interested in animation courses to further develop his technical skills and understanding of the field.

1. UCAS APPLICATION
Joe Duffy
BUZZWORD – castle2020

2. Grades

3. GCSEs
Millthorpe School
Year Subject Grade Awarding Body
11 English Language 5 AQA
11 English Literature 6 AQA
11 Maths 4 Pearson Edexcel
11 Geography 6 AQA
11 History 6 AQA
11 Art and Design (Fine
Art)
5 AQA
11 French 4 AQA
11 RE 6 Pearson Edexcel
11 Combined Science:
Trilogy
5-5 AQA

4. UAL Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production
and Technology (Year 1)
Unit Grade
1. Introduction to Media Processes and Technical Skills
P
02. Introduction to Design and Research Skills in Creative Media
Production
P
03. Introduction to Professional Practice in Creative Media
Production
P
04. Critical and Contextual Awareness in Creative Media
Production
P
05. Investigating Audio Production and Technology
P P
06. Investigating Visual Production and Technology
P P
07. Investigating Interactive Production and Technology
P P
08. Developing a Creative Media Production Project
M

5. Final Grade Y1
Grade UCAS Points
PASS 36
MERIT 60
DISTINCTION 84
Final Points Final Grade
60 M

6. UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media
Production and Technology (Year 2)
Unit Grade
9. Characteristics & Contexts in Creative Media
Production
10. Engaging With an Audience in Creative
Media Production
11. Preparing for Progression in Creative Media
Production
12. Specialist Study in Creative Media
Production
13.Extended Project in Creative Media
Production

7. Final Grade Y2
Grade UCAS Points
PASS 72
MERIT 120
DISTINCTION 168
Final Points Final Grade

8. Courses

9. University Course
Course Title Computer Game Design
UCAS Code G4W6
Link https://digital.ucas.com/courses/details?CoursePrimaryId=995e9b7e-4671-
c986-1e69-04dea6995973&CourseOptionId=d8b4f17e-8b0d-44c7-8dac-
2d11e76c178b
Location University of Huddersfield
Entry Requirements/
Qualification
GCSE
Grades
• Grade 4 English Language or Literature and Maths
UAL Grade
UCAS points • 128 Points
General Comments/
Course Content
• It looks like it links to the type of subject I would be interested in but the
UCAS points are slightly more than I think I could comfortably get. Also,
on a personal level, the team part of the course will probably take me
out of my comfort zone.
Rating/Suitability (0-
10> 10 Being Most
Suitable)
7

10. University Course
Course Title Games Design and Production
UCAS Code G470
Link https://digital.ucas.com/courses/details?coursePrimaryId=01fe9fbb-
be65-8a61-47d1-6b2bc165b176&academicYearId=2020
Location University of Salford
Entry Requirements/
Qualification
GCSE
Grades
• Grade 4 in English and Maths
UAL Grade
UCAS points • 96 – 112 Points
General Comments/
Course Content
• The course description isn't very in depth but from the
summary, the work in the course looks to advance learning with
experienced people at the helm. As long as I can get support in
areas like coding, I will hopefully not struggle a terrible amount.
Rating/Suitability (0-
10> 10 Being Most
Suitable)
8/9

11. University Course
Course Title Game Art
UCAS Code I620
Link https://digital.ucas.com/courses/details?coursePrimaryId=e05627fe-
1b34-4513-989f-eb743ade68c2&academicYearId=2020
Location Futureworks (Salford?)
Entry Requirements/
Qualification
GCSE
Grades
• N/A
UAL Grade
UCAS points • 104 Points
General Comments/
Course Content
• The course looks like it tries to prepare students for varied types of
work in the field and teach a progressive subject. However there
isn't much idea of how the subject will develop so I can't be entirely
sure.
Rating/Suitability (0-
10> 10 Being Most
Suitable)
9

