Common Media Programme (N14)

Why CMP?

  • Your alternative and most flexible gateway to Singapore's original media school 
  • Gain exposure to different media disciplines and training to be a multi-platform media practitioner
  • No exams – work on projects that will enhance your portfolio
  • You're a winner either way guaranteed entry to one of our exciting courses, plus a chance to join our extensive network and make your mark on the media industry and beyond

About CMP

Life is full of hard choices, such as picking one of the three exciting courses by Singapore’s original media school. If you want to explore different disciplines before deciding, then the Common Media Programme (CMP) is totally for you.

Dive into your first semester with transmedia storytelling and ‘taster’ modules that introduce you to our three courses. You will learn diverse content creation skills for multiple platforms and harness the power of generative AI to engage audiences. Discover your unique strengths and career aspirations through the specially curated Diploma Exposure Programme, M:idea Fest conference, and Career & Preparation module.

All our media diplomas are designed to give you hands-on, industry-relevant experience through internships and real-world projects. These opportunities will help you build skills needed to become a multi-hyphenate media professional, ready to take on exciting roles across the industry!

What’s more, there are no exams in this course. Instead, you’ll work on projects that help you develop a portfolio to showcase your skills. By the end of your first semester, you will have gained deeper insights into each area, allowing you to rank and choose from our three diplomas: Mass Communication, Film, Sound & Video, or Media Post-Production.

Personally, the CMP program was actually helpful and insightful for me, because I came in with the idea that I would be most interested in MCM, but I ended up loving FSV after I learnt more about all the courses and discovered my strengths. 

CMP has broadened my perspective on the different aspects of the media industry. I’ve equipped myself with skills from the taster modules connected to the three specialised diplomas. If you are unsure of what to specialise in, CMP is for you! Do keep an open mind and explore your interests!

CMP is a great course for students to learn different aspects of media through the different taster modules. From Video Production all the way to Integrated Marketing Communications, going through the different modules helped me understand more about the courses offered and which one suited me the most. 

Highlights of CMP

CMP-highlights

DID YOU KNOW?

92% of CMP students obtained their preferred course choice.

 

Entry Requirements

AGGREGATE TYPE ELR2B2-A

To be eligible for consideration, candidates must have the following GCE ‘O’ Level examination (or equivalent) results.

Subject'O' Level Grade
English Language1-6
Additional Mathematics/Mathematics1-7
Any one of the 1st group of Relevant Subjects for the ELR2B2-A Aggregate Type
1-6

Applicants must also fulfil the aggregate computation requirements for the ELR2B2-A Aggregate Type ( English Language, 2 relevant subjects and 2 other best subjects) listed at www.np.edu.sg/docs/ELR2B2.pdf.

Students opting to be streamed into the Diploma in Mass Communication must obtain grade 1 to 4 for O-level English Language.

For students with other qualifications, please refer to the NP website for the entry requirements and admissions exercise period. 

Candidates with colour vision deficiency, severe vision deficiency or hearing deficiency may encounter difficulties meeting the course requirements and expectations.


What You Will Learn

Career & Professional Preparation I (1 Credit Unit)
This module gives students a foundational introduction to their three-year diploma course curriculum and how it prepares them for industry. It will help them to embark on their course with the end in mind, through guided reflection of their personal characteristics and producing an overall game plan for heir their future education and career goals. The module aims to deepen students’ commitment to the sector that the course prepares them for.

Introduction to Film & Media (4 Credit Units)
This module examines multi-platform content and the digital platforms and technologies by which the content is delivered (virtual conferences, streaming, blogs, social media, online videos, immersive experiences). Students will appreciate and analyse a variety of media with different perspectives based on multiple platforms to reach an audience. By the end of the module, students will become more literate “produsers” and critics of multi-platform media today.

Motion Graphics (4 Credit Units)
This module gives students hands-on experience in creating motion graphics for digital media. Students will be taught skills such as visual design and the creation of computer-generated graphics in service of multi-platform commercial media productions (video, immersive media, social media, etc.).

Storytelling Techniques (3 Credit Units)
This module scaffolds and synthesises storytelling, functional writing, and research techniques, to create engaging multi-platform content. Through the module, students will be taught the tools to effectively ideate compelling story and content ideas and efficiently craft considered and professional written treatments and proposals, with which to present their content and engage audiences across media platforms.

