PME NTI : Future Media: Pro - MA / MSc

Course Overview

Future Media: Pro simulates a working digital communications agency. It has been devised in conjunction with global communications agency McCann Erickson with an advisory panel of partner organisations, to give students real-world experience working on multimedia projects around brand or product promotion, developing mobile content or devising television campaigns; you’ll eat, sleep and breathe digital strategy.

You will be based for four days per week for 12 months in the Future Media studio at Birmingham City University’s NTI Birmingham, working on live briefs generated by our partners, in multidisciplinary teams which will include peers from both the MA and MSc route-way. Underpinning all project work will be a strong emphasis on business strategy, analytics, monetisation and the importance of integrated campaigns that address a range of brand activity and direct marketing techniques.

On Future Media: Pro, there are no dry classroom lectures, lengthy dissertations or exams. Instead, you will receive intensive tuition from industry pros, before working in teams to strategise, create and deploy solutions, under the guidance of mentors. Assessment will be based on individual portfolios and oral assessments.

Future Media: Pro provides wannabe Marketing Assistants/Managers, Brand Strategists, Digital Designers, Content Producers, Web Analysts and Media Sales Executives with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the latest technology, techniques and innovations, put ideas into practice and create a portfolio that will see them stand out from the crowd.

Successful students will gain a MA/MSc in Future Media from Birmingham City University.

The MA and MSc route-ways have been designed to reflect the industry need for talent with differing skills and approaches to problem solving, by nurturing both planners and strategists (MSc) and design/technical specialists and producers (MA). All Future Media: Pro students follow a shared core curriculum, fostering interaction between peer groups, as well as a range of activity distinctive to each discipline. Not sure which route-way is for you? Guidance can be found in the 'Entry Requirements and Applications' section and we are happy to discuss this at interview.

Future Media: Pro takes place over the course of 12 months. Students are split into two groups specialising in project management, strategy, technical and analytics (MSc) or creativity, design and innovative asset development disciplines (MA).

Each module begins with 3-7 days of intensive, industry-crafted training, some sessions delivered to all Future Media students, the majority tailored to your discipline. Within these training sessions, students will learn the fundamental skills used every day in the digital media industry and will look at emerging technologies and practice.

Sessions will cover topics such as: Entrepreneurship, Project Management, Team Dynamics, Time Management, Commercial Awareness, Understanding Design, Understanding Technical Specifications, Understanding Usability, Search Engine Marketing and Analytics, Mobile Marketing, Convergent Media, Social Media and Gamification.

Then you will be tasked to apply this knowledge to industry-set digital media project briefs. MSc and MA students will be placed together to learn in teams during the application phase of each module, but will be assessed as individuals.

All students will have the opportunity to:

• Experience pitching/presenting to industry
• Apply strategy and develop product around new and emerging technologies
• Measure impact of an integrated solution or strategy on sales or brand
• Engage with leading digital communications agencies and company divisions

Part-time / Flexible Learning

Currently the MSc/MA Future Media is not offered on a part-time basis, however the option is available for students to enrol on multiple modules and work towards either a Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma in Future Media. Or simply work towards the full MSc/MA Future Media over a period of several years.

Future Media: Pro is divided into seven modules. The breakdown showing qualification parameters and the order of study is shown below:

MA Future Media Students

MSc Future Media Students

Entry Requirements

Future Media: Pro is open to applicants who are innovative and enterprising and can demonstrate an aptitude for project management, creative asset development or strategy and analysis.

You must be a graduate.  If you do not have a degree, you may be accepted if you can demonstrate equivalent experience and / or qualifications.

You may have existing qualifications in:

• Marketing
• Business Studies
• English / Linguistics
• Economics / Statistics
• Multimedia / Digital Content Creation
• Art and Design
• Media and Communications
• Journalism / PR
• Psychology

Ideally you will demonstrate a talent/aptitude for areas such as:

• Project Management
• Ideas and strategy
• Design and/or Content Creation
• Research, Statistics and Analysis
• Social Media

International (non-EU) students also require the following:

• English - IELTS 7.0 (no less than 6.5 in any bands). We do also accept students who have TOEFL or Pearsons. For information on equivalence scores and pre-sessional language courses please visit English Language provision.

Which route to apply for - MSc or MA Future Media?

Are you strategic, methodical, analytical and have viable ideas? Do you have strong communication skills and can demonstrate commercial awareness?

Apply for MSc Future Media if this describes you and you are interested in these roles / areas:

• Account handling / Planners: involves strategic thinking, consumer research, planning, building, generating ideas, having digital knowledge and developing client relations
• Search: involves compiling and analysing data, problem solving, reporting, having technology knowledge and business awareness
• Media Planner / brand planner / brand strategists: involves working effectively with a wide range of people, analysing research data to determine best placement for the client's needs, devising strategies

OR

Are you creative with original ideas? Are you passionate about technology and have entrepreneurial flair?

Apply for MA Future Media if this describes you and you are interested in these roles / areas:

• Creative: Generating ideas and concepts and also have skills in some of these areas: web design, InDesign, Illustrator, HTML, copy writing or video content
• Digital Account Planning: involves strategic thinking, consumer research, planning, building, generating ideas, having digital knowledge and developing client relations

Interview Process

You will be required to undertake a set task as part of the interview process to assess your aptitude for either route-way. A place on the MSc or MA will be offered, subject to both your preferences and the potential you can demonstrate. You will not be required to commit to a particular route-way at the online application stage, so if you are unsure which route to apply for this can be discussed during the interview - Please note, you will still be required to select and undertake one of the set tasks as part of the interview process, each geared to assessing aptitude for a particular route-way.