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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 2022 Course length
1 year 3 months full-time (45 weeks across a four-term model)

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.

Contact us

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 one

These units are delivered in parallel.

  • Coding One: Advanced Creative Coding (20 Credits)
    Approx. 5 hrs per week (coding classes / workshops)

 

  • Critical Studies: Computational Thinking and Creative Practice (20 Credits)
    Approx. 2 hrs per week (Lecture / Seminar)

 

  • Creative Making: Advanced Physical Computing (20 Credits)Approx. 3 hrs per week (Workshop / Practice/Tutorials)

 

Term Two

These units are delivered in parallel.

  • Coding Two: Advanced Frameworks (20 Credits)
    Approx. 5 hrs per week (coding classes / workshops)

 

  • (Continued from term 1)Critical Studies: Computational Thinking and Creative Practice (20 Credits)Approx. 2 hrs per week (Lecture / Seminar)

 

  • Creative Making: Advanced Visualisation and Computational Environments (40 Credits) Approx. 3 hrs per week (Workshop / Practice/Tutorials)

Term Three

These units are delivered in parallel.

  • Coding Three: Exploring Machine Intelligence (20 Credits)
    Approx. 5 hrs per week (coding classes / workshops)

 

  • (Continued for term 2) Creative Making: Advanced Visualisation and Computational Environments (20 Credits) Approx. 2 hrs per week (Workshop / Practice/Tutorials)

Term Four

These units are delivered in parallel.

Creative Making: MSc Advanced Project (40 Credits)
Approx. 5 hrs per week (coding classes / workshops)

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.

Watch the online open day

Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£12,700 for in-person mode; £10,160 for online 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; £20,780 for online 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.


Additional Requirements
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.

Selection criteria

Apply now

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 full legal 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 Creative Computing. 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 / portfolio 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

19 December 2022 and 3 April 2023

For postgraduate courses at UAL there are 2 rounds of applications. This is to ensure equal consideration and fairness for all of our applicants. You must apply for 19 December 2022 for Round 1 or by 3 April 2023 for Round 2.

The round 1 deadline has been changed to 19 December to give you more time to make your application.

When you'll hear from us

If this course requires a digital portfolio as part of the application process, we will contact you to invite you to submit this through UAL’s online submission tool, PebblePad. For Round 1 applications, you will need to submit your portfolio by 9 January 2023 at the latest and by 20 April 2023 for Round 2.

This course receives a high volume of applications. We need to make sure that we give all applications equal consideration, so the course team will review them in 2 rounds, after each application deadline date. This means you won’t hear from us about the outcome of your application until after the relevant application deadline date. Outcomes for Round 1 will be released by (at the latest) end of March and outcomes for Round 2 will be released by end of June 2023.

Remember to check the outcome of your application in the UAL Portal. If you apply in Round 1 and don’t hear back from us, we will consider your application within Round 2.

Find out more about what happens after you apply.

There are two ways international students can apply:

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)

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

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 accepts requests from offer holders to defer their place for one academic year. Deferral requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis until all deferral places are filled, or a deadline has been reached, whichever is sooner. Read our Admissions Policy for details, including how to request a deferral and by when.

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 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 Creative Computing. 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 / portfolio 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

19 December 2022 and 3 April 2023

For postgraduate courses at UAL there are 2 rounds of applications. This is to ensure equal consideration and fairness for all of our applicants. You must apply for 19 December 2022 for Round 1 or by 3 April 2023 for Round 2.

We recommend you submit your application as early as possible before these deadlines to allow the Admissions team to resolve any initial queries about your application as quickly as possible.

When you'll hear from us

This course receives a high volume of applications. We need to make sure that we give all applications equal consideration, so the course team will review them in two rounds. This means that offers won’t be sent to successful applicants until after the relevant application deadline date. Outcomes for Round 1 will be released by 31 March 2022 and outcomes for Round 2 will be released by 30 June 2022.

Remember to check the outcome of your application in the UAL Portal. If you apply in Round 1 and don’t hear back from us, we will consider your application within Round 2.

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. 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

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