Creative Technologies (MSc)

You’ll need a 2:2 degree or equivalent international qualification in any subject or relevant work experience in arts, humanities, design, music, languages, computing or technology. You should include your portfolio that articulates interest and practice in the sector of creative technologies.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

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

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This is a full-time master’s course. You’ll study for 12 months, from September to the following September.

In the first 9 months (semesters 1 and 2) you’ll study the taught part of your course. This is made up of modules that everyone on the course takes, and optional modules.

In the first semester you'll be introduced to key technical skills and applications in creative technologies. The emphasis will be on programming for creative work. 

Compulsory modules cover:

• ideas in art and technology
• collaborative practices 
• creative computing

In semester 2 you'll build on your skills. Compulsory modules cover:

• creative technologies
• creative industry research

Through an optional module you'll extend your specialism in one of these areas:

• experimental publishing
• visual culture
• exploring the visual language of display

You’ll also prepare a research proposal for your final project and decide on the best approach. 

In semester 3, you’ll work independently on your final project. You’ll have one-to-one meetings with your supervisor during this time to discuss your progress. 

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

As well as lectures and seminars led by subject experts you'll learn through:

• workshops and demonstrations
• interdisciplinary workshops
• study visits such as to industry linked partners or design studios
• industry related projects

Assessment

Assessment could include:

• reports
• digital portfolio
• group and individual projects
• design research and development
• technical exercises
• 2D and 3D models and prototypes

Academic Support

We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor.

You'll graduate with the experience and skills for a range range arts and technology roles in the cultural and creative industries. These include:

• employment within different sized organisations
• become a freelance practitioner or producer
• start a business
• go on to study a PhD

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £30,300.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship

Ten scholarships of £10,000 each are available to international students studying for an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate master’s degree in Arts and Humanities.

Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. . 
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

There are different application deadlines for this course. Applications are expected to close:

• International students: Tuesday 29 July 2025, midday UK time
• UK students: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

You'll need to submit a portfolio of your work, as follows: 

• In a Word document or PDF, with your name clearly visible in the first page, include around 6 ‘sets’ of work that demonstrate your interests and experience across creative and technical practice. 
• If you have a creative background, show us your work in art, design or music, and give some evidence of your interest in technical practice such as computing, making or creative software use. 
• If you have a computing or technical background, include and explain your best and most innovative work. Also include evidence of creative interests and practice such as photography, drawing or music-making. 
• A set might be a sequence of photographs exploring a theme, or it could be a single developed work such as a painting, audio work, written work, Arduino experiment, piece of code or application.
• Include preparatory materials in a set where appropriate, such as sketchbooks, prototypes, moodboards or models. You can include links to your work on online portfolios, blogs, coding sites, audio and video sites. 
• Annotate your sets by including short texts giving some context to your ideas and explaining anything that isn’t clear from your images and links.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000