Postgraduate study
Edinburgh: Extraordinary futures await.

Digital Media Design (Online Learning) MSc

Awards: MSc

Study modes: Part-time Intermittent Study, Full-time

Online learning

Funding opportunities

This innovative programme offers the best of studio-based design learning in an online context.

You will:

  • work together, and with colleagues located on campus in Edinburgh, to realise imaginative design outcomes
  • acquire wide skills in creative digital techniques
  • investigate practice contexts for application across the arts, entertainment, performance and industry
  • probe the social, cultural and commercial implications of such developments

The programme addresses the needs of practitioners, managers, decision-makers and educators who want to be informed by first-hand knowledge of the technical possibilities of digital technology and an awareness of social, cultural and business contexts.

Teaching is through a combination of:

  • streamed/podcasted lectures
  • online seminars/tutorials
  • virtual studio activities

Studying online at Edinburgh

Find out more about the benefits and practicalities of studying for an online degree:

Projects bring out original thinking and independent achievement within a framework of independent study, virtual team-working and creative ability.

You will also engage closely online with colleagues following our highly successful programme in Design & Digital Media.

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
MScDigital Media DesignUp to 6 YearsPart-time Intermittent StudyProgramme structure 2023/24
MScDigital Media Design1 YearFull-timeProgramme structure 2023/24

The aims of the programme are to:

  • develop specific knowledge and provide a broadly-based foundation in design technologies
  • encourage the development of good design in its broadest sense
  • foster the ability to work co-operatively in groups in the context of design
  • develop understanding of the potential for new technologies
  • enable the use of existing computer-aided design techniques in a creative way
  • provide an analytical and critical framework to enable students to develop fresh thinking in design by building on their undergraduate or industrial experience
  • assist students in discovering new creative uses of advanced technologies
  • give students an understanding of the scope and limitations of computer applications in design
  • encourage the development of business and entrepreneurial skills in working with digital media

The prospects for employment are diverse.

Recent graduates from this programme, and the closely allied on-campus programme in Design & Digital Media, are now working in:

  • multimedia and web design for architectural and urban design practices
  • advertising
  • computer system design and management
  • tertiary level teaching
  • gaming
  • animation
  • web design
  • advertising
  • social media marketing
  • art

The programme is also ideal if you are considering continuing on to advanced research at a doctoral level. 

These entry requirements are for the 2024/25 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2025/26 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2024.

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent. The subject discipline is not as important as aptitude and commitment to study in this area.

You must submit a portfolio as part of your application. Please provide examples of your creative design and/or technology work to demonstrate your aptitude and commitment to working in this area, especially if your previous study is not primarily design and/or technology focused.

Examples of work can include images of your design work (e.g. illustration, graphic design, installations etc.), stills from and links to examples of your animations and motion graphics, application or website design and coding and other examples of interactive media. Make it clear which parts of the work you are responsible for and outline the context, processes and design thinking involved in producing the work.

We may also consider your application if you have equivalent professional experience (especially continuing professional development).

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • PTE Academic: total 70 with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old* at the beginning of your programme of study. (*Revised 05 March 2024 to extend degree validity to five years.)

Find out more about our language requirements:

Additional costs

No additional fees.

Tuition fees

AwardTitleDurationStudy mode
MScDigital Media DesignUp to 6 YearsPart-time Intermittent StudyTuition fees
MScDigital Media Design1 YearFull-timeTuition fees

Featured funding

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

  • your programme
  • the duration of your studies
  • your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

  • Programme Director, Professor John Lee
  • Phone: +44 (0)131 650 2335
  • Contact: j.lee@ed.ac.uk
  • Postgraduate Admissions Office
  • College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
  • 57 George Square
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 9JU

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

You must submit one reference with your application.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Further information

  • Programme Director, Professor John Lee
  • Phone: +44 (0)131 650 2335
  • Contact: j.lee@ed.ac.uk
  • Postgraduate Admissions Office
  • College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
  • 57 George Square
  • Central Campus
  • Edinburgh
  • EH8 9JU