Course specification and structure
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PMDIGMED - MA Digital Media

Course Specification


Validation status Validated
Highest award Master of Arts Level Masters
Possible interim awards Postgraduate Diploma, Postgraduate Certificate, Advanced Diploma in Professional Development
Total credits for course 180
Awarding institution London Metropolitan University
Teaching institutions London Metropolitan University
School School of Computing and Digital Media
Subject Area Creative Technologies and Digital Media
Attendance options
Option Minimum duration Maximum duration
Full-time 1 YEARS 6 YEARS
Part-time 2 YEARS 6 YEARS
Course leader  

About the course and its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning/e-learning

A blended learning strategy will be employed to enhance the learning experience, facilitate communication between students and tutors and develop collaboration among students.
The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) will be used as a platform to support online activities, for example: on-line discussion, role-play, blog writing, evaluation of online resources, access to electronic reading packs, viewing and reviewing of online video/film, access to online media databases etc.) and to facilitate formative assessment and related feedback as well as a tool to integrate useful online learning materials provided by research institutions, academic publications, professional organisations and other relevant sources.

Course aims

• To develop expertise, competencies and awareness in the area of digital media technologies and applications appropriate to leadership in digital media

• To equip students with the capacity to draw upon a range of skills in digital media design, production and management

• To further develop skills in research, evaluation and critical analysis through study of the role of new media within social, economic and cultural contexts

Course learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
By the end of this programme students should be able to:

1. critically evaluate the uses and applications of new media and interactive communications
2. contextualize issues in digital media and identify solutions for the new media culture and industry
3. research and analyse good practice in interactive media design and production

Cognitive/intellectual skills
By the end of this programme students should be able to:

1. identify, critically analyse and apply appropriate research methods in the field of digital media studies
2. critically analyse the current issues and future developments in multimedia and electronic publishing
3. research, analyse and critically evaluate digital media production processes

Subject-specific Practical skills
By the end of this programme students should be able to:

1. apply design, development and management skills to the production of new media projects
2. assess and select the appropriate tools to produce a multimedia project
3. produce multimedia projects using the appropriate software applications

Key/transferable skills including employability and professional practice
By the end of the course the student is expected to be able to:

1. communicate effectively in a media professional environment
2. appreciate the complexity of the international media and creative industries
3. evaluate, select and use appropriate communication technologies

Course learning outcomes / Module cross reference

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of this programme students should be able to:

critically evaluate the uses and applications of new media and interactive communications
contextualize issues in digital media and identify solutions for the new media culture and industry
research and analyse good practice in interactive media design and production


Cognitive/intellectual skills

By the end of this programme students should be able to:

identify, critically analyse and apply appropriate research methods in the field of digital media studies
critically analyse the current issues and future developments in multimedia and electronic publishing
research, analyse and critically evaluate digital media production processes


Subject-specific Practical skills

By the end of this programme students should be able to:

apply design, development and management skills to the production of new media projects
assess and select the appropriate tools to produce a multimedia project
produce multimedia projects using the appropriate software applications


Key/transferable skills including employability and professional practice

By the end of the course the student is expected to be able to:

communicate effectively in a media professional environment
appreciate the complexity of the international media and creative industries
evaluate, select and use appropriate communication technologies

Principle QAA benchmark statements

N/A

Assessment strategy

Assessment methods include case study analysis, reports, presentations, production plans, interactive projects, essays, dissertation and digital project.

Organised work experience, work based learning, sandwich year or year abroad

The course offers a designate option, a 20 credits work related learning module. The School of Computing and Digital Media’s World of Work (WOW) Agency offers opportunities to enhance employability skills, gain real experience and ‘earn while you learn’; through placements into real client-driven projects - working with business and industry.

Modules required for interim awards

Core modules:
SM7007 Principles of Digital Media
SM7102 Digital Media Project Management
SM7P08 Digital Media Dissertation or SM7P04 Digital Project

The MA in Digital Media follows a set pattern of 2 Cores, 4 Options and a Dissertation or Digital Project (60 credits). Students will be required to choose four optional modules of which at least three must be designated options while one may be a ‘free’ option taken from any MA course in the University.
PG in Diploma Digital Media:
Any combination of from the Course Structure Diagram - one of which must be from the core modules - to the value of 120 points.

