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Postgraduate

MSc Creative Computing

Close up of student working with technical equipment
Anna Tsuda in the studio, 2021, MSc Creative Computing, UAL Creative Computing Institute, ©Alys Tomlinson
College
UAL Creative Computing Institute Start date
October 2024 Course length
1 year 3 months full-time (45 weeks across a four-term model)

We are no longer accepting applications from students for 2023/24 entry to this course. Applications for 2024/25 entry will open in Autumn 2023.

MSc Creative Computing is an exciting mix of advanced computing and creative practice set in the context of a world-renowned creative university.

About this course

Explore creative computing and build your expertise in evolving areas such as advanced visualisation, physical computing and machine intelligence. Explore the advanced skills of coding such as Python, JavaScript and processing, and gain experience with development frameworks such as Open Frameworks and Unity.

This course explicitly explores computational thinking and this will enable you to engage with the cultural agency of computational technology.

The integration of computing and creative practice in MSc Creative Computing will help you gain the specialist skills required to build a successful career in creative practice, the creative industries or within the digital technology sector more broadly.

Great reasons to apply:

  • Learn the skills sought after in industry: Creative Developers are sought after in industry with their ability to both translate creative direction into code and deliver creative direction themselves. As a graduate from this course, you will be able to develop for the dominant frameworks that underpin much of the creative digital industries and lead creative work with technology.
  • Interdisciplinary teaching: you’ll be exposed to different modes of learning and develop a strong technical fluency with computational technologies with discovery-based learning rooted in creative practice.
  • High-quality research informed teaching: the course is significantly informed by the research themes of the newly established UAL Creative Computing Institute (CCI). The CCI’s research themes of Creativity, Machine Learning and AI; Human Computer Interaction; Platforms, Big Data and Digital Citizenship are imbedded in units throughout the course.
  • Critical engagement with technology: through critical studies and creative practice the course will provide you with opportunities to question the trajectory of technology development and understand the role of technology in producing the future.
  • UAL Creative Computing Institute (CCI): this newly established UAL is located within the new building at Camberwell. You will have access to purpose built facilities and technical support, and exposure to creative computing research.
  • A material understanding of computational technologies: develop an appreciation of what computation is in both a technical and cultural sense. This understanding will enable you to challenge dominant ways of deploying technology at the level of code, for example re engineering facial recognition algorithms to challenge cultural basis.

Follow CCI online

Twitter: @ual_cci

YouTube: @ual_cci

Instagram: @ual_cci

Course overview

The MSc Creative Computing is an exciting mix of computing and creative practice set in the context of a world-renowned creative university. Students will extend their coding skills to include the advanced frameworks that underpin innovative creative computing practice in the crafting of bespoke digital experiences. Students will also explore evolving areas such as advanced visualisation, physical computing, machine intelligence and more. In this context, students will acquire an advanced set of applied computing skills covering the advanced computational workflows that support innovation in the digital technology sector and creative practice. Building on these skills, and through creative practice, students will also develop their ability to innovate and explore advanced computational practice. The course explicitly explores computational thinking, and this will enable students to critically engage with the cultural agency of computational technology. This integration of computing and creative practice will ensure students have the opportunity to build a successful career in creative practice, the creative industries or within the digital technology sector more broadly.

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

Contact us to make an enquiry.

Course units

All 20 credit units carry an expectation of approximately 12-15 study hours per week minus the direct contact time shown. The hours outside of direct contact time are for self-directed study, library, technical resource access and associated practice. 40 credit units are double the above.

Term 1

These units are delivered in parallel:

  • Coding One: Advanced Creative Coding (20 Credits)
  • Critical Studies: Computational Thinking and Creative Practice (20 Credits)
  • Creative Making: Advanced Physical Computing (20 Credits)

Term 2

These units are delivered in parallel:

  • Coding Two: Advanced Frameworks (20 Credits)
  • (Continued from Term 1) Critical Studies: Computational Thinking and Creative Practice (20 Credits)
  • Creative Making: Advanced Visualisation and Computational Environments (40 Credits) 

Term 3

These units are delivered in parallel:

  • Coding Three: Exploring Machine Intelligence (20 Credits)
  • (Continued for term 2) Creative Making: Advanced Visualisation and Computational Environments (20 Credits) 

Term 4

  • Creative Making: MSc Advanced Project (40 Credits)
     

Learning and teaching methods

The course delivered through a series of lectures introducing core topics, providing context and explaining the purpose of tasks. In labs, students will work both individually and in groups to develop knowledge through a series of practical and creative exercises, undertaken throughout the course. Students will work in a programming environment suitable for the creation of real-time, interactive software. In creative making units’ subjects will be introduced through a range of studio-based workshops and assignments supported where appropriate by lectures, seminars, critiques and visits. Independent creative practice is also required.

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Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£12,700 for in-person mode

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 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

£25,970 for in-person mode

This fee is correct for 2023/24 entry and is subject to change for 2024/25 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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Entry requirements

An Honours degree in a relevant subject such as:

  • Computer Science
  • Data Science
  • Computing
  • Joint Computer Science / Arts, Humanities programme

Or form a creative discipline with substantial computational practice such as:

  • Graphic Design
  • Interaction Design
  • Interactive Media Design
  • Web Design
  • Communication Design
  • Computer Science
  • Digital Design
  • Product Design

or a professional qualification recognised as equivalent to an Honours degree in a design-related or creative discipline. Students 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.

Language requirements (International/EU)

If English is not your first language, IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required, with a minimum of 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking. For more details, please check our main English Language requirements webpage.

Selection criteria

If students do not have a Science or Mathematics-based A-level, they should normally have at least Grade B/Grade 6 at GCSE Mathematics.

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. Following a review of the application documents, successful applicants will be invited to upload a digital portfolio.

Digital portfolio

The mini portfolio should be no more than 6 pages / images comprising of work showing your skills and thinking. You can create the pages in any layout (For example: presentation boards) but they should be uploaded as jpeg images. It should include:

  • One page of research images for (notes, photographs, images of items that you find inspirational for creative computing).
  • Two pages of coding screenshots showing your project development.
  • Two pages of creative computing projects you have undertaken (screen shots or photographs of physical projects).
  • One page of any other creative work. We leave the decision of what to include to you.

For more portfolio advice please visit: https://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/apply/portfolio-advice

How we notify you of the outcome of your application

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

Careers

Developing your skills

Graduates of MSc Creative Computing will possess a material understanding of computational technologies and a set of computing and coding skills in demand across the digital sector. The integration of computational skills and creative practice taught in this course mean graduates will have the skills required in modern and evolving workplaces.

Career paths

Graduates will be well paced to work in the following roles:

  • Creative Technologist
  • Creative Developer
  • Web Developer
  • UX Developer
  • iOS App Developer
  • Software Developer
  • IoT / Smart Products Developer
  • Front – End Developer
  • Digital Strategist
  • Live Events Technologist
  • Technology Researcher
  • Machine Intelligence Developer
  • Broadcast Technologist
  • IT Specialist
  • Digital Project Manager
  • Digital Entrepreneur
  • Digital Creative
  • Interactive Designer

A proportion of graduates may also wish to pursue PhD study.

UAL Creative Computing Institute

Contact

Telephone

Address
UAL Creative Computing Institute
45–65 Peckham Road
London
SE5 8UF