Digital Media MA : University of Sussex

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Key information

Duration:: 1 year full time, 2 years part time
Start date:: September 2018
Apply by:: 1 August (International), 1 September (UK/EU)

This MA gives you the opportunity to combine theoretical and practical approaches to digital media. Taught by some of the most influential researchers in the field today, you’ll develop the skills, knowledge and expertise needed to produce excellent research-led work.

You’ll gain experience of designing and developing digital media products, using industry-standard equipment and authoring tools. You’ll also learn about:

the history of digital media
the key concepts shaping current thinking about digital media
the intellectual debates framing our understanding of digital culture, digital humanities and computational media.

This MA is associated with the internationally acclaimed Sussex Humanities Lab.

Why choose this course?

Our department was ranked 7th in the UK for research impact in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) and in the top 100 in the world in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017.
We offer exceptional opportunities for graduate study, with dedicated state-of-the-art digital production facilities and links to the thriving creative and media scene in Brighton.
Our course locates digital media within the contexts of media and cultural studies while drawing from across the disciplines of sociology, politics, philosophy, art and design, and informatics.

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Degree requirements	You should normally have an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree or above.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.

Please select your country from the list.

Argentina

Degree requirements	Licenciado/Titulo with a final mark of 7.5-8.5 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Australia

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with second-class upper division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Azerbaijan

Degree requirements	Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4 or 81%
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Bahrain

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with CGPA 3.0/4.0 (Grade B).
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Bangladesh

Degree requirements	Masters degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Brazil

Degree requirements	Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a final mark of at least 7.5 or 8 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Brunei

Degree requirements	Bachelors (Honours) degree with second class upper division or GPA 3.1/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Canada

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with CGPA 3.3/4.0 (grade B+).
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Chile

Degree requirements	Licenciado with a final mark of 5-5.5/7 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

China

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with an overall mark of 75%-85% depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Colombia

Degree requirements	Licenciado with ‘Acreditacion de alta calidad' and a GPA of 3.5.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Cyprus

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree or Ptychion with a final mark of at least 7.5.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Ecuador

Degree requirements	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 17/20.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Egypt

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree from a university with an overall grade of 75%
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

France

Degree requirements	Licence with mention bien or Maîtrise with final mark of at least 13.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Germany

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree or Magister Artium with a final mark of 2.4 or better.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Ghana

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree from a public university with second-class upper division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Greece

Degree requirements	Ptychion from an AEI with a final mark of at least 7.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Hong Kong

Degree requirements	Bachelors (Honours) degree with second-class upper division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

India

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with an overall mark of 55-70% depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Indonesia

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree from an 'A' accredited university with GPA 3.0/4.0. Bachelors degree from a 'B' accredited university with GPA 3.2/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Degree requirements

Bachelors degree from an 'A' accredited university with GPA 3.0/4.0.

Bachelors degree from a 'B' accredited university with GPA 3.2/4.0.

Subject-specific requirements

Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.

Please note

Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Iran

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a final mark of at least 15.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Italy

Degree requirements	Diploma di Laurea with an overall mark of at least 105.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Japan

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a minimum C/GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Jordan

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Kazakhstan

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with an overall mark of 4 or better (on a scale of 1-5)/GPA 3,33.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Kenya

Degree requirements	Bachelors (Honours) degree with second-class upper division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Kuwait

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or B+
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Lebanon

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with CGPA 3.5/4.0 or 14/20.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Malawi

Degree requirements	Masters degree, depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Malaysia

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Mexico

Degree requirements	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 8.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Nepal

Degree requirements	Masters degree with overall mark of 80%
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Nigeria

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with second-class upper division or CGPA of at least 3.5/5.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Norway

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with an overall grade of B.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Oman

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.3/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Pakistan

Degree requirements	Four-year bachelors degree with overall grade of 65% or Masters with 60%
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Palestine

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with GPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or B+
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Paraguay

Degree requirements	Bachelors with a final mark of at least 7.5/10.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Peru

Degree requirements	Licenciado with a final mark of 14/20 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Philippines

Degree requirements	Masters degree with 1.5/5.0 (where 1 is the highest) or 3.7/4.0
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Qatar

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with an overall CPGA of at least 3 (on a scale of 4).
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Russia

Degree requirements	Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Saudi Arabia

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a CGPA 3.5/5.0 or 3/4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Singapore

Degree requirements	Bachelors (Honours) degree with second-class upper division or CAP 4.0.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

South Africa

Degree requirements	Bachelors (honours) degree with second-class division 1.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

South Korea

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with a CGPA of at least 3.5/4.0 or B+
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Spain

Degree requirements	Licenciado with a final mark of at least 2/4.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Sri Lanka

