Program Overview

MA Interactive Storytelling Design: Video Games and Beyond

Overview

Master the art of crafting engaging interactive experiences for the games industry and many others, blending narrative skills with interactive design. Gain sought-after skills in narrative design, UX, writing, creative coding and team-led project management, giving you a competitive edge in the job market. Work at the cutting edge of narrative practice, creating experiences that entertain, educate, inspire and agitate, while exploring new types of authorship across different media and technologies.

Entry Requirements

We will consider applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree or above in a subject that has some relevance to the precepts of the course (Creative Writing, English Literature, Narrative Theory, Game Design, Interactive Design, Media/Cultural Studies, Film, Journalism, Art, Games, Digital Media, History, Drama, Business, Design, UX/Interaction Design, Communication), and/or demonstrable professional experience in a related industry (film, television, gaming, cultural heritage etc.).

You should also submit a small portfolio of creative, story-focussed work which demonstrates your interest in the form.

Course Content

The MA in Interactive Storytelling Design explores the ever-changing relationship between digital technology and narrative, preparing you to create dynamic, code-driven experiences in the video games industry and many others.

You will be introduced to the universal principles of computation and interactivity that underpin experiences as varied as video games, virtual and augmented reality, hybrid installation work, locative and immersive audio experiences and more.

You will grow your technical and creative skills while engaging with some of the key challenges and opportunities of this form. By the end of the course, you will have a strong portfolio of creative and critical work, and a wide overview of the many industries and roles into which these new skills can take you.

Modules

Compulsory Modules

• EASM199: Foundations and Frontiers (30 credits)
• EASM203: Interactive Storytelling Project (60 credits)

Optional Modules

• EASM202: Beyond the Screen (30 credits)
• EASM200: Writing Interactively (30 credits)
• EAFM009: Transmedia Adaptations (30 credits)
• CMMM003: Gaming in Everyday Life: A Global Perspective (30 credits)
• DRAM142: Creative Management (30 credits)

Fees

2025/26 Entry

• UK fees per year: £12,500 full-time; £6,250 part-time
• International fees per year: £25,300 full-time; £12,650 part-time

Teaching and Research

Our teaching blends practical skills training and challenge-based learning with cutting-edge theory and research. You will participate in workshops, jams and hackathons. You will collaborate with peers, academics and industry experts on the iterative development of experimental prototypes and more complex projects. You will learn to transform creative ideas into tangible outcomes within a supportive environment, preparing you for future careers in diverse roles and industries.

Careers

Our MA in Interactive Storytelling Design equips you with a robust set of skills highly valued by employers in today's competitive job market. You'll develop technical proficiency in game design, mechanics design, Agile methodologies, Unity and other development tools, rapid prototyping and UX design, alongside an introduction to a variety of programming practices.

Additionally, you’ll gain important general skills such as communication, leadership, innovation, collaborative learning, problem-solving, project management and planning.

Career Paths

Graduates will thrive in creative, project-based roles where digital skills, communication, entrepreneurial creativity, collaboration in diverse teams and critical design thinking are essential.

Example roles include narrative designers, scriptwriters, journalists, experience designers, strategists, directors, producers, UX and interaction designers, AI developers, filmmakers, teachers, roboticists, digital artists, data artists, performance artists, web developers, interpreters, researchers, academics, creative technologists, community managers, entrepreneurs, and content creators.

Industries

You could work in diverse industries such as video games, immersive experiences, digital theatre, cultural heritage, performance art, film and television, design, advertising, events, journalism, politics, tourism, charities/NGOs, marketing, medicine, psychology, education and data science.