Art Degrees Online

Aims of the course
The MA Film Studies provides an exciting opportunity to study international film from the perspectives of history and cultural identity. Film cultures including Hollywood, European and Indian cinema are explored in ways which demonstrate the strong links and interesting divergences which exist between national cinemas. The course also examines cinema’s significance in representing cultures and identities, considering ideas around stars, sexuality and gender on screen in relation to constantly shifting cultural contexts. The MA Film Studies challenges students to engage in new and thought-provoking ways with the historical and cultural importance of international film.
Entry requirements
Normally an upper second-class Honours degree in a relevant subject. Those with relevant professional qualifications or extensive professional experience will also be considered.
Course structure
You will take 3 core modules, 3 optional modules and a dissertation of around 15,000 words.

Core modules:
Approaches to International Film
Transnational Film History
Approaches to Research

Optional modules include:
Cinema and Nation in European Film
Nationalism and Nation-Building in Indian Cinema
International Film Stardom
Assessment

You are assessed via essays and a final dissertation.
Career opportunities

Successful completion of this course offers improved career opportunities in film and media organisations. The programme is also excellent preparation for further research or study.

Course overview

The MA Photography course focuses on the fields of international photojournalism, documentary and travel photography and is designed in particular for postgraduate students who wish to develop their knowledge and skills to pursue a career in these areas.

You will explore issues of photographic culture, image economies and visual representation and develop an understanding of how the practice of making photographic images is affected by these issues in terms of both your approach to the subject and the style of your photographs. You will apply your learning through a series of practical assignments.

The course is designed to be accessible to professional photographers, photo editors and educators. It runs simultaneously at two teaching centres, one in Bolton, England and the other in Dalian, China. It will be possible for you to switch learning centres at the end of each term or to travel to the other learning centre to use it as a project base during your studies.
Modes of attendance

Full-time.
Duration

1 year.
Start dates

January.
Entry requirements

You will be required to present a portfolio of photography and examples of written work, to be discussed/assessed at interview, demonstrating your suitability and aptitude for the course.

You should offer one of the following: a first or upper second BA (Hons) Photography, or a BA (Hons) in any subject and two years professional experience in the industry, or a first or upper second BA (Hons) in a related subject with a major project in photography.

Special consideration will be given to candidates who do not have these qualifications but who have significant experience in the field of photography and are able to present a strong portfolio as part of their application.

You are encouraged to contact the university to arrange an interview.

You will be required to show original copies of your highest qualification certificate before starting the course.
Location

Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
Awarding body

University of Bolton.
Tuition Fees

Please contact Student Data Management Fees Enquiries on 01204 903406 or 01204 9033951 or 01204 903059 for details.
Additional costs

Non Chinese nationals are required to have travel insurance for the period they are in China.

Aim of the programme

MA Photography and the Book is a unique award that offers you the opportunity to develop your photographic practice, knowledge and understanding through the resolution of individual projects where the dominant but not exclusive form of dissemination is a book or bookwork.

It is also intended to provide those with an editorial or curatorial photographic practice with the opportunity to develop and resolve original projects in book forms.

The programme has an ethos of experimentation, creativity, risk-taking, research and authorship which, combined with extended practice, leads to the development of a critical and theoretical understanding of the medium of photography.

Programme highlights

Staff team with extensive international experience of photography and editing, designing and publishing
Full range of new photographic resources in a complex alongside media, design and print resourses
Links with an established Publishing MA

The Scott Building, where you will be based and where these resources are housed, also contains the Faculty’s Printmaking and Letterpress workshops.
Entry requirements

A good honours degree in photography or a related visual communication subject.
Appropriate professional experience may also be considered. An interview, portfolio and written piece of work will be required. IELTS of 6.5 or equivalent.

Duration

1 year full time or 2 years part time

Course Overview

The first half of the course leads you progressively through the basics of drawn and digital creative approaches to animation and illustration. The second half offers increasing levels of module choice in both subjects so that if you wish to specialise, perhaps in pursuit of a specific career destination such as digital animation or children’s book illustration, you can do so. Most modules involve simulated live briefs taken from the professional experience of staff, and there are opportunities to work on paid commissions for clients.

Duration

3 years full-time.
4 to 6 years part-time.
Pathways available

Single/Joint Honours.
This discipline can be combined with other subjects – see Combined Honours page.
Start dates

September

About the course

The University of Bolton’s Animation & Illustration degree programme encourages you to explore the potential of moving and still image-making within the creative industries including TV and film, the web, publishing and advertising.

BA (Hons) Animation & Illustration is one of a group of art and design based degrees within the School of Arts, Media and Education at the university. The course is built around a diverse series of challenging practical assignments which will provide you with the wide range of skills and knowledge you’ll need to pursue your chosen career.
What you will learn

You will learn about character design, storyboarding and narrative techniques, traditional and digital animation, and traditional and digital illustration for screen and print.

The course introduces you to the basics of both disciplines from a technical and creative perspective, and progressively allows you the freedom to pursue one area in depth or to continue to explore a wide range of outcomes.

Much of the coursework involves the creative use of graphics software, but we’re also strongly committed to ideas generation and visual problem solving using traditional media and techniques.
What you will study

1 General graphics, aesthetics and computer use.
2 Basics of both disciplines.
3 Advanced study of both or either specialism.

The creative possibilities of commercial image making dominate our teaching. However, you will also explore theory and history, and to develop your ability to organise and evaluate information. By the end of your degree you’ll be able to demonstrate a high level of practical knowledge, skills and creativity in your portfolio as well as an in-depth knowledge of specialist areas of illustration and animation, and a critical understanding of the principles involved. You’ll also have an understanding of contemporary illustration and animation, and the social, economic and ethical factors which influence these art forms.

After completing this course you will have developed a valuable range of transferable skills such as visual problem solving, working with others, planning and time management, oral and written presentation, and computer skills. In addition, you will have learned how to research, evaluate and apply information and ideas in your work, and take a high level of responsibility for your own learning.
Special features
Live and simulated live briefs, teaching by active professionals, competition work and degree show.
The ability to select modules from related degrees such as Graphic Design.
Vocational flavour of the degree.
High levels of contact time with staff.
Access to computers and facilities.
Staff professional experience.
In addition to the modules, most of which consist of simulated live briefs, there are opportunities to work on live projects for clients from inside and outside the university.
We encourage our students to enter national competitions to showcase their work.
The university offers well-equipped teaching and learning spaces as well as excellent library facilities, 24/7 IT suites and campus-wide WiFi.
Careers and professional development

This course will help you to progress in your career by providing you with the industry standard qualification and specialised education to develop your skills and knowledge to a professional level.

You can go on to work as an illustrator, an animator or a combination of both in a studio environment or as a freelance artist in areas such as TV, film, multimedia, all forms of print and games.

On completion of your degree you will also become a member of the university’s Alumni Association. You can be a lifelong member of the university community, able to access careers information and guidance, as well as the university library, and other facilities.