12. University Course
Course Title Animation
UCAS Code W615
Link https://digital.ucas.com/courses/details?coursePrimaryId=437862a1-d84c-
0538-1da4-b3ec825abd99&academicYearId=2020
Location University of Bradford
Entry Requirements/
Qualification
GCSE
Grades
• Grade 4 in English and Mathematics
UAL Grade
UCAS points • 112 Points
General Comments/
Course Content
• The course appears to cover a wide variety of subjects within the theme
which helps progress my education. As with the Video Game
Huddersfield course, there are oral presentations and team activites that
will take some getting used to.
Rating/Suitability (0-
10> 10 Being Most
Suitable)
8

13. University Course
Course Title Animation
UCAS Code D367
Link https://digital.ucas.com/courses/details?coursePrimaryId=ac2bace5-
8a10-2ece-4125-5e0f9bf1228f&academicYearId=2020
Location Manchester Metropolitan University
Entry Requirements/
Qualification
GCSE
Grades
• Grade 4 English Language
UAL Grade
UCAS points • 112 Points
General Comments/
Course Content
• The course looks like it benefits from its location as there are
many media areas to visit to learn about professional work in
the same subject which would help. However Year 3 looks like it
could be very pressuring to complete successfully.
Rating/Suitability (0-
10> 10 Being Most
Suitable)
8

14. University Course
Course Title Digital Media
UCAS Code A8J7
Link https://digital.ucas.com/courses/details?coursePrimaryId=de9be939
-ae64-dd8d-5aed-57527d6a291a&academicYearId=2020
Location University of Salford
Entry Requirements/
Qualification
GCSE
Grades
• Grade 4 or above in Maths and English
• Compulsory grade in Art and Design
UAL Grade
UCAS points • 112 – 128 Points
• Include specific subjects; Art, Design, Media
General Comments/
Course Content
• While the description keeps annoyingly unspecific about the
course, I think, from my guess, that if I don't have decently clear
idea on what I want to do after College, it could give me more
varied education.
Rating/Suitability (0-
10> 10 Being Most
Suitable)
7

15. University Course
Course Title Digital Media
UCAS Code P390
Link https://digital.ucas.com/courses/details?CoursePrimaryId=c4882e14-
346c-b0e3-2f91-54df73e06af9&CourseOptionId=ab2cc639-d657-4ac8-
be12-47f021c60fe3
Location University of Leeds
Entry Requirements/
Qualification
GCSE
Grades
• N/A
UAL Grade
UCAS points • 128 - 138 Points
General Comments/
Course Content
• Unlike Salford, the description gives a more vivid idea of the tasks
that will be done, and the things you do seem more flexible to your
preferences. However the points needed to enter seem to be a
challenge to get compared to other courses.
Rating/Suitability (0-
10> 10 Being Most
Suitable)
8

16. University Course
Course Title Film and Television Studies
UCAS Code W360
Link https://digital.ucas.com/courses/details?coursePrimaryId=fd11c526-
6611-94ad-db84-7eac9ff0fa64&academicYearId=2020
Location University of Nottingham
Entry Requirements/
Qualification
GCSE
Grades
• Grade 4 English
UAL Grade
UCAS points • 128 Points
General Comments/
Course Content
• The general course looks very interesting to look into film making,
with some practical work included, but I don't know if my interest
will be consistent as the subject appears to be very writing focussed
as it's majority which could become unbearably straining on my
focus and adoration. The points are fairly high as well.
Rating/Suitability (0-
10> 10 Being Most
Suitable)
6/7

17. Personal
Statement
Support in the notes section at the bottom of each slide

18. Introduction
I am looking to apply for a subject in the media area, perhaps in
animation and/ or video games. I want to go to university as I
believe it will improve my knowledge and skills of these subjects
which will help me find a decent place of employment later in life
as I can impress employers with the work I produced with the
help of the course I chose.

