Key Information 2024/25
Duration - 4 years: 1 year pathway + 3 years degree
Start Dates - September, January
Pathway Tuition Fee - £14,895.00
English Language Requirement - IELTS 5.5 with no less than 5.5 in each component.
The IS1 is the equivalent to the first year of a four year Scottish undergraduate degree. This programme is designed to help you develop your academic knowledge and skills within your subject area.
You will also focus on improving your English academic literacy in preparation for continuing onto your chosen Edinburgh Napier undergraduate degree. Studied across three terms, you will continue straight onto year two of your degree course at Edinburgh Napier University once you have successfully completed the pathway.
Available Progression Degrees
Students can progress onto a range of degrees following successful completion of the business pathway programme:
- BSc (Hons) Web Design and Development
- BSc (Hons) Digital Media and Interaction Design
- BSc (Hons) User Experience (UX) Design
What you will study
Alongside core modules, you will study subject-specific modules that will equip you with a foundation of knowledge for your chosen field of study.
Common module across all IS1 pathway routes
English and Skills for University Study (ESUS)
The ESUS module raises your awareness of the critical importance of English language competence in all four language skills areas within an academic context and provides English language preparation for continuing study onto the later stages of an undergraduate degree programme. Emphasis is also placed on developing the study skills you require for success, for example, research, critical assessment of sources, academic writing, team working, and your understanding of the conventions of higher education and of the need for good academic practice.
30 Credits
Course specific modules
Digital Media Development
This module puts the theory and principles underpinning digital imaging into practice, nurturing creative confidence through a practical, learner-focused approach. The interactive seminar sessions explore the important role of visual media in society. The technical aspects are made understandable through hands-on learning and made relevant by reviewing the state of the art in digital imaging and the work of visual practitioners. During this module you will cover the theory, design and creation of digital media, in the context of capturing and demonstrating the experience of the City of Edinburgh.
30 credits
Being Digital
The module aims to establish links between web-based digital production and critical theory. During the module attention will be paid to ethical, legal and social debates surrounding the web and its use. The module also discusses the adoption of digital technology, its impact on society and future and emerging issues. The module content will be shaped by current technological developments.
20 credits
Programming for Interactive Media and Design
This module aims to provide you with an introduction to computer programming for interactive media applications. You will design, write, test and debug programs. You also learn the essentials of computer programming: variables, data types and data structures and programming constructs such conditionals, loops and functions. These programming fundamentals will be used to develop interactive applications so that you can process digital images and implement animations.
20 credits
Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction
The module’s aim is to cover the basic theory and methods of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), including human-centred design, the human-centred development lifecycle to ensure creation of highly usable, and accessible, interactive applications and user experiences. You are exposed to real-world HCI challenges. The module also considers aspects of privacy and security and directly addresses a range of transferable skills including information literacy, team working and professional skills.
20 credits