Degree requirements	Bachelors Special degree with upper second honours.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Switzerland

Degree requirements	Licence or Diplôme with 5/6 or 8/10.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Taiwan

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with overall mark of 70%-85% depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Thailand

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Turkey

Degree requirements	Lisans Diplomasi with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

United Arab Emirates

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

USA

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree with CGPA 3.3-3.5/4.0 depending on your university.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Vietnam

Degree requirements	Bachelors degree (with a Graduate Thesis/research component) with CGPA of at least 3.3/4.0 or 7.5/10.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Zambia

Degree requirements	Masters degree with GPA of 2.0/2.5 or equivalent.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

Zimbabwe

Degree requirements	Bachelors (Honours) degree with second-class upper division.
Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.
Please note	Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis.

My country is not listed

If your country is not listed, you need to contact us and find out the qualification level you should have for this course. Contact us at pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

Subject-specific requirements	Your qualification should be in a relevant subject such as art and design, computer design/science, cultural studies, interactive media, media studies, or social psychology. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience.

English language requirements

IELTS (Academic)

Standard level (6.5 overall, including at least 6.0 in each component).

Check your IELTS qualification meets all of our entry requirements and find out more about IELTS

Alternative English language qualifications

Proficiency tests

Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE)

For tests taken before January 2015: grade B or above.

For tests taken after January 2015: 176 overall, including at least 169 in each skill

We would normally expect the CAE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Advanced

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

For tests taken before January 2015: grade C or above.

For tests taken after January 2015: 176 overall, including at least 169 in each skill.

We would normally expect the CPE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.

You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Proficiency

Pearson (PTE Academic)

62 overall, including at least 56 in all four skills.

PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Pearson (PTE Academic)

TOEFL (iBT)

88 overall, including at least 20 in Listening, 19 in Reading, 21 in Speaking, 23 in Writing.

TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about TOEFL (iBT)

The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.

English language qualifications

AS/A-level (GCE)

Grade C or above in English Language.

Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English.

French Baccalaureat

A score of 12 or above in English.

GCE O-level

Grade C or above in English.

Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.

GCSE or IGCSE

Grade C or above in English as a First Language (Grade 5 or above in GCSE from 2017).

Grade B or above in English as a Second Language.

German Abitur

A score of 12 or above in English.

Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate

If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.

If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language.

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.

Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)

The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:

Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 70%

Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 70%

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)

English A or English B at grade 5 or above.

Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 119/GCE O-level

If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-5 in English Language.

If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.

The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).

West African Senior School Certificate

Grades 1-6 in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).

Country exceptions

If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirement. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.

You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this, we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.

Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.

List of exempt countries:

Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Canada**
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
New Zealand
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
United Kingdom
USA

** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.

English language support

If you don’t meet the English language requirements for your degree, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course

Visas and immigration

Find out how to apply for a student visa

Admissions information for applicants

How to apply	You apply to Sussex using our postgraduate application system
Personal statement	Yes. You must submit a personal statement as part of your application. Find out how to write a personal statement

If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, email pg.enquiries@sussex.ac.uk

Pre-Masters

Need to boost your academic skills for your taught course? Find out about Pre-Masters routes

Application deadlines

1 August (International), 1 September (UK/EU)

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Course details

Full-time and part-time study

Choose to study this course full time or part time, to fit around your work and family life. Modules for the full-time course are listed below.

For details about the part-time course, contact us at mfm@sussex.ac.uk

How will I study?

In the autumn and spring terms, you take part in weekly lectures, seminars and hands-on workshops. These are highly interactive and taught in small groups. Assessment is varied and includes term papers and practical assignments.

In the summer, you build on this earlier learning in order to plan, execute and document your own research-based project. This project can take the form of a standard dissertation, a multimedia project or a work placement.

Modules

Core modules

Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.

New Developments in Digital Media 1a
Theory and Practice of Interactive Media

Options

Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests.

Please note

If you’re receiving – or applying for – USA federal Direct Loan funds, you can’t undertake your placement/internship in the USA. Find out more about American Student Loans and Federal Student Aid

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Our experts

Prof Caroline Bassett

Professor Of Media And Communications

Research interests

Critical Digital Humanities, Critical Theory, cultural and media policies, Design of public spaces, Digital Humanities, digital media, media history and theory, media technology and innovation, Sexual and gendered subjectivities, Socio-cultural impact of new media, sociology of expertise

View Caroline Bassett's profile

Prof David Berry

Professor of Digital Humanities

Research interests

Algorithms, Code, Computation, Critical Digital Humanities, Critical Reason, Critical Theory, Digital Humanities, History of the University, Philosophy, Political economy, Post-digital, postdigital, Social and political theory, Software Studies, University

