Creative Computing MSc
Subject to validation.
Course start date 2025.
Length:
Full-time 1 year, part-time 2 years
Discover how to use advanced programming and creative practice to design interactive experiences that push the boundaries of digital creativity.
Our MSc Creative Computing course will prepare you for advanced professional roles within the fields of creative technology. This experimental approach will challenge you to apply complex computational thinking to create sophisticated outcomes, enhancing your awareness of creative computing practices and methodologies. The curriculum will help you engage with advanced programming, write code, prototype, and develop software for creative computational applications. The course will foster an advanced understanding of professional technologies and workflows, enabling you to systematically and creatively resolve complex issues.
The course focuses on designing digital experiences within the context of creative practices. With a research-led approach, you will explore the boundaries between technology and creativity and their symbiotic relationship. Through project-based learning, you will enhance your skills in programming languages, physical computing, and software development for creative practitioners. The course encourages a critical approach to creative computing, considering social and ethical implications and promoting inclusivity and diversity in technology use. By the end, you’ll have a professional approach to computational practice ready for large-scale projects in the creative digital sector or within the digital technology sector more broadly.
Why study with us
- Preparation for advanced professional roles: The Creative Computing course equips you for advanced roles in creative technology, enhancing your expertise in the field.
- Project-based skills: Enhance your programming, physical computing, and software development skills through project-based learning, fostering original and innovative professional methods.
- Experimental and challenging approach: Engage in an experimental approach that challenges you to apply complex computational thinking for sophisticated outcomes, increasing your awareness of creative computing practices and methodologies.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration: Benefit from an interdisciplinary approach that reflects industry practices, integrating new and emerging concepts and technologies.
- Access to professional-level resources: Utilise a variety of professional resources, including contemporary technology, media labs, 2D & 3D studios, computer labs, high-specification PCs, digital darkrooms, and specialist software.
- Emphasis on social responsibility: Promote a socially responsible use of technology, challenging traditional boundaries in the field of creative expression.
Course structure
This course is part of our suite of Master’s in Computing, Games and Data Science, offering a collaborative framework across various specialisations, including MSc Creative Computing, MSc Games Computing, and MSc Data Science and AI in Creative Industries. This provides students with opportunities to engage with peers from different disciplines while working on individual assignments. Such collaboration mirrors the professional dynamics in the creative industries today, allowing students to gain valuable experience in interdisciplinary teamwork and real-world problem-solving.
This programme is a one-year course, including 30 weeks of direct teaching time and a 15-week final project. You will need to complete five units and one 60-credit major project (180 credits in total). All units on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award. If you study part-time your modules will be split across two years. Full course details, including aims and assessment criteria, will be provided in the course specification upon validation.
Course content
This unit launches your master’s study experience at Norwich, encouraging you to explore leading practices and emerging research in creative computing, enhancing your ability to design and produce innovative computational workflows. Through discovery-based learning, you will develop a deep understanding of computational technologies and their applications in technical, conceptual, and cultural contexts. The integration of theory and practice aims to enhance your creative agency and technical fluency, equipping you for careers in computational practice, the creative industries, or digital technology. This unit encourages an expanded approach to creative thinking, examining broader systems and the interconnected boundaries of creative computing with other fields. Key topics include computational languages, algorithms, coding, software development, user experience, data visualisation, speculative design, machine intelligence, and emerging technologies such as AR/VR and AI. This hands-on approach encourages innovative thinking and practical application, preparing you to tackle real-world challenges in the creative industries.
This unit focuses on developing advanced technical skills necessary for developing computational practices. Through individual and group projects, you will engage with a wide range of media and processes, integrating digital and analogue techniques to solve theoretical and conceptual challenges. The unit covers software development, physical computing, AI and machine learning, programming languages like Python and JavaScript, and tools such as Unity. You will explore innovative approaches to expand your problem-solving capabilities. This hands-on experience aims to enhance your practical skills and broaden your working methods, preparing you for working with contemporary and emerging media platforms.
This unit explores leading practices and emerging research within creative technology, emphasising critical frameworks in socio-economic, political, ethical, and cultural contexts. Through reflective analysis and interactive sessions, exploring themes like machine learning theory, games theory, human-computer interaction, semiotics, Gestalt psychology, globalisation, and consumption. The unit aims to enhance your capacity for complex critique and culturally aware, ethically engaged practice, utilising discursive interaction to inform your inquiry methods. A research-led approach will help you explore the boundaries between creative technology disciplines, positioning you as a critically engaged practitioner ready to contribute to contemporary and cultural debates.
This unit encourages your exploration of a range of professional-level technical skills essential for innovative creative computing practice. Building on the ‘advanced technical skills’ unit, it focuses on experimentation across a range of media, advancing your personal and practical skills. Through individual and group projects, you will refine computing processes, exploring innovative solutions that expand your problem-solving abilities and creative thinking. Unit briefs focus on creating effective solutions for contemporary and emerging media platforms, supported by practice-based research projects. The unit covers software practices, physical computing, algorithmic design, and emerging technologies like AR/VR/AI, promoting an expanded approach to contemporary creative computing. Focusing on contemporary techniques, you will blend theoretical concepts with technical skills, enabling you to create innovative and complex outcomes, essential for advancing in the dynamic creative technology industry.
