BA Digital Media

Program Overview

Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) in the United Kingdom offers a dynamic BA (Hons) Digital Media degree, equipping students with a comprehensive blend of technical and design skills essential for producing innovative multimedia projects across various platforms. The program emphasizes hands-on experience with industry-standard software and equipment, fostering an understanding of the history and theory of digital media. Taught by a skilled team of lecturers with extensive industry experience, the course is designed to be highly industry-centered, providing access to specialist facilities including computer suites, professional video and sound recording equipment, green screen studios, and motion capture technologies. This immersive learning environment prepares graduates to be confident creative contenders in the rapidly evolving digital media landscape, with 100% student satisfaction reported in the National Student Survey (2022).

Curriculum: The BA Digital Media curriculum at CCCU is structured to develop a broad range of multimedia skills, ensuring graduates are versatile across various digital platforms. While specific module names can vary, the program typically includes the development of skills in areas such as web design, computer animation (2D and 3D), digital imaging, visual communications, and motion graphics. Students also delve into the history and theory of digital media, providing a strong foundational understanding alongside practical application. Learning is delivered through a combination of workshops, practical sessions, lectures, tutorials, and seminars, supported by online resources. The course is 100% coursework assessed, employing diverse methods like client briefs, individual and group projects, and portfolio work, which also helps refine academic writing, research, and presentation skills. In the final year, the focus shifts to developing, exploring, and practicing skills for industry or postgraduate readiness, with more individual tutorial and production support.

Research Focus: The Digital Media program at Canterbury Christ Church University is taught by a team of highly qualified academics who are not only experienced industry practitioners but also research-active. This ensures that the curriculum is informed by current scholarship and cutting-edge developments in the field. The School of Creative Arts and Industries, which houses the Digital Media program, has a strong research culture, with a significant portion of its submitted research being recognized as "world-leading" or "internationally excellent" in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. Research interests within the school relevant to digital media often include digital technologies and cultural heritage, interactive media/immersive technologies and lived experiences, screen heritage, and documenting places via creative practice. This active research environment means students benefit from a curriculum that is academically robust and forward-thinking, preparing them to engage critically with the ethical, legal, and socio-economic implications of digital technologies.

Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is central to the BA Digital Media program at CCCU, with a strong focus on employability. Students are taught by lecturers with extensive industry experience and gain hands-on experience with industry-standard software and equipment. The course structure often involves working on client briefs and live projects, providing real-world experience in a professional context. The university's "CCCU Creatives Agency" also offers students opportunities to work on paid projects for businesses, building their professional portfolios in areas like graphic design, social media marketing, and content creation. Furthermore, the university has good links with various industry sectors, with past graduates securing roles as content creators, motion designers, animators, podcasters, social media managers, and digital marketing directors, highlighting the program's success in preparing students for the demands of the digital media industry.

Global Perspective: The BA Digital Media program at Canterbury Christ Church University inherently incorporates a global perspective, reflecting the interconnected nature of the digital world. The curriculum equips students with skills applicable across multiple platforms and industries that operate on an international scale. Students gain an understanding of the history and theory of digital media within contemporary global contexts, fostering awareness of how digital technologies impact communication, work, and culture worldwide. The program aims to develop students' adaptability and creativity in an industry and technological landscape that is constantly changing globally. Through site visits (potentially national and international) and talks by visiting digital media professionals, students are exposed to diverse perspectives and international practices, preparing them for careers in multinational companies or in roles that require a global understanding of digital trends and audiences.