Integrated Marketing Communications (4 Credit Units)
This module introduces students to the basic principles and concepts of marketing communications, with an emphasis on promotion in marketing. Students will learn about marketing and how its promotional elements must be integrated to communicate effectively. Students will apply basic skills in research and market analysis to plan and develop a marketing communications campaign.

Video Production (4 Credit Units)
This is a foundation module introducing students to single-camera video production. The module gives students hands-on experience with pre-production planning, single-camera operation, location lighting, grip work, sound recording and non-linear video editing. Students will gain an understanding of working with moving images and learn to combine them with simple soundtracks to create compelling content.

Health & Wellness^ (1 Credit Unit)
This is a Level 1 Core module for all Year 1 students. The module will introduce students to the importance of maintaining both physical and mental health through the knowledge and monitoring of health indicators, and application through appropriate exercises. The aim of the module is to empower students with basic knowledge and skills to be independent and responsible in maintaining overall personal health. 

English Language Express^*



^ Critical Core modules account for 10 credit units of the diploma curriculum. They include modules in innovation and world issues, as well as an interdisciplinary project. By bringing students from diverse diplomas together, the interdisciplinary project fosters collaboration to explore and propose solutions for real-world problems. NP aims to develop students to be agile and self-directed learners, ready for the future workplace.

^* For selected students only

FAQs

The Common Media Programme (CMP) is specifically tailored for applicants who have a passion for media but are unsure of which area to pursue. Upon completing the first semester of modules to explore and understand the various disciplines, applicants will then decide between Film, Sound & Video, Mass Communication or Media Post-Production*

*Note that we may not be able to allocate all students to their choice courses due to the number of vacancies and other factors. Please see the FAQ on How will CMP students be allocated to courses.
The respective course entry requirements apply. For example, if you intend to enrol into Mass Communication and FSV, then you will need to satisfy the entry requirements for both courses.

Film, Sound & Video - Candidates with severe vision or hearing deficiency should not apply for the course. Those with a colour vision deficiency are required to declare this condition at enrolment, as certain modules require colour recognition.

Mass Communication - Minimum B4 for English Language

Media Post-Production - Candidates with severe vision deficiency or hearing deficiency should not apply for the course. Those with colour vision deficiency may be considered, subject to passing an in-house test.
No.
Course allocation after the first semester will be based on candidates’ GPA for that semester, grade for the module most relevant to course of choice, course choice, vacancies in the selected course and relevant entry requirements.
You can appeal for course transfer after the second semester.
CMP students will have opportunities to attend course sharing sessions for each of the constituent diplomas, career talks by professionals from various media industry arms and education and career guidance by their ECG advisors. Additionally, there will be a 1 hour e-learning module and 1-hour hands-on module for CMP students to experience sampler lessons from each diploma, outside of the core curriculum.
There will be no disadvantage as a CMP student because all FMS students will be attending the same semester with the same modules.
The main difference for the CMP students is that after the first semester, you will get a chance to select the diploma of your choice to stream into.
The CMP will take in approximately 70 students in each cohort.
The qualities for CMP students that our EAE assessors look for are the same as those of any FMS students looking to enter any of our three diplomas. We are looking for people who are passionate about the film and media industry, who are self-starting and self-disciplined, that undertake creative endeavours in and outside of the confines of schoolwork and who possess a strong willingness to learn all about the ins and outs of the film and media industry.
The modules of Introduction to Film & Media and Storytelling Techniques are modules that will be taught in the context of the general film and media industry and will benefit students in their understanding of the film and media industry and how the different arms of the industry work together.
The Integrated Marketing Communications module is the taster module for the Mass Communication diploma. The Video Production module is the taster module for the Film, Sound & Video diploma. And the Motion Graphics module is the taster module for the Media Post-Production diploma.
Yes. As all FMS students will undertake the same modules in the CMP semester, regardless of diploma, there will be opportunities to interact and work with students who have been admitted directly into the constituent FMS courses. There will also be interaction opportunities via the FMS CCAs that you can participate in such as FMS Council, Radio Heatwave and Scene52.
The key difference of FMS’ CMP is that you can get a chance to stream into the original film and media courses of the polytechnic with the longest history and most established list of film and media alumni in Singapore.

Got a Question?

Contact_FMS@np.edu.sg