Creative Technologies MSc
About this course
Our MSc in Creative Technology develops the next generation of creative technology specialists, who through innovation and creativity will disrupt and revolutionise the industry and society. The course is grounded in the application of scientific methodology in its approach to the subject area. Technology and scientific knowledge is applied as part of the creative, multidisciplinary projects.
The course emphasises a project led learning approach with creative technology workshops, realistic project briefs, and a personal and peer project focussed on technology working with fellow students across the school of Art & Design.
Projects could include multi-sensory experiences using computer programming, AI prompting, video and digital music manipulation, virtual reality, augmented reality, UI/UX design, 3D printing, the Internet of Things, CAD/CAM and wearable technology.
This course enables you to develop an existing project idea to completion through a structured pathway of modules and progressive coursework assessments. It provides an opportunity for you explore creative technology and become a technologist or become a commercial or social enterprise entrepreneur of the future.
We encourage you to consider your area of specialism and a proposal of what you wish to research as part of your application. We would be happy to discuss this with you during the application process.
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Choose between 20-credit modules Professional Futures or Advancing Research Design, the latter ideal for students thinking of progressing to PhD or Professional Doctorate study. -
You'll have the opportunity to develop your industry skills by participating in live work-like industry and community project briefs during terms 1 and 2.
What you’ll study
We define creative technology to mean the creative use of digital technology or the use of digital technology for creative purposes; creative technology can be seen as where technology meets art and design. As technology develops, the need for globally-minded and technically savvy creatives is growing.
The course is targeted at potential applicants who have specific projects in mind in the creative technology area. In addition, much of the taught content is via a blend of workshops, work like project briefs, and small group/1-1 project tutorials.
You will develop your ability to propose innovative and exciting solutions to problems that push the boundaries of the creative use of technology. You’ll engage with contemporary research, and, using our industry-standard facilities, develop your in-depth project that explores your area of interest. This will be done through a series of inter-connected modules, designed to enhance your technical expertise, creativity, research knowledge, critical thinking and employability.
Culture and Collaboration
(20 Credits)
Embark on an immersive learning experience where you'll delve into the cultural context driving current and future work. Hone advanced skills in research, critical thinking, and communication while collaborating with peers on a negotiated theme contributing to a collective celebration of innovative ideas in art and design theory and practice.
Context, Research and Definition
(40 Credits)
This module will help you refine your idea contained in the project proposal, you will be provided with guidance support in developing the idea based on your further technical and market research.
There are several workshops and lectures that introduce topics such as: what is creative technology, the use technology in the creative industries, the evolution of the technology and future gazing into what are the possibilities new technology provides. Further specialist technical content will also be provided such as User Experience / User Interface (UX/UI) design, Internet of Things, 3D printing and Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (AI/ML), modelling and simulation etc.
An important aspect with regards commercial and social enterprises is the understanding and protection of Intellectual Property (IP), managing project risks and market research. In addition to lectures and workshops on these topics, you will receive an opportunity to work alongside colleagues on project briefs that mimic typical aspects and issues encountered.
By the end of the module, you will have developed your individual idea and technical acuity and will be able to identify its location within the context of contemporary creative technologies.
Design and Development
(40 Credits)
Get hands-on by applying your newly acquired skills from previous module lectures, workshops, and mini briefs to your own personal project.
This enables you to take your initial design and market research developed in the previous module, to create a final design for your creative technology product or service, one that encompasses your idea. One to one and small group tutorials will provide support and feedback on your idea development and facilitate you realising it as a prototype product or service.
Workshops and lectures during this module introduce topics such as: technical documentation requirements, project management skills, and idea generation for creative solutions, commercialisation of creative technologies and product evaluation processes. In addition to lectures and workshops on these topics, you will receive an opportunity to work alongside colleagues on project briefs that mimic typical aspects and issues encountered.
By the end of the module, you will have started the development of the prototype product to service and have clear description of what will be delivered at the end of the next module. In addition, you will have a strategy and plan for evaluation.
Completion and Evaluation
(60 Credits)
This module continues from the previous ‘Design and Development’, you will concentrate on the final completion of your project with the support of one to one and small group tutorials. Before the end of the module, you will have evaluated your prototype product or service against the initial project goals.
There will be lectures and workshops on user testing and evaluation strategies, taking prototype to a commercial product or service and examination of case studies.
As part of your professional development, you will undertake self-evaluation of your learning journey, identify your professional and career goals, and create a strategy as to how to further develop your idea after the course.
Advancing Research Design: Maximising Your Methods
(20 Credits)
This multidisciplinary module offers an exploratory platform for students who are interested in using their course as a foundation for further research-based study, enhancing their professional practice through deeper knowledge of research methods, or progressing to PhD-level study. The module is designed to enable students to critically review, apply, and align a range of research methods to support their creative work within their discipline. By exploring and critiquing various research methodologies, students will learn how to apply these approaches to create coherent research designs and develop strong outcomes across diverse fields.
As students engage with this module, they will continue to cultivate creative approaches to their work, expanding their methods and outputs while gaining a deeper understanding of their place within the broader field of art and design research. Innovation and calculated risk-taking are encouraged, as students will position their research design choices to contribute to the creation of new knowledge and understanding that extends beyond the module itself, ultimately enriching their future academic and professional endeavours.
