Gain a comprehensive understanding of the technologies used to create and deliver digital media, and the role digital media and interaction design plays within our lives.

You'll explore how people use and respond to emerging technology and media on the BSc (Hons) Digital Media and Interaction Design. You'll be equipped with adaptable practical and theoretical skills to allow you to design for current and future trends, whether you are creating for screen-based media, interactive experiences or physical computing.

You will be supported to create a portfolio of work, make links with industry and undertake optional work placement or study abroad opportunities.

This course has been designed to facilitate advanced entry opportunities for Arts-based College Diplomas in areas such as Computer Arts & Design, Visual Design, and Digital Media.

This degree will prepare you for a range of fast-paced and exciting careers. Some of our recent graduates have found employment as digital designers, motion graphic designers, VFX artists, developers, producers, 3d artists, user experience consultants and virtual reality producers.

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

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You will gain an appreciation of the theory, application and cultural context for the use and development of new and emerging media, giving you confidence to critique and explore new areas as they are developed.

During your studies, you will gain expertise in the use of computer-based authoring tools to create audio, video, 2D and 3D media, as well as exploring creative computing and human-computer interaction. We use industry standard packages in specialist Mac and PC labs.

In Year 1, you will acquire essential skills in digital media, interaction design, sound design, web development, and user experience. You'll undertake the same modules as students in our other computing courses, gaining insight into how different disciplines collaborate and developing a broad skill set.

Starting from Year 2, you will begin to specialise in your degree subject.

In Years 3 and 4, you will continue to build your knowledge, choosing a specialist route and focusing your areas of expertise whilst developing own authentic style.

In Year 4, your independent project will allow you to develop your critical understanding, researching topics at the forefront of interactive and digital media, and culminating in a dissertation and a major media project. You will also focus on portfolio and career development ready for your next steps.

How you’ll be taught

Teaching takes the form of lectures, tutorials and practicals.

Assessments

Assessments for this course are mostly practical course works accompanied by reports, along with some modules with exams. The Honours project is a practical project and reflection accompanied by a dissertation.

Work placement

A year-long Work Based Learning module is available for this course which can be undertaken in Year 3, which consists of 60 credits.

In Year 2, students attend timetabled Placement Preparation sessions which provides comprehensive information about sourcing a placement, tips for enhancing CVs, cover letters and interview preparation. An Employability & Careers Placement Coordinator is available to support students with their placement applications and approving placements as part of the course. Whilst on placement, students undertake work-related assessments alongside gaining valuable work experience. If this option is chosen, the course duration will be extended by one trimester.

If students are not undertaking the year-long placement, then there is a Group Project or the Professional Internship Module in Year 3 (one trimester) which gives students the opportunity to complete a project for an external client.

Find out more about Computing Placements

Study abroad

We have a number of agreements with overseas partner Higher Education institutions, both in the EU and further afield; and this means that should you wish, you may have the opportunity to study abroad in the first or second trimester of the third year. These opportunities are organised on an individual basis by the University’s International Support & Exchanges Team. We currently have established links with European universities in Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Finland and Sweden plus International universities in USA, Canada and Australia where relevant programmes are delivered in English.

Facilities

This course is taught in person at our Merchiston campus.

Popular modules

Trimester 1

Experiencing the Digital City

Being Digital

Sonic Culture

Trimester 2

Programming for Interactive Media

Digital Imaging

Producing Digital

Practical Interaction Design

Digital Video Development

Visual Design for Digital Media

Playful Interaction

AI for Creative Industries

2D Animation

User-Centred Research Methods

Digital Storytelling

Creative Technology

Motion Graphics

3D Modelling

Group Project

Designing the Visual Interface

Visual Effects

3D Animation

User Experience

VFX Storytelling

Scripting for Interactive Media

Internship (option)

Honours Project (60 credits)

Professional Practice through Portfolio

Honours Project (60 credits) - continues

Meet your Programme Leader and Teaching Team

Throughout your studies, you'll learn from experienced professionals and industry leaders who bring valuable expertise, insight and real-world perspectives to your learning experience.

Programme Leader: Dr Iain Donald.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

English language

International students

Admissions policies

What are the entry requirements for Digital Media and Interaction Design?

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

This course provides advanced entry opportunities for Arts based College Diplomas in areas such as Computer Arts & Design, Visual Design, and Digital Media.

Please contact the University for further clarification.

Can you go straight into second year of university?

