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In current technology, communications, computing and entertainment have converged to create completely new media possibilities and experiences. These creative industries need people who can combine digital technology skills with creative ability to meet design challenges.
Overview
Our multidisciplinary course in Multimedia Technology and Design offers the opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge in areas such as web development and design of interactive applications, as well as a broad grounding in digital photography, digital film-making, 3D modelling and special effects.
Teaching in the School of Engineering and Digital Arts has been rated as excellent. The course is taught by a team of experts in design, animation, film-making, photography, web technology and programming. 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.
Multimedia Technology and Design with a Year in Industry offers you the opportunity to work in a real-life business environment between Stages 2 and 3 of your degree. You will see how the technologies you are studying at Kent are put to use in companies and organisations. Typical placements include manufacturing companies and the electronics departments of industrial, commercial or public service organisations.
Kent graduates in this field have gone on to work for organisations such as Disney, BBC and Framestore.
Student profiles
We are sure you will find your time at Kent enjoyable and rewarding.
See what our students have to say.
Independent rankings
In the National Student Survey 2015, the School of Engineering and Digital Arts was ranked 1st in the UK for student satisfaction.
Course structure
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.
Year in industry
Spend a year working in industry between Stages 2 and 3. Please note that acceptance onto the course is not a guarantee of a placement and to complete the Year in Industry you must achieve an average score of 60% in Stage 1 and 2. The Year in Industry contributes to 10% of your final degree classification.
Although it is your responsibility to secure a suitable placement, the School has excellent industrial links and our dedicated Employability Officer will help with your application. If you still cannot find a placement, your registration changes to the equivalent three-year programme without the Year in Industry option.
Students taking the Year in Industry programme are eligible to apply for a placement offered through the School's exchange agreement with Hong Kong City University.
There are many benefits to taking the Year in Industry. Download our Year in Industry leaflet (PDF) for information on why students take the programme, how the year works, advice on finding a placement and previous students’ experiences.
Teaching and assessment
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. Our Digital Media Hub provides a unique opportunity to work alongside industry on client-led projects.
Most modules consist of a mix of lectures, seminars, studio work, computer sessions and private study. The computer workstations in our multimedia laboratories are equipped with current industry-standard software.
The majority of the modules contain design and project work, and are continuously assessed; some modules also have an end-of-year examination.
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 count as 10% of your overall degree result.
Please note that progression thresholds apply. In particular, in order to be considered for an Industrial Placement, students are required to achieve an overall mark at Stage 1 of at least 60%.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- provide a multidisciplinary education for students who seek professional careers in the field of multimedia technology and design
- produce graduates who have an informed, critical and creative approach to understanding communication through multimedia 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
- create an atmosphere of co-operation and partnership between staff and students, and offer the students an environment where they can develop their potential
- give an opportunity to gain experience as a multimedia practitioner working in a professional environment
- develop employment-related skills, including an understanding of how you relate to the structure and function in an organisation, via a year in industry.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- how 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
- computer, 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
- legal, ethical and regulatory frameworks, which affect the development of multimedia applications
- the role of technology in terms of multimedia production, access and use
- aspects of the core subject areas from the perspective of a commercial or industrial organisation.
Intellectual skills
You develop intellectual skills in:
- how to examine multimedia applications critically
- awareness that technologies are rapidly changing and that you should expect to update your knowledge throughout your working life
- understanding the objectives, constraints and conditions of a commercial environment, including financial and time constraints
- the ability to design and develop software based on an analysis of system requirements
- how to carry out research and integrate information and data from a variety of sources for essays, projects and multimedia applications
- analysing problems and developing solutions based on technical, aesthetic and economic factors
- evaluating your own work in a reflexive manner with reference to academic and professional issues.
- how to analyse, interpret and exercise critical judgement in the understanding and evaluation of multimedia applications
- applying some of the intellectual skills specified for the programme from the perspective of a commercial or industrial organisation.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in the following areas:
- scripting and programming languages in the implementation of interactive applications
- implementing software solutions using structural and object oriented languages
- developing specific proficiencies in utilising a range of multimedia design tools including 3D modelling, animation, video editing, image manipulating and multimedia authoring
- integrating text, graphics and time-based elements to produce effective web sites
- the ability to initiate, develop and realise distinctive and creative applications which demonstrate the effective manipulation of multimedia assets
- how to utilise a range of research skills, for example, research into potential audiences and markets, as a production tool
- the ability to prepare technical reports and presentations as well as story-boards as part of the multimedia project development cycle
- applying management techniques to the planning, resource allocations and execution of a design project
- how to apply some of the subject-specific skills specified for the programme from the perspective of a commercial or industrial organisation.
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in:
- IT, including word processing, email and the use of information from online and electronic sources
- communicating effectively with others as a member of a team
- the effective management of resources and time and the ability to organise and prioritise tasks
- flexible thinking, including the ability to be open to new and alternative ideas
- how to manage and carry a project through to delivery.
Careers
On our Year in Industry programme, you will gain practical work experience, while assessing possible future career options and making contacts in the industry. In addition to the technical skills you acquire on this programme, you also gain key transferable skills including the ability to present complex material in an accessible way, the ability to work independently and in a team, and the confidence to develop your own ideas.
Our recent graduates have gone into computer-based training, web development, web mastering, multimedia authoring, television, film, electronic games, mobile communications, electronic commerce, internet publishing, multimedia marketing, computer programming and network management. Some have gone on to postgraduate study, such as our MSc in Computer Animation or Digital Visual Effects.
Entry 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 |
| GCSE | C in Mathematics |
| 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 including Mathematics 4 at HL or SL |
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. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.
Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2016/17 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
The University of Kent is currently considering whether to increase its regulated full-time tuition fees for all returning Home and EU undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250 in September 2017. This would be subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses might also rise by 2.8%.
For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk
UK/EU/International students on an approved Year Abroad for the full 2016/17 academic year pay an annual fee of £1,350 to Kent for that year. Those on an approved Year in Industry pay an annual fee of £865 to Kent for that year. Students studying abroad for less than one academic year will pay full fees according to their fee status.
Funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Details of our proposed funding opportunities for 2016 entry can be found on our 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 the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. For 2016 entry, the scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our scholarships pages. Please review the eligibility criteria on that page.