Applied Metaverse and Digital Leadership - MSc

Program Overview

The MSc Applied Metaverse and Digital Leadership program equips students with the skills to create immersive virtual worlds, manage digital ecosystems, and lead innovation in the Metaverse industry. Combining core modules in Metaverse fundamentals, design, and interactions with a focus on digital leadership, the program prepares graduates for careers in Metaverse development and management, where they can leverage advanced technologies and lead projects in various industries. Graduates will be equipped to navigate the ethical and sustainable considerations associated with Metaverse operations and contribute to the responsible advancement of this transformative technology.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MSc Applied Metaverse and Digital Leadership course is designed to meet the industry need to develop leadership and practical skills of those at the vanguard of digital technology and expose you to the pioneering concept of immersive technologies such as virtual, augmented and extended realities. The Metaverse is a virtual shared space where users can interact with each other in real time. It is a collective virtual environment that encompasses virtual and augmented reality and the internet. The Metaverse is being used more and more by companies to enhance co-operation, undertake virtual commerce, create immersive brand engagement, host virtual events and experiences and train staff through simulation. The course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to create immersive simulations and interactive virtual worlds, preparing them for employment in countless industries that exist now or will be developed in the future from these technologies. The focus on digital leadership will develop your management skills and knowledge of managing innovation and entrepreneurship, strategic management and leadership.

Outline:

The course is structured as follows:

• Core Modules (180 credits):
• Metaverse Fundamentals (20 credits):
This module will expose students to industry guest lectures from academic and/or industry who will be invited to introduce the latest trends in extended reality research and practice.
• STEAM Engine: Metaverse Design and Case Studies (20 credits): This module will cover the form and functions of different types of multimedia content, UI design and the STEAM pipeline.
• Metaverse Ecosystem and Economies (20 credits): This module aims to equip you with the theoretical and practical factors to be taken into account while designing a blockchain enabled system.
Additionally, it covers the socio-technical and practical elements of decentralised applications developed on top of blockchains such as use of NFTs, crypto currencies, smart contracts etc.
• Metaverse Environments and Interactions (20 credits): This module will allow students to gain hands-on experiences in design, development, and evaluation of extended reality applications in groups.
Content and supporting materials will be made available to students in the classroom and lab during timetabled session and also electronically via the module VLE.
• Digital Leadership (20 credits): This module will provide the individual with the skills, competencies, and knowledge to transform his/herself from a technical specialist to a technical leader.
• STEAM Capstone Project (60 credits): The purpose of the Research Project module is to provide a framework for you to undertake a substantial piece of Metaverse and Digital Leadership research.
It is founded upon Birmingham City Business School’s teaching and learning philosophy which integrates theory and practice. The Capstone Project consists of the following two elements:
• STEAM Digital Leadership Research Project
• STEAM Digital Leadership Placement Project

Teaching:

• The course is taught by academic staff with a wealth of industry experience and are experts in their field.
• The course utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, and group projects.
• The course emphasizes critical thinking, appraisal and analysis.

Careers:

• Graduates from management, business or marketing degrees will find that the course provides ideal preparation for leading projects involving building an immersive world for company's clients.
• Those with degrees in computer science, information technology, game design, or a related field could progress into roles that involve overseeing developing metaverses with a knowledge of commercial scalability and acquired digital leadership skills.

Other:

• The course teaches you how to account for the social, ethical, and sustainability questions involved in operating in the world of the Metaverse and advanced technologies, and how these issues should influence behaviour and decision making.
• This course will prepare you to work in any area of the Metaverse, putting you head and shoulders above others in Metaverse management and development.
• Our course teaches you the underlying technologies, tools and techniques supporting the evolution of the Metaverse, meaning you will have the knowledge to respond in real-time and react as this fast-moving and ever-evolving technology develops over time.
• This course will prepare you to apply your digital enabled skills into a dynamic and highly demanding sector, putting you ahead of the competition.

UK students The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. Award: MSc Starting: Sep 2024 Mode Duration Fees Full Time 16 months £10,500 in 2024/25 Part Time 32 months TBC International students Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students. Award: MSc Starting: Sep 2024 Mode Duration Fees Full Time 16 months £17,710 in 2024/25 Part Time 32 months TBC