From programming to storytelling, our degree provides you with hands-on experience with the latest technologies.
Year of entry: 2023/24
WG24
Y50
3 years full-time
VR, AR, games, 3D environments, web apps, interactive stories and immersive experiences—our course will enable you to shape the future of interactive media.
Gain a comprehensive skillset that combines programming and engineering, design and art, media and cultural studies. Through hands-on experience of the latest creative technologies and industry workflows, you will be supported to develop your creativity, to acquire technical skills needed in the production of interactive media, and to analyse and assess the impact of interactive technology upon individuals and society as a whole. We also offer an optional year in industry between years two and three.
Our graduates enter the professional world with a wide range of technical, design and analytic skills. You will be equipped for roles such as web/AR/VR development, UI/UX design, 3D modelling, games design and development, esports and virtual production, project management, digital content production and marketing or further academic research. Our graduates work in games design and software development companies, creative design agencies, digital marketing and the broader digital sector. Upon completion of the degree, you will be a well-rounded professional, attractive to a huge range of employers, from entertainment to finance, from technology development to design, from industry to academia.
The School of Arts & Creative Technologies supports the Made in Creative UK campaign.
Also a member of the Creative Cities network. From digital innovation to media arts, York is a meeting point for creativity and ideas.
Optional year in industry - a great opportunity to apply your academic learning to a real-life business.
Innovation in interactive media requires an understanding of the field from technical, creative and socio-cultural perspectives. In the words of Apple's creator Steve Jobs, "technology alone is not enough — it is technology married with liberal arts, married with the humanities, that yields us the result that makes our heart sing". As a student on the Interactive Media BSc, you will gain a comprehensive skill set that combines programming and engineering, design and art, and media and cultural studies.
You'll learn how to understand and create interactive media software, content and products for a variety of platforms and uses including:
The course is strongly academically based but also gives you the freedom to develop your own practical ideas from the first year onwards, as you create a portfolio to show to your future employers. You will have access to superb technical facilities, be surrounded by students studying closely interrelated degrees in media technology and production, and be taught by lecturers who are world-leading researchers in interactive media. You will also benefit from our excellent links with industry, through masterclasses, internships and employment opportunities.
There are opportunities for you to spend time abroad during your course:
There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.
You'll learn the fundamental principles of software programming for media systems, how to create audio and visual assets and the nature of interactive storytelling. You'll explore the historical development and social and cultural impact of interactive digital media, ranging from video games to social networks and the Internet of Things.
You'll develop digital media programming and production skills, solve problems with computers using algorithmic abstractions and computational models, and turn your ideas into prototypes. You'll take on a creative project idea of your choice, and advance your ability to critically analyse interactive media systems.
In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.
This module covers some of the essential skills and knowledge which will help you to study independently and produce work of a high academic standard which is vital for success at York.
This module will:
You'll continue to enhance your programming, media production, design and critical analysis skills and learn to combine them to create games, virtual environments and responsive web applications. You will also learn user-experience design techniques for understanding how users interact with interactive media. Your group project will develop essential team working skills, and you'll complete the entire process of interactive media development from concept creation to evaluation. At the end of the academic year, we'll support you in finding interactive media industry placements and prepare you for your final year project.
You will also study one option module, selected from across the degrees taught in the School of Arts and Cultures. Examples of modules you may choose to include:
The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information please get in touch.
A major part of your third year is devoted to your final project, which allows you to develop an idea in depth and demonstrate all the skills and knowledge you've gathered during the course.
Current option module topics cover issues such as: how to design and create exciting and useable native mobile applications; how to develop a compelling business plans to support requests for investment in your future ideas; how to work with new cutting edge immersive technologies including Virtual and Augmented Reality; understanding user experience using scientific methods; exploring the future of storytelling across different media formats; key video game theory concepts; and how to run and broadcast a live eSports tournament.
You will also study four option modules.
In previous years, options have covered topics such as:
The options available to you will be confirmed later in the year. For further information please get in touch.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff.
Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
Create your own portfolio to show to prospective employers
Learn to create 3D virtual worlds, tell stories, create experiences
Study theory and practice, programming and engineering, design and art, media and cultural studies
| UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|
| £9,250 | £21,950 |
The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2023/24 throughout the year.
Our Future Voices Scholarship programme provides a package of financial and industry support to welcome talented UK undergraduates from Black, Asian, Gypsy, Traveller and ethnically diverse backgrounds to our creative community.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.
York's BSc in Interactive Media is taught by academics at the cutting edge of research that also have hands-on industry experience. You'll learn through a mixture of lectures, small-group seminars, practicals, one-to-one tutorials and masterclasses with visiting industry leaders.
In your first year, you can expect:
| Lectures | 5 hours per week |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 2-4 hours per week |
| Practicals | 7-8 hours per week |
| Film Screening | 0-2 hours per week |
These figures are representative of a typical week. Your contact hours will vary throughout the year due to your module choices, non-compulsory classes, exam periods and changes to scheduled activities.
Outside your timetabled hours, you'll study independently. This may include preparation for classes, follow-up work, wider reading, practice completion of assessment tasks, or revision.
In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during term time. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.
You will be based in the School of Arts & Creative Technologies on Campus East.
Most of your contact hours will be in Theatre, Film, Television, and Interactive Media with some additional teaching on Campus East.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
You'll complete several different kinds of written and practical assignments, including: interactive prototypes, computer programs, group project, written essays, technical reports and exams.
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written exams | 25% | 0% | 0% |
| Coursework | 75% | 100% | 100% |
The figures above are based on data from 2016/17.
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Our graduates enter the professional world using their wide range of technical, design and analytic skills gained from the degree. The interactive media sector is one of the fastest growing areas of the economy and this degree combines rigorous academic work with the development of practical skills for you to succeed in this competitive industry. You will be equipped for roles such as web/AR/VR development, user interface and experience design, games design and development, project management, digital content production and marketing, and further academic research. Employers of our graduates include EON Reality, Scott Logic, Netsells, the Open Data Institute, Amazon, CGI, Whitbread, Fortitude Games and MOB Digital Marketing and Rockstar Games.
Hear what our graduates have to say about the programme.
Studying Interactive Media was one of the main reasons I got my placement - the combination of technical skills and creative thinking was exactly what they were looking for. University definitely helped with my organisation and communication skills, and I have also used and built upon my practical knowledge of creative programming, UX design and even games development.Rebecca, BSc Interactive MediaRead more on what our students say about us.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| A levels | AAB |
| Access to Higher Education Diploma | 36 credits at Distinction and 9 credits at Merit or higher |
| BTEC National Extended Diploma | DDD |
| Cambridge Pre-U | D3, D3, M2 |
| European Baccalaureate | 80% overall |
| International Baccalaureate | 35 points |
| T levels | We will consider a range of T Level qualifications for entry. Please visit our dedicated T Levels page for a full list of accepted T Levels. |
| Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers | Scottish Highers - AABBB Advanced Highers - not required for entry We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications. |
| International foundation programme | Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.
| Criteria | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Widening participation | If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to three A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities, YESS, YorWay to York. More about widening participation. |
| Contextual offers | If you have experience of local authority care or live in an area with low progression to university, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about contextual offers. |
| EPQ | If you achieve C or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
| Core Maths | If you achieve B or higher in Core Maths, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component |
| C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency | 176, with a minimum of 169 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in each component |
| GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language) | Grade C / Grade 4 |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert International ESOL | B2 Communicator with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component |
| PTE Academic/PTE Academic Online | 61, with a minimum of 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all components |
For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
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