Digital Media Technology - China and UK Delivery - BSc (Hons)
Adding a good dose of business understanding to technical competence and creative flair, this digital media course explores web and rich internet application development, animation, three-dimensional modelling and video production. You acquire a broad range of cross-disciplinary skills that will make you an attractive candidate for current and emerging web and multimedia technology roles....
Studying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any arrangements put in place by the University for the 2021/22 academic year will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Location Wuhan Textile University / BCU
- Award BSc (Hons)
- Start date September 2021
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Computing and Digital Technology
- Faculty Faculty of Computing, Engineering and The Built Environment
Course overview
Adding a good dose of business understanding to technical competence and creative flair, this digital media course explores web and rich internet application development, animation, three-dimensional modelling and video production. You acquire a broad range of cross-disciplinary skills that will make you an attractive candidate for current and emerging web and multimedia technology roles.
Birmingham Institute of Fashion and Creative Art
You can now gain a prestigious British degree while completing all or part of your studies in China, thanks to a new collaboration with a leading Chinese university. The Birmingham Institute of Fashion and Creative Art (BIFCA) is a partnership between Birmingham City University and Wuhan Textile University (WTU) based in Wuhan, China.
BIFCA offers a selection of creative arts degrees taught with the opportunity to spend two years of your studies at WTU’s fantastic Wuhan campus and two years in the exciting city of Birmingham, or the full four years at WTU.
What's covered in this course?
During the first year you will explore design methodologies and production tools, alongside fundamental design principles, including use of colour, typography and photography. You look at the creative process, animation, and image creation and manipulation. You are introduced to web standards, mark-up, scripting languages and associated authoring tools and environments used in the development of interactive interfaces for web and multimedia applications.
In year two you consider production management techniques, finance and entrepreneurship. You gain video production, and 3D modelling and animation skills. You investigate audio and visual technology, media compression and distribution technologies, and learn to apply scripting to create rich interaction applications.
In the final year you go on to explore how physical interfaces connect multimedia artefacts with the real world, and learn post-production techniques for digital media production. You'll also explore advanced techniques of digital image processing and development of web applications.
You have the option of a year-long work placement, and a media technology project allows you to develop in-depth knowledge and skills in a specialist area of your choice.
The main thing that attracted me to the course was that it covered a wide range of disciplines which allowed me to expand my skillset. The course also had a business module which gave a good overview of the media industry. Irfan Vasin
Why Choose Us?
- Preparation for Industry - You will embrace a combination of creative and technical disciplines that will enable you to work and develop a career in the fast-growing and highly competitive digital media sector. Join our Curzon Software House and take part in industry projects to build up skills for your CV.
- Highly qualified academics - You will learn from an experienced team of academics and practitioners who offer not only academic expertise, but also current industry relevance, practice and business acumen.
- Excellent campus facilities - If you choose to study part of your course in the UK, you will be based at our City Centre Campus, right in the heart of Birmingham which houses cutting-edge facilities, including the largest University TV studio, within a purpose-built Media Centre at The Parkside Building.
- Multiple learning techniques - Creative network opportunities, multimedia events and guest speakers bring the insights, contacts and the realities of the media world to your studies.
Entry Requirements
Please check our entry requirements to find out if you're eligible to apply for one of BIFCA's courses. If you're unsure, please contact us: bifca@bcu.ac.uk
Current Birmingham City University students - one year or one semester in China
The courses delivered by BIFCA are equivalent to the respective courses run at Birmingham City University in the UK. Therefore any current Year 1 students who wish to spend one year or one semester studying abroad may be able to spend their entire Year 2 or half of their Year 2 studying the same modules in Wuhan, China.
To be eligible, you must have successfully passed all the required modules and obtained the credits for your Year 1 study. If you wish to express your interest, please contact us: bifca@bcu.ac.uk
Chinese students
BIFCA will recruit the highest performers in the China National Art and Design examination. If you're from China and are eligible to apply to study the course, you'll be expected to pass the required provincial art test.
If you live in Hubei Province you'll be required to achieve minimum Tier 1 level in the Gaokao matriculation examination.
If you live outside Hubei Province you'll be required to meet the provincial educational requirement for Sino-British jointly delivered courses.
Other international students
If you're a non-Chinese, non-Birmingham City University student, you'll be required to complete an application to BIFCA showing evidence of equivalent qualifications and have a minimum of a Level 5 IELTS.
