Course Summary

This exciting and innovative course was successfully launched as part of our initiative to develop research on new media and convergence. It blends a wide range of intellectual traditions with an investigation into the major developments and current debates in media theory as they relate to media devices including internet, video games, film, television and mobile computing. This investigation invokes both theoretical and practical learning.

The course offers opportunities to study a selection of disciplines relating to media, culture and technology. You will explore many of the latest developments in communications technologies, creating an impressive portfolio of work to highlight your knowledge. You will also pursue a specialist subject through an extended piece of written or practical work. Through this project you will demonstrate your skills, ideas and learning related to your choice of subject, which could include digital aesthetics, computer game cultures, cyber culture, the impacts of mobile computing on society and web design, or any others that capture your interest.

This course is conducted near the University's Research Institute for Media, Art and Design, which is the editorial base for Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies. The institute also plays host to the annual Under the Mask: Perspective on the Gamer conference, in addition to other regular seminars, screenings and reports. As such, there will be opportunities for you to network, make career contacts and even publish your work in an internationally recognised publication.

Why choose this course?

A former student stressed the critical thinking skills he learned on this course as being 'invaluable in the work environment'. Successful students will graduate with both general creative and critical capabilities as well as a specialist understanding of the fast-paced media and technology industries. Upon course completion, you will be highly employable in careers involving web design, mobile computing design, media research, journalism, advertising and PR.

During the course you will:

• Become part of an inspiring community of new media researchers
• Gain an understanding of the media theory behind internet, video games, film, television and more
• Explore the latest developments in media and communications technology
• Build a diverse portfolio of work, which will highlight multiple media disciplines
• Conduct an independent written or practical project on a relevant specialist subject
• Work closely with our Research Institute for Media, Art and Design
• Network and gain invaluable contacts from various conferences
• Be able to pitch your work for publication in Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies

Areas of study you may cover on this course include:

• Designing for the web
• Media and cyber culture
• Games studies
• Online industry and community
• Publishing and new technology
• Research methods
• Media theory
• Representation and reality

MAXMC

Assessment

The core units contain both formative and summative assessments, and it is during these units that students should learn the range of competences and knowledges necessary to succeed on the courses. For their project work students can undertake a traditional dissertation, a piece of practical work, a portfolio of diverse practical work, or some combination of these. The courses utilize essays, special exercises, case studies, projects, dissertations, and practical work for assessment as appropriate to the topic.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:

1. Understand and utilize independently the key theories and methods of media analysis.

2. Demonstrate in writing, and other media forms, a sophisticated understanding of the key cultural, economic and technological issues in the new media, and an ability to apply these understandings, autonomously, to specific examples.

3. Develop, and defend, personal perspectives or hypotheses about new media technologies.

4. Demonstrate an awareness of the diversity of styles and forms of new media and a systematic ability to apply these awarenesses in independent analysis.

5. Understand the historical contexts that have influenced the development of new media technologies.

6. Undertake sophisticated research related to new technology and the mass media.

7. Function as an effective autonomous learner, able to synthesise established perspectives and develop original research.

External Benchmarking

The University's own curriculum descriptors can be found at http://www.beds.ac.uk/aboutus/qa/documents/qahsep06-app11a.doc and http://www.beds.ac.uk/aboutus/qa/documents/qahsep06-app11b.doc (Masters).

Educational Aims

The MA Media, Culture & Technology has two main elements. One element examines the creative discourses of media technology with the emphasis on new technologies. The other element focuses on public policies and corporate economics and their relationship to the cultural system of production, distribution and reception. In other words it examines the relationship between the creative act, the economic environment and the cultural context of its enunciation. Overarching these is a pedagogic strategy, which sees theoretical analysis and practical exploration as interdependent elements. The curriculum ensures that students are encouraged to develop skills in research, and have the ability to operate as independent learners.

Student support

The Media MA courses are managed by the Field Chair with administrative support. Each unit has a unit tutor. Students can get general academic advice from the Field Chair and unit specific support from the relevant unit tutor. For the two projects which together constitute 50% of the course, students have their own individual tutor who they will see regularly. Students with specific study or general problems will be referred to Student Services.

Team working

You will develop your abilities to work with others on group tasks and projects, becoming more adept at listening to others, expressing your own views and helping a group to devise plans and strategies.

Career Management Skills

Students will be encouraged to identify their strengths, interests and development needs in relation to the practices and conventions of both the media industry and of scholarship and research.

Career/Further study opportunities

Career:

The qualification will be of value to anyone seeking employment in the media. The media industry is a rapidly changing field and an understanding of the ways in which the media can be allied is an important transferable skill. The project work on the course provides opportunity to make contacts and develop specialist knowedge of specific areas of the media. Typical areas that Media graduates find work in include broadcasting, journalism, arts administration, photography, theatre, research, marketing sales and advertising, design, writing. In addition students graduating with an MA Media Culture Technology will be suitably equipped to seek work in the rapidly expanding new media industries.

Further study:

Students who graduate from this MA Course will be qualified to apply for MPhil and PhD research degrees.

Entry

Additional:

Applicants should have a first degree in the area of arts, humanities or social science; or significant media industry experience.

UK students Undergraduate entry requirements

Standard entry requirements for Foundation degrees (FD/FdSc)

A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.

Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.

• As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.
• Students who require a Tier 4 Student Visa cannot apply for our foundation courses. For these courses the University of Bedfordshire is not able to sponsor Tier 4 Student Visa applications.

Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.

We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.

