Explore 100 Creative and Media Qualifications: A Student’s Guide to Courses, Training Hours and OJT

Do you enjoy sketching characters, editing videos, taking photographs or creating music? Your interests can help you explore the many kinds of work involved in media and entertainment.

Choosing a course becomes easier when you understand what it teaches, whether you meet its entry requirements and how much practical training it includes.

This guide brings together 100 Qualification Packs (QPs) from the MESC catalogue reviewed for ZICA ZIMA Hegde Nagar. It includes separate columns for institute training and On-the-Job Training (OJT), along with explanations of missing information and differences between published documents.

What is a Qualification Pack?

A Qualification Pack, or QP, describes the competencies associated with a particular job role. Its code identifies the qualification, while its version distinguishes revisions.

For example, Graphic Designer — MES/Q0601 v3.0 identifies a specific qualification and version. Ask for these details when enquiring about a course so you can compare its syllabus and entry requirements accurately.

MESC stands for the Media & Entertainment Skills Council. Its catalogue covers roles across animation, filmmaking, advertising, journalism, music, performing arts and related fields. Source: MESC Qualification Packs.

Institute training and OJT: Understanding the difference

Institute training includes the learning delivered through the training institute. For the PMKVY webpage figures used in this guide, it includes theory, practical sessions and employability skills.

On-the-Job Training (OJT) means supervised workplace learning where students apply their course skills.

For example, MESC’s PMKVY webpage lists the Graphic Designer qualification at 540 total hours, comprising 480 hours of institute learning and 60 hours of OJT. The workplace hours are already included in the total. Source: MESC PMKVY course details.

Hours do not tell you the calendar duration. A course’s timetable depends on how many hours classes run each day and how the centre schedules workplace training.

How to read this course guide

The source review found published OJT figures for 48 of the 100 roles, across MESC’s PMKVY webpage and linked model curricula. For the other 52 roles, an explicit duration could not be established from the reviewed documents.

The tables use the following labels:

Keep the source versions in mind. Catalogue totals appear in their own column. An older curriculum’s OJT figure should not automatically be subtracted from that total to calculate institute hours. Institute hours therefore remain NR where a compatible breakdown has not been established.

The catalogue below combines findings from the MESC qualification catalogue, model curricula and PMKVY role details.

The complete list of 100 qualifications

Qualifications 1–25

Qualifications 26–50

Qualifications 51–75

Qualifications 76–100

Why some OJT figures need clarification

Published documents sometimes disagree within the same curriculum or across different versions. Students should request the approved hour breakdown for the exact course and batch they plan to join.

Assistant Costume Designer

The linked v1.0 curriculum’s OJT module lists 22 hours 30 minutes mandatory and 22 hours 30 minutes recommended, while its summary shows 100 OJT hours. These figures need reconciliation before a student relies on them. Source: Assistant Costume Designer curriculum.

Costume Designer

The linked v1.0 curriculum shows 90 OJT hours in its summary and 100 hours in its OJT module. Neither figure should be presented as the confirmed requirement for the catalogue’s v2.0 qualification without clarification. Source: Costume Designer curriculum.

Offset Print Operator

The linked curriculum’s OJT module lists 35 mandatory hours and 35 recommended hours, while the summary shows 50 OJT hours. The applicable duration needs confirmation. Source: Offset Print Operator curriculum.

Project Manager (OOH) Media

The linked curriculum’s OJT module lists 50 mandatory hours and 25 recommended hours, while the summary shows 60 OJT hours. Its qualification code also differs from the catalogue entry. Source: Project Manager (OOH) Media curriculum.

Still Photographer

MESC’s PMKVY webpage lists 60 OJT hours, while the older v1.0 model curriculum lists 50 mandatory OJT hours. The main table uses the PMKVY webpage’s 510-hour breakdown and identifies the older curriculum difference. Sources: PMKVY role details, Still Photographer curriculum.

Mandatory and recommended hours should remain separate. Do not automatically add them together or assume both apply to your batch. Ask the centre to explain the approved requirement.

How to choose a course that fits your interests

If you enjoy drawing and visual storytelling

Explore Drawing and Painting Artist, Storyboard Artist, Character Designer and Animator.

Ask to see examples of assignments. Find out whether students practise drawing, sequencing a story or developing characters, and how trainers review their work.

For digital artwork, you can also investigate Modeller, Texturing Artist, Rigging Artist, Lighting Artist and Game Artist. Check the syllabus to understand how these roles differ before choosing one.

If you enjoy photography and filmmaking

Compare Still Photographer, Assistant Cameraman, Camera Operator, Cinematographer/Videographer and Editor.

Ask what equipment students use and how much access they receive outside demonstrations. Find out what projects you will complete and whether you can review examples from previous batches.

If you enjoy music, recording or voice work

Explore Sound Assistant, Sound Editor, Sound Engineer, Music Programmer and Voice-over Artist.

Ask about access to recording equipment and practical exercises. For music-related qualifications, check the entry requirements carefully, including any prior learning or experience.

If you enjoy writing and communication

Investigate Community Journalist, Correspondent, Script Researcher and Script Writer.

Ask whether the course includes practical assignments relevant to your interests, such as researching a story, conducting an interview or developing a script. Compare the actual syllabus rather than relying on the title alone.

If you enjoy online content and advertising

Explore Graphic Designer, Social Media Executive, Search Engine Optimization Executive and Search Engine Marketing Executive.

Request examples of course projects and ask how students receive feedback. Find out whether the training helps you explain your decisions and evaluate your work.

Check eligibility before applying

The catalogue includes qualifications for different stages of education and work experience. Some pathways involve school education or vocational certificates. Others require a degree, an earlier qualification or relevant experience.

A qualification’s title and hours do not establish whether a beginner can join.

The supplied business review also identifies disagreements between some webpage eligibility summaries and linked qualification documents. Before applying, share your education and experience with the centre and request written confirmation against the current approved qualification.

Senior roles such as Animation Director, Executive Producer and Account Director deserve particular attention to experience requirements.

Ask practical questions about workplace training

OJT is more useful to compare when you understand how it will operate.

Before enrolling, ask:

• Who arranges the workplace training?

• Where will it take place?

• What tasks will students complete?

• Who supervises students and provides feedback?

• How are attendance and learning recorded?

• Does it involve travel or other student expenses?

For qualifications marked NR, request the approved curriculum or qualification file showing the separate institute and OJT hours.

For qualifications with conflicting figures, ask the centre to identify which approved document governs your batch.