Digital Arts

Description

Digital technology has had a tremendous impact on all forms of communication in the 21st century. Using computers, visual artists can manipulate all forms of artefacts, whether video, photographic images, sound clips or text, to create exciting new experiences for audiences.

Our course in Digital Arts offers you the opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge in areas such as interaction design, web design, digital film-making, computer animation and special effects.

Teaching in the School has been rated as excellent. The course is taught by a team of experts in communication, animation, film-making, photography and website design.

We have a team of senior industrialists who meet regularly with staff to review our courses, and there is an option to spend a year working in industry.

Careers

Studying on this new programme will not only equip you with an in-depth understanding of some of the most exciting technologies of the 21st century. It will also enable you to develop skills such as planning and organisation, leadership, and effective communication. If you are interested in setting up your own business, the Kent Enterprise Hub is there to offer help and advice.

Graduates will find careers in areas such as: web design, film, games design, animation and internet publishing. Some may wish to go onto postgraduate study, such as our MScs in Computer Animation or Digital Visual Effects or an MA in Architectural Visualisation.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline January 15 Tuition fee

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 14860 Year (Non-EEA)

Start date September 2015 Credits (ECTS) 180 ECTS
Credits Total Kent credits: 360
Duration full-time 36 months Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Full-time More information Go To The Course Website

Course Content

The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules, you may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.

Stage 1

Possible modules may include:

EL313 - Introduction to Programming

EL331 - Website Design

EL338 - Visual Communication

EL339 - Digital Photography

EL340 - Digital Effects

EL341 - Graphic Design

EL342 - Moving Image

EL542 - Creativity in Interactive and Tangible Media

Stage 2

Possible modules may include:

EL642 - Project Design

EL532 - Virtual Worlds and 3D Modelling

EL533 - Digital Film-Making

EL537 - Digital Portfolio

EL539 - Professional Practice

Stage 3

Possible modules may include:

EL641 - Digital Visual Effects and Post Production

EL636 - Final Year Project

EL638 - 3D Computer Animation Pipeline

EL639 - Videogames Design

CB302 - Managers and Organisations

Teaching & Assessment

Most modules consist of a mix of lectures, seminars, studio work, computer sessions and private study. The workstations in our computer suites are equipped with current industry-standard software.

All modules contain design and project work, and are continuously assessed. The specialist project at Stage 3 is assessed by a written report, a critique and, of course, the outcome of the project itself. Both Stage 2 and 3 marks count towards your degree result.

The industrial placement year is assessed by a written report and an interview that together count as 10% of your overall degree result.

Our students have 24-hour access to our extensive air-conditioned computer suites and are able to take advantage of dedicated photographic and production studios, with green-screen, motion-capture and 3D scanning facilities.

Programme aims

The programme aims to:

• provide a multidisciplinary education for students who seek professional careers in the field of digital arts
• produce graduates who have an informed, critical and creative approach to understanding communication through digital media design in contemporary society
• prepare students to meet the challenges of a broad and rapidly changing field while providing them with a wide choice of careers
• provide proper academic guidance and welfare support for all students
• create an atmosphere of co-operation and partnership between staff and students, and offer the students an environment where they can develop their potential.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You gain knowledge and understanding of:

• the audio, visual and verbal conventions through which sounds, images and words take meaning
• fundamental concepts of IT and software engineering
• the creative processes involved in visual design
• the contextual, historical and conceptual dimensions of the discipline
• audio, video and film technology, including digital television and DVD
• the multimedia authoring process
• fundamentals of 3D modelling and animation
• key production processes and professional practices relevant to the multimedia industry
• the legal, ethical and regulatory frameworks which affect the development of multimedia applications
• the role of technology in terms of multimedia production, access and use.

