Digital Media Technology - China and UK Delivery - BSc (Hons)
Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.
Digital Media development requires a comprehensive understanding of image, video and mixed reality processing. BSc (Hons) Digital Media Technology, aims to develop you with the versatile and rich combination of skills that will enable you to design and develop tomorrow’s digital media products....
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Award BSc (Hons)
- Start date September 2025
- Subject Media and Journalism
- Location Wuhan Textile University / BCU
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
I'm a third year Music Technology student. When I was looking for Music Technology courses, Birmingham City University really stood out to me. I was keen on attending a Bachelor of Science and the course really focussed on the science aspects as well as maintaining the artistic elements of music and sound production. The support of the tutors has been fantastic. The professional standard and the facilities on campus are great due to their accessibility around the clock. The easy access to studios has been extremely helpful in completing my work and keeping on top of deadlines. At BCU, there's been a heavy focus on employability and what I could do with all aspects of my degree. The university has organised the industrial mentor forum, a space where students can communicate with alumni and people within the industry. The Acoustics Special Interest Group also consisted of more bespoke talks from people within the acoustics industry about different aspects of the work and how individual companies run. This is how I developed contact with an acoustic consultancy to complete my placement year. I act as an Acoustic Technician at Dragonfly Consulting. It went so well that I'm returning upon my graduation to continue working with them. The university has given me opportunities I don't think I would have received anywhere else.
I'm a second year computer science student studying at Birmingham City University. As a Computing student, there are plenty of computer labs available. There's entire rooms filled with Cisco networking equipment, as well as laptops that can be rented out to complete your work. Several of the facilities have now moved over to STEAMhouse, which is a £70 million build that is now the new home for Computing and Digital Technology students. One of the main things for me was getting employment at the end of my university degree. And Birmingham City University offers a wealth support for moving into the work environment. The course is a very important focus and a very industry focussed as well. I've been offered roles as a student demonstrator for Python programming. I found that the best way to show that you've understood something is to be able to teach somebody else.
I'm studying Computer Networks and Security. So far, I've really enjoyed my time at BCU. I felt really included within the student community. For the past two years, I've been involved in Innovation Fest. This is an annual event that showcases student work from the faculty. A lot of employers visit this festival, which allows us to widen our professional network. Throughout my time at BCU, I've had some time to
develop a relationship with the Careers+ team and go through tailoring my CV and my cover letters with them. Because of this, I have been presented with many opportunities which they have tailored to me and my needs. Through this, I was encouraged to apply for the women in tech competition.
So it was a one week program and I was working with the team from Cyferd. It's a software company,
and I successfully won and have taken up the placement year with them as a Junior Development Lead.
I look forward to coming back and applying the skills I've learnt throughout my placement and applied them within my studies.
Digital Media development requires a comprehensive understanding of image, video and mixed reality processing. BSc (Hons) Digital Media Technology, aims to develop you with the versatile and rich combination of skills that will enable you to design and develop tomorrow’s digital media products.
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.
Introducing STEAMhouse
STEAMhouse is a centre for technology, innovation, creative thinking, prototyping and business development. Our £70 million pound building is the home for all of our Computing courses.
What's covered in this course?
You’ll have the opportunity to practice professional skills by delivering the course content in a project-driven and practice-like way, in specialist labs containing the latest hardware and software. Your skills will be further developed through the group project based module which take place in year two of the programme.
We also have well-established links with companies such as BBC, Microsoft and Cisco, ensuring that the programmes remain current and relevant to industry. The course also enables you to interact with potential employers by collaborating with industrial partners and participating in various events throughout the academic year.
Graduates will be equipped for careers related to media and computing. You could explore careers in multimedia development, web and interactive application development and multimedia content development.
You’ll also have the opportunity to take a Professional placement year between your second and third year. This is highly recommend as it will give you an invaluable opportunity to hone your expertise, try out a potential career path and get relevant workplace experience that is valued by so many employers.
Our Digital Media Technology degree is part of the School of Computing and Digital Technology, located at the Millennium Point Building as part of the City Centre Campus, in the heart of Birmingham. Millennium Point was built as a focus for science, technology and education within Birmingham and the wider region, providing an excellent environment for exploring advanced technology.