View David Berry's profile

Prof Michael Bull

Professor Of Sound Studies

Research interests

Sensory experience and methodologies

View Michael Bull's profile

Dr Emile Devereaux

Senior Lecturer In Digital Media

Research interests

Critical Gender Studies, Digital Art & Design, Digital Cartography, Digital Culture, Interaction design, media history and theory, Tactical Media, Visual Studies

View Emile Devereaux's profile

Prof David Hendy

Professor of Media and Cultural History

Research interests

BBC, Broadcasting History, Cultural History, history of emotion, History of sound, media history and theory, Modern British history, oral history, social and cultural history, Television History, Theory and Criticism, Transnational history

View David Hendy's profile

Prof Ben Highmore

Professor of Cultural Studies

Research interests

19th and 20th century visual cultures, 20th Century art and culture, Art History, Cultural History, Everyday Life, Literary And Cultural Theory, Material Culture and Objects, Mood, Playgrounds, Postwar British Culture, Structures of Feeling Research

View Ben Highmore's profile

Dr Malcolm James

Senior Lecturer in Media and Cultural Studies

Research interests

childhood and youth, cultural studies, diaspora race/ethnicity, ethnography, participant methods, postcolonial studies, Race and colonialism, race and ethnicity, Sound studies, urban culture

View Malcolm James's profile

Dr Margaretta Jolly

Reader in Cultural Studies

Research interests

Creative and critical writing, Cultural and Creative Industries, cultural studies, Everyday Life, Feminist theory, genre, history of feminism, letters and diaries, Life writing, Mass Observation, oral history, Self-identity, self-narratives, women's liberation

View Margaretta Jolly's profile

Prof Tim Jordan

Professor of Digital Cultures

View Tim Jordan's profile

Prof Kate Lacey

Professor of Media History & Theory

Research interests

20th C German History, Broadcasting History, Gender Studies, History of sound, Listening, media history and theory, Public sphere theory, Radio Studies, Role of the media in processes of democratisation, Sound studies

View Kate Lacey's profile

Dr Eleftheria Lekakis

Senior Lecturer In Media & Communication

Research interests

civic engagement, consumer activism, cultural politics, Digital Culture, digital media, global communication, Humanitarianism, media activism, media sociology, Nationalism, political communication, political consumerism, promotional cultures

View Eleftheria Lekakis's profile

Dr Sarah Maltby

Senior Lecturer In Media & Communication

Research interests

cultural memory, Media & Communication Studies, media and war, memory and war, Military, Sociology

View Sarah Maltby's profile

Mr Andy Medhurst

Senior Lecturer in Media, Film & Cultural Studies

Research interests

Genre of comedy

View Andy Medhurst's profile

Dr Monika Metykova

Senior Lecturer in Media Communications/Journalism Studies

Research interests

cultural and media policies, Journalism, media and democracy, media and diversity, media and migration, political economy of media

View Monika Metykova's profile

Dr Sharif Mowlabocus

Senior Lecturer Of Media Studies/DigitalMedia

Research interests

'race' and class, Critical Digital Humanities, Digital Culture, digital embodiment, digital media, E-Health, Embodiment and Technologies, Gay & Lesbian Studies, Gender and Sexuality, Human Touch for ICT, Ideas of pornography, M-Health, Media & Communication Studies, Mobile Apps, Pornography, Queer and Transgender Representation, Queer Theory, representation

View Sharif Mowlabocus's profile

Prof Sally Munt

Professor of Cultural/Gender Studies

Research interests

'race' and class, Alternative Spiritualities/New Religious Movements, cultural geography and space, cultural studies, Culture and Identity Rights, Everyday Life, Gender and Sexuality, history of emotion, Mental Health and Well-Being

View Sally Munt's profile

Prof Kate O'Riordan

Professor of Digital Culture

Research interests

Biodigital Life, Bioinformatics, Critical Digital Humanities, Digital Arts History, Theory and Practice, Digital Culture, digital media, Feminist and qualitative research methods, Feminist theory, Genomics, Media & Communication Studies, Post-digital, Queer studies, Research Ethics, Science Studies

View Kate O'Riordan's profile

Dr Niall Richardson

Senior Lecturer

Research interests

ageing and gender, body image in film and media, disability and human rights, Gay & Lesbian Studies, Minority Rights, representation of gender and sexuality in film and popular culture, Transgender politics and representation

View Niall Richardson's profile

Dr Pollyanna Ruiz

Senior Lecturer

Research interests

Cultural Theory, Digital Culture, Protest, Public Spaces, Public sphere theory, Social networking

View Pollyanna Ruiz's profile

Prof Lyn Thomas

Emeritus Professor

Research interests

'Suspect communities' in the British press, Annie Ernaux, contemporary French literature, cultural studies, French feminisms, Life writing, lifestyle television, memoir, religion and media, The Archers

View Lyn Thomas's profile

Ms Janice Winship

Reader in Media & Film Studies

Research interests

Film-based media

View Janice Winship's profile

Course enquiries

+44 (0)1273 877538
mfm@sussex.ac.uk

Find out about the School of Media, Film and Music

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Fees and scholarships

How much does it cost?

