Interactive Media and Web Technologies BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
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Our Interactive Media and Web Technologies course is designed to prepare the next generation of immersive app developers, web programmers, digital media experts and code-savvy user interface designers. 

Year of entry

2023-24

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

Course code

I150

Start date

September 2023

How to apply
Book an Open Day
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Course overview

Our Interactive Media and Web Technologies course is designed to prepare the next generation of immersive app developers, web programmers, digital media experts, and code-savvy user interface designers.

This course aims to help you:

  • Understand software techniques and technologies.
  • Master the principles of technical art, exploring animation, VFX, modelling, and motion graphics.
  • Become a professional full-stack web developer, able to generate a user-focused front-end and a technologically sound back-end, to any online project.
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Global Ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities
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Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
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Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

  • Learn to apply technical knowledge to the development of creative content regularly found in creative industries such as film, TV, games and web.
  • Develop a portfolio of work across a wide array of platforms and uses including web and mobile services, social media, Virtual Reality and Immersive Simulations using game engines.
  • Have the chance to study as part of a community of creative content generators, working collaboratively to produce complex digital artefacts.
  • Explore your creativity through a range of open-ended assessment briefs that focus on individuality and expression of ideas.
  • Prepare for a career in the creative industry by practising commonly used industry-standard tools and learning techniques for working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first-year courses:

  • Computer Science MSci/BSc (Hons)
  • Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence MSci/BSc (Hons)
  • Information Technology Management BSc (Hons)
  • Software Engineering BSc (Hons)

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

Modules

  • Whatever software we’re developing, we need to understand the fundamentals of programming to build it – that’s as true for an interactive website as it is for a smart-phone app. In this module, you’ll be introduced to these fundamentals through an accessible and industry-favoured programming language. You’ll explore algorithms – what they are, why they’re important, and how to use them – and you’ll combine this with your programming skills to write your own programs.

    Compulsory

  • To apply, extend or enhance information systems, any developer needs a fundamental understanding of the machine, with all of its complex, moving parts. This module introduces you to these concepts, taking them from the concept of computation to the twitching transistors which drive its implementation.

    CPU architectures, memory hierarchies, efficiency, networking and security are all explored. Additionally, the concept of the Operating System is introduced which, combined with the other topics studied, empowers you to begin your journey as a developer.

    Compulsory

  • Databases are fundamental to modern, digital life – whatever we’re doing, we’re either generating, using, sharing or erasing data. The technologies, ethics and laws behind these processes are a fascinating and fundamental element of software development in the 21st century. In this module, you’ll explore all of these concepts, mastering the elements of data handling, storage, and management which you’ll have to apply in later study.

    Compulsory

  • Fundamental to all programming is the notion of mathematics. Whenever we write software, we are writing algorithms and algebra – and in order to write them correctly, we need a firm grip of the maths which underpins them. In this module, you’ll gain that understanding, exploring subjects like set theory, algorithms and complexity, and logical arithmetic. Don’t be intimidated, though! Everything is explained from first principles, and you’re supported throughout your mathematical studies by Coventry University’s maths support service.

    Compulsory

  • This module builds upon and develops the fundamental computer programming skills you developed in Concepts and Algorithms. You will be introduced to new ideas such as object-orientation, and designing reusable code, and you’ll explore them using another industry-favoured programming language. You’ll be taught to structure your code in a way which makes it easy to follow, maintain, and extend, equipping you for the next stage of your software development studies.

    Compulsory

  • The Integrative Project module adopts an activity-led approach to learning, where you’ll work in a team to plan and execute a project related to your course. The project provides you a vital opportunity to consolidate and apply what you’ve learned during your first year of study, as well as develop new technical and team-working skills. You’ll be given a high degree of autonomy during the project, assuming responsibility for all aspects of its conduct. Everything from organising group meetings and distributing tasks and work packets, to reflecting on your progress.

    Compulsory

In Year two, you will develop more advanced knowledge and skills to do with interactive media technologies and techniques, and the fundamentals of good web design, amongst others.

Modules

  • With an ever-growing availability of complex digital devices and interfaces, designers have a responsibility to ensure that their products are usable and provide a positive user experience to a range of different users. This module looks at the design theory that guides modern Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs), and application of the User Experience (UX) design process. You’ll learn to identify shortcomings in a user interface and how to address those problem areas using industry-standard techniques.

    Compulsory

  • In this module, you’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of networked application development, as well as a range of key, contemporary web technologies. You’ll be given a strong grounding in web implementation, empowering you to deliver interactive, dynamic websites, and enabling you to progress onto more advanced topics in the domain, such as web API development.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to simulate some of the pressures associated with modern digital content creation through a client-led, group project approach. You’ll implement team building, communication and project management strategies that the module will introduce as you undertake a project which will draw on all the skills you’ve gained in your course so far. As well as learning how to bring a product through the core stages of the art pipeline, including Concept, Design, Pre-production and Post-production, you’ll learn what it means to undertake agile, iterative development as part of a team.

    Compulsory

  • In this module you’ll be introduced to a wide range of technologies and concepts which enable the creation of engaging digital media. You’ll explore applications for the development of sound, video, and animation assets, and how to export and distribute these assets. Emphasising the practical and production-driven nature of digital media creation, you’ll ultimately produce a portfolio of work demonstrating your skills with a wealth of relevant technologies.

    Compulsory

  • Starting with the principles of animation, this module looks at the underpinning techniques for portraying both artificial and natural movement of animated objects and characters. You'll explore the basic properties of movement, before being introduced to a range of animation software, techniques, and approaches commonly employed in industry.

