Interactive Media BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

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Ulster University's Interactive Media program equips graduates with multidisciplinary skills in media design and production, including coding, animation, design, and emerging technologies like AR and VR. Through industry collaborations, live briefs, and optional placement opportunities, students gain real-world experience and prepare for careers in the evolving creative media sector. The program emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation, fostering graduates who are ready to navigate the digital landscape and drive future advancements in media.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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Overview:

This interdisciplinary program equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to navigate a diverse range of media and technical disciplines within the creative media sector, including TV and film, animation, design, digital media, web design, interactive documentaries, AR, and VR experiences.

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Objectives:

• Foster a multidisciplinary approach to creative media design and production.
• Develop future-proof skills relevant for various industry roles.
• Nurture critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Advance understanding and innovation in emerging media forms.

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Description:

• The curriculum focuses on forward-thinking approaches, preparing graduates for the ever-evolving digital landscape.
• Content covers contemporary coding platforms for interactive experiences, motion graphics creation, digital design, narrative analysis, audience response evaluation, and data-driven design.
• Students collaborate on a large-scale, interactive website project and complete a major project in their final year, demonstrating their production and research skills.
• Optional placement year or study abroad opportunities are available, leading to diplomas in Professional Practice or International Academic Studies.
• Live briefs from industry partners provide real-world experience and client interaction, preparing graduates for professional settings.
• Award-winning faculty offer expertise and guidance throughout the program.
• Students work on projects for social enterprises and pitch their ideas, honing entrepreneurial skills.
• Collaborative and independent project work allows for both individual growth and teamwork development.

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Outline:

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Program Content:

• The program combines theoretical and practical approaches, focusing on creative digital media production.
• Content includes coding, animation, design, storytelling, data visualization, digital media production, web design, interactive documentaries, AR, and VR experiences.

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Structure:

• Full-time, 3-year program with an optional 4th year for placement or study abroad.
• Lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, group projects, and independent study.

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Course Schedule:

• Courses cover various areas, including:
• Media and Social Change
• Motion Graphics
• Web Design
• Graphic Design
• Video Production
• Visual Culture
• Interactive Media
• Digital Storytelling
• Transmedia Storytelling
• Industry Placement
• Data Storytelling
• Innovation Newsroom
• Research Design
• Digital, Research and Development (Major Project)
• Project-Social
• Enterprise Project

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Individual Modules:

• Each module focuses on specific areas within the broader program, encouraging in-depth exploration.

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Year 1:

• Media and Social Change:
Explores the role of digital media in social change, with case studies and theoretical frameworks.
• Motion Graphics:
Introduces students to motion graphics production, utilizing After Effects software.
• Web Design:
Provides an introduction to interactive development environments and contemporary coding platforms for interactive experiences.
• Graphic Design:
Explores visual language and design principles through practical projects in Photoshop and InDesign.
• Video Production:
Develops key skills in video production, including composition, lighting, mise-en-scene, sound, camerawork, editing, and screen aesthetics.
• Visual Culture:
Introduces students to visual culture and its role in shaping meaning and perception.

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Year 2:

• Interactive Media:
Focuses on the design, planning, and production of interactive media formats, with an emphasis on creative design processes.
• Digital Storytelling:
Explores digital storytelling techniques and their application in public spheres.
• Transmedia Storytelling:
Investigates how audiences shape narratives delivered across various platforms.
• Industry Placement:
Provides professional experience in the media and creative industries, focusing on industry roles and portfolio development.
• Data Storytelling:
Equips students with data literacy, visualization, and design skills for creating persuasive and compelling narratives using data.
• Innovation Newsroom:
Prepares students for work-based learning opportunities by fostering newsroom experience and portfolio development.

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Year 3 (Optional):

• Industrial Placement: Media:
Offers an extended period of work experience in the media industry, under the guidance of an academic coordinator.
• Media: Study Abroad (DIAS):
Provides an additional year of study outside the UK, with an emphasis on international perspectives and engagement with the media.

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Year 4:

• Research Design:
Equips students with research skills and the ability to conduct independent research projects.
• Digital, Research and Development (Major Project):
Students plan, research, execute, and present a significant production project, showcasing their expertise in interactive media and innovation.
• Project-Social:
Integrates acquired knowledge and skills to develop a complex project for a community partner or non-profit agency.
• Enterprise Project:
Investigates and develops a new enterprise idea that addresses audience and technology trends in the creative media sector.

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Assessment:

• Assessment methods vary depending on the module and can include:
• Exams
• Coursework (essays, reports, presentations, portfolios, etc.)
• Projects
• Group work
• Emphasis on continuous feedback throughout the course.
• Assessments designed to measure student achievement of stated learning outcomes.

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Teaching:

• Teaching methods include:
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Workshops
• Group projects
• Individual project work

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Faculty:

• Award-winning faculty with expertise in various areas of media and technology.
• Visiting industry professionals share their insights and experiences.

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Unique Approaches:

• Emphasis on real-world experience through live industry briefs and community projects.
• Focus on emerging media forms and creative practices.
• Opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills and pitch ideas.
• Collaboration with social enterprises to create meaningful projects.

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Careers:

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Potential Career Paths:

• Media Content Producer
• Creative Design Manager
• Social Media Officer
• Videographer
• Digital Marketing Officer
• Digital Designer

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Opportunities:

• Graduate employment opportunities identified:
• Allstate
• BNL Productions
• Media Club
• Redback Creations
• Urban Design & Print
• BBC
• Sentireal Ltd

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Graduate Outcomes:

• Graduates equipped with a broad range of skills sought after in the creative industry.

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Other:

• The course combines lectures, workshops, studio work, and individual study.
• Attendance is required during the normal working week, and students may be required to attend optional evening and weekend sessions for group projects and independent work.
• The course incorporates collaborative projects with community groups and regional agencies, fostering engagement with real-world audiences.

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Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and EU Settlement Status Fees

£4,750.00

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England, Scotland, Wales and the Islands Fees

£9,250.00

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International Fees

£16,320.00