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BA (Hons) in Creative Media

Course Points
409 Points
Course Duration
4 Years
Course Level
Level 8
Course Places
40 Places
Course Start Date
September 2023

Three great reasons to consider this course

  • The course is a blend of practical creative media skills and communication theory allowing graduates to go into a variety of roles.
  • Students gain industry experience on the work placement module.
  • 100% of graduates are in employment or further study after 6 months of graduating. 86% of graduates are in a permanent contract after 6 months of graduating.

Course Summary

The aim of this four-year honours degree course is to produce Creative Media professionals with the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies to work within the varied Creative Media Industries in Ireland and abroad. This course will allow students to develop key skills in conventional and new media, by combining traditional communication and media production skills such as photography and video production, with high-level training in multimedia production and design. Graduates from this degree programme will be able to work across a variety of creative media platforms, traversing the rapidly decreasing boundaries of traditional and new media.

The BA (Hons) in Creative Media places a strong emphasis on creativity, collaboration, design and innovation, and developing students’ practical skills to a high standard. Students are also encouraged to develop the theoretical skills necessary to critically analyse key media issues, both in terms of its technological manifestation and its social impact. Key to this development is a six week work placement in third year, allowing students to gain experience in the workplace before completing their final year on the course. 

In the final year students are offered the opportunity to realise, develop and showcase their creative ideas and skills to the public and prospective employers in the form of a final year project exhibited at the annual end of year Creative Media Degree Show. 

YEAR 1

Semester 1

  • Media and Communication Studies (year-long)
  • Introduction to Visual Concepts
  • 35mm Photography
  • Introduction to Web Authoring 1
  • Communication, Research and Core Study Skills
  • Creative Collaborative Development

Semester 2

  • Media and Communication Studies (Part 2 of 2)
  • Communication Design and Illustration
  • Introduction to Sound and Vision
  • Introduction to Web Authoring 2
  • Storytelling, Creativity and Interactive Narrative

Year 2

Semester 1

  • Media and Society 1
  • Editorial and Branding Design
  • Intermediate Sound and Vision
  • Authoring for the Web
  • Creative Code for Interactive Applications
  • Electives: International Academic Studies

Semester 2

  • Media Law and Ethics in the Creative Industries
  • Design in Motion
  • Interactive Sound and Vision
  • User Experience (UX) Design
  • Group Project Method and Production
  • Electives: International Academic Studies

Year 3

Semester 1

  • Media and Society 2
  • Physical and Pervasive User Experience (UX)
  • Design for Creative Advertising and Digital Marketing (Draft)
  • Immersive Technology Concepts
  • Creative Media Group Project (Part 1 of 2)
  • Electives: Front-End Web Development // Advanced Digital Photography // Narrative Design // Radio and Podcast Production Concepts 

Semester 2

  • Creative Media Group Project (Part 2 of 2)
  • Work Placement for Creative Media

Year 4

Semester 1 

  • Creative Digital Culture
  • Media Literacy and Analysis
  • Individual Major Project (Part 1 of 2)
  • Research Methods for Creative Media
  • Electives: Print, Type and the History of Graphic Design // Server-Side Web Development 

Semester 2

  • Individual Major Project (Part 2 of 2)
  • Research Methods for Creative Media
  • Entrepreneurship for Creative Industries
  • Electives: Vlogging and Live streaming // E-Learning

Notes

(1) You do not need to have any prior knowledge in any subject other than the entry requirements that are listed above. In particular, you do not need to have previous experience in programming or art/design.

(2) Study Abroad - Students may undertake a one-semester placement under the Erasmus Programme with our current approved partners during stage two of their studies, including San Pablo/UEM (Madrid, Spain).

(3) All module titles are subject to change and are for indicative purposes only. The provision of electives each year is subject to numbers enrolling on each elective and available resources.

Lectures and Tutorials are the most common formats used to deliver modules. Professional and practical skills are developed primarily through studio and workshop practice, exhibitions, presentations and group work. Individual and team-based project work are essential to the acquisition of skills required for success on the course and beyond. 