19. Academic History
I think my work in GCSE Art would be fruitful in any of the university courses I would go into, as we
had to have a good ability to analysis how different artworks could be interpreted and what
techniques went into their creation. This improved my thought process when looking a how a piece
of work was meant to be seen, below the surface level. And obviously, the production of our own
art gave me an idea of my strengths and weaknesses when looking at my artistic ability. The better
knowledge of my artistic capabilities, and therefore limits, lets me enforce my visual ideas in a style
I know I can manage. The course has made me want to work on what kind of art I am comfortable
making in an original format as I have gotten too comfortable just copying other images or art. I
hope in whatever university subject I move to, I can further develop my artistic ability that pushes
what kind of designs I can create on a page.
Some of the work I made in College has a more direct link to the subjects I am looking to advance to
in university than the GCSE's. For instance, throughout the first year, I made a few animations that
are meant to be interpreted as video games. I learned how I should plan out my projects and how I
should develop my ideas, understanding what was realistically possible and what I could strive to
make. The skill will help me as it has given me a better idea of how to manage my time, with how
much time each area of the project needs to be completed. As mentioned in the Art segment, I
know I have become comfortable not pushing my creative side. So in my animated final project for
College Year 1, I made new characters that looked interesting and more importantly, felt like my
own work. I hope that the course I choose to work in will advance my creative side further. Through
these animations, I know I have developed a much better understanding how I should animate my
work. Each piece has progressively improved in detail and motion as I have gotten to know the most
effective ways of creating my assets. With these animations, I have to improve how they move,
making each appear more visually, and audibly, better. In my university studies, I want to push

20. Current StudyAs a general thought, the entire course has influenced my choice to seek more media focussed subjects in
university, as with the wide range of skills it has taught me about how to use different programmes to
produce multi-media products.
My first project in the course required creating an animation for an adver-game. I had to learn how I would
progress the narrative in a quick and effective way, and learn how to produce animation on Photoshop. I had
the game be a platformer where to advance you had to collect items to defeat the end boss. I also got used
to the idea of creating assets that would change shape and position through each frame to create a
consistent animation. These two major points have helped me through the first year, being able to create a
stable foundation by making the basic story premise and learning new skills for the animating section on
Photoshop. I also tried to show musical progression in my work as, when the character collected the
advertised product of Irn-Bru, the music would change a little. All of this work has prepared me for the type
of work I plan to do in university, with motion being a key part of the subjects.
My next two projects in the first year developed my planning and pre-visualling a lot more. This was
necessary since the production had either a limited amount of space on the page for Print, or a limited
amount of time to film for Music Video. For the Print project, we had to produce a front cover and double
page spread for a magazine. I chose a game to base this off, so I needed to have space for information,
pictures and a bit of style to make the page look interesting to a hypothetical reader. While the overall
product could have looked a little cleaner, I think my planning made the process of creating the pages far
easier. The idea of using the rotoscope I had been making in my own time as a part of the project helped
significanly, proving to myself I could improve my products with fast thinking as well as a lot of planning
beforehand. As for the Music Video, due to many variables that could slow down filming, I had to plan out
where, when and who could make the content for my product. I planned out the production by printing out
the lyrics and writing by each line, what the cast would do and what types of camera work I would do. This
made the filming go very smoothly, completely all of it in a single day, and editing all of it became a jigsaw of
just putting all the pieces into the place, rather than getting confused by the footage. The kind of preparing I
did in these products will surely help with any course I choose at university, ensuring I don’t get very far