Standard entry requirements for Undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc)

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

The general requirement is one of the following:

• UCAS Tariff Score greater than 200, which should include either two A level passes or an AVCE Double Award
• An Access qualification
• Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma

Postgraduate taught courses

Postgraduate applications (MA/MSc) should be made direct to the University using the  standard University application form. There are some exceptions, please see individual course descriptions for details.

• UK/EU students application form
• International (non-EU) students application form
  

Students from the European Union

Entry requirements

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.

How to apply

International students

• Undergraduate applications (BA/BSc) can be made direct to the University or via our representatives in your home country. If you intend to apply to more than one university in the UK you should apply via UCAS. If you want to apply to the University of Bedfordshire only you should apply directly using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Postgraduate applications should be made directly to the University using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Healthcare, nursing and midwifery students Many of these courses are not available to overseas students due to UK immigration law in regard to bursary funding. Please contact international admissions to find out if you are eligible to apply
• BA Nursing Studies Level 3 (with or without Overseas Nursing Programme) is available to overseas students - please contact International Admissions by email at international-admissions@beds.ac.uk for further information

(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)

Course application form for international students

We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.

• Course application form for direct applications [PDF]

How to complete your course application

Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.

Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section

Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL)

APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.

Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.

We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.

• APL application form for International students [100Kb] updated 041007

What next?

Return your completed application to:

University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom

Contact International Admissions

T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk

Awarding institution

University of Bedfordshire

Teaching Strategy

The Media MA courses share a common structure, having three core units, two projects, and generally 45 credits worth of options. The core units address the central issues of theory, method and representation. The projects, constituting 50% of the degree, allow students opportunity for focused and detailed work on topics of their choice. This enables students to tailor their degree closely to their own individual needs.

Teaching is delivered by a variety of means lectures, seminars, workshops and practical work. Classes take place in different environments according to purpose in viewing rooms, editing suites, computer workshops and classrooms. Many classes take place in our research base, the Centre for International Media Analysis, Research and Consultancy, which also provides a resourced workspace for postgraduate students.

We encourage MA students to attend our graduate research seminars which feature guest speakers.

Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body Accreditation

N/A

Students with disabilities

In general the course can accommodate the needs of students with disabilities. The MA Documentary requires a degree of mobility, and students with specific disabilities can seek advice.

Advice on the nature of specific disabilities and the reasonable adjustments which can be made to accommodate disabled students is available from the Disability Advice Team.

Skills Development

Communication

To help with the development of this you will:

• Develop the ability to discuss complex ideas and theories in seminars, tutorials, group discussions, project planning meetings. You will develop the ability to give oral presentations of your work. Students who are diagnosed with needs for extra support with writing and communications skills development may be required to take extra classes provided by the University

Information Literacy

To help with the development of this you will:

• Develop your ability conduct a literature review, to search for information, and to write in a clear lucid and well structured manner

Research and Evaluation

To help with the development of this you will:

• Learn how to utilize the resources of the library and the internet, develop your skills of pursuing research leads, and develop your ability to sift, assess, select and evaluate a range of information

Creativity and Critical Thinking

To help with the development of this you will:

• In diverse media related situations, develop your independent and imaginative thinking, enhancing your ability to take an enquiring and critical viewpoint on material you encounter

Improving learning and performance

The MA courses are designed to allow students to build on the knowledges and competences developed in the core units, moving on to the independent and self designed learning processes that the projects enable. The individual tutorial contact provided during the Project work means that teaching is focused on individual needs and abilities.

Progress files

Throughout the course you will be provided with written feedback which you are encouraged to retain and file. In the second and third semesters you will be doing Project based work for which you will have regular contact with a supervisor who will advise you on your progress and for which you will keep a research diary recording your working progress.

Professional standards

From the outset we will expect you to adhere to basic professional standards in all your work and in all your dealings with staff and other students. In particular:

• You must punctually attend all scheduled lectures, seminars, workshops. If unforeseen circumstances prevent you attending then you should notify your tutor, preferably in advance


• You must submit all assessed work before the deadline. You should note that the normal vagaries of life would not be acceptable as an excuse for missing a publication / transmission deadline within the industry and so we will apply the same standards. Computer problems and data loss will certainly not be accepted as a valid reason for non or late-submission


• When working on a group project with other students you must play a full part in the group and deal with others professionally. You must provide your colleagues with appropriate contact details and maintain contact with them throughout the project


• When completing academic work you must adhere to the codes and conventions of academic writing with all sources acknowledged and referenced in accordance with the Universitys guidelines. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may constitute plagiarism - an academic offence


• The media is subject to a range of legislation and regulation. Your production work must conform to these limitations and any other legislation that impacts on your work. In your final project you should be undertaking work that challenges conventions and tests boundaries. However, you should do this in consultation with your tutors and supervisor to ensure that you remain within the law. If in doubt, seek advice


• With access to a range of powerful communication techniques, you must always adhere to acceptable ethical principles, values and norms in the representation of people, particularly in terms of sexuality, religion, class, race and gender


• You may borrow production equipment from the Media Hub. The availability of equipment will always be limited and so you must ensure that you return it on time and in good order.

Whilst you have University equipment in your possession you must take care to ensure that it is not lost or stolen and that you operate it in a safe manner and in accordance with training you are given

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

Staff will refer to these standards throughout the programme. Some units deal with some aspects of the code explicitly, others will expect you to apply the code to your work. As you progress through the course you will be expected to develop your understanding of professional standards and how they are challenged and evolve in a changing media industry.

Adherence to these professional standards will be part of the formal assessment criteria for many of your assessments. Failure to comply with these standards will impact your grades and, ultimately, may prevent you from graduating. Failure to return equipment may also attract additional sanctions.