Program Overview

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MSc in Emerging Media

Course Details

Course Code:

DC605

Course Type:

Postgraduate

NFQ Level:

- Please see for further information

Delivery Modes

• Full-Time

Duration

• 1 Year

Overview

The MSc in Emerging Media is built from a rich legacy of over twenty-five years of excellence in research and education within multimedia, digital technologies, and adjacent fields.

The programme is all about blending contemporary emerging media production, cutting-edge research, and academic thoughtfulness to foster fresh approaches that help students find exciting new ways to create, communicate, and share stories.

Our students learn and create in an energetic environment, fitted with state-of-the-art multimedia production equipment and technologies that expand creative horizons.

By delving into the latest research, which examines the deep relationship between society and technology through the investigation of digitisation, internet and media cultures, and the integration of digital technologies into everyday life, students gain the skills to navigate, analyse, and actively contribute to our ever-changing media landscape and contemporary society.

This practice-based approach to learning and making provides a solid foundation for our students' learning and future in the industry.

The success of the MSc in Emerging Media contributes to DCU's School of Communications recent ranking in the top 200 communications schools worldwide, and the only Irish media/communications School ranked in the QS World University Rankings.

Why DCU

• 93% of FHSS graduates are in work or further study 6 months to a year after graduation, including 75% in employment and 18% in further studies.
• DCU’s School of Communications has just been ranked in the top 200 communications schools internationally.
• The only ranked Irish media/communications School in the QS ranking.
• The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is DCU’s biggest faculty, taking in 23% of DCU’s student population.

Careers & Further Options

Careers

Graduates of this course can anticipate a variety of employment opportunities within media-related sectors. Our alumni have secured positions in diverse media enterprises, broadcasting firms, and non-governmental organisations. These roles span from Online Visual Designer, Filmmaker, Editor, Interaction Designer, Animator, and UX/UI Designer to Sound Designer. Many of our graduates have advanced to take on leadership positions, including Transmedia Campaign Manager, Creative Director, or Head of Digital Production.

Career Prospects

• Digital Video Specialist
• Digital Imaging Specialist
• Interactive Designer
• Content/Technical Writer
• Sound Designer/Engineer
• Installation Designer
• Project Manager
• New Media Artist
• Video editor
• Video game designer
• UX – UI Design Lead
• Social Media Communications Manager
• Creative Director

Entry Requirements

General Entry Requirements

For admission to the MSc in Emerging Media programme, successful applicants will have:

• A degree at the level of an Irish or UK Honours undergraduate degree (H2.2 or above) or equivalent.
• Applicants with appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may also be considered. This includes discipline-specific knowledge and know-how; transferable skills; basic research competency; personal effectiveness.
• Applicants who have not yet completed their degree may receive a conditional offer on the basis of most recent grades and pending the achievement of no less than a H2.2 degree.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants are required to submit a cover letter along with their application under the Transcripts section of the portal, affirming their intent to apply for RPL. For more information on RPL see here.
• International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language.

Programme Structure

Students in the programme are offered from a range of production-based modules, including Responsive Media, Moving Image and Video Production, Audio and Sound Design, Emerging Media Praxis, Visual Design, and Screenwriting, as well as theory-based modules such as Understanding Social Media, Project Plan and Management, Media Audiences and Consumption.

By the end of the programme, students plan and execute a Major Project in teams, supervised by staff, and designed to provide an industry-level portfolio piece.

We offer a supportive learning environment for students with diverse backgrounds and broad skills when it comes to digital media technologies and making content.

We aim to help you acquire the essential technical skills needed to use industry-standard new media tools effectively. And we're here to help you build both your creative and technical abilities in areas such as emerging media production, meaningful design, media editing, authoring, and storytelling for purposeful communication.

These skills are crucial for effectively using multimedia technologies to create content, products, services, and emotions.

Overview

The interdisciplinary field of emerging media is in permanent flux, adapting to changes in society, technology, and culture. Being the first programme of its kind in Ireland, our MSc in Multimedia has kept pace with these changes for the past 25 years. Thanks to our creative approach and a team of academic staff with solid industry experience, the programme has consistently provided outstanding graduates. They possess the skills, creativity, and adaptability needed to excel in various careers spanning diverse fields, from audio-visual production to project management and leadership.

Course Life

• Practice-based research: our programme stands out in how we understand and teach emerging media, in short, practice informed by critical thinking
• We create a supportive learning environment that fosters creativity that serves students' needs
• We believe in learning through practical experience, which encourages excellence, innovation, and professionalism
• We provide access to state-of-the-art technology, equipment, and facilities
• Our teaching team brings together industry experience and academic expertise

Fees and Funding

Fees

• Full-time: EU Status Fee: €7,900, Non EU Fee: €17,000
• Part-time: EU Status Fee Part-time: N/A, Non EU Fee Part-time: N/A

How To Apply

• All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal which is available here.
• Provide Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation if applicable.
• Provide a written personal statement of 500-750 (maximum) outlining your suitability for the programme; relevant recent experience; involvements in areas specific to the programme or examples of media you admire or creators who inspire you and why this motivates you to create media.
• Provide evidence of any previous media practice e.g. YouTube/ SoundCloud or links to articles online etc. (links should be uploaded on a word doc/pdf)
• If applicable, evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link
• Application Deadlines: Closing date for non EU applicants is 1st July 2025. Closing date for EU applicants is 30th August 2025.

Life On Campus

• At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
• DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
• They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten-minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20-minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
• Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.

FAQs

• Is DCU all one campus?
  • DCU is a multi-campus university - the Glasnevin, St Patrick's and All Hallows campuses. The St Patrick's campus is where the Education courses are taught and some of the subjects from the BA Joint Honours degree. There is a 20-25 minute walk between the campuses but there are buses and bikes available to go between them also.
• If I'm studying on the St Patrick's campus, can I use the library and sports centre on the Glasnevin campus?
  • Yes, all facilities such as sports and accommodation are open for all DCU students to avail of.
• Are there libraries in DCU and if they have wifi and work stations?
  • We have a brand new state-of-the-art four-floor library on our St. Patrick's Campus which complements the existing library on the Glasnevin campus. There is free wifi, work stations as well as desktop computers.
• Does DCU provide accommodation?
  • DCU does have on-campus accommodation for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and you can find out more and apply via the Accommodation Office webpage.