Advanced entry into Year 2 or Year 3 of this course is possible for students with suitable qualifications. See the individual year tabs for more information.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

Minimum Year 1

Scottish Higher

Standard Entry Requirement: BBBC

Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: BCCC

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

Irish Leaving Certificate

H2, H2, H3, H3 at Higher Level

Scottish HNC

HNC in any subject with a C in graded unit

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

Minimum grades DMM (Distinction, Merit, Merit)

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3

Minimum grades D*D* (Distinction*, Distinction*)

BTEC National Diploma Level 3 plus A Level

Minimum grades DM (Distinction, Merit) plus A Level grade C

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Award of Diploma with 28 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4

European Baccalaureate

Pass at 70% or above with grade 7 in three subjects

T Levels

Merit - T Level with additional A Level in: Design, Art & Design, Music, Photography, Media, Graphic Communication, Moving Image Arts grade B

Minimum Year 2

HNC - Pass in Computer Arts and Design, Audio Visual Technologies, Art Design & Visual Communication, Digital Design & Web Development, Computer Art and Design & Interactive Design, Animation or Digital & Creative Media with a B in the graded unit

Other HNC qualifications may be considered, please contact Undergraduate Admissions for advice.

Scottish Advanced Higher

BBC to include at least one of: Design, Art & Design, Music, Photography, Media or Graphic Communication at Higher

Advanced Higher BB and SQA Higher BB to include at least one of: Design, Art & Design, Music, Photography, Media or Graph Comm at Higher.

BBB to include at least one of: Design, Art & Design, Music, Photography, Media or Graphic Communication.

Minimum grades DDD (Distinction, Distinction, Distinction) in a related subject.

Minimum Year 3

HND - Pass in Computer Arts and Design, Audio Visual Technologies, Computer Art and Design and Interactive Design, Visual Communications (Digital Media), Visual Communications (Animation), 3D Animation or Digital & Creative Media with grades B in the SCQF Level 8 graded unit.

For HND Visual Communication: User Experience Design, Digital Design and Development or Media & Communications (grades B in the SCQF Level 8 graded unit), applicants would also require Higher grade C in at least one of the following subjects: Design, Art & Design, Music, Photography, Media or Graphic Communication. Those without a relevant Higher may have the opportunity to submit a portfolio.

Other HNC/D qualifications may be considered, please contact Undergraduate Admissions for advice.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

If you do not currently meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer a number of pre-sessional English language courses which could help you achieve the required level.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:

BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery

MSc Nursing courses

All Graduate Apprenticeship courses

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study.

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies

Postgraduate admissions policies

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Undergraduate student fees and funding information

Postgraduate student fees and funding information

International student fees and funding information

Tuition fees

Students from

Scotland

England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland

Overseas and EU

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study.

Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.

If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.

Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.

Careers & employability

What can you do with a degree in Digital Media & Interaction Design?

The BSc (Hons) Digital Media & Interaction Design course will enable you to design for a range of digital media creating intuitive interfaces and positive user experiences. You will acquire skills in modern digital design that can be applied to web and mobile applications, 2D and 3D asset creation and animation. You will also gain knowledge in evaluating and improving the usability of designs through testing. These skills will help you to communicate ideas visually and work collaboratively in the digital design industry. Here are some potential career paths and roles that you can pursue with this degree:

Digital Designers

Motion Graphic Designers

VFX Artists

Developers

Producers

3d Artists

User Experience Consultants and Designers

Virtual Reality Producers

What do Interaction Designers do?

An interaction designer specialises in creating user experiences for digital products and services. They conduct user research to understand user needs and behaviours. Using this knowledge, they design the overall user experience (UX), including wireframes, user flows, and prototypes. They focus on organising information in an intuitive way and designing interactive elements from buttons and menus through to animation and video. Usability testing is performed to evaluate the design and gather user feedback for improvement. Interaction designers collaborate with cross-functional teams and consider accessibility and inclusivity in their designs. They follow an iterative design process, continuously refining and adapting their designs based on user feedback and project requirements. The goal of an interaction designer is to create engaging, efficient, and user-centred digital experiences.

What do Motion Graphics Designers do?

As a motion graphics designer, you will use your creativity and technical skills to bring stories to life by creating visually compelling narratives across a range of industry sectors from games and software to the third sector and healthcare. You will be responsible for designing visually appealing and engaging motion graphics, including animations, videos, and visual effects using various software tools and techniques. You will work closely with clients, creative directors, and other team members to understand project requirements and ensure that the final product meets the client's objectives. You'll keep learning constantly to stay updated with the latest design trends, animation techniques, and software advancements.

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