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Postgraduate

MA Internet Equalities

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a group of people sitting on chairs listening to a seminar
Visitors at Feminist Internet, Designing Feminist Alexa Seminar, 2019, UAL Creative Computing Institute © Lorenza Demata
College
UAL Creative Computing Institute Start date
October 2022 Course length
1 year 3 months full time (45 weeks across a four-term model)

MA Internet Equalities explores how power relations are organized, embedded and perpetuated in internet technologies, and how they can be re-organized or challenged through critical, creative and activist practice.

This course is also available to study in distance learning (online) mode. Please choose either in person or online mode when applying below.

Why choose this course at UAL Creative Computing Institute

  • High-quality research informed teaching: the course is significantly informed by the research themes of the UAL Creative Computing Institute (CCI)
  • Critical engagement with technology: engagement with creative practice will also build your ability to self-reflect and think critically about your role in shaping the world
  • Institute Environment:  you will have access to purpose-built facilities and technical support, and exposure to creative computing research

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Instagram: @ual_cci

Course open days

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Course overview

The course provides students from a range of disciplinary backgrounds with the skills to understand and implement applied equality in technology development. We define internet equalities as socio-technical systems that explicitly oppose discrimination on the grounds of race, class, gender, gender identity, sexuality, age, belief and ability.

More and more internet-based products, services, platform owners, communities and governments recognise the importance equality plays in developing technologies that can confront social problems such as racism, gender oppression and economic exclusion. Technology professionals who have critical and creative skills around human rights, inclusion and ethical design are in high demand as the industry shifts the narrative from what we could make to what we should make.

Theory and methods

Students explore a range of methods including Participatory Design, Feminist Human Computer Interaction, Digital Ethnography and Design Justice. You will learn how scholars and creative practitioners have used frameworks such as Intersectional Critical Race Technology Studies, Digital Feminism, Queer Theory and Postcolonial Science and Technology Studies to confront structures of oppression.

Work on practical projects and interventions that inform and are informed by the theories and methods taught, positioning you to enter the technology and creative industries or to pursue a research career through PhD progression in this area.

Learning environment

The course emphasises collaboration, openness, inclusion, diversity and solving issues as a community of learners. Short assignments within taught units will require students to collaborate, bringing together their unique perspectives, reaching mutual goals, respecting individual differences and bringing lived experiences to bear on their learning.

The staff team and reading lists are diverse, acknowledging the vital need for representation in promoting a fair and inclusive learning environment. Visiting practitioners from diverse backgrounds will present to students through lectures, seminars and studio visits.

Opportunities to work with mentors and industry professionals will give students unique insights into the technology sector, and support their career path within it.

Contact us

Register your interest to receive information and updates about studying at UAL.

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Course units

Term 1:

Unit 1.1 - Intersectional Internets (20 Credits)

In this unit students will explore how power relations are organized, embedded and perpetuated in internet technologies, and how they can be re-organized or challenged.

Unit 1.2 - Methods for ethical technology development (20 credits)

Supported by seminars, workshops and exploratory practice, this unit will build a methodological foundation for engaging and experimenting with ethical technology development.

Unit 1.3 - Feminist computational practices (20 credits)

In this unit students will be introduced to Javascript, Twitter bots and Python, considering how feminist approaches can frame the practice of coding.

Term 2 and 3:

Unit 2.1 (Optional) - Computational Inequalities (20 Credits)

In this unit students will explore subjects like AI bias using relevant technical coding frameworks that underpin contemporary machine learning systems.

Unit 2.2 (Optional) - Designing for Responsible Innovation (20 Credits)

In this unit students will explore strategies of change including social and political entrepreneurship, activism and grassroots organization, and how they intersect with responsible approaches to innovation.

Unit 2.3 - Human Rights and Computation (20 Credits)

This unit explores how organisations and individuals involved in building, maintaining and consuming internet technologies can actively internalise and implement human rights principles in order to uphold democracy.

Unit 3.1 - Platform Potentials (20 Credits)

This unit explores the role of internet platforms, cultures and communities in bringing about social change. Students will learn about the tactics and goals of internet activism, and consider their value and effectiveness at intervening in dominant political orders.

