MA in New Media, New Media

MA in New Media is a 2-year degree programme focusing on design for interactive digital media. From the fall2010 on we offer two specialisation areas: New Media and Game Design and Production. The education is project-oriented, combining practice with theory, hands-on with minds-on. The project modules emphasise interdisciplinary and collaborative work, while individual skills are studied in the tools & skills modules, in workshops and through tutored studio work.

Running since 1994, the programme accepts around 20-30 new students every year. Our applicants' backgrounds vary wildly and we have always attempted to recruit a true interdisciplinary team of students with each intake. Sharing knowledge and working in collabative groups within experimental production and research processes is a basic premise of our work in the Media Lab.

During the programme, students will specialise according to their personal skills and motivation. Their future professional profiles relate to the various fields of new media design and research including interface design, interaction design, information design, interactive narrative, new media production, game design, software design and digital animation.

The curriculum contains a number of software tools courses, but in general we expect students to be either proficient in using the tools of the trade, or willing to set aside time for self-study. For this, we provide a library of tutorials, as well as one-on-one coaching.

The structure of MA degree studies 2011-12

Studies begin with an orientative starting block entitled Understanding Media and Design. After completing that, through tutoring students choose their focus areas and start to participate in courses, digital media studio work, seminars, workshops and study projects. Individual study planning for new students is tutored by a teacher one-on-one, in great detail.

Obligatory Studies Advanced Studies Optional studies BA level language studies
20 ECTS 60-100 ECTS 0 - 40 ECTS 6 or 12 ECTS

Understanding Media, Art and Design            5 ECTS

New Media Exam                                     1 ECT

Personal Study Plan (HOPS)                    1 ECT

Software Studies for Media Designers      3 ECTS

Introduction to Media Art and Culture                              3 ECTS

Media Design Research 1                          3 ECTS

Academic Writing                              3 ECTS

Master's Thesis Seminar                             4 ECTS

 The obligatory Ability to conduct research (tutkimusvalmiudet) 5 ECTS is included into the Media Design Reserach and Master's Thesis Seminar.

Please see the equivalent alternative courses in the Study Guide 2011-12 book.

Advanced courses, seminars and workshops from the MA in New Media Curriculum  15-45 ECTS

Professional training or project work  5-15 ECTS

Master's Thesis  40 ECTS

Studies from other schools or institutions

Individually specified according to the personal study plan (HOPS)

Language study requirements depend on whether student has already acquired some of these credits as part of an earlier degree.

 

Suomalainen opiskelija: taiteen kandidaatin (ja siten myös maisterin) tutkintoon kuuluu pakollisia kieliopintoja yhteensä 12 opintopisteen verran:

- Äidinkieli (suomi tai svenska som modersmål) 3 op
- Toinen kotimainen kieli (ruotsi tai finska) 3 op
- Vieras kieli (yleensä englanti) 6 op

Others than Finnish students:

If the previous education was taken in other language than Finnish or Swedish, the language requiremets are
- Foreign language 6cp (English for those whose native language is not English; for native English speakers some other language, which could be for instance Finnish)

 

2011-12 study guide

Also known as degree requirements.

Courses

The courses listed in our curriculum are open to all Media Lab Helsinki students. From time to time, there is room for a student or two from the other schools here at the Aalto University - please contact us for more info on how to apply.

Application

Admissions for our different programs are open at differing times, mainly in spring.