Course information
Apply Apply directly to GCD
Framework Level HETAC Level 9
Validated by HETAC
Course Duration
Full-Time 1 - 1.5 years
Part-Time 1.5 - 2 years

Background to the course
Digital content has emerged as a new economic sector with tremendous enterprise and creative potential for Ireland. It encompasses the creation, design, management and distribution of digital products and services and the technologies that underpin them. Creative digital media is at the forefront of the knowledge based economy, and has been accorded a ‘high priority’ status by the Irish government. There is a large and growing demand for high-level skills in digital media and eBusiness.

Our new Postgraduate Diploma/MSc in Applied Digital Media is designed to provide a direct progression route from an undergraduate Bachelors degree to Master Level in digital media technologies for recent graduates, as well as enabling those currently working in industry to continue their professional development. If you are thinking of a career in a multi media or professional media environment, or want to enhance your skills within such an environment then this is the programme for you.

About the Course
In photography, video, audio, animation, the internet itself, in design and in multimedia presentation, a knowledge of creative media software applications is key to productivity and success. The programme teaches how to create multimedia applications using digital technology.

The course takes students through the steps needed to produce professional media work to a high standard. The relevant professional applications will be used by the student who ‘learn by doing’. The assessment work carried out during the programme will make up part of a final portfolio on successful completion of the programme. In addition to the practical work, students will have plenty of opportunity to study, discuss, and critically evaluate the fundamental underlying principles.

There are seven mandatory modules that cover the core concepts and techniques. Students can also choose three electives from a menu of nine additional modules.

From Postgraduate to Masters
Upon successful completion of these modules, students are awarded a Postgraduate Diploma, they can then undertake an additional dissertation module, which leads to a Masters Degree in Applied Digital Media.

Is this course for you?
This course is an interdisciplinary cross-faculty postgraduate programme that exploits the established strengths of Griffith College in Computing, Media, Design and also Business. Our College comprises academic and media experts with a proven track record in helping students to attain their personal and educational potential.

If you hold a degree in one of these disciplines (or another related discipline), this course will equip you with advanced skills and expertise in the development of, and content creation for, digital media systems. If you work in this field or wish to pursue a related career, it will enable you to sharpen your existing skills. It will also lay down the foundation skills for you to establish new businesses within the applied digital media sector.

Progression and Career Prospects
Students of our existing media and design programmes have an unrivalled reputation as award winners in national media and design competitions since their inception.

On successful completion of this programme students will be qualified to work as designers and creative directors in a variety of cross-disciplinary industries (e.g. publishing and the creative arts). They will be able to work effectively as team leaders/managers in the creative media industry, as well as for innovative multimedia projects that involve cross-media content and platforms. Other careers include content/information managers, industrial and academic research, multimedia systems developers, innovative media practitioners, and as entrepreneurs, capable of developing an innovative idea into a full development opportunity.

STRUCTURE OF FULL TIME PROGRAMME
The programme structure is illustrated in the table below.
Stage 1

• Research Methods (M)
• Digital Media and Society (M)
• Visual Communication (M)
• Internet Authoring (M)
  Students must choose one of the following electives (Three most popular will run)
• Audio Production (E)
• E-Learning (E)
• Theories and Principles of Animation (E)
• Technical Writing (E)

Stage 2

• Business of Digital Media (M)
• Interaction Design (M)
• Multimedia Programming (M) Students must choose two of the following electives (four most popular will run)
• Internet Programming & Databases (E)
• Digital Storytelling (E)
• Video Production (E)
• 3-D Modelling & Animation (E)
• Desktop Publishing (E)

Stage 3

• M.Sc. Dissertation / Dissertation by Practice (M)

( M) Mandatory (E) Elective

STRUCTURE OF PART TIME PROGRAMME
The programme structure is illustrated in the table below.

Stage 1

• Internet Authoring (M)
• Visual Communication (M)
• Elective*
• Elective*

Stage 2

• Research Methods (M)
• Digital Media and Society (M)
• Interaction Design (M)
• Multimedia Programming (M)

Stage3

• Business of Digital Media (M) Elective* Elective* Elective*

Stage 4

• M.Sc. Dissertation / Dissertation by Practice(M)

* Two electives are offered in semester I and three electives are offered in semester III. Each student is required to do three electives.

Elective Choices
Group one

• Audio Production (E)
• E-Learning (E)
• Theories and Principles of Animation (E)

Group two

• Digital Storytelling (E)
• Video Production (E)
• 3-D Modelling & Animation (E)
• Desktop Publishing (E)