Master of Arts (MA) in Creative Media Practice

Overview

The MA in Creative Media Practice presents learners with a creative and critically informed environment in which to develop and consolidate their practice. The course supports imaginative, experimental and interdisciplinary enquiry through a range of media, approaches and methodologies. In Dublin Business School, we define creative production as a practice of realising an artistic vision by putting in place the practical steps needed to deliver that vision to an audience—whether in the performing arts, literature, visual and sonic arts, or in an interdisciplinary area. Students are encouraged both to work collaboratively and to be independent, self-directed critical thinkers.

At DBS we are committed to innovation, creativity and intellectual rigour. This new programme aims to broaden the students’ productive, conceptual, and critical faculties in their pursuit of careers as creative media professionals. A curricular emphasis across the entire study is on context and connectivity along with a spirit of experimentation, collaboration and community. To support this, the programme offers a flexible suite of modules to allow you to build up a strong portfolio of high-quality creative work across your chosen areas of practice, and to consolidate your creative and professional identity in film, digital media, photography, writing and performance

The learner engages with a focused set of modules, tailored to individual requirements. Moving on from this the learner is provided with a broader, more detailed set of modules, including involvement in an interdisciplinary ‘Collaborative Project’ and a highly focused and individualised programme of professional development in a range of relevant areas within the module ‘Creative Industries: Professional Practice’.

Students taking the Masters Programme gain the opportunity to complete a sustained piece of professional creative work such as a feature-length screenplay or documentary, a piece of creative writing, a multimedia product, an exhibition or a performance. A significant feature throughout is the exposure to experienced creative cross media practitioners and professionals external guest lecturers, industry mentors and DBS faculty.

With a strong emphasis on the values of design-thinking and entrepreneurship (teamwork, iteration, action-bias, and responsiveness), this MA programme prepares students for entry into the professional world with confidence to solve meaningful, complex, and challenging problems

Entry Requirements

Minimum entry requirements for this programme are at least a 2.2 Honours degree (NFQ Level 8), or equivalent practical / professional experience. Your preferred programme may also require you to undertake an interview, audition or other relevant selection exercise.

Other Requirements: Qualifications/Experience

Candidates must be able to satisfy the general admission requirements of the University of the West of Scotland as specified by Regulation 6 of the Regulatory Framework together with the following programme requirements: Honours degree (minimum 2:2 classification) or a bachelor’s degree with significant and relevant work experience. Where candidates do not meet the standard entry requirement, they must demonstrate that they have sufficient relevant professional or practice-based experience to undertake their chosen programme of study. They may be admitted to the programme at the discretion of the Programme Admissions Officer/Programme Leader.

English language proficiency is also a requirement, with candidates expected to achieve IELTs average standard of 6.0.

Admission based on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

will comply with the University’s Regulatory Framework (Section 6), as well as University regulations on postgraduate study and guidance on RPL. Credit transferred into the programme through Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) must have been subject to reliable and valid methods of assessment at a recognised HEI. Accredited Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) entry is also permitted. The amount of credit transferred though RPL (APL and APEL) will comply with the maxima set out in the Regulatory Framework. Candidates should note that transferred credit does not carry a grade, therefore, award with distinction cannot be granted for awards where credit is transferred in at level 11. (Level 9 NFQ IE).

Course Content

The Master of Arts (MA) in Creative Media Practice has the following content:

• Applied Creative Contexts
• Creative Skills Development
• Creative Industries: Professional Practice
• Research: Critical Development
• Collaborative Project
• Masters Creative Project

Core Content includes:

• Researching and developing creative projects;
• The critical and commercial realities of the creative process;
• Writing and developing creative projects from proposal treatments, project plans and grant applications to screenplays and final projects;
• A strong critical perspective on current creative thinking and cross-media developments.
• Entrepreneurial thinking.

Students select practice areas most relevant to them and can also tailor the research, development and project work in these and in related modules to reflect their interests and requirements.

Placement Opportunities

Work-related learning is available either as a placement in the creative sector and/or work on a professional project.

Structure

The Master of Arts (MA) in Creative Media Practice is offered on a one year full-time or two year part-time basis.

Career Opportunities

Areas of employment for graduates of this programme lie within the extensive range of creative networks and cultural infrastructure of Dublin and beyond.

Employment opportunities include:

• Film makers
• Script writing
• Creative consultancy
• Technicians
• Designers
• Creative writing
• Creative projects management
• Creative sector management
• Socially engaged projects
• Public art projects
• Arts administration
• Curation

Programme Strengths

• Regular input from creative practitioners and industry experts.
• “Live” professional projects allowing students to develop their understanding of ‘audiences’.
• Build a strong creative portfolio and develop creative projects of a professional standard.
• Includes the Creative Industries: Professional Practice module which features a significant component of employability-focused CPD (Continued Professional Development).
• Strong track record of preparing students for further post-graduate study especially in practice-based research with several students gaining PhD Studentships and MFA (Master of Fine Arts) programmes.
• Designed to maximise student employability at a high level.
• Development of a distinctive, individual creative identity, creative voice and artistic style.
• Enhanced awareness of current creative thinking and cross-media developments.
• Maximise the potential provided by the professional contacts, colleagues and networking opportunities.
• Opportunity to capture and evaluate progression and development, stimulating reflection, self-regulation and a more constructive engagement with employability.
• Opportunity to tailor research, development and project work in area of professional and conceptual interest.

Fees

The course fees for the next academic year are €8,900 per annum (full-time) or €5,500 per annum (part-time) . This covers the cost of tuition, registration and examinations

Visit Us

Open days are a great way to help you make your decision about DBS and learn more about the Master of Arts (MA) in Creative Media Practice. As well as experiencing our outstanding facilities, you’ll have the opportunity to receive personalised advice from academics from your subject area, meet current postgraduate students and also have your questions answered on general subjects such as entry requirements, student support and the admissions process.