Multimedia Technology and Design BSc

About the Course

This unique multidisciplinary course is focused on the intersection of the Arts and Sciences. As a result of this vivid interaction a stream of new ideas and of new forms of creativity can be generated. Our courses combine ideas from digital technologies with those of creative design.

Is this degree right for you?

The programme is hands-on and intellectually and creatively challenging. You should be someone who appreciates the role of communication in human life. You will take pride and care in how you organise and present your work, and you should be fascinated by the power of the computer and what you have been able to do with it.

This degree is right for you if you are creative, intelligent and ambitious, and if you want to be part of the digital information age.

The course assumes no specific educational subject background, but does require an interest in IT combined with creative design flair.

Aims

The course aims to produce graduates who can make an immediate contribution to the digital media revolution, whether as employees, freelancers or entrepreneurs.

Enquiries

Dr David Smith
Admissions Tutor
School of Engineering and Design
Brunel University
Uxbridge
Middlesex
UB8 3PH

Tel: +44 (0)1895 265814
Email: sed.ug.admissions@brunel.ac.uk

Special Features

• The School of Engineering and Design has an IT budget of half a million pounds per year and it is our policy that our software resources be less than a year old. Our Digital Media software is the same as professionals use in commercial operations. We have over 500 computers in our teaching studios which are a mixture of PCs and Macs, since we believe that graduates should be fluent in both computing environments.
  
  
• We benefit from being located near much of the country’s Digital Media industry. The South East is a vibrant centre of commercial activity in this area, with an exceptional concentration of media industries in the same place. This includes:

• Our courses and research are aimed squarely at developing the expertise, knowledge and new ideas needed for the information age, and cover the full breadth of electronic, computer and multimedia engineering.
  

Facts and Figures

Engineering and Design is one of the largest Schools in the University with over 60 members of staff involved in teaching and research, an undergraduate population of over 800 and a postgraduate population of over 200.

Jason graduated in 2008 in Multimedia Technology and Design, and recently won a prestigious placement with Hallmark.

“When looking for a multimedia course I searched the UCAS database for a university with a good reputation and which offered a wide selection of modules. I visited Brunel on an Open Day, where I had the luxury of talking to an academic who was actually teaching on the course, and when I came for an interview I felt it was personalised and tailored to my needs.

"The course was brilliant. In the first few months everyone is brought up to speed so they are comfortable with the hardware and software packages used. I particularly enjoyed the Emergent Technologies module, as it acknowledges that it requires a great deal of time and effort to keep up with ever-changing media. The School’s green screen studio, high definition cameras and editing suites are prime examples of how Brunel stays at the cutting edge of technological advancement and how student work and research can influence decisions about new facilities.

"In my third year I worked for a television graphics company on a paid placement, and was given the job of producing work for ITV’s Formula One coverage. It was very challenging, but having worked with companies like ITV, BBC and Sky I returned to Brunel with huge drive and motivation. I felt the placement was a “real world” module on the course – I grew up in a year and came back a totally different person.

"My final year project used the premise of a music video to showcase my abilities across various disciplines. The final animation received a huge amount of attention both within and outside the University. It won the “Award of Excellence” for animation in the Computer Arts Graduate Showcase, and at the New Designers graduate exhibition I received the Hallmark Cards PLC Award, consisting of a cash prize and a four-week placement at Hallmark’s international headquarters as their first new media animator!

"The course at Brunel has been a life-changing experience. To go out into the world with the knowledge gained on my course and placement is fantastic. The brilliant facilities almost invite students to say, ‘What can’t I achieve?’, and the course inspires you to take your work to the next level.”

Course Content

At Levels 1 and 2, the use of practical creative studios plays a central role in consolidating understanding of taught material, and in the development of design and creative skills. Our studio work makes use of individual studios devoted to motion capture, photography, web design, 3D graphics, 2D graphics, sound and video capture/editing.  Within these environments we use a wide variety of teaching, learning and assessment methods.

Typical Modules

Level 1

• Digital Media Design
• Multimedia Studios
• Systems and Computing
• Internet and Web Technologies

• Time and Motion
• 3D Design and Animation
• Communication
• Design Practice
• Web Applications
• Interaction

• Digital Media Management (Core)
• Sound and Music Production for Mixed Media
• Databases for Multimedia Applications
• Motion Capture and Advanced 3D
• e Business
• Emergent Multimedia Technologies
• Software Engineering
• Image in Motion
• Broadcast Technology

Teaching and Learning

The course uses the latest technology housed in purpose-built teaching studios. It employs a wide variety of teaching, learning and assessment methods, which will develop and then call on your capacity to use hardware and software in order to realise your design solutions.