Fees

UK/EU students:: £7,900 per year
Channel Islands and Isle of Man students:: £7,900 per year
International students:: £15,500 per year

Note that your fees may be subject to an increase on an annual basis.

If you’re studying part time over two years, you’ll be charged 50% of the equivalent 2018 full-time fee in each year of study. The fee in your second year – if you continue your studies without a break – will be subject to a 2.5% increase (subject to rounding).

Living costs

Find out typical living costs for studying at Sussex

How can I fund my course?

Postgraduate Masters loans

You can borrow up to £10,280 to help with fees and living costs if your course starts on or after 1 August 2017. Loans are available from the Student Loans Company if you’re from the UK or if you’re an EU national studying for a Masters.

Find out more about Postgraduate Masters Loans

Scholarships

Our aim is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to despite financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique individuals.

Asian University for Women Scholarship

This scholarship is available to two students currently studying at the AUW in Bangladesh and progressing on to an eligible Masters course at Sussex.

Find out more

Chancellor’s International Scholarship

There are 25 scholarships available to international postgraduate students, applying to Sussex, who can demonstrate academic excellence

Find out more

Chancellor’s Masters Scholarship

Open to students with a first class UK bachelors degree or excellent grades from an EU university, applying to an eligible Masters degree

Find out more

Chevening Scholarship

Chevening is the UK government’s international awards scheme aimed at developing global leaders. Funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)

Find out more

Said Foundation Scholarships

Two scholarships available for Masters students from Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria.

Find out more

Sports Scholarships Scheme (Postgraduate)

These scholarships are available to Masters students who have demonstrated sporting excellence prior to joining the University of Sussex

Find out more

Sussex Graduate Scholarship

Open to Sussex students who graduate in 2018 with a 1st or 2.1 degree and are offered a full-time place on a Sussex Masters course in 2018

Find out more

Sussex India Scholarship

This scholarship is for Masters students from India.

Find out more

Sussex Malaysia Scholarship

This scholarship is for Masters students from Malaysia

Find out more

Sussex Nigeria Scholarship

This scholarship is for Masters students from Nigeria.

Find out more

Sussex Pakistan Scholarship

This scholarship is for Masters applicants from Pakistan.

Find out more

Sussex Vietnam Scholarship

This scholarship is for Masters students from Vietnam.

Find out more

How Masters scholarships make studying more affordable

Working while you study

Our Careers and Employability Centre can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work

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Careers

Our graduates have gone on to pursue careers in journalism, PR, marketing, web design, education and consultancy. Some have also gone on to further study or to work in academia.

Employers include:

BBC
Cogapp
Digital Media Lab at Universidad Diego Portales, Chile
Makemedia.

Graduate destinations

94% of students from the Department of Media and Film were in work or further study six months after graduating. Recent graduates have gone on to jobs including:

video editor, MWP Digital Media
internet content and new media officer, Parks Canada Agency
news editor, Alpha Media Holdings.

(EPI, Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey 2015 for postgraduates)

New Developments in Digital Media 1a

30 credits
Spring Semester, Year 1 credits

This module critically surveys developments in the expanding field of new media and explores the dynamics driving digital convergence, which is viewed as an industrial, political, social, economic and technological process. You will consider what drives convergence between previously discrete industries, technologies, and contents, and what limits convergence processes. You will explore key developments in the field of new media, including phenomena such as social networks, pervasive and locative technologies, new forms of knowledge organization and gathering.

The module is both theoretical and practical, with seminars exploring the areas outlined above through critical reading, while a series of workshops provide you with an understanding of core technologies underlying contemporary developments, and help you gain literacy in approaches to content development in this field.

Theory and Practice of Interactive Media

30 credits
Autumn Semester, Year 1 credits

Digital technologies are re-wiring established media cultures, transforming traditional media systems (television, cinema) and introducing new media networks (internet, mobile devices). This module explores aspects of this techno-cultural transformation, through both a practical exploration of the form and by considering critical debates exploring the power, force, significance and form of a series of new media texts, artefacts and systems. The module situates practices related to these forms in a media studies/cultural studies perspective and with reference to multi-disciplinary debates.

The module consists of a series of theory orientated seminars and project based workshops that are designed to give you a practical introduction to a range of software authoring tools widely used within the media. Early sections of the course are taught through discrete group-based tasks. During the latter stages of the module, you produce your own short terms papers and creative projects investigating an aspect of a new media artefact or system.

