Digital Media & Interaction Design BSc (Hons)



Work with our industry-experienced lecturers on a range of projects to build your skills, making you adaptable and employable.

Overview

Studying this course will give you a comprehensive understanding of the role digital media and interaction design plays within our lives, exploring how people use and respond to emerging technology and media.

You’ll be equipped with adaptable practical and theoretical skills to allow you to design for current and future trends, whether you are creating for screen-based media, interactive experiences or physical computing.

During your studies you will be supported to create a portfolio of work, make links with industry and undertake optional work placement or study abroad options. We use industry standard packages in specialist Mac and PC labs.

This course has been designed to facilitate advanced entry opportunities for Arts based College Diplomas in areas such as Computer Arts & Design, Visual Design, and Digital Media.

Your studies at Edinburgh Napier will prepare you for employment opportunities across a range of fast paced and exciting areas. Some of our recent graduates have found employment as digital designers, motion graphic designers, VFX artists, developers, producers, 3d artists, user experience consultants and virtual reality producers.

School of Computing students at work in the cyber security room.

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

G455

Placement:

Yes

Study Abroad:

Yes

Watch the video here:

Course details

This course will help you develop a comprehensive knowledge of the technologies involved in the creation and delivery of digital media.

You will gain an appreciation of the theory, application and cultural context for the use and development of new and emerging media, giving you confidence to critique and explore new areas as they are developed.

During your studies, you will gain expertise in the use of computer-based authoring tools to create audio, video, 2D and 3D media, as well as exploring physical computing and human computer interaction.

In years three and four you will continue to build your knowledge, choosing a specialist route and focusing your areas of expertise whilst developing own authentic style.

In year four your independent project will allow you to develop your critical understanding, researching topics at the forefront of interactive and digital media, and culminating in a dissertation and a major media project . You will also focus on portfolio and career development ready for your next steps.

  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

     Lectures and tutorials
  • note and pen

    Assessments

     Assessments for this course are mostly practical course works accompanied by reports, along with some modules with exams. The honours projects is a practical project and reflection accompanied by a 5000 word dissertation.
  • briefcase

    Work placement

    A year long Work Based Learning module is available for this programme which can be undertaken in 3rd year which consists of 60 credits.

    In 2nd year, students attend timetabled Placement Preparation sessions which provides comprehensive information about sourcing a placement, tips for enhancing CVs, cover letters and interview preparation. A Student Futures Placement Coordinator is available to support students with their placement applications and approving placements as part of the course. Whilst on placement, students undertake work-related assessments alongside gaining valuable work experience. If this option is chosen, the course duration will be extended by one trimester.

    If students are not undertaking the yearlong placement, then there is a Group Project or the Professional Internship Module in Year 3 (one trimester) which gives students the opportunity to complete a project for an external client.

    Find out more about Computing Placements here.
  • study abroad

    Study abroad

     The School has a number of agreements with overseas partner Higher Education institutions, both in the EU and further afield; and this means that should you wish, you may have the opportunity to study abroad in the first or second trimester of the third year. These opportunities are organised on an individual basis by the University’s International Support & Exchanges Team. We currently have established links with European universities in Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Finland and Sweden plus International universities in USA, Canada and Australia where relevant programmes are delivered in English.

Popular modules

Year 1

  • Experiencing the Digital City
  • Being Digital
  • Digital Imaging
  • Programming for Interactive Media & Design
  • Sonic Culture
  • Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction

Year 2

  • Practical Interaction Design
  • Digital Video Development
  • Visual Design for Digital Media
  • Playful Interaction
  • 2D Computer Animation
  • Sound for Digital Media

Year 3

In year 3 you will choose to specialise in either Concept and Production or Interaction Design.

  • Digital Storytelling
  • 3D Modelling
  • Motion Graphics
  • Design Thinking and Doing
  • 3D Animation
  • Visual Effects
  • Creative Technology
  • Scripting for Interactive Media
  • Responsive Environments
  • Designing the Visual Interface
  • Professional Internship

Year 4

  • Honours Project
  • Professional Identity through Portfolio Development
  • Scripting for Interactive Media
  • Experiential Design
  • Visual Effects Storytelling
  • User Experience
  • Starting a New Business

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

See more of what our Digital Media and Interaction Design students get up to over on their blog

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Digital Media and Interaction Design?

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

This course provides advanced entry opportunities for Arts based College Diplomas in areas such as Computer Arts & Design, Visual Design, and Digital Media.

Please contact the University for further clarification.

Can you go straight into second year of university?

Advanced entry into Year 2 or Year 3 of this course is possible for students with suitable qualifications. See the individual year tabs for more information.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

Minimum Year 1

SQA Higher

  • Standard Entry Requirement: BBBB to include one of the following subjects: Design, Art & Design, Music, Photography, Media, Graphic Communication or Design and Manufacture. National 5 Grade C in English.
  • Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: BBCC to include one of the following subjects: Design, Art & Design, Music, Photography, Media, Graphic Communication or Design and Manufacture. National 5 grade C in English.