Accredited By
This course is accredited by:
This course is a unique blend of media and computing I could not find on any other course. It is challenging yet rewarding and provides me with a sense of accomplishment when assignments are completed. The broad range of the modules allows me to have a wide range of options when choosing my career path.
Harvir Singh, Second Year Student
Why Choose Us?
- Brand new facilities at STEAMhouse - This state-of-the-art building is the new home for our Computing courses. Based at our expanding City Centre Campus, this unique centre will give you access to outstanding facilities and teaching spaces, as well as opportunities to collaborate with people and businesses across multiple sectors and work on real industry-based projects.
- 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.
- 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.
Open Days
Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.
Next Open Day: 19 October 2024
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2025/26.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
Essential requirements
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
Further information
Visit international student entry requirements. If you're unsure of your eligibility, please contact us: bifca@bcu.ac.uk
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 4 years
-
TBC
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 4 years
-
TBC
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 and complete your details
- Select your course and write a personal statement
- Get a reference
- Pay your application fee and submit 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
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Within the module of Computer Programming you will learn the key skills of Programming and how this relates to technology and communications. Programming is an engineering tool that plays a vital role to drive most of the modern technologies surrounding us, including the technological devices for communication, transportation and entertainment. In other words, it can be said that our modern lifestyles are heavily dependent on programming. Moreover, businesses increasingly rely on computers and the software run on them. Programming skills and a broader and deeper understanding of programming are therefore becoming increasingly important to the jobs market.
Within the Computer Systems Module, you will gain knowledge and experience of computers and computer hardware.
This first-year project allows you to develop and cultivate a creative mind-set through collaborative innovative practice, allowing you to bring together knowledge and imagination to construct a viable product. It is an opportunity to express your ideas, skills and talent to the wider community of innovative practice.
This module provides the underpinning skills necessary to develop an effective web based information system based around a clear understanding of the visual requirements of an interface, a structured design approach and the technical skills necessary to implement a solution.
This module will develop your key understanding of media technologies in production. The aim of this module is to provide you with the knowledge and appreciation of the fundamental principles and practice of audio visual technology.
The ability to communicate visually is a fundamental and essential foundation within media disciplines; and is the cornerstone of modern visual media production.
Year Two
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
Sound is an important element in the viewer’s experience of a visual sequence. This module provides you with the technical skills and experience to record, edit and process sound to accompany visual effects.
This module investigates the process of screenwriting and provides opportunity for you to explore this process in preparation for your final year production. Furthermore, it contributes to development of the wider key skills required for employment, through in-class activities, assessments and background research.
You will develop expertise in the capture and manipulation of audio/video data through practical experimentation. A sound understanding of technical concepts will be required in order to deliver realistic solutions to a broad range of real-world problems that you will encounter.
This module provides knowledge of and develops skills in the production of 3D models, rendering and animation for use in a variety of different media and platforms.
You will participate in a small structured team to design, produce and test a multimedia product. The module allows you to build upon the experiences gained during the innovation project undertaken in your first year and to consolidate the additional knowledge you have gained in Semester 1 Year 2. As a 40-credit module, a substantial piece of work is required, researched and executed in depth and with professional quality. The delivered product should, as far as possible, be presented as finished commercial work, packaged, easily installable/accessible and with any user documentation needed.
Professional Placement Year (Optional)
In order to qualify for the award of Bachelor of Science with Honours Digital Media Technology with Professional Placement, a student must successfully complete all of the Level 6 modules below above as well as the following Level 5 module:
This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 40-week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Undergraduate Degree.
Final Year
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
The purpose of the module is to enable you to undertake a sustained, in-depth and research-informed project exploring an area that is of personal interest to you. In agreement with your supervisor, you will decide upon your topic which will take the form of a practical outcome (artefact) with accompanying contextual material. The main consideration when choosing your topic is that it must be aligned to the programme you are studying, and you should consider the relevance of this topic to your future academic or professional development.
This module provides you with the technical comprehension necessary to organise, manipulate, and enhance video data at both the point of capture and in post-production ready for delivery.
Within this module you will develop productions that span a number of platforms such as film, games, social media, web and VR. It provides you with an opportunity to work with students from a number of disciplines and develop an understanding of how your knowledge and skills can fit into the production workflow of different media industries.
