Digital Media Arts

Manchester provides access to a digital editing center, a studio, and computer lab classrooms. Students also publish work through Spartan Stream, the university’s streaming and media platform.

Digital Media Arts students benefit from small class sizes and close interaction with faculty across the broader Communication Studies department, including Public Relations, Professional Communication, and Sports Communication tracks.

Participation in media-focused student groups and Spartan Stream offers a co-curricular experience. Through the Experiential Learning program, students apply skills in real settings and gain portfolio-ready work.

Yes, Manchester University emphasizes hands-on experience across every stage of the Digital Media Arts program. Students engage with digital media technologies from the beginning using industry-standard web development tools, editing software, and digital cameras in courses such as Digital Storytelling, Media Literacy, and App Development.

Through experiential learning, students explore interactive media projects like mobile apps, video blogs, digital photography exhibits, and website creation. Courses are held in fully equipped media production labs and a soundproofed studio. These environments mirror professional production spaces, giving students exposure to the tools used by graphic designers, media professionals, and web designers.

Students enrolled in the program also contribute to Spartan Stream, Manchester’s own podcasting and streaming service. This platform allows learners to produce, publish, and distribute their work on public-facing media platforms, offering valuable experience in real-world content creation and distribution.

This level of engagement helps students build strong portfolios and develop key skills in user experience design, branding, and digital communication, all while receiving mentorship from faculty. The hands-on, project-based structure ensures that every student leaves Manchester not just with knowledge but with demonstrable skills and a portfolio that reflects their creative and technical range.

Yes. Internships are an essential part of the Digital Media Arts experience at Manchester University. Students are encouraged to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real-world settings by pursuing internships with news stations, marketing firms, digital agencies, and multimedia production studios. These professional placements build on your coursework and expand your media production capabilities in meaningful ways.

Internships provide experience in roles like motion graphics designer, web developer, advertising assistant, or social media manager, where students can deepen their understanding of interactive design and visual communication. They also help you refine skills using tools relevant to digital media design, animation, and software development.

Many internship sites are local, allowing students to gain experience close to campus while networking with professionals in their chosen field. Others may involve remote work, especially in areas like digital illustration or content marketing, where projects can be managed virtually using collaboration software and web development tools.

Manchester’s career services and faculty advisors work closely with students to help secure these opportunities. Internships not only fulfill academic requirements, they are also stepping stones to full-time employment. They provide clarity on career direction and boost your confidence and qualifications for post-graduation success.

Absolutely. One of the most appealing aspects of Manchester’s Digital Media Arts major is its interdisciplinary flexibility. Students often combine it with complementary majors or minors such as Public Relations, Marketing, or Communication Studies. This pairing enhances your ability to engage with diverse audiences using a variety of media platforms and digital media technologies.
The structure of the program allows for elective courses in areas like creative writing, interactive media, and user experience design, which can align well with other academic programs. Students may also explore classes in business, fine arts, or even computer science, depending on career interests.

This flexibility means that students can craft a unique educational path suited to their goals – whether that means becoming a digital marketing coordinator, a graphic designer, or a web developer with a strong PR skillset. It also helps meet broader degree requirements for students interested in roles requiring branding, media production, and communication strategy across multiple industries.

By customizing your degree through smart combinations, you’ll stand out in the job market with both creative expertise and practical business acumen. Manchester’s advisors help ensure that your course sequence supports both successful completion and professional readiness.

Manchester’s Digital Media Arts program stands out because of its personalized instruction, small class sizes, and focus on project-based learning. From day one, students gain access to the university’s media production labs, studio, editing suites, and web development tools; resources typically reserved for upper-level students at larger institutions.

Faculty members with real-world experience in multimedia, digital media design, and communication serve as mentors, guiding students through everything from graphic design to interactive media projects. Students work on diverse content creation efforts, including digital illustration, social video, branding campaigns, and website design. These assignments aren’t hypothetical, they’re designed to be portfolio-ready and applicable to real-world job roles.
In addition to coursework, students participate in Spartan Stream, a university-run streaming platform. This gives students a chance to showcase their skills on public media platforms, an opportunity that reinforces learning while building visibility and confidence.

The degree programs also integrate liberal arts and fine arts perspectives, encouraging students to think critically and creatively while mastering digital media technologies. This combination of technical skill-building, faculty support, and hands-on experience results in a solid foundation that sets graduates up for a rewarding career in digital content and communication.