The module will equip you with the necessary production skills and theoretical frameworks to schedule and deliver these projects. This grounding will provide you with basic authoring skills, will give you the capacity to develop your skills further through individual study, and will also equip them to think critically about the forms and contents of contemporary media systems.

Dissertation: Digital Media

60 credits
All Year Teaching, Year 1 credits

The digital media dissertation consists of dissertation workshops, individual tutorials, participation in a 1-day research in progress conference and independent research and study. The dissertation builds on the taught courses to enable the development of a digital media dissertation chosen by you. The process entails the development of a research proposal and development of a bibliography in the first teaching block and execution of original and independent research in digital media cultures and practices in the later stages of work.

Industry Placement and written submission: digital media

60 credits
All Year Teaching, Year 1 credits

The digital media work placement is a student-led placement developed in close consultation with the course convener. The work placement is assessed via a portfolio and a 5,000 critical analysis (essay). Supported through dissertation workshops, tutorials, work in progress demonstrations, portfolio development and independent work, the course enables you to critically reflect on the role of digital media in the workplace.

Work Placement Submission Organisation:
Each work placement must be submitted as a portfolio including the critical analysis (essay)

The work placement portfolio must include:
Title page (including both the work placement title and critical essay title)
Summary of the work placement (approximately 100 words)
Letter from employer confirming the placement and your role
Project or work place brief which clearly sets out the nature of the company and the purpose of the placement, your role, duration, kind of work task entered into this can be written by you or included in the letter above
Reflective work placement diary or log (between 20- 40 entries of approximately 100-150 words) if you use a blog for this you will need to submit a printed version
Samples of work carried out with an indication of the extent of your responsibility and initiative
A critical essay that interrogates a dimension of the work placement and situates it in relation to digital media theory. This essay must follow the conventions of academic practice and make a contribution to the field of digital media theory.

Work placement process
Develop the work placement in consultation with the MA convenor (consultation needs to start late autumn term). If you don't have a company already in your sights then use the Linked in digital media alumni group, Wired Sussex, the enterprise and careers office (e.g. Enterprise Thursdays), Lighthouse, and the school of MFM. Network, meet people, get a sense of what is going on here, identify internships and set this up. We can help with CVs references - contacts - and recommended companies and internships but in the end you'll be the most significant person in setting this up.

The work placement should be conducted in the summer term but there can be flexibility to this. Agree the work placement with an employer and confirm this with the convenor. This requires that you have the agreement of the MA convenor. In addition you must obtain a letter confirming the details from the employer. Make sure this is very clearly organised with no last minute or word of mouth arrangements. The placement must be secure and agreed on both sides in advance.

From the Summer term onwards you take up the placement and keep a work diary and samples of your work for submission (check out any ownership issues).

Research the literature on working in the digital media industries and culture industries more generally.

Decide on the direction for your critical essay - this is not a review of your experience but should interrogate one dimension of the work place.

Research the academic literature that connects with your essay topic and use the workplace as your case study.

Software Project and written submission: digital media

60 credits
All Year Teaching, Year 1 credits

The practical project and written submission combines practice and theory in digital media. The requirement is for a practical project demonstrating digital media practice plus a 9,000 word extended essay. Through a combination of workshops, tutorials, project proposal development, and a work in progress conference the module enables you to develop an area of practice and to explore what they want to make and why.

The module supports you to develop the following:

Research your topic and ideas
Develop your initial ideas by reading about connected examples and critical work on the themes that you are looking at
Look at other examples of practice with links to your own ideas
Identify skills, materials, work process and timetable
Is it doable? Is it coherent?
Make a clear and realistic production plan and develop your work in relation to this
Collect all the materials for submission together and decide how you are going to present these in a user friendly way
Try out your practice on other people - can they access it, does it work in the ways that you intended make sure that you user-test the project and incorporate feedback

The accompanying written submission allows you to examine the theoretical questions that are suggested by the practical project. This project is the case study for an extended critical essay. Projects might examine questions about networked identity, interactivity, augmentation, memory, or digital methods and mapping, for example.

Questions include: does it demonstrate anything or experiment with anything? Does it throw up new research in the field of digital media? Develop your ideas into a structured and well informed argument that draws on the practical project as a case study or research.

Activist Media Practice

30 credits
Spring Semester, Year 1 credits

Social movements have historically struggled to get their message reported clearly, accurately and effectively through the lens of mainstream media. This has lead to the rise of alternative media practices and strategies to break through or unsettle the corporate and state-run media systems around the world. In order to challenge hegemonic discourses, activist media seeks to circumvent and dismantle traditional media's communicative strategies either through a disruptive aesthetic or through a reconfigured mode of civic engagement. Whether through radical leaflets, pirate radio, graffiti, protest music, performance art, activist videos, political documentaries, or social media and the internet, today's media landscape has evolved into a range of complex transnational networks that can be activated by independent counter-hegemonic media practices and expressions.

