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Our integrated Master's 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.
Overview
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.
This programme combines the content of our Digital Arts BA with additional modules from our MSc programmes. You have the option to specialise by choosing selected modules from the MSc in Computer Animation or Digital Visual Effects.
Our computer animation content has been developed jointly by the School and our industrial partner, Framestore CFC and is oriented towards current industrial needs, technology and practice. Our digital effects content is steered towards careers such as: Technical Director in creature development or lighting effects; Compositor; Modeller and Tracker/matchmover. In smaller environments target roles include 3D generalist/artist, effects artist or compositor. The Careers tab includes more details on graduate employment.
If you would like to take an industrial placement as part of your degree, we also offer Digital Arts with a Year in Industry MArt.
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
For the first three years, you follow the course structure of the BA in Digital Arts.
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.
In the fourth year, you take seven 15-credit modules based on our existing MSc provision, with the opportunity to specialise by taking optional modules from our Computer Animation or Digital Visual Effects MSc programmes. An additional 15-credit project module runs in the spring term.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching in the School was rated as excellent in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2015. The course is taught by a team of experts in communication, animation, film-making, photography and website design.
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.
You 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.
Please note that progression thresholds apply.
Programme aims
This 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. produce high-calibre professional specialists in computer generated imagery (CGI) who are highly skilled in using state-of-the-art 3D modelling and visual effects software.
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.
- the computer animation production process and pipeline roles.
- the principles and practices of animated film development.
- the technical terms and methods used in film editing.
- the fundamental concepts of digital motion art.
- current developments in the visual effects industry and related market sectors.
- the relevance of visual effects within the contemporary television and film industries.
- contemporary business practice in the visual effects industry.
Intellectual skills
You gain 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 students should expect to update their knowledge throughout their 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 their 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.
- Analysis and interpretation of animation issues.
- Ability to work within an animation process and to contribute to this.
- Ability to identify ideas for enhancing a production’s aesthetic quality by the use of CGI.
- Ability to undertake constructive research and development of character performance in animation.
- Ability to demonstrate independence and creative and critical thinking.
Subject-specific skills
You gain 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 utilize 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.
- Use of appropriate software tools, techniques and packages to produce and develop CGI.
- Ability to use drawing as a way of planning, visualising and explaining work in a time-based 3D medium.
- Ability to read and make storyboards and animatics at a professional level.
- Ability to apply management techniques to the planning, resource allocation and execution of a visual effects project.
- Ability to prepare reports and presentations relevant to the design and production of CGI.
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; work as a member of a team.
- Communicate effectively (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.
Careers
This programme offers a variety of career options, dependent on the course content chosen.
Graduates from the Digital Arts BA typically find careers in areas such as: web design, film, games design, animation and internet publishing. While this is a new programme it is designed to offer similar career pathways to our Master's programmes in Computer Animation and Digital Visual Effects.
Previous students from the Computer Animation MSc are working in animation and animation layout roles for companies like Sony Games and Framestore CFC on major titles in games, television and film. This is not easy to achieve as global competition is fierce in these areas - success depends on a much better than average concentration and constant practice to grasp the essence and modern techniques of animation.
Previous students from the Digital Visual Effects MSc are working for London and international companies in areas ranging from television graphics to architectural visualisation, although the thrust of that programme is towards high end film special effects and animation from which the standards and techniques allow you to go into numerous other areas of digital effects.
Alongside your studies on the Digital Arts MArt, you develop useful workplace 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.
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 | ABB |
| GCSE | English language at grade C |
| 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, Distinction |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 16 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. 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
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.