Professional Futures
(20 Credits)
This module is designed to offer students a space to explore and share ideas while considering future professional opportunities in the field of visual communications. By bringing together students from all visual communication disciplines, the module serves as a catalyst for cross-disciplinary debate and discussion on employment, enterprise, and innovation. Through collaborative exploration, students will engage in forward-thinking conversations, gaining insights into the evolving landscape of visual communications and how they can position themselves for success in this dynamic field.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
How you're taught
The timetable for this course is built around four distinct sessions.
Research workshops
- These are group sessions and are a forum for discussion and practical exercises, alongside other students on your course.
- You’ll work on tasks relating to module themes, which will give you the chance to learn about the research methodologies required at the postgraduate level.
Tutorials/Technical Supervision
- Tutorials take place in both group and individual settings. Group tutorials focus on the development of your critical thinking skills, and you’ll engage in critical discussion as a group, facilitated by academic staff. Tutorials will require you to prepare work for discussion.
Skills workshops
- These workshops are practical sessions, designed to explore the relevant practices and procedures relevant for your career in the creative industries. Many of these sessions will be universal for all disciplines, for example through subjects such as the use of VR in the creative industries.
- You’ll have the opportunity to personalise your learning experience as part of these sessions, by selecting those that meet your career aspirations. Sessions will be held in places such as our IT suites, studios and green screen rooms.
- You’ll also benefit from guest presentations, delivered by alumni and employers within the sector.
How you're assessed
The course enables you to develop a proposed project idea to completion through a structured pathway of modules and progressive coursework assessments.
The modules are scaffolded to support your progress and realise your project, including a series of mini-briefs, case studies and external professional briefs to extend your learning, project ideas and required creative skills.
You will receive developmental feedback throughout from peer discussion and work-in-progress reviews with tutors at scheduled points in order to submit your final personal project for assessment at the end of the course.
Contact hours
This course is delivered over one year full-time over 45 weeks between September to July, with six hours of contact per week.
Careers and employability
Throughout the course there are opportunities for work-like/work-based experiences.
In addition there in the optional module there are guest speakers and the opportunity for collaborative multi-disciplinary working.
- Potential job roles could include:
- Creative Technologist
- Freelance Designer/Developer
- Entrepreneur
- Futurologist
- Emerging roles for technologists in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and interactive installations.
Campus and facilities
You’ll be based in our PG hub in Waverley with access to new Design and Digital Arts Building – a landmark building for the creative industries in Nottingham equipped with cutting-edge technology and spaces to collaborate and exhibit work. View our Nottingham School of Art & Design Facilities Hub here
Entry requirements
- A minimum of a 2:2 honours degree, or an appropriate equivalent, i.e. a professional qualification, from a recognised British or overseas institution, in a related subject. Related subjects include (but are not limited to), music technology, film production, TV production technology, music performance, games production, games art, VFX technology production and, live and technical events.
- Mature students with at least 3 years industry experience are also welcome to apply.
- Applicants who do not fully satisfy the general criteria will be considered if they are able to demonstrate that they are capable of successfully undertaking and completing the programme at the required standard. Eligibility may be determined by means of an interview for some applicants.
- Applicants who have been taught and assessed in languages other than English should have an English language equivalent to IELTS 6.5.
Interview
- You'll be invited to an informal interview after you submit your application, to determine your project ideas, your fit with the course, and to discuss your aspirations.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
- Bachelor’s degree grade 2:2 or equivalent qualification.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
Fees and funding
Mode of study | Home tuition fee |
Student fee | £9,900 |
Alumni Loyalty Scheme - 20% fee discount
We're happy to be able to offer a 20% fee discount to most current NTU students and recent NTU graduates.
See if you're eligible.
Postgraduate loans
The government introduced a new postgraduate loans scheme in the 2016/17 academic year for Masters degrees. The loan will be a contribution towards the costs of study and it will be at the student's discretion to use the loan towards fees, maintenance costs or other costs.
Scholarships
We are offering a number of scholarships for Masters study.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service on
+44 (0)115 848 2494.
Find out more about our terms and conditions of study for this course.
Mode of study | International tuition fee |
Student fee | £17,850 |
Alumni Loyalty Scheme - 20% fee discount
We're happy to be able to offer a 20% fee discount to most current NTU students and recent NTU graduates.
See if you're eligible.
International scholarships
You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to international students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion and dedication to their studies.
Please take a look at our International students page for information about fees, scholarships for international students, visas and much more.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying.
Application deadline
You can apply for this course throughout the year, but we'd recommend that applications should be received by the end of July for entry in September.
Examples of work
In order for us to consider your application, we need you to submit examples of your practical work. Please upload these as part of your online application.
For full details on what we require, please read our Masters Work Submission information.
Writing your application
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you include as much information as possible, including uploading evidence of results already achieve, as well as a personal statement.
Keeping up to date
After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU in our postgraduates' guide. Here you'll find advice about how to write a good personal statement and much more.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please contact us at Ask NTU or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
Apply online through our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Your portfolio
If your initial application is successful, you may be asked to upload a portfolio of your work and you may also be asked to attend an interview.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
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