Postgraduate courses in Multimedia

Yet another broad area with plenty of career and jobs to choose from – multimedia. 

Technology is ever changing and very important in today’s working world and for personal use. We’re all well able to scroll through Twitter and share a photo on Instagram but there’s more to it than that.

If this is the area for you then you should keep reading. New year, new opportunities!

What is multimedia?

Multimedia is the use of a computer in order to present and combine text, graphics, audio, video in order to interact, navigate, communicate and create content. There are five different types of multimedia. They are narrative media, interactive media, communicative media, adaptive media and productive media. 

What does a multimedia specialist do?

Becoming a multimedia specialist would be one of the most obvious routes to take so we will talk you through the day to day tasks of what you might face if this is of interest to you. Duties may include:

• Making technical recommendations
• Creating multimedia designs
• Work with animators, programmers, writers, producers and engineers
• Liaise with clients 
• Record project progress
• Keep up to date with technological and software developments

Courses

There are many courses on offer in computing at a postgraduate level across the UK. Some courses offer the opportunity to study part time or full time basis. With current Covid-19 restrictions, some courses may begin online and finish on the campus of your chosen university. Examples of courses available are:

Digital Media and Society

Courses in digital media and society will make students familiar with aspects of digital media and digital society and might also allow students to specialise in specific areas of their interest. Topics that may be covered are digital society, digital practices,and digital methods. 

Digital Media Production

A digital media production course will cover video and audio production, motion capture, computer graphics and animation. Students will learn to use digital equipment and manipulate data in order to produce content for a creative industry. Game engines, mobile applications and websites are all key focuses as well as looking at media such as television, video and audio. 

Multimedia Journalism

Students who study a course in multimedia journalism will allow those, who may already have a journalism degree, to become familiar with the latest trends and emerging technologies. They will come to terms with a fast paced environment and the effect of modern technology on the way journalists discover, write, record and share content. A range of platforms such as online and social media, television, radio newspapers and magazines, photography and visualization. 

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for different courses will differ from university to university. An honours degree is mostly required. In some cases a 2.2 degree is required while in other cases a 2.1 degree is necessary. Some courses may require an honours degree in a relevant field while others accept an honours degree in an unrelated discipline. Specific entry requirements can be found online on course overviews and university websites. 

Salary expectation 

Like any field, the salary you get will be greatly dependent on the route you take but we will look at a few examples to give you a better idea. All salaries are based on estimates. The average salary of a multimedia specialist could be around £29,000. If you went down the route of video and film editing you could earn up to £32,000. Graphic designers may earn around £28,873. Salaries can change depending on roles, projects and locations among other variables. 

Typical employers

Typical employers within the multimedia area are:

• Software/multimedia companies
• Telecommunications companies
• Advertising agencies
• Media outlets 
• IT consultancies
• Retailers
• Local authorities
• Engineering firms
• Computer games agencies
• Manufacturers

Job options

Multimedia is quite a broad area. If you think about the number of jobs that require work on a computer, it’s probably most. Within multimedia it is all based around interaction. You can also gain a particular role within each different type of multimedia sector. There are a few different routes you can take and many different jobs in the area. Some jobs in this area include: 

• Computer programmer

• Multimedia specialist 

• Web developer

• Multimedia journalist 

• Graphic designer

• Film and video editor 

• Content producer

• Animation 

• Media – journalism, content creator

• Social Media 
• Video content creator

Skills and requirements

Helpful skills or working in multimedia are:

• Organisation skills
• Knowledge of computers
• An eye for design
• Attention to detail 
• Analytical skills
• Problem solver
• Critical thinker
• A creative side (depending what area you work)
• Good time management skills
• Strong communication skills