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Digital Media: Production MA

London, Bloomsbury

The MA Digital Media: Production route combines theory and practice in digital media production, allowing students to critically engage with key debates and develop specific techniques in digital media production. This engagement is supported by experience of studio-based design work in fields such as digital animation, digital games and interactive experiences at the Media Production Studio based in the UCL Knowledge Lab. Different from degrees focused on technical mastery or marketing, this programme is designed to support students to become reflective, critical practitioners, capable of independently navigating a rapidly changing digital landscape and of producing socially relevant, compelling works.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2023/24)
£14,100
£7,050
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2023/24)
£32,100
£16,050
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2023
Applications accepted
All applicants: 17 Oct 2022 – 31 Mar 2023

Applications closed

Entry requirements

Applicants with a 2:1 from a UK university, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard, in a media or design specialism (e.g. Media Studies, Digital Design, Digital Media Arts, Interactive/Digital Media, Game Design) will be considered. Applicants with a 2:2, in a relevant subject, plus at least 2 year's work experience in the fields of media, interactive design or cultural industries, and a relevant design portfolio may be considered. Applicants with a non-relevant subject will not be considered.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 3

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level. International Preparation Courses

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

This programme is suitable for international students on a Student visa – study must be full-time, face-to-face, starting September.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Students will engage with digital media theory and practice in fields such as animation, interactive media development, game design, and coding. The degree interweaves theory and practice, and the studio-based structure of the Media Production Studio facilities at the UCL Knowledge Lab equips students to produce theoretically informed, compelling digital media artefacts.

Who this course is for

This course will interest students who seek to become critically informed digital media makers. It is suited to those interested in combining theoretical knowledge and practical skills in digital design, know (or are open to learn) coding, and are considering a career in the creative and cultural sectors or further postgraduate study.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

The Digital Media MA at IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society is one of the longest-established Media MAs in the UK. It is based at the UCL Knowledge Lab, a leading interdisciplinary centre whose mission is to understand and develop digital technologies to support and transform education and beyond. Based on research evidence, the Knowledge Lab devises new pedagogies, designs and implements innovative digital media and smart technologies for teaching and learning, and it informs policymakers and educational stakeholders.

The programme team belongs to the ReMAP research centre (formerly DARE), with a track record of funded research in the digital media arts, we offer students a chance to learn from direct research experience.

Students will have access to our Media Production Studio with computer suites, a performance space and sound recording facilities.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Students will acquire critical and practical skills to engage with and produce digital media, such as digital games, interactive experiences, and animations, using industry standard software.

Employability

The MA Digital Media: Production will equip students to become reflective, critical media production practitioners, capable of progressing to a broad range of careers in creative and cultural sectors, including creative industries, cultural institutions, or further postgraduate study. It does not provide professional/vocational training of the kind the industry itself offers, but rather a critically informed experience of media production in different digital media formats.

Teaching and learning

The course will be delivered through theory-based seminars and workshops, assessed by a mixture of practical work and essays; and by lab-based design programmes and studio-based design projects, assessed by submission of practical work and critical reflection.

Modules

The degree includes two compulsory modules (30 credits each); two optional modules (30 credits each); and a practice-based Dissertation (60 credits).

You will follow one module per term over 2 years. This includes:

  • two compulsory modules (30 credits each, one of these taken in each Autumn term)
  • two optional modules (30 credits each, one of these taken in each Spring term)
  • and in year 2 a Practice-based Dissertation (60 credits) starting in the Spring term

There is also an option for students to complete the MA over a period of time, between 2 and 5 years.

Compulsory modules





Optional modules




Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits: two compulsory modules, two optional modules, and a studio-based practical Dissertation project. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MA in Digital Media: Production.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support & Wellbeing team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2023/24) £14,100 £7,050
Tuition fees (2023/24) £32,100 £16,050

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

All full-time students are required to pay a fee deposit of £1,000 for this programme. All part-time students are required to pay a fee deposit of £500.

Students should take into account any travel, accommodation and expenses involved in their dissertation.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

Ten bursaries are offered to UK applicants across the three MAs on the Digital Media Programme, to the value of £5,000 for full-time study, £2,500 per year for part-time study, and pro-rata for flexible study. They will be evaluated by the faculty and programme team using the same criteria as the MA application, with the added requirement that the applicant is eligible to pay UK fees.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Digital Media Programme Bursary

Deadline: 8 June 2023
Value: £5,000 (One year)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

IOE - Aziz Foundation Scholarships

Deadline: 30 June 2023
Value: Full tuition fees (1yr)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: UK

IOE - Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships

Deadline: 28 March 2023
Value: Tuition fees (2-5yrs (online study))
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE Centenary-Windle Trust Scholarship

Value: Full tuition fees and stipend (online study only) (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE Windle Trust Scholarship

Value: Full tuition fees and stipend (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE-Clarke Scholarships

Deadline: 2 May 2023
Value: Tuition fees and a stipend of £17,609 (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

IOE-ISH Centenary Masters Scholarships

Deadline: 2 May 2023
Value: Tuition fees and accommodation at International Students House (1 year)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK, EU, Overseas

Next steps

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

The personal statement is your opportunity to make clear why you are a good fit for this MA, and why this MA is the right programme for you. Rather than using your personal statement to repeat information found in your CV, explain what attracts you to this programme and what you would like to do after graduation. Tell us something about your interest in digital media production and about what your potential dissertation in this area may be. We suggest you address the following topics in your personal statement:

  • why you want to study Digital Media: Production at graduate level and at UCL
  • your interest in digital media production outlining relevant topics, issues or problems
  • how your background meets the demands of this challenging programme
  • what this MA will help you to achieve

Applicants are also required to upload an online portfolio link of relevant projects they have done, including interactive and immersive media artworks such as games, art and design projects, creative and research writings, showreels, video works, and documentations of creative processes. Alternatively, students may submit a detailed personal statement outlining their particular interest in the course, including relevant projects, their skillset and experiences in the aforementioned fields. Applicants should upload a Word Document or PDF including the portfolio link under the additional documents section on the application form. Applicants will also be provided with a link to an MS form after submission where they can upload the portfolio link if it was not initially included with the application.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Got questions? Get in touch

Culture, Communication and Media
Culture, Communication and Media

ma.dm.info@ucl.ac.uk

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