An MA offered for the first time by the SMARTlab Digital Media Institute

The SMARTlab Digital Media Institute is a world leading research centre with a 15-year history of delivering Practice-based PhDs.

The course focuses on a major studio/lab practical project to be undertaken in the SMARTlab studios (London) in July-August of each year. For the rest of the year, the course is offered via online delivery with bi-monthly seminars (taking place in our Virtual PLAYroom) to cover core research methods and critical contexts. As only the one-month intensive practical component takes place in London, the course is suitable for international students, lifelong learners and those who prefer independent studio practice and blended e-learning models.

We offer this MA as a strong and well valued exit degree in its own right, which may also provide a useful bridge between BA work and professional practice, and possible PhD research through practice.

This is a project-based course, whereby each student will design her or his own ‘learning contract’ for independent but guided work at MA level, in any of the following fields: performance technologies, new media arts, sonic arts, gaming, interactive film and video, virtual environments, technology enhanced learning models, digital materialisation & 3d prototyping, interaction design, interface design, ITC4D, creative technology development, informatics and assistive technology. Each student will work closely with one faculty member as Director of Studies and will choose a practical project and develop it in a supported academic and practical setting.

Students on the programme will enjoy academic and professional contact with a wide range of leading academics in the media, games industry and computing domains, and will work on their projects in a unique research environment, attached to the SMARTlab’s renowned cutting-edge Research Centre, which has graduated 33 successful practice-based PhDs to date and which incorporates many academics and practitioners of international standing, enjoying close relationships and sponsorship from international media conglomerates.

Entry requirements: There is high demand for places on this course so acceptance is competitive. A BA or equivalent body of professional practice is required. Applicants will be interviewed and expected to show degree certificates and/or portfolios of professional practice (real or digital).

For an application pack, contact Alex Hyde: a.hyde@uel.ac.uk