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

A Level

  • BCC to include one of the following subjects: Design & Technology: Product Design, Design, Art & Design, Music, Photography, Media or Graphic Communication/Moving Image Arts
  • GCSE Grade C/4 in English.

Irish Leaving Certificate

  • H2, H2, H3, H3 at Higher Level to include one of the following subjects: Digital Media Interactive Design, Design, Art & Design, Music, Photography, Media or Graphic Communication
  • Ordinary Level  English at O4.

Scottish HNC

  • HNC with C in the graded unit in one of the following; Computer Arts and Design, Audio Visual Technologies, Art Design & Visual Communications, Computer Art and Design and Interactive Design, Digital Design and Web Development
  • Unrelated HNC/HNDs may be considered and in addition have Higher Design subject at grade B National 5 C in English.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades DMM (Distinction, Merit, Merit) in a related subject
  • GCSE Grade C/4 in English.

BTEC National Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades D*D (Distinction*, Distinction) in a related subject
  • GCSE Grade C/4 in English.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Award of Diploma with 28 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4 to include one of the following subjects: Design, Art & Design, Music, Photography, Media or Graphic Communication at minimum grade 5.
  • Grade 4 in SL English.

European Baccalaureate

  • Pass at 70% or above with grade 7 in three subjects to include one of the following subjects: Design, Art & Design, Music, Photography, Media or Graphic Communication.
  • Grade 6 in English.

T Levels

  • Merit - T Level with additional A Level in: Design, Art & Design, Music, Photography, Media, Graphic Communication, Moving Image Arts grade B 
  • GCSE Maths and English grade C/4

Minimum Year 2

HNC

  • HNC - Pass in Computer Arts and Design, Audio Visual Technologies, Art Design & Visual Communication, Computer Art and Design and Interactive Design, Digital Design and Web Development, Animation with B in the graded unit.

  • Other HNC qualifications may be considered, please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk for advice.

SQA Advanced Higher

  • BBC to include at least one of: Design, Art & Design, Music, Photography, Media or Graphic Communication at Higher

  • Advanced Higher BB and SQA Higher BB to include at least one of: Design, Art & Design, Music, Photography, Media or Graph Comm at Higher 

A Level

  • BBB to include at least one of: Design, Art & Design, Music, Photography, Media or Graphic Communication.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades DDD (Distinction, Distinction, Distinction) in a related subject.

Minimum Year 3

HND

  • HND - Pass in Computer Arts and Design, Audio Visual Technologies, Computer Art and Design and Interactive Design, Visual Communications (Digital Media), Visual Communications (Animation), 3D Animation with grades B in the SCQF Level 8 graded unit.
  • For HND Visual Communication: User Experience Design OR Digital Design and Development (grades B in the SCQF Level 8 graded unit), applicants would also require Higher grade C in at least one of the following subjects: Design, Art & Design, Music, Photography, Media or Graphic Communication. Those without a relevant Higher may have the opportunity to submit a portfolio.
  • Other HNC/D qualifications may be considered, please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk for advice.

 

 



If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland £1,820 £1,820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,250 £9,250
Overseas and EU £15,160 £16,680
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.
Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships
If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers

Female students working together on computers

What can you do with a degree in Digital Media & Interaction Design?

The BSc (Hons) Digital Media & Interaction Design course will enable you to design for a range of digital media creating intuitive interfaces and positive user experiences. You will acquire skills in modern digital design that can be applied to web and mobile applications, 2D and 3D asset creation and animation. You will also gain knowledge in evaluating and improving the usability of designs through testing. These skills will help you to communicate ideas visually and work collaboratively in the digital design industry. Here are some potential career paths and roles that you can pursue with this degree:

  • Digital Designers
  • Motion Graphic Designers
  • VFX Artists
  • Developers
  • Producers
  • 3d Artists
  • User Experience Consultants and Designers
  • Virtual Reality Producers

What do Interaction Designers do?

An interaction designer specializes in creating user experiences for digital products and services. They conduct user research to understand user needs and behaviours. Using this knowledge, they design the overall user experience (UX), including wireframes, user flows, and prototypes. They focus on organising information in an intuitive way and designing interactive elements from buttons and menus through to animation and video. Usability testing is performed to evaluate the design and gather user feedback for improvement. Interaction designers collaborate with cross-functional teams and consider accessibility and inclusivity in their designs. They follow an iterative design process, continuously refining and adapting their designs based on user feedback and project requirements. The goal of an interaction designer is to create engaging, efficient, and user-centred digital experiences.

What do motion graphics designers do?

As a motion graphics designer, you will use your creativity and technical skills to bring stories to life by creating visually compelling narratives across a range of industry sectors from games and software to the third sector and healthcare. You will be responsible for designing visually appealing and engaging motion graphics, including animations, videos, and visual effects using various software tools and techniques. You will work closely with clients, creative directors, and other team members to understand project requirements and ensure that the final product meets the client's objectives. You’ll keep learning constantly to stay updated with the latest design trends, animation techniques, and software advancements.

Student using virtual reality headset