Staff Expertise

We take pains to maintain our high level of teaching. Lecturers are at the leading edge of their fields and many are internationally and nationally recognised for their work. They are often widely published and have good links with industry, so they know exactly what is going on in the commercial world. While most will hold PhDs in a wide variety of subjects, several of the Digital Media staff are drawn from a professional background rather than an academic one.

Hours

At Level 1 you will have about 18 taught hours a week. This will fall to about12 hours of lectures and seminars in Level 3, with one whole day of project work.

In addition to this, staff are normally happy to answer queries outside of this time. We operate an open door policy, so you can drop in and chat or email lecturers with your questions.

Students are expected to carry out a total of 40 hours study a week, including contact hours.

How will I be taught?

Lectures – These provide a broad overview of key concepts and ideas relating to your course and give you a framework from which to carry out in-depth study.

Studio work – These are normally stand-alone three hour sessions in which students can develop, understand and practice using industry standard equipment. They provide an informal environment in which to explore new ideas and apply what you have learnt in lectures, with the help of a tutor.

Tutorials – These involve up to six students. At Level 1 they will provide an opportunity to look at your academic knowledge and to develop personal skills, such as communication ability and study skills.

One-to-one – You will have one-to-one supervision for all major project work at Level 3. If you go on a placement you will also be allocated an industrial tutor who will help you to set objectives, monitor your progress, and provide further support if you need it. You will also have a personal tutor who is available to discuss both academic and personal problems.

Other – This may include guest speakers from prominent organisations, research seminars and external site visits.

Assessment

Assessment is by a variety of methods and varies depending on your degree programme. In general, the following techniques are used:

• Traditional exam
• Written assignments
• Practical and creative design projects
• Individual and group presentations

Equal emphasis is put on teamwork and individual contribution in assessed group projects and presentations.

In the final year you will undertake a significant multimedia project (sometimes for an external client) which you will be able to present at internal exhibitions and at external shows, at locations such as the Business Design Centre in Islington and further afield.

Level 1 does not count towards your final degree mark, but you have to pass this year in order to progress to Level 2. Level 2 is worth a third of your final degree classification. Level 3 is worth the rest.

Employability

The course has a large number of possible career outcomes, and we have one of the strongest track records within the University for graduates finding employment in the same sector as their degree.

Careers

Throughout the School and the subject area, there is a relaxed and friendly relationship between students and staff, and we take a genuine interest and pride in the success of our students and graduates. This, together with acknowledged high quality teaching and resources, results in an excellent record of employment amongst our graduates.

Previous students have become information architects, motion graphics designers, user experience architects, web designers/developers and digital managers. They have gone on to work for companies such as Dare Digital, LBI, Lightmaker, Xerox, IBM, Sega, Hallmark and Reading Room. Many work for highly creative, digital agencies with quite small employee numbers, while others work for departments within larger corporations. A number of students work freelance or have founded their own companies.

Placements

Technologists and multimedia designers are the architects and implementers of the technological revolution and are in very great demand throughout industry, commerce and the public sector. We aim to produce well-educated, imaginative and professionally-trained graduates who can meet the challenge of rapid technological development.

Fees for 2012/13 entry

Home/EU students: £9,000 full-time, £6,750 part-time

International students: £13,860 full-time

Brunel is introducing over 1000 new scholarships for 2012, meaning that one in three applicants who join Brunel next year will receive financial support from the University. See our fees and funding page for full details

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2012 Entry

• GCE A-level BBC. Arts and humanities subjects, science subjects or a combination are acceptable, and although not a requirement, we particularly encourage applicants studying art or creative design qualifications such as Design and Technology, Art, Photography and Music and/or students studying ICT-oriented programmes. General Studies and Critical Thinking not accepted.
• Irish Leaving Certificate BBBBB, in either Arts and Humanities, Sciences or a combination.
• Scottish Advanced Highers BBC, in either Arts and Humanities, Sciences or a combination.
• Advanced Diploma Progression Diploma Grade B in Creative and Media or Information Technology, plus an A-level at Grade C for Additional and Specialist Learning.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDM.
• IBDP 30 points.
• Access Pass in an Art, Design, Computing or Media subject, with average of Merits in all units, including Merit in Maths Level 3. All others considered on an individual basis.

For all of the above, 5 GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above are also required, to include English (please note that these must have been gained by the time you submit your UCAS application).

All applicants are required to attend an interview before a formal offer is made.

Entry Requirements for 2011 Entry (click to expand)

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.