Crossing the boundaries - interactive media spans the worlds of IT, software, digital media, web design and art.

The interactive media industry is worth several billion pounds annually and employs around 40,000 people, representing approximately ten percent of the total audio visual work.

This dynamic MA course, one of the longest-established in the field, is designed for people who want to work in interactive media, website creation and interactive art. It combines theory and practice, covering conceptualisation, planning, design, coding, production, project management and usability testing. As a student you will be encouraged to explore, experiment and take risks.

The unique approach of this MA lies in its emphasis on the role of theory in underpinning multimedia practice, and on making interactive media works to challenge and test theories of interactive communication. It is this that differentiates it from other related courses at postgraduate level.

The course places great weight on the learning opportunities afforded by group-work. It reflects the multi-disciplinary and cooperative nature of industry practice and has the added benefit of enabling students from many differing cultures to exchange ideas, concepts and learning experiences in a collaborative environment.

LCC has an outstanding team of practitioners and published researchers and enjoys a powerful programme of visiting speakers. The course also benefits from a cross-European collaboration with media industry professionals and higher education institutions and there is an opportunity to visit at least one other centre in Europe during the course.

This course is taught within the Faculty of Media

Who teaches the course

You will work with highly qualified and experienced educators in multimedia who deliver the course and who retain close involvement with the industry, continuing their professional practice and, in the majority of cases, engaging in scholarly research at an international level. In addition, there will be visiting experts from the industry itself.

What students say about the course

"I've worked with people from more than 10 different countries - where else could I get that experience?"

"I'm a better team leader now - I know what its like to be on the other side, and I'm a better team player now, because I can manage myself."

"Here we have been taught to think as well as to do."

"It's a very well balanced combination of theory and practice. For overseas students it's very good that it is so intense and that you have to attend five days a week."

"I really enjoyed the course for all its opportunities. We had much better support than you get on other courses. The lectures and seminars were great."

Phase 1

• Unit 1.1 Theories & Contexts of Interactive Media
• Unit 1.2 User Experience, User Centered Design & Usability
• Unit 1.3 Technologies of Interactive Media

Phase 1 of the course introduces you to the technologies and concepts that are core to the practice and theory of Interactive Media.

Following an induction programme that sets the scene for the course, you will see how contemporary multimedia practice uses a range of technologies and concepts, and you will experience the interrelationship between theory and practice. This Phase allows you to acquire the important foundations of knowledge in interactivity and multimedia that are critical for the development of subsequent stages of the course.

Phase 2

• Unit 2.1 Interactive Futures-Sustainability
• Unit 2.2 Physical Computing
• Unit 2.3 Applied Research Methodologies
• (Exceptional Postgraduate Diploma exit point after 120 credits)

Phase 2 offers you the opportunity to move towards specialisation within Multimedia. In this Phase, we place the emphasis on equipping you with the necessary skills, knowledge and intellectual, contextual and analytical tools to enable you to work innovatively and rigorously within Interactive Media. Building on the experience gained in Phase One, Phase Two moves towards integrating what you have learned into the practice of Interactive Media as a whole.

At the end of Phase 2, there is an exceptional exit point for Postgraduate Diploma and a progression point for the MA
 
Phase 3

• Unit 3.1 Final Major Project (Weighted 50% written component & 50% practical component)

Within Phase 3 you will undertake a Final Major Research Project which relates to Interactive Media communications, aesthetics and/or technologies. This will involve your individual contribution to a group Interactive Media practical project and the completion of a related thesis which demonstrates your critical reflection, analysis and original research. You will have access to broad theoretical models which span the discipline and you will apply these models to your own specialist area of interest.

Graduates of the MA Interactive Media are frequently recruited by a wide range of media companies in London in what are usually mid-level to senior positions. Those students entering organisations at a more junior level very soon find themselves promoted to increasingly senior positions. The course maintains strong links with industry partners who attend our annual degree show exhibition searching out new talent.

Some international students choose to remain in the UK to gain valuable industry experience whilst others return to their home countries to pursue successful careers.

The types of positions gained are varied but include; project manager, user experience architect, interface designer, senior web designer, information architect, programmer, usability specialist, producer, SEO specialist, content stategist, developer & interaction designer.

A significant proportion of our graduates start their own companies and in some instances further develop their course Final Major Projects and take them to market. This process can be aided by the University's Enterprise Centre for the Creative Arts - ECCA.

Applicants are expected to have an honors degree, preferably in a related subject. However we do not preclude candidates who have graduated from other less strongly aligned disciplines.

Additionally we welcome applications from non-traditional backgrounds and in particular mature students. We can also assess prior experience as part of our selection criteria.

Although not an entry requirement, you should know enough HTML, Dreamweaver and Flash to be able to communicate complex ideas with colleagues online. This is not a course that teaches software skills, or superficial styling tricks. We expect you to know or to teach yourself whatever software skills you need.

International and EU students: If your first language is not English you should check you have achieved the correct IELTS level in English. Further information is available on our International Applications page.

Portfolio Advice

ALL applicants must submit a Portfolio of work together with the Application Form whether they are in the UK or resident overseas. Applications will be shortlisted and those candidates will be invited for interview (telephone interviews can also be arranged if you live outside the UK). The portfolio should be in digital form either on CD or DVD or alternatively online.

Application

Please send completed application form (PDF 4MB) and supporting work/portfolios to: Postgraduate Admissions, Central Administration Office, 5th Floor Tower Block, London College of Communication, Elephant and Castle, London, SE1 6SB. International students should use the international postgraduate application form which is available to download on the international office's web pages. There is no official deadline, but applications should be sent by June for the best chance of getting onto the course.

Home/EU student fee discounts

If you have successfully completed a UAL undergraduate degree, PgDip or PgCert you will qualify for a £1000 discount from your tuition fees. For further information please contact pgadmissions@lcc.arts.ac.uk

Admissions enquiries

For enquiries about admissions please call the postgraduate admissions team on +44(0)20 7514 6569 or email pgadmissions@lcc.arts.ac.uk (for UK and EU student enquiries) or v.gavulic@lcc.arts.ac.uk (for international enquiries).