Graduates from this programme will be well prepared to follow several career paths, including:

  • Design: Design, Multimedia Design, Web Design, Interaction/UI Design, Motion Design
  • Planning & Strategy: Information Architect/User-experience Architect, Digital Media Strategist
  • Authoring: Web Developer, App Design/Developer
  • Management: Web/Multimedia Project Manager, Social Media Strategist, Communications Officer, Media Planner, Media Buyer, Digital Marketing
  • Content Creation: Transmedia Developer, Copywriter, Content Editor, Digital Image Producer, Creative Video Producer, Digital Marketing, Sound Designer 

Recent Level 8 Graduates from the former programmes (BA/BA (Hons) in Communications in Creative Multimedia) have continued their studies at Masters and PhD level, set up SMEs and have taken on the following positions within companies:

  • Audio Consultant – Harman International
  • Creative Designer – CKSK, Grabone.ie, Local Government Management Agency
  • Flash Developer – ICAN
  • Programme Co-ordinator MSc Multimedia- Griffith College Dublin
  • Researcher – TV3, RTÉ
  • Copywriter – Grabone.ie, ICAN
  • Creative Director - The Institute of International and European Affairs
  • Head of Digital – Coral Interactive
  • Content Manager – Boyle Sports
  • Senior Web Developer – Intercom
  • Director of Communication - AXS Lab (New York)
  • Web Designer – MOR Solutions, Lucidity Digital, Horseware, Lionbridge (London)
  • Graphic Designer – Self Help Africa, GameStop, Boylesports, PML
  • E-Learning Developer - Optimum Results/Skillsboost. Com
  • UI Designer – Roadhouse Interactive (Canada)
  • College Lecturer - Cavan VEC, Louth VEC Production Assistant – Blonde and Co (New York)
  • Digital Project Manager – Four23 (London)
  • Senior Production Controller – Gill and Macmillian
  • Assistant Director – HBO (Game of Thrones)
  • Transmission Controller – Setanta Sports
  • Content Developer – Boyle Sports
  • On successful completion of this course, students who obtain Second Class Honours or higher are eligible to be considered for entry to the MA/MSc by Research within the School of Informatics and Creative Arts.

Please find information on fees and funding here: www.dkit.ie/fees

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements:

Six Grades at O6 or H7 in Leaving Certificate

→ INCLUDING At least two H5 Grades
→ AND Mathematics Grade O6 or H7
→ AND English Grade O3 or H6


Northern Ireland/UK Entry Requirements:

Applicants must meet the matriculation requirement of 6 different subjects which must include:

→ Mathematics at GCSE (Grade A* - C) or better
→ English at:

    • GCSE Grade A
    • Or AS Level Grade C
    • Or A Level Grade E

→ Two subjects at either:

    • ‘A Level’ (Grade A* - C)
    • AND/OR Applied A-Level (Grade A* - C)
    • AND/OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma) (Grade Merit or Distinction).
    • AND/OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma) (Grade Merit or Distinction)
    • OR BTEC National Level 3 Diploma (Grade min: MM)
    • OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma (Grade min: MM)
    • OR BTEC National Level 3 Extended Diploma (Grade min: MMP)

→ The remaining subjects must be different from that presented above and may be drawn from recognised subjects at:

    • GCSE (Grade A* - C)
    • AND/OR AS Level’ (Grades A - E)
    • AND/OR A-level’ (Grades A* - E)
    • AND/OR Applied ‘A-level’ (Grade A* - E)
    • AND/OR BTEC National Level 3 (National Award, Subsidiary Diploma, Extended Certificate, 90-Credit Diploma, Foundation Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).
    • AND/OR OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 (Introductory Diploma, Extended Certificate, Subsidiary Diploma, Foundation Diploma, 90-Credit Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma*) (Pass, Merit or Distinction).

Students complete a 6 week placement in year 3.

Fiachra O Cuinneagain (Programme Director)
Phone: +353 429370200
Email: Fiachra.OCuinneagain@dkit.ie

Course ID DK863
CAO Round 1 Entry Points (2022) 409 Points
Course Type Undergraduate
Study Mode Full-Time
Level 8
Duration 4 Years
Starting Date September 2023
School School of Informatics & Creative Arts
Department Creative Arts, Media and Music
Awarding Body Dundalk Institute of Technology
Delivery Method On Campus

How To Apply

Apply on CAO

All standard entry first-year applicants must apply for entry through the CAO. See Important application dates for CAO and information for specific applicant types below:

CAO Code: DK863
Apply on CAO

International Application (non-EU)

International Applicants (not from or living in the EU) can apply through an agent or directly to DkIT to study this course.

Advanced Entry & Transfer Applications

Advanced Entry is for applicants who have previous educational achievements and/or work experience and want to be considered for direct entry into year  2, 3, or 4 of a course. This includes students looking to transfer to DkIT from another Higher Education provider.

Closing Date: 6th June
Apply Now

Disclaimer: All module titles are subject to change and for indicative purposes only. All courses are delivered subject to demand and timetables are subject to change. Elective Module options will only run subject to student numbers. The relevant Department will determine the viability of each elective module option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose that option. Students will be offered alternative elective modules on their programme should their preferred elective option not be proceeding. Award Options for Common Entry Programmes: The relevant Department will determine the viability of each award option proceeding depending on the number of students who choose either option. If the numbers for one of the Award options exceed available places, students for this option will be selected based on Academic Merit (highest grades).