This module asks you to learn about various forms of cultural resistance (through readings, screenings, lectures and discussions) in order to to formulate an effective form of activist media provocation. This piece of activist media may take the form of a video, a website, site-specific performance, series of photographs, media prank, etc. You will also be asked to write a reflective essay that contextualises the finished piece within the conceptual debates of the module.

Animals and Screen Media

30 credits
Spring Semester, Year 1 credits

Expanded Media: Forms and Practices

30 credits
Autumn Semester, Year 1 credits

This module looks at what happens when media forms overlap and interact. What new forms are created? What histories can be drawn upon? How does collaboration inform creative practice?

Through the exploration of global concepts such as (but not limited to) narrative (and anti-narrative), time and space, dreams, and memory, you will experiment and collaborate in ways that reflect the formal and thematic implications of the concepts discussed. Topics may include: theorisations on hybrid forms; expanded cinema; history of collaborative practice and experimentation; interactivity; notions of the avant-garde; synesthesia; site-specific media installations; and immersive technology.

Gender, Sexuality and Digital Culture

30 credits
Autumn Semester, Year 1 credits

This module seeks to explore relationships between the 'hardness' of technology and the 'softness' of the body. Moving through cyber-feminism and cyber-queer studies to critiques of social networking and reconfigurations of space - both public and private - the module seeks to engage with the diverse range of connections made daily between gendered subjects and technologies of media production and reception.

The aim is to provide you with an array of critical approaches that will allow you to discuss, analyse and critique such connections at a depth commensurate with M-Level work. While popularly conceived as an opposition to the organic, the corporeal and the subjective, technologies of mediation are intrinsically linked to and indelibly marked by issues of embodiment just as our understanding of the body has historically been coded through technologies of media production and reception.

Hollywood deploys the post-organic as a means of expressing contemporary cultural anxieties, while mobile phones are being used as a platform for gendered software. Online, the digital divide cuts across more than just geographical lines providing a space for both the re-inscription and subversion of hegemonic masculinity in multiple ways. This module addresses intersections, advances and ecologies across an array of media technologies and associated practices and cultures.

Global Cinemas

30 credits
Autumn Semester, Year 1 credits

You examine the forms and cultural contexts of a wide range of post-1945 non-Hollywood films and learn to analyse these films through studying theories of 'globalisation' and 'world cinema'.

Key topics may include:

the development of art cinema
New Waves
Third Cinema
postcolonial and indigenous cinemas
cosmopolitanism
the economics of film festivals
modern film industries
transnational cinemas.

You will study films from Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Europe, as well as the relationships between these geopolitical regions and film movements.

Global News Industries A

30 credits
Spring Semester, Year 1 credits

This module explores the function, impact and current status of international journalism in an increasingly 'deterritorialised' media environment. The module will cover a comparative study of different news media systems in the world, the global news flow, institutional and professional issues in international news reporting, and the transformation in international journalism. It will also investigate the extent to which the audiences of global journalism might constitute alternative news networks and a putative global public sphere. New technologies from blogging to multiplatform television, twitter to online distribution, have also transformed the way news is made, disseminated and consumed. This module provides a critical consideration of the economics, culture, politics and sociology of journalism on a global scale. It examines fundamental issues in theories and practices of journalism and assesses ongoing developments in the area of journalism development, expansion, ethics and policies. The module aims to enable you to understand rapid technological changes and further internationalisation of journalism and the impact and consequences for future of journalism.

Interactive Project Development

30 credits
Spring Semester, Year 1 credits

The module focuses on the methods, processes and research techniques involved in the development of interactive media projects from initial concept to distribution -- with close analyses of how the different stages of a project are related, planned and connected to other media.

You will learn how to identify original sources and subjects with a view to creating a distinctive style and approach through practical exercises and the creation of a test or pilot project. The module will aid you in the development of the tools required to conceptually frame your interactive practice and help them communicate clearly and critically. During the module you will be given time to explore media projects in a variety of media and to consider the implications of those projects for your own work. You will be asked to study and discuss a number of different methods for the critical appraisal and theorisation of creative media projects across genres and will be expected to show initiative in undertaking a wide range of research to help develop your ideas and skills (viewing, listening, reading, observing, testing of techniques, etc).

The module is taught through a combination of presentations by the module tutor as well as individual students, group-critiques and one-on-one critiques.