    Compulsory

  • In this module you'll explore the key principles of typography and layout, empowering you to create intelligible and visually pleasing graphic designs. With a heavy focus on clarity of communication and the visual language of user interfaces, you'll construct a portfolio of work demonstrating your skills as a designer, as well as your understanding of concepts such as proximity, similarity, contrast, repetition and alignment.

    Compulsory

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

If you choose to do a work placement year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee3 of £1,250. For more information, please go to the fees and funding section. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement.

Modules

  • This module2 provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

    Optional

  • This module2 provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

    Optional

Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from Year one and two. You could also work on a large final project in an area of your interest, with the support of a mentor and your Academic Personal Tutor.

Modules

  • Modern Interactive Media is driven by stories, whether it be a company trying to tell you about their product, a budding artist trying to share a life experience or a charity reaching out for help. Consumers of these stories generally have an expectation of narrative when interacting with media and this module covers the principles of how to forge effective stories.

    Initially looking at the creative process in general, this module looks at how this can be applied to the development of narrative through typical storytelling methods and delivered through a range of media. You'll implement your learning by developing a short story of your own and delivering this through a form of Interactive Media of your choice.

    Compulsory

  • Web APIs empower websites to access the data and services needed to deliver on modern user demands in terms of connectedness and accuracy. From weather patterns to GPS traffic data, APIs underpin it all. In this module, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to create your own API for use in web applications, using the latest, industry-standard technologies, and featuring an interactive web client.

    Compulsory

  • As audience expectations of the visual effects (VFX) we see in the cinema and on TV have increased, so has industry's need for skilled professionals capable of generating believable visual spectacles. This module uses industry-favoured tools and techniques, teaching you how to develop a range of VFX, implement them, and integrate them into motion media.

    Compulsory

  • One of the most demanding industries when it comes to technical art assets is the games industry. In this module, you'll explore the use of procedural techniques across the digital content creation pipeline to accelerate and enhance the creative process. You'll become familiar with the challenges and constraints you'll face when developing assets for real-time rendering, and the techniques you can use to overcome those limitations while maintaining the fidelity of your creative vision.

    Compulsory

  • In this module, you'll bring together the skills you have developed over the duration of your studies and apply them to the completion of a large development project related to the course. This might involve design principles, animation, film, or something else entirely which requires application of those skills. Supported throughout by an academic supervisor, this gives you the opportunity to explore something meaningful to you, and to build an impressive centrepiece for your portfolio.

    Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

You can expect to learn about how to develop flat media (commonly used in advertising and print media), film and animation techniques (typically used in film and cinema), and web-based design practices that inform modern UI and UX design of web services and mobile applications.

Teaching contact hours

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:

  • On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
  • Group work
  • Self-directed learning
  • Work placement opportunities2.

The number of hours of class time will vary from year to year: it’s likely to be around 14 hours contact per week in the first year (around six hours per week per module) dropping to around 10 (around four hours per week per module) in the final year as you become a more independent learner.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Formal examinations
  • Phase tests
  • Essays
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Coursework
  • Exams
  • Individual Assignments

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.

 

Requirement What we're looking for
A level BBC to include one from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, Computing or Design Technology. Excludes General Studies.
GCSE 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English and Mathematics.
BTEC DMM in IT, Business or a technical subject.
IB Diploma 29 points to include one from Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Design Technology or IT at Higher level.
Access to HE Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits in either Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or Statistics. Plus GCSE English Language and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Are you eligible for the Fair Access Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background. Find out more about our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Europe

Americas

Middle East

South Asia

South East Asia

East Asia

Africa

Russia and Central Asia


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall (with at least 5.5 in each component area).

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

2023/24 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK £9,250 per year Not available
International £19,850 per year Not available

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Optional international field trips: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad)

  • We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

    If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

On-site facilities offer you high-specification learning environments, which benefit from extensive social learning facilities4, well-appointed laboratories, lecturing facilities and classrooms, facilitating our innovative teaching methods across a diverse suite of undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

  • Interactive Media Lab – Dedicated lab facility with high-end PCs which empower your software development and your digital creativity. You can access these machines outside of class to undertake portfolio work.
  • Motion-Capture Studio – A bespoke facility complete with green-screen, control room and lighting rig, enabling you to explore advanced human-computer interaction and cutting-edge concepts such as digital twins.

Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion of the course, you will have practical knowledge of a range of industry standard content creation tools4, we also aim to offer you opportunities to experience working on collaborative projects as part of a diverse team2.

Graduates should be equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively work within the creative industry, pursuing careers across areas including digital media, animation, UI/UX design, game design and full-stack web development and mobile application development.

As a multi-disciplinary subject, the Interactive Media and Web Technologies course is designed to produce design-conscious graduates that have a wealth of technical skills and knowledge of implementation. As the creative industry keeps growing, it relies increasingly on designers and content creators that have a fundamental knowledge of computer systems, their requirements and their limitations.

Learning to produce efficient digital media content, engage with collaborative design practices and understand the technical aspects of design, help graduates become informed, socially responsible content creators and design practitioners.

Where our graduates work

The forerunner to this course was our Multimedia Computing course, graduates of that course have gone on to work at:

  • Jaguar Land Rover - CGI Artist
  • The AA – Learning Designer
  • AIA – Associate, UX Research
  • BlackRock – Senior Software Engineer
  • Semcon – CGI Artist
  • HedgedInterest – Lead Graphic Designer
  • MOTIX Connected – Development Coordinator
  • Blink Image Limited – Motion Graphics Designer
  • TopCon Positioning Systems – UX Supervisor

How to apply

  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the “University”) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University. 

    1Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

    2UK and international opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

    3Tuition fees

    The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For Home Students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

    For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

    4Facilities

    Due to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2023/24 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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