Intellectual skills

You develop the following intellectual skills:

• ability to examine multimedia applications critically with appropriate reference to their social and cultural contexts and diversity of contemporary society
• awareness that technologies are rapidly changing and that you should expect to update your knowledge throughout your working life
• awareness of the objectives, constraints and conditions of a commercial environment, including financial and time constraints
• ability to design and develop software based on an analysis of system requirements
• ability to carry out research and integrate information and data from a variety of sources for essays, projects and multimedia applications
• ability to analyse a problem and develop a solution based on technical, aesthetic and economic factors
• consider and evaluate your own work in a reflexive manner with reference to academic and professional issues
• analyse, interpret and exercise critical judgement in the understanding and evaluation of multimedia applications.

Subject-specific skills

You develop the following subject-specific skills:

• ability to use scripting and programming languages in the implementation of interactive applications
• ability to demonstrate creative and technical skills in drawing and design
• ability to develop specific proficiencies in utilising a range of multimedia design tools including 3D modelling, animation, video editing, image manipulating and multimedia authoring
• ability to integrate text, graphics and time-based elements to produce effective websites
• ability to initiate, develop and realise distinctive and creative applications which demonstrate the effective manipulation of multimedia assets
• ability to utilise a range of research skills, for example, research into potential audiences and markets, as a production tool
• ability to prepare technical reports and presentations
• ability to prepare storyboards as part of the multimedia project development cycle
• ability to apply management techniques to the planning, resource allocations and execution of a design project.

Transferable skills

You gain the following transferable skills:

• ability to generate, analyse, present and interpret data
• use of information and communications technology
• personal and interpersonal skills, team-working
• effective communication (in writing, verbally and in a variety of media)
• learn effectively for the purpose of continuing professional development
• ability for working in flexible, creative and independent ways and for critical thinking, reasoning and reflection
• ability to organise and manage time and resources within an individual project and a group project.

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test.

Requirements

Home/EU students

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.

Qualification Typical offer/minimum requirement

• A level:BBB
• Access to HE Diploma:The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma):Distinction, Distinction, Merit
• International Baccalaureate:34 points overall or 15 at HL

International students

The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Kent.

Funding

Kent offers generous financial support schemes to support eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Our 2013 financial support package includes a fee waiver and cash bursary, as well as additional funds on your Kent account to help with accommodation, food, books and other living costs. Find out more on our fees and funding page.

General scholarships

Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.

The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence

At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created a new scholarship, The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence, which will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our funding pages.

Accreditation

Accreditation and rankings

All of our engineering degree programmes are accredited by our professional body, the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

The Times Good University Guide, The Guardian University Guide, The Complete University Guide and the National Student Survey (NSS) continually rank us among the top schools in the UK for our degree programmes, standard and quality of teaching, as well as our commitment to enhancing our students’ employability.

Our accreditation

Our Engineering degrees have been accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council. Our accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

Our programmes in Computer Systems Engineering and Electronic and Communications Engineering provide you with a broad grounding in these vital fields.

Engineering Programmes at Kent have been continuously accredited by the IET for 30 years. The School of Engineering and Digital Arts is an IET Academic Partner.

EDA is proud to be a member of the Engineering Professors' Council – Promoting Excellence in Engineering in Higher Education.

Rankings

League tables

• 100% student satisfaction with course and 7th place overall in Guardian League Table 2014
• 4th for Electronic Engineering for Teaching Excellence – 2013 Sunday Times University Guide
• 1st for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Student Satisfaction – 2012 Times Good University Guide
• 1st for Electrical and Electronic Engineering Student Satisfaction – 2012 Complete University Guide
• 3rd place for student satisfaction across the sector in Complete University Guide 2014

National Student Survey (NSS)

• 1st (for the fourth time) for student satisfaction, 2012
• 3rd in the UK, in subject, for teaching, 2012
• 3rd in the UK, in subject, for assessment and feedback, 2012

Job prospects

• 7th place across the sector in Complete University Guide 2014 for employability – 90% take up of work or further study six months after graduation
• 14th in the UK for Electrical & Electronic Engineering graduating students' employment prospects, in Times Good University Guide 2012
• 90% of Kent Electronic Engineering students found employment or went onto further study within 6 months of graduating in 2010
• 95% of Kent Design studies students found employment or went onto further study within 6 months of graduating in 2010