The module uses an application form containing questions drawn from industry and research council funding and commisioning calls as a structure for you to focus and present your work. At the end of the module, you will produce a proposal in the form of a contextualising essay answering all the questions on the application form, a work plan, a pilot project demonstrating the style and forms of itneraction in your project and a journal demonstrating how you have thought through you ideas, what has emerged from the discussion and in-class critiques. This combination of essay and pilot will be the framework for you self-directed project.

Media Audiences

30 credits
Spring Semester, Year 1 credits

On this module you will explore and evaluate the broad tradition of critical research into media audiences which has developed over the past two decades. You will consider, through an exploration of this tradition, how we should understand the nature of media texts, and in particular how meanings, uses, (dis)pleasures and responses are produced in the complex interactions between audiences and texts, in specific social settings. This module gives you the chance - and to develop the skills to be able - to carry out a small piece of original audience research. Key methods encountered on the module include interviews, semi-structured focus group discussions, open-ended questionnaires, respondents' letters, and participant observation.

Media Theory and Research

30 credits
Autumn Semester, Year 1 credits

The module offers you the chance to explore at an advanced level a number of principal theories and methods within a cultural studies approach to media studies, and to consider how these shape the ways we might think about and research particular media industries, forms and issues. The theory element aims to introduce you to the key thinkers, traditions and debates in media and cultural studies and contributing disciplines. It investigates media as institutions and systems of representation and explores problems of production and consumption in a variety of social and geo-political contexts. You will be encouraged to prepare informal presentations and to engage in discussion with other members of the seminar group. Each week there will also be a short introduction to the following week’s topic in the lecture given by members of the Media and Film faculty. The research element aims to develop a systematic and critical understanding of the practical, epistemological and ethical issues involved in conducting different kinds of media and cultural research. It also aims to make you methodologically self-conscious in your own research and written work.

Media, Culture and Communication

30 credits
Spring Semester, Year 1 credits

The theory element aims to introduce you to the key thinkers, traditions and debates in media and cultural studies and contributing disciplines. You will investigate media as institutions and systems of representation and explore problems of production and consumption in a variety of social and geo-political contexts. You will be encouraged to prepare informal presentations and to engage in discussion with other members of the seminar group. Each week there will also be a short introduction to the following week’s topic in the lecture given by members of the Media and Film faculty. The research element aims to develop a systematic and critical understanding of the practical, epistemological and ethical issues involved in conducting different kinds of media and cultural research. It also aims to make you methodologically self-conscious in your own research and written work.

Music and the Media of Performance (Practice)

30 credits
Spring Semester, Year 1 credits

During the past fifty years the parameters of musical performance have expanded enormously. For John Cage all musical performance was inherently theatrical since it engaged both eye and ear. The visual aspect of musical performance, and the relationship of music to the spatial and to the embodied, has often been overlooked, and has led composers such as, eg, Cage himself, Mauricio Kagel and Heiner Goebbels to explore the extended theatricality of musical performance in directions beyond opera. Other artists like Meredith Monk, Philip Glass and Robert Wilson have restored the term 'opera' to refer to music theatre works that reconfigure the traditional media of opera (music, language, voice, sound, body, space, image) in new ways. More recently muscians such as Michel van der Aa have incorporated sonic and visual media in a live performance context.

The module will examine both theories and practices of experimental music theatre and multi-media performance through critical and practical engagement with the ideas that lie behind such practices. The module will be assessed by an essay, through which you will demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of key theories and practices in experimental music theatre or multi-media performance.

Music and the Media of Performance (Theory)

30 credits
Spring Semester, Year 1 credits

During the past fifty years the parameters of musical performance have expanded enormously. For John Cage all musical performance was inherently theatrical since it engaged both eye and ear. The visual aspect of musical performance, and the relationship of music to the spatial and to the embodied, has often been overlooked, and has led composers such as, eg, Cage himself, Mauricio Kagel and Heiner Goebbels to explore the extended theatricality of musical performance in directions beyond opera. Other artists like Meredith Monk, Philip Glass and Robert Wilson have restored the term 'opera' to refer to music theatre works that reconfigure the traditional media of opera (music, language, voice, sound, body, space, image) in new ways. More recently musicians such as Michel van der Aa have incorporated sonic and visual media in a live performance context.

New Developments in Digital Media 1b

30 credits
Spring Semester, Year 1 credits

This module critically surveys developments in the expanding field of new media. You will explore the dynamics driving digital convergence, viewed as an industrial, political, social, economic and technological process. You will ask what drives convergence between previously discrete industries, technologies, contents, and what limits convergence processes. You will also explore key developments in the field of new media, including phenomena such as social networks, pervasive and locative technologies, new forms of knowledge organisation and gathering. This version of the module is theoretical; seminars explore the areas outlined above through critical reading, seminar discussion and presentation, and you will also write a 5000-word term paper.