A portfolio will be required to support the application. If you wish to express your interest, please contact us: bifca@bcu.ac.uk
Fees & How to Apply
- UK students
- International students
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 4 years
-
TBC
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 4 years
-
TBC
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
Guidance for UK students
UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
Register with UCAS
Login to UCAS
Complete your details
Select your course
Write a personal statement
Get a reference
Pay your application fee
Send UCAS your application
How to apply
Chinese students
If you're a Chinese student, BIFCA applications are made through the Gaokao system.
International students
If you're an international student, please email bifca@bcu.ac.uk to discuss your application.
Course in Depth
Year one
30 credits
This module introduces students to design mark-up, scripting languages and associated libraries and frameworks used in the development of interactive interfaces for web applications.
Year two
15 credits
The module introduces you to the media industry, creative products, legal and ethical issues, and the context in which the industry operates.
15 credits
This module provides essential knowledge and experience of design methodologies and production tools, within the context of a web production workflow.
30 credits
This module introduces fundamental design principles, such as colour, placement, typography and photography. Students explore professional practice, creative process, animation, image creation and manipulation.
30 credits
This module explores the fundamental principles of sound, light and optics, and how these relate to image and sound capture technologies and approaches.
Year three
15 credits
The module explores production management techniques, finance and entrepreneurship in the context of the media industry. The module also develops transferable skills in preparation for the final year project.
15 credits
This module provides video production skills for generating content used in multimedia artefacts. It also introduces you through practical methods to the production workflow used in the creation of video artefacts.
30 credits
This module provides knowledge of the fundamental principles and skill for constructing and rendering computer generated 3D models, using industry standard 3D modelling software to create photo realistic models and scenes. Covers: 3D modelling, texturing, lighting and rendering.
30 credits
This module provides a more detailed exploration of image capture and lighting concepts, then examines the digital storage, manipulation and distribution of images, video and sound.
30 credits
This module provides knowledge and experience of applying scripting to multimedia artefacts for creating rich interaction, dealing with dynamic and external data sources, implementing rich media content and creating online games.
Year four
15 credits
The module provides an understanding of post-production techniques for digital media production. The creation of graphical elements; either composites of real images or combinations of completely original imagery.
45 credits
The final year project provides an opportunity to develop in-depth knowledge and skills in a specialist area relevant to the course. Students will demonstrate their ability to manage activities and resources to solve problems, to generate, implement and report on solutions, resulting in an academic paper and possible artefact.
30 credits
The focus for this module will be on the acquisition, storage and manipulation of digital images, with key points of image restoration, segmentation, analysis and recognition all explored. It is intended to prepare you for future work on digital image processing and other advanced digital media.
30 credits
This module explores how applications are planned, designed and developed, examining project planning, application design, development environments and tools as well as application deployment and maintenance.
Course Structure
The programme is based around the five themes of industry, production, design, technology and scripting.
The industry theme is intended to provide you with an understanding of the business and financial framework of the media industry, an appreciation of the impact of new technologies and to develop skills for project management and entrepreneurship.
The production theme focuses on the principle features of multimedia design and production including the planning, technical, and practical processes involved in the production of visual media.
When exploring the design theme, you will deal with the principles of design and visual communication, and exploration of the creative process. A significant proportion of the theme is focused on animation and 3D-modelling.
The technology theme examines the principles of analogue and digital technologies associated with the acquisition, processing, storage and transmission of signals associated with audio visual practice, application and system design.
The scripting theme develops knowledge and skills in scripting to produce interactive web and rich internet applications.
Teaching breakdown
| value | label | color |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Time in lectures, seminars and similar | MidnightBlue |
| 65 | Time in independent study | RoyalBlue |
Assessment breakdown
| value | label | color |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Written exams | DarkOrange |
| 93 | Coursework | FireBrick |
Student stories
Mike Gilbert
Mike Gilbert’s final year project was inspired. It combined his hobby - working with the Students’ Union - with his studies to produce a fantastic, interactive CD-ROM freshers’ information guide.
Mike’s now a web designer/developer for an educational trust in Exeter, producing online resources for teachers and learners. It’s a varied and interesting role that involves full project lifecycles - from researching products to designing, developing and testing solutions.
Leon Barrett
Leon must have enjoyed University life – his first job on graduating was right here at the University. And his long-term goal? To get as much industry experience as possible before moving into lecturing in web technology….
Leon put his skills straight into action – using web technologies from his course as a Technology Transfer Consultant here at Birmingham City University, developing Flash applications and creating websites; and using his Action script skills to create interactive eLearning content for distance learning courses.
