Overview
Get a visual overview of this exciting programme by watching our colourful short video.
This digital design degree offers you a choice of three pathways: motion graphics, 3D animation, or immersive mixed reality. It's a modern, hands-on course that combines digital technology and creative design, and it's been designed to equip you with the advanced knowledge and practical skills necessary for a range of technology-oriented design roles in the creative digital industries.
When you begin your course, you'll choose to study one of the three available pathways of motion graphics, 3D animation, or immersive mixed reality, as your specialism, and then select from a range of modules from the other pathways as your optional module(s). This gives you the flexibility to switch to another specialism mid-term if you choose.
You’ll develop a deep understanding of advanced digital design working practices within the context of motion graphics. Through the optional module(s) you pick, you'll also develop advanced knowledge and skills of another of our specialist pathways.
Our modern, industry-standard digital media facilities include an immersive virtual environment laboratory, a green screen and post-production studio, motion capture, sound, and photography studios, 4K digital cinema cameras, and a dedicated render farm. You'll have independent access to exclusive PC and Mac computing workshops and benefit from the latest industry-standard specialist software for graphic design and image/video editing, game development, 3D animation, digital compositing, and rich interactive content creation. Our immersive virtual environment laboratory includes an immersive 360° dome (planetarium) set up for Brunel by the National Space Centre in Leicester and is one of only a few in the UK!
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
You'll study four compulsory modules, which includes a dissertation module, and one optional module. This will give you an impressive portfolio of work as you embark on your career, including a convincing digital artefact centrepiece developed as part of the dissertation.
Please note:
- the list of modules is published in advance of enrolment, therefore, it is only indicative and subject to change depending on post-enrolment demand. Whilst our aim is to keep changes to a minimum, existing modules may have to be withdrawn and new modules may be offered.
- modules 'Human Factors in Design' and 'Design Creativity and Aesthetic Awareness' must be chosen together.
Compulsory
- Digital DesignThis module aims to gain knowledge and understanding of the fundamental elements of digital design through theory lectures and guided project work. Students to develop digital design skills through project-centred approach, focusing on the demands of the contemporary design business practice.
- Digital Media TechnologiesThis module aims to develop knowledge and understanding of the video production workflow used for promotion, which would include pre-production, production and post-production.
- Motion GraphicsDevelop the students’ practical skills and creative competence in the production of motion graphics, animated typography, post-production and compositing. Employ an understanding of the multiple outlets for motion design, and an appreciation of the application of design theory. To develop a practical understanding of, and an ability to produce, motion graphics in a variety of motion graphic design applications at a professional level.
Optional
- Digital Branding StrategyThis module aims to provide a professional and comprehensive understanding of digital branding, its relationship with design and its impact on contemporary business, organisations and society
- Brand Experience DesignThis module aims to develop theoretical and practical understanding of brand experience design and digital branding and marketing communications channels and means (e.g. Social Media Marketing, Online Advertising, e-mail marketing, etc.)
- 3D AnimationThis module aims to enable students to understand both technical and aesthetic aspects of 3D animation and performance capture. It provide students with a creative approach to understanding CGI production and pipelines and develop understanding in 3D animation.
- Immersive Mixed Reality DesignThis module aims to develop knowledge and expertise of the key principles of Augmented and Virtual Reality design and development within the context of immersive mixed reality and digital media. To develop knowledge and experience in the state-of-the-art technologies and applications of Immersive Mixed Reality, using scripting and digital media solutions and tools. Students will particularly be able to critically and creatively apply knowledge towards production of interactive Augmented and Virtual Reality content.
- Design Creativity and Aesthetic AwarenessThis module aims to provide students with the theoretical underpinning combined practical knowledge and skills in order to use enhanced creative skills and visual understanding as an integral part of their design practice, and at a level appropriate for the global and professional aims of the course.
- Human Factors in DesignThis module aims to develop an understanding of the physical, perceptual, cognitive and emotional characteristics of humans, to use the main qualitative and analytical methods of human centred design, to illustrate the practical application of human centred design techniques by means of examples chosen from the product, system and service industries, and to develop skills in multi-disciplinary thinking and multi-disciplinary design practice.
This course can be studied 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time, 2 years full-time with placement or 3 years part-time with placement, starting in January. Or this course can be studied 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time, 2 years full-time with placement or 3 years part-time with placement, starting in September.
This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
A digital design degree from Brunel prepares you for a matching career in Motion Graphics, 3D Animation and Immersive Mixed Reality.
Brunel’s one London campus makes it an easy access point for the largely London-based creative industries hub within the UK and therefore to the variety of job opportunities available in and around the region.
Our past graduates have taken on digital design roles as UX designers, interaction designers, digital product designers, web designers, creative directors, visual / graphic designers, and brand managers within a range of agencies, studios, and companies around the world.
UK entry requirements
- A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification, in design; computer engineering; IT or a related discipline.
Other related subjects with evidence of design experience (minimum 3 years) will be considered on an individual basis.
Please note that we do not require a Design portfolio as part of the application for this programme. In the unlikely event that we do need this we will contact you.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6 (min 5.5 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all sub scores)
- BrunELT: 58% (min 55% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 77 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2024/25 entry
UK
£13,750 full-time
£6,875 part-time
£1,385 placement year
International
£25,000 full-time
£12,500 part-time
£1,385 placement year
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
Our digital media degrees are delivered by a multidisciplinary teaching team. This means you’ll be learning from staff with experience in the digital industry as well as staff from academia including researchers. They'll encourage individuality and support you to create innovative work.
Your learning will consist of seminars, tutorials, media workshops and studio sessions, independent learning, and individual and group project work.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
Your progress will be assessed via individual and group digital design assignments, demonstrations and presentations, structured debates, and your individual dissertation project.
Therefore, you won't be required to take any written exams.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.