This unit is designed to enhance your knowledge of leading practices and emerging research in creative technology. By developing effective research and reflective strategies, you will enhance your critical understanding of key methodologies and gain insights into creative thinking within socio-economic, political, ethical, and cultural contexts. Building on the ‘dialogue, debate, and domain knowledge’ unit, you will explore themes like machine learning theory, games theory, human-computer interaction, semiotics, Gestalt psychology, and globalisation. You will develop questions aligned with your practice able to contribute to broader knowledge debates. Research-led projects will support your critical and reflective analysis enhancing your ability to synthesise conceptual and practical problem-solving and expand social and ethical dialogues in relation to computational technologies.
This unit represents the culmination of your master’s study, integrating everything you’ve learned on your studies. You will identify a research question, plan a project to test hypotheses, and work towards innovative outcomes, which may involve multiple outputs or a focused exploration of one aspect of your practice, supported by feedback from tutors and industry professionals. This unit encourages exploring creative coding, computational thinking, modelling, and machine learning, while examining the historical, theoretical, cultural, technical, and economic contexts of your discipline to deliver a project that makes an innovative contribution to the creative technologies sector. This project will enable you to reflect on your practice, demonstrate your creativity and technical skills, and support your professional practice as an ethically minded, astute professional who can synthesise experiments and ideas into complex creative outcomes.
Careers Information
Specialist skills in the field of Creative Technologies are in high demand. Upon completion of this course, you’ll have gained specialised skills tailored to your chosen project focus, equipping you for a wide array of roles within the cultural and creative industries. You’ll emerge with a deep, practical understanding of computational technologies, alongside advanced computing and coding expertise. The course will improve your analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities, preparing you for a successful and dynamic career in the intersection of arts and technology.
This course prepares you for a career in a variety of disciplines related to creative computing, including:
Career opportunities
- Creative technologist
- Creative developer
- Web developer
- Digital project manager
- Web and mobile app development
- Producer roles within digital agencies
- Computer graphics designer
- Software developer
- Digital strategist
- Interface and interaction designer
- Arts and live events technologist
You’ll also get specialist creative careers advice from our Business and Employability Team to help support you as you plan your career.
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Entry Requirements
We typically require an honours degree of 2:1 or above. Applicants should have a good working knowledge of programming gained from work, university study, or personal interest. Details on your programming experience should be included as part of your application.
Those with industry experience or relevant skills from non-traditional backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including individuals currently employed. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, please contact us for guidance before applying.
Language requirement (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.
Portfolio requirement
When you apply to MSc Creative Computing, we will ask you to prepare your portfolio and a written submission. We might also ask you to prepare for an interview. These methods are used to assess your suitability for the course. All three elements should clearly demonstrate your passion for the subject and your individual creativity.
2024/25 university fees
Norwich University of the Arts will assess students’ tuition fee status using the guidance provided by the UK Council for International Student Affairs.
Students from the UK or Ireland, and EU students with ‘Settled’ or ‘Pre-Settled’ status, will be charged ‘Home’ fees if they meet the relevant residency requirements.
Home/UK
- Postgraduate degree (full-time) £10,600
- Postgraduate degree (part-time, over 2 years) £6,625
For home postgraduate degree students starting in 2024, fees will remain the same for each year of your course.
For 2024, UK nationals and EU nationals who have ‘Settled’ or ‘Pre-Settled’ status may be eligible for a government loan towards course fees or living costs. Both full-time and part-time master’s degree students can apply for the master’s loan. Find out more about postgraduate master’s loans.
Alumni discount
Home Norwich alumni can benefit from a £1,000 discount on Norwich postgraduate degree fees.
Staff and teacher discount
All Norwich staff and art teachers at high schools or sixth form colleges can benefit from £1,000 discount on Norwich postgraduate degree fees.
International
- Postgraduate degree (full-time) £24,000
For international postgraduate degree students starting in 2024, fees will remain the same for each year of your course.
If you are a resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £2,500 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
International scholarships and bursaries
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students. To find out more and see if you’re eligible, please visit the scholarships for international students page.
Additional costs
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition. Accommodation, cost of materials, and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees.
Learning and teaching
The course is delivered through a variety of engaging learning and teaching methods. Lectures will introduce you to core topics, provide contextual understanding, and clarify the objectives of assigned tasks. You will participate in creative workshops, technical labs, and seminars, and receive individual mentorship. Throughout these sessions, you will have opportunities to work independently, and collaboratively in groups, engaging in practical and creative exercises designed to enhance your knowledge and skills.
Assessment
Our assessment methods will vary based on the unit you choose and provide a comprehensive measure of your learning and progress. These methods may include:
- Course work
- Presentations
- Learning journal
- Reflective evaluation
- Body of creative work
- Reflective research report
- Team project evaluation
- Major project
- Supporting documentation
- Critically reflective essay
How to apply
Applications to our postgraduate courses should be made directly to Norwich University of the Arts using a Postgraduate Application Form.
Postgraduate Application form 2023-24 – Word format
Applications should be returned to admissions@norwichuni.ac.uk
Terms and conditions
- Norwich Terms and Conditions (11/12/20)
- Norwich Student Regulations and Procedures (01/10/23)
- Student Protection Plan (01/11/23)
When should I apply for an MA course?
There is no official deadline for applying for a postgraduate course. We would recommend you apply by 25 August (at the very latest) of the autumn you wish to start. This will allow time for your interview to take place and the necessary paperwork to be processed if you are successful in achieving a place. International students requiring a visa should apply as soon as possible in the year they wish to start. Email our International Team for more information.
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