Media, Art, Design and Technology

The Bachelor of Arts in Media, Art, Design and Technology at Hanze University of Applied Sciences offers an innovative and comprehensive programme designed to prepare students for dynamic careers in the creative industries. This interdisciplinary programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, enabling students to explore the intersection of media, art, design, and technology in contemporary contexts. Throughout the programme, students engage with various topics such as digital media production, interactive design, visual communication, and multimedia storytelling, fostering their ability to develop innovative solutions for complex problems in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on experience through numerous projects, workshops, and collaborations with industry partners, ensuring students are well-equipped with professional competencies. Additionally, students have the opportunity to specialize in areas such as game design, interactive media, or visual arts, tailored to their interests and career ambitions. The programme encourages creativity, critical thinking, and technical proficiency, cultivating graduates who can adapt to new trends and technologies. With a focus on sustainable and ethical practices, students are also prepared to contribute positively to society through thoughtful and responsible media and design solutions. The programme benefits from experienced faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a vibrant international community, providing a stimulating environment for artistic exploration and technological innovation. Graduates of this programme are prepared for roles in media production, digital art, multimedia design, user experience, and beyond, ready to make meaningful contributions to the fields of digital media, communication, and creative industries worldwide.

First year: exploring possibilities

The first year of this study programme is mostly about exploring your chosen field. You will carry out your own experiments in our Hybrid Arts Lab, tinker with new technology for creative programming and explore research possibilities in art, design and performative practices. This will allow you to improve your knowledge and skills, get to know the international field of practice, forge new concepts and discover avenues of artistic research.

First-year highlights

• Experimentation in our Hybrid Arts Lab. 
• Rich creative programming course like MAX/MSP.
• Research and media theory courses on the relationship between visual perception psychology and media theory and between perception and cognition, current developments in media theory, and links between art, visual communication and visual culture.
• Option to attend lectures at the University of Groningen.
• A joint research course on Art and/as Research: Media, Materials and Makers together with master’s students from the University of Groningen.
• Regular sessions in which you and your fellow students present and discuss the results of experiments, workshops, research projects and your progress to each other, to experts and to the public.
• Individual and group visits to relevant institutions, festivals, workspaces and research centres.

Preparing for the second year

During your first year you will gradually start to focus on the area you want to concentrate on in your second year, gathering ideas, improving your skills and gaining new knowledge to prepare for your practical research. This will help you to develop and refine the research plan that you will carry out in the second year and which will form the basis for your master’s thesis. At the end of your first year your work will be assessed to determine whether you are ready to start the second year.
Second year: achieving your artistic goals

At the start of your second year you will begin work on your graduation project. Most of your time will be devoted to working on this project. You will still attend classes, but fewer than in your first year. Supervisors will advise and guide you and stimulate your progress. Your goal in this year is to complete your research project and write your master’s thesis. There will be plenty of opportunities throughout the year to share what you have learned and experienced with others during group sessions, discussions and presentations. Depending on your needs, one or more guest lecturers may also be asked to contribute to the supervision of your research project. Second-year students also take part in a series of public dialogues to discuss their work with guest lecturers and others, which will help you to enhance your work and take it to the next level.

Grants and awards

As a second year master’s student you can apply for excellence awards such as the George Verberg Grant, a prestigious annual award in the amount of €10,000, enabling the winner to spend a year in one of the Baltic States, Germany, Poland or Scandinavia to work there as an artist, designer or performer.

Second-year highlights

• Extensive time in the lab, experimenting on your own or in collaboration with others, focusing on your own project.
• Creative programme with both individual and group components.
• Option to attend lectures on relevant topics at the University of Groningen, including history of art, psychology of art and art philosophy.
• Independent study, supervised by your lecturers.
• Project work, collaborating with the Centre of Applied Research and other Hanze UAS partners.
• Visits to international festivals such as Ars Electronica in Linz, Transmediale in Berlin, TENT London, Art Berlin, Oerol and an intensive study trip to New York.
• Regular sessions in which you and your fellow students present and discuss the results of experiments, workshops, research projects and work relating to your graduation project.
• Presentation and discussion of your work at public events such as festivals, exhibitions and lectures.

Graduation work and master’s thesis

Towards the end of your second year you will work on your graduation project and write a master’s thesis in which you demonstrate your analytical skills, critical view, ability to reflect on your own work and overall research abilities. Your thesis should set out how you envisage your future position in the visual art world, contributing to the public discussion to advance quality of life around the world. You will present both your artistic work and your master’s thesis during your public graduation ceremony.

Upon graduation you will be awarded a Master of Arts degree in Fine Art and Design with a specialisation in MADtech. Graduates typically go on to work as independent artists, designers or performers.

To be admitted you must hold a bachelor’s degree in art (visual art or design) or an equivalent university degree or qualifications in a related area. In addition, you are expected to be proficient in English. You must be able to read specialist publications in English, follow instructions in English and articulate your ideas well in English. English proficiency is to be demonstrated by submission of an official international IELTS or TOEFL test certificate. The minimum requirements are:

• International IELTS test score: 6.5
• International TOEFL test scores:
• Internet-based: 90
• Computer-based: 232
• Paper-based: 575

Our admission procedure consists of two rounds. First we assess your submitted documentation and completed application form. After this, we invite you for a half-hour interview, possibly followed by a second interview. If you live abroad and cannot come to Groningen for this, we can conduct the interview by telephone or Skype.

To be admitted to this master’s degree programme, you have to show us what you wish to get out of the programme. We therefore ask you to submit a broad outline of the kind of artistic research that matters to you. What fascinates you about media, art, design and technology? What kind of experiments would you like to carry out? During the admissions interview you will discuss your ideas with us. Once admitted, your ideas will form the basis for your next two years.

Tuition Fees 2018-2019

• EU/EEA students: € 2,060 
• Non-EU/EEA students: € 7,700

The Media, Art, Design and Technology program at Hanze University of Applied Sciences is a multidisciplinary bachelor's degree that integrates creative arts with innovative technology. This program is designed to equip students with a broad skill set that spans visual design, digital media, interactive arts, and technological development, aiming to prepare them for dynamic careers in the creative industries. The curriculum emphasizes a hands-on approach, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application. Students engage in project-based learning, working on real-world assignments that foster creativity, technical proficiency, and problem-solving abilities.

Throughout the program, students explore diverse topics such as visual communication, media production, user experience design, and emerging digital tools. The program also encourages experimentation and interdisciplinary collaboration, enabling students to develop unique artistic expressions integrated with technological advancements. The program's structure includes courses on digital media, art theory, animation, interactive media, coding, and hardware integration, offering a comprehensive understanding of the evolving media landscape.

Hanze University emphasizes innovation and entrepreneurship, encouraging students to develop their own projects and seek innovative solutions to contemporary challenges. The program often involves collaboration with industry partners, providing students with valuable networking opportunities and practical experience. Additionally, students have access to modern facilities, including media labs, art studios, and audiovisual equipment, to support their creative endeavors.

Graduates of this program are well-prepared for careers as multimedia artists, digital designers, interactive media specialists, media producers, and arts technologists. They can work in various sectors, including advertising, digital entertainment, media production, and cultural organizations. The program's international environment attracts students from diverse backgrounds, fostering a global perspective on media and art.

Overall, the Media, Art, Design and Technology program at Hanze University of Applied Sciences offers an innovative education that merges artistic creativity with technological expertise, aiming to develop versatile professionals capable of shaping the future of media and art industries in a rapidly evolving digital world.