Program Overview

Introduction to Creative Technologies

The Creative Technologies program at Bangor University is designed to equip students with a solid grounding in the technical skills required to develop computing programs, as well as creative, design skills and knowledge of new technologies. This exciting degree allows students to study and explore computer science and the digital technologies increasingly used by creative industries.

Course Overview

The program aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of computer science techniques, such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality, and blockchain, which are at the core of many applications revolutionizing creative industries. Students will gain extensive practical experience to ensure that they develop sound practical skills as well as a thorough theoretical knowledge.

Course Structure

The course is structured over three years, with a combination of compulsory and optional modules. In the first year, students take modules such as Professional Perspectives, Web Technologies, Imperative Programming Foundations, and Introduction to Embedded Systems. In the second year, students take modules such as Industrial Projects, Human-Computer Interaction for User Experience, Prototyping and Fabrication, AI and Game Design, and Design, Art, Creativity and Storytelling.

Compulsory Modules

• Professional Perspectives: This module aims to provide a grounding in scientific writing, an awareness of the professional, legal, and ethical environment, and practical skills in creating appropriate documents.
• Web Technologies: This module teaches the practical and theoretical fundamentals of Web technologies, including HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript.
• Imperative Programming Foundations: This module teaches the basics of computer programming/coding, with a focus on problem analysis and implementation skills.
• Introduction to Embedded Systems: This module is a first look at embedded systems, using the Arduino platform and a series of projects to learn how digital systems interact with the world.

Optional Modules

• Mathematics for Computing: This module introduces the foundations of discrete mathematics and algorithms, including fundamental algebra, graph theory, and Boolean algebra.
• Issues in Media, Journalism and Politics: This module considers the impact of media and journalism on society, using a range of analytical perspectives.
• Creative Practice: This module provides a foundation for further creative practice, with a particular emphasis on developing creativity.
• Introduction to Media Practice: This module introduces students to the basic skills and techniques of media production through creative work.

Year 2 Modules

• Industrial Projects: This module aims to demonstrate overall understanding of the software life cycle, apply project planning techniques, and appreciate the role of testing in software development.
• Human-Computer Interaction for User Experience: This module provides an introduction to the domains of User Experience (UX) and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), including best practices and established theories in interface design.
• Prototyping and Fabrication: This module is about practical prototyping skills, using modern digital fabrication tools to meet a design brief.
• AI and Game Design: This module looks at modern real-time AI techniques through the lens of video game development, teaching the theory and application of modern AI techniques and tools.

Year 3 Modules

• Individual Project: This module is an individual project where students carry out an independent investigation on a subject agreed between students and supervisors.
• Research Methods: This module develops research skills essential for future employment, equipping students with requisite skills to conduct a review of available literature and develop an understanding of the range of sources and their relative worth to scientific endeavour.
• Civic Computing Intervention: This module gets students to reflect on, design, and build a solution that can help the civic situation where they live.
• Systems and Design Thinking: This module gives students opportunities to work on interdisciplinary projects, building a new way of thinking about complex systems.

Careers

The broad skillset developed on this course will be useful in a wide range of sectors, including web design, application development, software engineering, games development, TV and video production, marketing, animation, graphics, 3D modelling, and much more. Typical roles may include agency designers, application analysts/developers, business analysts, chief technology officers, cybersecurity analysts, data analysts, business development managers, design engineers, digital designers, furniture designers, graphic designers, game designers/developers/programmers, information systems managers, IT analysts, IT security specialists, machine learning engineers, network engineers, programmers, product designers, systems administrators, and technical designers.

Fees and Costs

The tuition fees for the Creative Technologies program are as follows:

• UK and Ireland: £9,790 (full-time), £1,958 (placement year), £1,468 (international experience year)
• International: £20,000 (full-time)

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements for the Creative Technologies program are:

• Offers are tariff-based, 104-128 tariff points from a Level 3 qualification
• A-levels: Including minimum Grade C in Maths and grade C and Physics/Electronics
• BTEC National Extended Diploma in a relevant subject: DMM-DDM
• International Baccalaureate Diploma in a relevant subject
• Welsh Baccalaureate is accepted
• Access to HE in a relevant subject
• T-levels: considered on a case-by-case basis

Foundation Year

The University offers a foundation year program for students who do not meet the entry requirements for the Creative Technologies program. The foundation year program is designed to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to progress to the full degree program.

Welsh Provision

The University offers a range of support for students who wish to study through the medium of Welsh. This includes:

• Welsh Language Support: The opportunity to develop or learn Welsh with the support of staff at Canolfan Bedwyr, the University's Centre for Welsh Language Services, Research and Technology.
• Study Skills Support: The Teaching and Learning Support Team offers services through the medium of Welsh to help students with their studies.
• Student Support: All the services offered to students at the University – from money advice to counselling – are available through the medium of Welsh.
• A Welsh-speaking Personal Tutor.
• The right to present work in Welsh in every module.

Scholarships and Bursaries

The University offers a range of scholarships and bursaries to support students, including:

• The Main Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Scholarship: £1,000 per year for up to three years when studying 80 credits / 66% through the medium of Welsh.
• Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Incentive Scholarships: £500 per year for up to three years when studying 40 credits / 33% through the medium of Welsh.
• Welsh Bursary: £250 per year when studying 40 credits / 33% through the medium of Welsh.