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In current technology, communications, computing and entertainment have converged to create completely new media possibilities and experiences. These creative industries need people who can combine digital technology skills with creative ability to meet design challenges.
Overview
Our multidisciplinary course in Multimedia Technology and Design offers the opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge in areas such as web development and design of interactive applications, as well as a broad grounding in digital photography, digital filmmaking, 3D modelling and special effects.
Teaching in the School of Engineering and Digital Arts has been rated as excellent. The programme is taught by a team of experts in design, animation, filmmaking, photography, web technology and programming.
We have a team of senior industrialists who meet regularly with staff to review our courses to ensure that our programmes keep up-tp-date with industry.
The year in industry takes place between your second and final year, giving you the opportunity to improve your skills and career prospects.
Kent graduates in this field have gone on to work for organisations such as Disney, BBC and Framestore.
It is also possible to take this programme as a three-year degree without a year in industry. For details, see Multimedia Technology and Design.
Student profiles
We are sure you will find your time at Kent enjoyable and rewarding.
See what our students have to say.
Independent rankings
Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Kent was ranked 1st for course satisfaction in The Guardian University Guide 2017 and 2nd for student satisfaction in The Complete University Guide 2017. In the National Student Survey 2016, 90% of students in Electronic and Electrical Engineering were satisfied with the overall quality of their course.
For graduate prospects, Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Kent was ranked 6th in The Guardian University Guide 2017.
Course structure
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
On most programmes, you study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also be able to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes so you can customise your programme and explore other subjects that interest you.
Year in industry
Your year in industry takes place between Stages 2 and 3. Employers are always keen to employ graduates with knowledge of the work environment and some students receive job offers from their placement company.
We have a dedicated Employability Officer who will help you apply for placements; but please note that it is your responsibility to secure a placement, which cannot always be guaranteed. The School has excellent industrial links, providing students with many placement opportunities.
You are eligible to apply for a placement offered through the School's exchange agreement with Hong Kong City University.
The industrial placement year is assessed by a written report and an interview that count as 10% of your overall degree result.
Please note that progression thresholds apply. In particular, in order to be considered for an industrial placement, you need to achieve an overall mark at Stage 1 of at least 60%.
Teaching and assessment
Our students have 24-hour access to our extensive air-conditioned computer suites and are able to take advantage of dedicated photographic, and production studios, with green-screen, motion-capture and 3D scanning facilities. Our Digital Media Hub provides a unique opportunity to work alongside industry on client-led projects.
Most modules consist of a mix of lectures, seminars, studio work, computer sessions and private study. The computer workstations in our multimedia laboratories are equipped with current industry-standard software.
The majority of the modules contain design and project work, and are continuously assessed; some modules also have an end-of-year examination.
The specialist project at Stage 3 is assessed by a written report, a critique and, of course, the outcome of the project itself. Both Stage 2 and 3 marks count towards your degree result.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- provide a multidisciplinary education for students who seek professional careers in the field of multimedia technology and design
- produce graduates who have an informed, critical and creative approach to understanding communication through multimedia in contemporary society
- prepare students to meet the challenges of a broad and rapidly changing field while providing them with a wide choice of careers
- create an atmosphere of co-operation and partnership between staff and students, and offer the students an environment where they can develop their potential
- give an opportunity to gain experience as a multimedia practitioner working in a professional environment
- develop employment-related skills, including an understanding of how you relate to the structure and function in an organisation, via a year in industry.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- how audio, visual and verbal conventions through which sounds, images and words take meaning
- fundamental concepts of IT and software engineering
- the creative processes involved in visual design
- computer, audio, video and film technology, including digital television and DVD
- the multimedia authoring process
- fundamentals of 3D modelling and animation
- key production processes and professional practices relevant to the multimedia industry
- legal, ethical and regulatory frameworks, which affect the development of multimedia applications
- the role of technology in terms of multimedia production, access and use
- aspects of the core subject areas from the perspective of a commercial or industrial organisation.