21. Current Study
For the fourth project, my imagination would be the key part of the Video Game Animation. I had to think about
the genre and what parts would make the game more enticing if it were played, as well as develop the Photoshop
skills I learned from the first project. I drew out detailed character and area art, as a reference for my actual
production, which made the process of translating them very efficient. The designs had to be interesting and work
well in the story without losing personality so I wrote a script to clearly define this. All of this preparation made
the basic work on the production ridiculously fast, especially the dangerous cavern area. However, even with the
work beforehand, my animation wasn't quite as smooth as I would have wished, with the design work not giving
much space to move character parts which was a slight disappointment. The sound work was more complex than
anything I had done previously, with two tracks for the cave and battle scene, but actual voice lines were
introduced to give the characters more personality, which made up for the lack of proper movement with the
actual character models. As I am leaning toward doing something to do with moving images, this project really
helped set up what type of work I would be going into if I chose that kind of course at university.
For my Final Major Project, I decided without hesitation that I was going to use the same idea from the last project
as I grown very fond of the world I created and really wanted to improve it. During the project, I was told the
production should have started earlier than expected which, while annoying, gave me a lesson to be ready for the
unexpected and work with what you've got. I placed out a very basic plan of the area as I hadn't fully developed
it's appearance, more so as a measure for the character models. I adapted the angle of the game to allow for more
detail and created layers for what I had to make, checking them off as I went. This preperation on the fly kept me
focussed on the key parts without any confusion. I made the characters motions all together so I didn't forget how
I made it and made sure it flowed better, improving vastly on the previous project. However, later on in the
project, I knew I wouldn’t be able to finish the animation how I planned so made alterations midway to
accommodate for time, developing my skill for understanding how I should use my time effectively. For the sound,
I used the same ideas from previously, but with more complex pieces, better sounding voices and adding sound
effects for the environment. This made the cavern have more personality as with the characters. The project to
vastly improve my prior work allowed me to see how much I learned, and I think this kind of progress could
happen with the types of courses I am looking at for university. The animation, while very tiring, was satisfactory

22. The Future
I do not have a clear idea of what I would want to do in the future, but
generally the types of things I would be looking to go into would be
with animation so obviously, a course relating this type of work at
university would be very effective at teaching me more advanced, or
even essential basic techniques relating the subject. I have done some
animation, but I doubt it's at a professional level so even if it turns out
that type of course what I wanted, I will have hopefully gotten more
insight on how the subject works.

23. Outside College
In my spare time, I find I spend a lot of time playing video games, with the Nintendo Switch as the
main console I use. This long admiration of games ever since Wii Sports has grown my interest in
not just the games, but thanks to the internet and YouTube, the community who enjoys these
games too and certain releases bring different opinions. I have learned that these businesses,
with Nintendo in particular, have to function well as a business so providing for their audience is
important to be successful. By playing games for fun and having a bit of an understanding in how
game companies do well, I think these small portions of knowledge would be beneficial to have
for university, as I could look at how whatever I do would appeal to people and how I could use
that to get a net positive in my own work.
Along with the rest of my family I enjoy a lot of films, except perhaps horror! I watch a lot of films
at home, especially at tea time, in a variety of genres and languages as it opens up many different
viewpoints on how to change the formula of a specific type of film, based on the director's
personal beliefs or culture of their country. My personal favourite set of films isn't particularly
original, that being the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but despite it's main stream persona, the over
twenty film story is an impressive and very interesting thing to analyse. Since it can have many
directors and genres that all work as one narrative, it is fun to watch the films and YouTube essays
about particular scenes or themes. I am also a regular visitor to the cinema to watch new films on
the big screen. I hold a membership to the local cinema in town, being the Picture House, so I
afford to go more often to niche titles I may not have gone to regularly. I think my interest in
analysing why certain techniques or story points were made, with my appreciation increasing with
video essays, and viewing a wide range of famous and lesser known films would be useful in
university as I can think further into how I showed something and how that would be interpreted.

24. Conclusion
I want to go to university as it will help give me some idea of what
kind of job I actually want, with a course that will encourage or
discourage the subject I am thinking of going into. The experience will
hopefully give the chance to improve my social skills by interacting
with people in my dormitory area and classes, improving my
confidence in possible group work and social gatherings further along
in life. Getting a qualification from university will also icrease my
chances of good work placements later in life, and therefore a better
income.