Course overview

The term digital media refers to the presentation of information such as text, images or sound, which is represented in a digital format. Although examples include CDs and DVDs, it is the World Wide Web and mobile technologies that have most emphasis at the moment, as the delivery of video, music, games and social media is an exciting growth area in the UK and internationally.

MSc Digital Media is designed for graduates who have some computing background (although not necessarily a computing degree) and who wish to improve their employment opportunities in the multimedia or entertainment industries. The course considers the theoretical, practical and technical aspects of media production and offers individual subject choices for you to tailor the programme to your personal strengths and interests.

School of Creative Technologies

The School of Creative Technologies was formed in 2002 as a focus for developing courses for industries where media and communication technology have an increasing impact. The aim of the School is to help students become aware of the possibilities of these technologies and how they can be integrated to produce innovative digital products to a professional standard.

Our staff have a diverse range of backgrounds from both academia and industry, enabling us to provide a challenging, stimulating and self-rewarding study environment.

Find out more

If you are interested in studying digital media at Portsmouth, you can meet us at one of our Postgraduate Information Days. We will be happy to answer any queries that you have and tell you even more about ourselves. Please contact us for an invitation. We look forward to meeting you.

Is this the right course for me?

This course is designed for graduates who have some computing background (although not necessarily a computing degree) and who wish to extend their understanding and skills into the multimedia or entertainment industries. For example, arts students may wish to develop the computing experience and creative skills that they gained during an undergraduate animation or media studies degree in order to further their creative range. Alternatively, students with a computing, software engineering or entertainment technology background may want to enhance their technical skills with a thorough understanding of the business environment and the creative opportunities that technology can provide.

Course content

You can choose to study this course on a full or part-time basis. The full-time course runs from October to September and consists of a taught programme of two semesters from October to June. The project is undertaken in the summer period from June to September. The part-time programme runs over three years, from October to June each year.

Our Master?s programme is made up of units to a total of 180 CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer) points. The taught element consists of 120 credits, taught in units rated at 15 or 30 credits each. The project unit is rated at 60 credits. You will study the following core taught units:

• Advance Web Technologies (30 credits): this unit develops your understanding of web development, the latest technologies being deployed on the web and how you might utilise them.
• Multimedia Asset Production (30 credits): this unit focuses on the production of multimedia assets and the range of tasks, skills and management issues involved in creating video and other media material.
• Primary Empirical Techniques for Original Research (15 credits): this unit investigates the different empirical methods needed to successfully conduct research projects.
• Professional Development (15 credits): this unit provides the opportunity for you to develop the skills required to plan and manage development projects in the context of the creative industries.

You will also have the opportunity to choose from some optional specialist units:

• Computer Graphics Techniques and Applications (15 credits): this unit examines the fundamentals of image production and 3D modelling, and their application to animation and virtual reality.
• Post-Production and Special Effects (15 credits): this unit focuses on the post-production stages of generating media composites.
• Programming Principles for 2D and 3D Animation (15 credits): this unit investigates the theoretical elements of the object-orientated paradigm within the context of computer animation.
• Sound Synthesis and Processing (15 credits): this unit establishes the foundations and good practice in Sound Design for artistic and commercial purposes.

Teaching and assessment

Throughout the programme you will participate in a range of technical and creative activities. Units are built around practical problems, which typically require a creative and enterprising approach. There is a mix of both individual and group activities, which also fosters a friendly and collegiate atmosphere and helps to develop communication skills. The core units are taught through lectures, seminars and laboratory sessions, whilst some of the optional units are individual self-directed projects supported by academic staff.

There are a range of assessment types, dependant on the content and nature of each unit. These will typically include coursework, learning journals, examinations and presentations. However, in order to further prepare you for employment in a business environment, and not just for a technical role, you will also complete the Master?s Creative Technology Project. This will give you an opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge from the taught part of the course to a practical client-led problem, usually supplied by local businesses or other external clients. It will also provide experience of project managing an extended research or development project and enable you to develop portfolio pieces.

Career prospects

Graduates will be equipped to seek employment in the media industries (film, web or television), training applications development or any job where you can employ your management and technical skills. Previous students have found employment in web development, major animation companies and also as freelancers.

Facilities and features

You will have access to:

• a large-scale immersive 3D virtual reality system
• games research laboratories
• analogue and digital sound studios
• a surround sound studio
• industry-standard multimedia, video-editing and post-production hardware and software

The University Library is at the centre of academic life and is only a short walk away. Open from 8am until midnight every day during term-time, it provides a variety of information to help with study and research. It has also invested heavily in the purchase of electronic resources. There are over 17,000 electronic journals available, together with 43,000 ebooks, which can be accessed across campus, from home or wherever there is an internet connection.

For international students we have a dedicated team of advisers to support you as you settle into life in Portsmouth and at the University. One of the team almost certainly has direct experience of your culture and may even speak your language.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MSc Digital Media are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: School of Creative Technologies (CT)
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 2421
Email: create.admissions@port.ac.uk