Intellectual skills
You develop intellectual skills in:
- how to examine multimedia applications critically
- awareness that technologies are rapidly changing and that you should expect to update your knowledge throughout your working life
- understanding the objectives, constraints and conditions of a commercial environment, including financial and time constraints
- the ability to design and develop software based on an analysis of system requirements
- how to carry out research and integrate information and data from a variety of sources for essays, projects and multimedia applications
- analysing problems and developing solutions based on technical, aesthetic and economic factors
- evaluating your own work in a reflexive manner with reference to academic and professional issues
- how to analyse, interpret and exercise critical judgement in the understanding and evaluation of multimedia applications
- applying some of the intellectual skills specified for the programme from the perspective of a commercial or industrial organisation.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in the following areas:
- scripting and programming languages in the implementation of interactive applications
- implementing software solutions using structural and object-oriented languages
- developing specific proficiencies in utilising a range of multimedia design tools including 3D modelling, animation, video editing, image manipulating and multimedia authoring
- integrating text, graphics and time-based elements to produce effective websites
- the ability to initiate, develop and realise distinctive and creative applications which demonstrate the effective manipulation of multimedia assets
- how to utilise a range of research skills, for example, research into potential audiences and markets, as a production tool
- the ability to prepare technical reports and presentations as well as storyboards as part of the multimedia project development cycle
- applying management techniques to the planning, resource allocations and execution of a design project
- how to apply some of the subject-specific skills specified for the programme from the perspective of a commercial or industrial organisation.
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in:
- IT, including word processing, email and the use of information from online and electronic sources
- communicating effectively with others as a member of a team
- the effective management of resources and time and the ability to organise and prioritise tasks
- flexible thinking, including the ability to be open to new and alternative ideas
- how to manage and carry a project through to delivery.
Careers
Our recent graduates have gone into areas such as:
- computer-based training
- web development
- web mastering
- multimedia authoring
- television
- film
- electronic games
- mobile communications
- electronic commerce
- internet publishing
- multimedia marketing
- computer programming
- network management.
They have gone on to work for companies including:
- Disney
- the BBC
- Framestore.
Some of our graduates choose to go on to postgraduate study, for example on our MSc in Computer Animation or Digital Visual Effects.
In addition to the technical skills you acquire on this programme, you also gain key transferable skills including:
- presenting complex material in an accessible way
- working independently and in a team
- the confidence to develop your own ideas.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. Students offering alternative qualifications should contact us for further advice.
It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
New GCSE grades
If you’ve taken exams under the new GCSE grading system, please see our conversion table to convert your GCSE grades.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | BBB |
| GCSE | Mathematics grade C |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University will not necessarily make conditional offers to all Access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If we make you an offer, you will need to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | Distinction, Distinction, Merit |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 15 points at HL including Mathematics 4 at HL or SL |
International students
The University welcomes applications from international students. Our international recruitment team can guide you on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country.
If you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes.
Meet our staff in your country
For more advise about applying to Kent, you can meet our staff at a range of international events.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2017/18 tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
UK/EU fee paying students
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
In accordance with changes announced by the UK Government, we are increasing our 2017/18 regulated full-time tuition fees for new and returning UK/EU fee paying undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses will also rise from £4,500 to £4,625. This was subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. This fee will ensure the continued provision of high-quality education.
For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.*
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
Fees for Year Abroad/Industry
As a guide only, UK/EU/International students on an approved year abroad for the full 2017/18 academic year pay an annual fee of £1,350 to Kent for that year. Students studying abroad for less than one academic year will pay full fees according to their fee status.
Please note that for 2017/18 entrants the University will increase the standard year in industry fee for home/EU/international students to £1,350.
General additional costs
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Funding
University funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
Government funding
You may be eligible for government finance to help pay for the costs of studying. See the Government's student finance website.
The Government has confirmed that EU students applying for university places in the 2017 to 2018 academic year will still have access to student funding support for the duration of their course.
Scholarships
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.
The scholarship is also extended to those who achieve AAB at A level (or specified equivalents) where one of the subjects is either Mathematics or a Modern Foreign Language. Please review the eligibility criteria.