PG Certificate in Digital Media:
Any combination of modules from the Course Structure Diagram - one of which must be from the core modules - to the value of 60 points

Arrangements for promoting reflective learning and personal development

Students will be invited to reflect critically on their learning and on their personal development planning in a variety of ways. In the first semester students will also produce a Dissertation/Project Proposal outlining their chosen research topics and discussing how their research work will consolidate and enhance their learning experience and might contribute to their career opportunities or opportunities for further studies.

Arrangements on the course for careers education, information and guidance

Students will be encouraged to consider career opportunities throughout the course via: career workshops, industry talks, career-related information distributed via the course social media channels and the Virtual learning Environment, industry visits and participation to industry-related networking events.

Other external links providing expertise and experience

The School of Computing and Digital Media organises subject specific workshops with a series of talks delivered by senior level guest speakers from the industry. These are normally built-into timetabled sessions to improve student participation. Students also have a wide range of networking opportunities to meet with both the academic and industry external clients via the School’s industry day event.

Career opportunities

Our graduates have gone to work for companies including Red Bull Media House and Miniclip. There roles have included digital media producer, digital media manager, freelance graphic designer and junior account manager.

As a graduate of our Digital Media MA, you'll be well suited to work in:

  • web design
  • user experience design
  • interactive media production
  • digital video production
  • new media project management and account handling
  • consultancy and policy advice in the area of digital media and communication technology
  • social media management
  • digital media strategy
  • training and research in related fields
  • electronic publishing
  • online journalism and broadcasting
  • administration, management and research in digital media
  • digital advertising and marketing
  • digital information industries

Entry requirements

You will be required to have:

  • a good honours degree (or equivalent)

If you have a lower qualification grade but substantial relevant experience in the design, media or communications industries you're still encouraged to apply. You’ll be asked to provide a written summary of your work history demonstrating its relationship to the aims of the course.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Official use and codes

Approved to run from 2013/14 Specification version 1 Specification status Validated
Original validation date 01 Sep 2013 Last validation date 01 Sep 2013  
Sources of funding HE FUNDING COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND
JACS codes P304 (Electronic Media Studies): 100%
Route code DIGMED

Course Structure

Stage 1 Level 07 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
SM7007 Principles of Digital Media Core 20 NORTH AUT FRI PM
SM7102 Digital Media Project Management Core 20 NORTH SPR FRI PM
SM7P04 Digital Project Alt Core 60        
SM7P08 Digital Media Dissertation Alt Core 60        
FC7W03 Work Related Learning Option 20 NORTH SPR WED PM
          NORTH AUT WED PM
OEL067 Advanced English for Masters Studies Option 20        
SJ7105 Multimedia Journalism Option 20        
SJ7108 Digital Storytelling Option 20 NORTH SPR TUE AM
SM7031 Digital Video Production Option 20 NORTH AUT MON PM
SM7089 Globalisation Option 20        
SM7098 Interaction Design Option 20 NORTH SPR FRI AM
SM7103 Digital Media Strategy and Consultancy Option 20 NORTH SPR MON PM
SM7107 Web Design Option 20 NORTH AUT FRI AM

Stage 1 Level 07 January start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
SM7007 Principles of Digital Media Core 20        
SM7102 Digital Media Project Management Core 20 NORTH SPR FRI PM
SM7P04 Digital Project Alt Core 60        
SM7P08 Digital Media Dissertation Alt Core 60        
FC7W03 Work Related Learning Option 20 NORTH SPR WED PM
OEL067 Advanced English for Masters Studies Option 20        
SJ7105 Multimedia Journalism Option 20        
SJ7108 Digital Storytelling Option 20 NORTH SPR TUE AM
SM7031 Digital Video Production Option 20        
SM7089 Globalisation Option 20        
SM7098 Interaction Design Option 20 NORTH SPR FRI AM
SM7103 Digital Media Strategy and Consultancy Option 20 NORTH SPR MON PM
SM7107 Web Design Option 20