This course is accredited by the following organisations:
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) - full IEng
The course is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology, ensuring it remains fresh and relevant, as well as boasting the best industry contacts.
Employability
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of BSc (Hons) Digital Media Technology have enjoyed excellent employment prospects, with many successfully entering the media industry sector working both as freelancers and employees within digital media agencies. Graduates also find employment in wide-ranging companies and organisations increasingly dependent on the expertise our graduates have to offer.
Graduates have pursued careers in web development, interactive content development, media technology consultancy, corporate training and publishing, e-commerce and multimedia marketing.
Graduate Profiles
Greg Price
Course : BSc (Hons) Multimedia Technology (renamed as BSc (Hons) Digital Media Technology)
Job Role : Interactive Developer
Company : NERV Interactive Limited
Leon Barrett
Course : BSc (Hons) Multimedia Technology (renamed as BSc (Hons) Digital Media Technology)
Leon must have enjoyed University life - his first job on graduating was right here at the University. And his long-term goal? To get as much industry experience as possible before moving into lecturing in web technology...
Irfan Yasin
Course : BSc (Hons) Multimedia Technology (renamed as BSc (Hons) Digital Media Technology)
Irfan must have impressed his tutors here - because it was one of them who recommended him for his first web development job.
Placements
You'll be encouraged to further enhance your career prospects by including an industrial placement in your course. This takes place after the second year of study and extends the course duration to four years.
As well as providing the workplace experience sought by many employers, a placement provides an invaluable opportunity for you to further develop your practical expertise, earn money and try out a potential career path. Our placements team support you throughout the placement process.
Full details can be found on the School placements page.
OpportUNIty
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
International Students
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies.
The UK remains one of the world's leading study destinations
The UK remains one of the world's leading study destinations for international students.
The first-class experience offered by universities are reflected in the world’s largest survey of international students. International students are more likely to recommend the UK than any other leading English-language study destination.
Facilities and Staff
Our facilities
Here at Birmingham City University, the School of Computing and Digital Technology is equipped with a multitude of professional, dedicated equipment. With world-class facilities including: two film and television studios, four multi-track recording studios, post-production facilities, and several hundred multimedia stations.
We have cutting edge facilities available to support the course and research that goes on in the School, including the purpose-built Media Centre at The Parkside Building, DMT Lab and Cisco Academy at Millennium Point. We also have several PC and Apple Mac computing suites with the latest industry standard applications and tools for audio, video and multimedia application development and content creation.
As a student of the School of Computing and Digital Technology you will be able to take advantage of a comprehensive range of state-of-the-art technology and equipment to prepare you for working within industry. Our four fully digital, interconnected TV studios can be used within a variety of contexts, including audio-recording. Alongside this with have several broadcast-standard edit and dubbing suites.
Our staff
Andy White
Programme Leader
Andy joined Birmingham City University 2001 as a Senior Lecturer within the School of Computing and Digital Technology. Following a number of years in course management he has recently been appointed Programme Leader managing a group of courses in the multimedia and broadcast area.
Andy began his career as a postgraduate researcher in 1995 at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle. His research in collaboration with the University of Essex and Sony Ericsson led to publications and the development of novel tools which can automatically design and optimise electronic systems.
Moving to the West Midlands in 1999, Andy worked as a consultant developing and implementing technology strategies that were delivered across the region to businesses and organisations.
As a Senior lecturer at Birmingham City University he continues to remain active in research and knowledge exchange through projects funded by various sources, such as DTI, ERDF and EU R&D Frameworks.
Andy holds an BEng(Hons) in Electronic and Communications Engineering and an MSc in Computer Based System Design from the University of Huddersfield and is currently working toward registration of a PhD.
More about AndyJerry Foss
Senior Lecturer
Jeremy Foss is a Chartered Engineer and a senior lecturer in Broadcast Engineering at Birmingham City University, UK. He developed the university's successful broadcast engineering BEng and MSc programmes. Prior to his academic role he had thirty years' experience in research and development in telecommunications, including work on virtual environments, mobile network development, intelligent agents and as solutions architect for IPTV multi-play solutions. He is situated in the DMT Lab, where his research interests include in-video personalisation and interactive media for broadcast media, with specific interest in object based media placements, metadata, profiling, production and playout architectures. He also works on low latency real-time networks as well as on the integration and convergence of VR/AR with broadcast media. He is a member of IST/37, the UK membership of the MPEG committee (now SC29).