Term 4:

Unit 4.1 - MA Advanced Project (60 Credits)

Students’ final major project will be a self-directed project in the form of a dissertation, business proposal, speculative design, or technological prototype.

Learning and teaching methods

  • Project work
  • Peer learning and knowledge exchange
  • Collaborative problem-solving and group work
  • Studio/lab-based practice and masterclasses
  • Industry visits and guest critiques
  • Lectures and seminars

Assessment methods

  • Project portfolio comprising of technical prototypes, pitches, presentations, documentation of collaborative processes (online, face to face and blended)
  • Peer and self-assessment
  • Critical essays and articles

Staff

How to apply

Information for disabled applicants

UAL is committed to achieving inclusion and equality for disabled students. This includes students who have:
     
  • Dyslexia or another Specific Learning Difference
  • A sensory impairment
  • A physical impairment
  • A long-term health or mental health condition
  • Autism
  • Another long-term condition which has an impact on your day-to-day life
Our Disability Service arranges adjustments and support for disabled applicants and students. Read our Disability and dyslexia: applying for a course and joining UAL information.

Entry requirements

An applicant will normally be considered for admission if they have achieved an educational level equivalent to an honours degree in the broad fields of arts and humanities or the specific fields of science and technology studies, computer science, data science, computing, a joint computer sciences and arts/humanities degree. We also welcome application from a creative disciplines with substantial computational practice.

Educational level may be demonstrated by:

Honours degree (as above).

Possession of equivalent qualifications in a design-related or creative discipline.

Prior experiential learning, the outcome of which can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required. Your experience is assessed as a learning process and tutors will evaluate that experience for currency, validity, quality and sufficiency.

Or a combination of formal qualifications and experiential learning which, taken together, can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required.

Applicants without the required qualifications, but with professional experience may be eligible to gain credit for previous learning and experience through the AP(E)L system.

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • A combination of these factors

English language requirements

All classes are taught in English. If English isn't your first language you must provide evidence at enrolment of the following:

Making your application

Home International

You should apply by clicking on the link to the direct form below. The application form can be saved as you fill it out, so you do not need to complete it all at once. You will also have the chance to review all the information and make any necessary amendments before you submit the application form.

Apply for in person mode
Apply for Distance Learning mode (online study)

Deferred entry

This course allows offer holders to defer. If you have an offer of a place, but you would like to defer starting for a year, please contact our Admissions Service as soon as possible via your UAL Portal. Make sure you check our Admissions Policy before requesting a deferral.

Transfers

If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units and modules on your current postgraduate course and wish to continue your studies at UAL Creative Computing Institute, you can apply to transfer. The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and unit transcripts.

You will need to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Start your application now

Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following items and upload documents when completing the online application form:

General information

  • Personal details (including legal full name, preferred name date of birth, nationality, addresses)
  • Current English language level
  • Current and/or previous education and qualification details
  • Employment history

CV

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience.

Personal statement advice

You will be asked to complete a personal statement describing why you want to study on MA Internet Equalities. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate critical knowledge of and enthusiasm for the subject, and a well-articulated rationale for joining the course.

The personal statement is a very important part of your application and should demonstrate to the course team that you are interested in the subject and that you have thought very carefully about why you wish to study on the course.

Communicating with you

After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.

Please consider altering your spam or junk mail filter to ensure that emails from @arts.ac.uk get through to you.

Application deadline

12 January 2022 or 13 April 2022

The equal consideration deadline has now passed. However, this course will remain open to applications until places have been filled. We recommend you submit your application as early as possible to allow the Admissions team to quickly resolve any queries.

If this course requires a portfolio, we will request this separately after initial processing of your application is complete. Once we request your portfolio, you will have 7 days to submit it.

When you'll hear from us

Once you’ve sent in your application, this will be sent through to our course teams for review. Find out more about what happens after you apply.

There are two ways international students can apply:

You can only apply to the same course once per year.

If you are applying directly you click on the link to the direct form below. The application form can be saved as you fill it out, so you do not need to complete it all at once. You will also have the chance to review all the information and make any necessary amendments before you submit the application form.