This module enables you to gain an understanding of the processes, scope and role when providing guidance or advice in a professional consulting capacity. It will also assist you if you join a larger organisation with the aspiration to become a leader and manager. The module provides awareness on the wider consulting profession and practice, the consulting role in computing and the management of client relationships. The focus will be to analyse and evaluate the frameworks, processes and techniques applied by computing consultants, managers and leaders.
In order to set the skills gained across your degree programme in a wider context, you need an appreciation of business practice and current working environment, project management styles and the processes involved in gaining and completing high quality commissioned work.
Download course specification
Download nowCourse 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.
Student stories
Li Shuxin
Li Shuxin decided to join this course as she felt it has a perfect combination of art and science, with both the emotional side of art and design and the rational side of technology. She chose this course to learn about all aspects of art and design and to use the latest technology to produce art-related works.
Li is now a 3D game animation designer. She is able to use skeletal systems to create complex character animations, sensitive to character body, expression language and rhythm, with smooth, natural animation effects.
Sylvia Chen
Sylvia Chen chose this course to learn more about digital media technology, and improve her practical skills. Her favourite module was Website Production as she enjoyed being able to study the whole process of website production, from early user research to final testing and improvement.
Sylvia is currently completing product analysis work in a clothing company, using database programming and MATLAB, which helps her build the customer information database more efficiently, and helps her to better analyse user needs. Sylvia also assists the department with video editing using the skills she learned on film and television post-production.
Athena Swan Bronze Award
We have successfully secured the Athena SWAN Departmental Bronze Award recognising a commitment to gender equality.
The Athena Swan Charter is a framework which is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education (HE) and research.
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.
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.
International
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:
- Details of the entry requirements for our courses
- Some of the good reasons why you should study here
- How to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Information relevant to applicants from your country
- Where to find financial support for your studies.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £260 million on new learning facilities. This course will be taught at Millennium Point at the City Centre Campus.
The course is supported with a wide range of cutting-edge facilities in the City Centre Campus. We have a state-of-the-art computer games technology lab which contains high-performance PCs, Sony PlayStation development kits and a range of industry standard software including Unity, Unreal and a suite of professional Microsoft development tools.
We also have many open access areas where students can study together and even hire out laptops for use in these spaces and others within the university.
Within the University there are many internationally recognised research teams giving you the opportunity to collaborate with them on exciting interdisciplinary projects.
Computer networking
The laboratories are well-equipped for all our computer networking courses, as well as specialist areas for practical work such as voice-over internet protocol (VoIP), forensic and ethical hacking technologies, wireless and mobile technologies and radio frequency identification technologies to name but a few.
Software development and computer programming
There are a number of open access, software development and computer programming laboratories that can be used to develop systems and programmes, including database management systems such as MySQL, to name but a few.
Systems laboratories
Our embedded systems laboratories are used to develop real-time systems, such as specialist hardware training and development resources, and industrial-standard software development and simulation tools. These include microcontroller software and robotics design and development, to name but a few.
Electronic systems
To underpin the basic principles of electronic systems, we have a well-equipped laboratory of general and specialist test and measurement kits, including powered prototyping development boards, dual power supplies, frequency generators and counters and digital multi-meters to name but a few.
Forensic computing
Our successful development of forensic computing has led to a specialist forensics laboratory that is fully equipped with essential hardware and software for this sensitive area of study. The laboratory includes high-spec PCs with built-in multi interface Tableau write blockers, EnCase and FTK computer forensic software and steganography detection and analysis software, to name but a few.
More on our facilities
Our staff
Kira Summers
Programme Leader, Lecturer
Akira Summers has been working in software and technological development since the year 2000. Starting off in web development and interactive media, she has held many development roles and spent several years working as an embedded game programmer, multimedia developer and learning technologist.
More about KiraDr Tychonas Michailidis
Course Leader - MSc User Experience Design
Dr Tychonas Michailidis is Course Leader for MSc User Experience Design at the School of Computing and Digital Technology. He is part of BIFCA, teaching both students in Birmingham and in Wuhan, China. He joined BCU in February 2020 from Solent University in Southampton.
More about Tychonas