Design and Digital Media

This programme deals with the complex relationships between design and digital media.

Digital media technology is at the heart of modern life. At work, in education, in leisure and entertainment, even in sport, digital tools and devices are everywhere. How we communicate, our social life, the core of our society, is now based on digital media. Design, also, continually shapes contemporary experience. The products and services we use, the environment we inhabit, the information we use, or are presented or bombarded with, are all designed with specific intent. Things that are not themselves digital are commonly designed digitally. This programme deals with the complex relationships between design and digital media.

Who should study design and digital media?

You don’t have to be a designer. If you aspire to design, manage, develop software, teach or research in or around the creative industries, this programme could be for you.

Studio culture

You will become part of a lively studio culture, developing techniques and skills in design of, for and with digital media through a series of intensive projects. Group work, peer learning and a strong team ethos are key. Uniquely, we integrate this practice-based approach with examining the role and place of design in our culture and commerce and the ethics and legality of digital systems: providing a rigorous theoretical context for practical work. We also explore the artistic dimensions of design as creative practice.

Creative environment

You will enjoy insights into many other practices and closely related degree programmes, sharing courses and activities in fields including sound design, digital composition and performance, sustainable environmental design and urban design.

Skills and careers

You will develop design projects in, for example, animation, interaction, video and mobile games, the web and social media, e-commerce and entrepreneurship, media installations, performance and more. Our graduates work in all these areas, as well as advertising, education, television and journalism.

Top five reasons to choose the programme

• The University and the City. Edinburgh is a vibrant hub of creativity all year round, and especially during the Festival period. The University has a combination of expertise and facilities, in its College of Art, its School of Informatics, and their integration into other areas, that is unrivalled anywhere in Europe.
• Ranked amongst the world’s best. The University of Edinburgh has been ranked 11th in the world in the area of the Arts and Humanities, which includes Edinburgh College of Art.
• Flexibility and choice. Our programme is specifically developed to allow you the opportunity to tailor it to suit your own individual aims and interests, through project options and especially the Final Project, where you can go into real depth on your own choice of topic.
• Integration of theory and practice. Most digital media design programmes focus either on technology design or on media theory; we offer a unique combination of these perspectives.
• International culture. This programme normally attracts over 30 students from across the globe, including China, the USA, the Middle East, Latin America and many other parts of Europe. You will develop friendships and links of lifelong value

Normally a 2:1 honours degree or its equivalent if outside the UK. The subject discipline is not as important as aptitude and commitment to study in this area. Equivalent experience may be considered as alternative fulfilment of part or all of the requirement in individual cases.English language requirementsIf English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your spoken and written English.IELTS minimum scoreIELTS total 6.5 (at least 6.0 in each module) Other accepted tests and scoresTOEFL-iBT: Total 92 (at least 20 in each module) PTE(A): Total 61 (at least 56 in each of the "Communicative Skills" sections) CPE Grade C; CAE Grade B English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 75 (Grade B) TOEFL iBT® test: 92 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.