New Moving Screens

30 credits
Autumn Semester, Year 1 credits

Looking at the evolution of mobile and location-based technologies, this module investigates the emergent fields of pervasive media and locative media. You will investigate the ways that mobile technologies and portable media have evolved to become defining elements of pervasive and locative media. You will explore cultural and creative activities in the fields, including (but not limited to) artistic practice utilising mobile phones and gps devices, and you will create your own projects utilising pervasive and/or locative media. While leading to the production of a creative project, work done on this module will be heavily informed by study of the key critical debates and historical moments surrounding the evolution pervasive and locative media.

Promotional Culture

30 credits
Spring Semester, Year 1 credits

This module is not about advertising per se or the marketing 'tools' usually suggested by the term promotion but an exploration of 1) how advertising has crossed over into domains beyond the commercial with an alleged collapse of boundaries, and 2) how branding seems increasingly to take over aspects of the lifeworld. According to Andrew Wernick, from whom the term promotional culture is borrowed, advertising 'has come to shape not only culture's symbolic and ideological contents, but also its ethos, texture and constitution' (1991: viii).

The module is about understanding contemporary promotional culture via a grasp of historical developments. These include the development of the capitalist market, the rise of a sign-culture and women as key consumers.

The module opens up theoretical ideas and debate via a series of case studies which may include 'the department store', 'spin', 'celebrity politics', PR journalism, 'the spectacular university', 'the branded self'. The questions it is concerned with include: does it matter that commercial advertising has been overtaken by branding and promotion extending into politics, public services, the arts and charity organisations? Does this mark a problematic undermining of a 'public sphere'? Or can the 'inauthenticity' of promotional culture be democratically enabling in so far its practices lay open the malleability of social life? Do the developments of other modernities (eg. South/East Asia) suggest we should think about the rise of the market, branding and promotion in different ways than is suggested in a Western literature?

Race, Culture and the Media

30 credits
Spring Semester, Year 1 credits

This module explores the intersection of race, culture and analogue/digital media.

It begins by looking at the origins of these debates and introduces how their transformation can be approached through discourse and performance.

It then moves to explore key theoretical lenses through which this module’s topic can be engaged, including a discussion of:

whiteness
class
gender
post-colonialism

Following this conceptual grounding, the course explores a number of contemporary debates that highlight different transformations of race, culture and the media.

These include explorations of the War on Terror, drone warfare, urban multiculture (sound systems, pirate radio and YouTube music videos), #blacklivesmatter, and debates on post-race. Through these means the module complements the School’s offerings in the areas of media, digital media, culture and social change in addition to complementing Global Studies options.

Subjects may include:

origins and transformations: race, culture and media
whiteness
race and class
race, gender and difference
post-colonialism and orientalism
the War on Terror: Twin Towers to Jihadi John
drone warfare
urban multiculture: from analogue to digital
#blacklivesmatters
post-race and rehumanistion

Research Methods for Creative Practice

30 credits
Spring Semester, Year 1 credits

Researching Cultural and Creative Industries

30 credits
Autumn Semester, Year 1 credits

You study the historical, social and ideological work of the critical and creative industries, linking questions of culture to those of business, skill, technology, law and power.

Using frameworks such as the Frankfurt School, Cultural Studies and the digital humanities, you will address key debates in the field, including public-private relationships, intellectual property and access, consumption, fair trade, capital, time and value.

You will also consider the identities and lived experiences of those working in the sector and the meanings and possibilities for cultural innovation and promotion today.

Assessment is through pitch-presentation and an essay which will help you to develop industry skills.

Working in the Creative Industries: Critical frameworks

30 credits
Spring Semester, Year 1 credits

This module addresses the changing scope and experiences of working in the creative industries.

Work is situated in the context of neoliberal economic-political developments and the discursive shift from ‘cultural’ to ‘creative’ industries. It focuses on your own work lives and empirical case studies (from sociology, media, urban and cultural studies) to explore and understand the tensions and contradictions of such work: competitive and collaborative, creative and repetitive, passionate and precarious.

Critically it draws on a range of ideas including immaterial labour and precarity; field, capitals and cultural intermediary; emotional/affective labour; governmentality and individualisation; prosumer/co-creation and ‘gifted’ labour.

Writing for the Screen

30 credits
Spring Semester, Year 1 credits

The module will cover topics including:

The essentials of storytelling: what do all stories have in common?
What is a Screenplay?: is it a Blueprint? Literature? How is it formatted?
The restorative act structure
Alternatives to the restorative act structure
Creating convincing characters
What is motivation?: how does it manifest?
Dialog and the art of subtext
Writing visually: writing stage direction for spec scripts
Script reports: how to analyse a script
Script readings and feedback

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