PMDIGMED - MA Digital Media

Our students are keenly aware of the user experience and usability in their development of socio-technical systems, and make use of relevant management and business practices, including economic considerations and evaluation of commercial risks in doing so. Adhering to principles of the QAA Subject Benchmark Statements for Computing

They appreciate the interconnectedness of digital media texts and contexts, and of the shifting configurations of communicative, cultural and aesthetic practices and systems. They study the interrelationships of technological and social change. Furthermore, they develop a personal practice that links pre-production and production techniques and consider distribution, circulation, reception and use. Whilst all the while being familiar with the legal, ethical and regulatory frameworks of distribution, and intellectual property rights. Adhering to principles of the QAA Subject Benchmark Statements for Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies

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. The VLE will also be used 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.

• 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 digital media within social, economic and cultural contexts

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:

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

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

7. apply design, development and management skills to the production of new media projects
8. assess and select the appropriate tools to produce a multimedia project
9. 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:

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

University Learning Outcome
By the end of their studies the student is expected to be able to:

13 Demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and will act as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible practitioners/professionals in their discipline.

The nature of our teaching and the academic standards expected of the graduates from MA Digital Media adheres to many of the principles of the QAA Subject Benchmark Statements for Computing and Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies.
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/subject-benchmark-statements/subject-benchmark-statement-communication-media-film-and-cultural-studies.pdf?sfvrsn=28e2cb81_4
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/subject-benchmark-statements/subject-benchmark-statement-computing.pdf?sfvrsn=ef2c881_10

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

Assessment is designed to support students in gaining valuable subject specific as well as transferable skills. Assignment task are informed by professional practice in the digital media industry. Assessment instruments for each module are clearly outlined in the Module Handbook which is made available to students at the start of the semester. Every module has a dedicated site via the university Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) providing students with comprehensive learning/teaching materials, including guidelines about assessment. Formative assessment that takes place across modules provides opportunities for students to develop their academic skills. These open and transparent practices, which are delivered in a timely manner and are designed to be developmental in nature, enable students to understand how academic judgements are made which helps them to prepare for their formative assessment. Students are informed of processes of marking and moderation at the beginning of the semester across all their modules, and the course teams practice of these procedures is managed by the course leader. Our curriculum is designed to offer students a variety of assessment tasks. Our modules allow for students to choose the topic and focus of their work (e.g., website theme, topic of documentary film, choice of game and interaction design project, selection of essay title from a range of options)

The course offers as a designate option a 20-credit work related learning module. The School of Computing and Digital Media offers opportunities to enhance employability skills, gain real experience and ‘earn while you learn’ through placements on real client-driven projects - working with business and industry. Students will be encouraged to consider career opportunities throughout the course via: career workshops, industry talks, career-related information distributed, course social media channels, Virtual learning Environment, industry visits and participation in industry-related networking events.
It is the student's responsibility to apply for opportunities and to engage with the University to assist them in finding a suitable placement. The suitability of any opportunities will be assessed by the Module Team and all roles must meet the Health and Safety requirements for Higher Education Work Placements. Those studying on a Student Visa will be required to submit weekly timesheets for the hours undertaken for the work-based learning activity to meet requirements. These will need to be signed by their line manager and supervisor.

Part-time students: part-time students take 2 core modules: Principles of Digital Media in the Autumn Semester and Digital Media Project Management in the Spring Semester of YEAR 1. In Year 1 they also take 2 optional modules - one per Semester from a list of designated modules.

Students can opt to take one of the four optional modules they must take during their studies from another postgraduate programme taught at the university.

Default optional modules for the Autumn semester are: SM7107 and SM7032. Default optional modules for the Spring semester are: SM7103 and SM7098

Qualifying mark for module completion 50% on all modules, each of which can be passed on aggregate. FC7W03 to be studied during the second semester of enrollment.

To gain a PG Certificate or PG Diploma students should pass at least one of the core taught modules: SM7007 or SM7102

Students will be invited to reflect critically on their learning and on their personal development planning in a variety of ways, including engagement with coaching and mentoring initiatives. In the first semester, students will also produce a Digital Media Research 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.

N/A

The course is particularly suited to students looking to work in: web design; interaction design; digital video production; digital media project management and account handling; consultancy and policy advice in the area of digital media and communication technology; social media management; training and research in related fields; electronic publishing; on-line journalism and broadcasting; administration, management and research in the new media, digital advertising and marketing and digital information industries.

Our graduates have gone to work for companies including Red Bull Media House and Miniclip. Their 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

You will be required to have:

• an upper second class (2.1) 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.