Apply for in person mode

Apply for Distance Learning mode (online study)

Transfers

If you are currently studying at another institution and if you have successfully completed 60 credits in the equivalent units and modules on your current postgraduate course and wish to continue your studies at UAL Creative Computing Institute, you can apply to transfer. The Admissions Tutor will consider applications on a case by case basis, subject to places being available. You must apply directly to the course via the course webpage as early as possible.

Please check our Student Transfer Policy for more important information and be ready to provide us with your current course handbook and unit transcripts.

You will need to provide an official document (translated into English) from your current university, explaining the learning outcomes of the units you have completed.

Deferred entry

This course allows offer holders to defer. If you have an offer of a place, but you would like to defer starting for a year, please contact our Admissions Service as soon as possible via your UAL Portal. Make sure you check our Admissions Policy before requesting a deferral.

Visas

Read our visit our immigration and visa advice page to find out whether you need a visa to study.

Start your application now

Before you apply, please take time to read the guidance below. You will be asked to provide the following items and upload documents when completing the online application form:

General information

  • Personal details (including legal full name, preferred name, date of birth, nationality, addresses)
  • Current English language level
  • Current and/or previous education and qualification details
  • Employment history

CV

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience.

Personal statement advice

You will be asked to complete a personal statement describing why you want to study on MSc Data Science and AI for the Creative Industries. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate critical knowledge of and enthusiasm for the subject, and a well-articulated rationale for joining the course.

The personal statement is a very important part of your application and should demonstrate to the course team that you are interested in the subject and that you have thought very carefully about why you wish to study on the course.

Immigration history check

Whether you are applying online or through a UAL representative you will need to complete an immigration history check to establish whether you are eligible to study at UAL. If you do not complete the check we will not be able to proceed with your application.

We cannot consider your application if you do not provide all the information above.

Communicating with you

After you have successfully submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming we have successfully received your application and providing you with your login details for the UAL Portal. We will request any additional information from you, including inviting you to upload documents through the portal. You should check your UAL Portal regularly for any important updates and requests.

Please consider altering your spam or junk mail filter to ensure that emails from @arts.ac.uk get through to you.

Application deadline

12 January 2022 or 13 April 2022

The equal consideration deadline has now passed. However, this course will remain open to applications until places have been filled. We recommend you submit your application as early as possible to allow the Admissions team to quickly resolve any queries.

If this course requires a portfolio, we will request this separately after initial processing of your application is complete. Once we request your portfolio, you will have 7 days to submit it.

When you'll hear from us

Once you’ve sent in your application, this will be sent through to our course teams for review. Find out more about what happens after you apply.

After you apply

What happens next

Initial application check

We check your application to see if you meet the standard entry requirements for the course.  Your application will be considered by an Academic Reviewer who may decide to make you an offer or reject your application.  In some cases we may invite you to an interview.

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

You will receive the outcome of your application through the UAL Portal.

Fees and funding

Home fee

£11,550 for in-person mode; £9,240 for online mode

This fee is correct for 2022/23 entry and is subject to change for 2023/24 entry. Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£23,610 for in-person mode; £18,890 for online mode

This fee is correct for 2022/23 entry and is subject to change for 2023/24 entry. Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

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Careers and alumni

Graduate attributes

Students from this course will be well positioned to enter industry as practitioners who can build more equitable products and businesses, or pursue a research career through PhD progression in this area.

Graduates will be:

  • Empathetic and care about social issues
  • Mission/value-led
  • Entrepreneurial
  • Equipped with design frameworks to address social issues
  • Equipped to do advocacy/policy work
  • Critical thinkers
  • Creative practitioners

Career paths

Graduates will be well placed to work in the following areas:

  • Technology Development
  • Technology Policy
  • Technology Research
  • Creative Critical Practice
  • Digital Product Development
  • Digital Project Management
  • User Research

UAL Creative Computing Institute

Contact

Telephone

+44 (0)20 7514 8001
Address
UAL Creative Computing Institute
45–65 Peckham Road
London
SE5 8UF