Digital Arts & Humanities

Course Outline
Our MA in Digital Arts & Humanities encourages a multidisciplinary approach to the digital arts and humanities in a creative and scholarly atmosphere. Digital Humanities (DH) is a field that explores how the digital can enable innovation, but also, how technology is changing what it means for us to be human beings. Students and scholars working in the digital humanities utilise digital tools and methods to explore the arts and humanities, actively participating in building and experimenting in order to investigate society and culture.

In this course we ask the following questions:

How do new technologies impact our lives?

How do we as human beings imagine, develop and build digital tools to make our lives better?

How do we use computers to study the arts and humanities?

We introduce you to the use of digital tools and methods in arts and humanities research, combining theory and practice. You will learn how information and communications technology (ICT) can be used to capture humanities data sources to frame research questions, collaborate on research using social networking tools, and present results, both in print and online.

The MA in Digital Arts & Humanities is a one-year full-time MA. Our delivery methods incorporate blended learning and face-to-face teaching in discussion-based seminars. Blended learning incorporates online forums and social networking tools and some modules will be offered wholly or partly as workshops.

Course Practicalities
Modules in the course require you to take a 'hands-on' approach, using the current generation of ICT tools. They also include assessments, testing your knowledge of both theory and practice of inquiry in the digital age. It is expected that you will create a digital research project in the course of your research. Assessment also includes individual and group work using a range of presentation styles including oral, online, shared text, video and audio work.

Connected Curriculum

Our learning approach reflects our commitment to the Connected Curriculum where we emphasise the connection between students, learning, research and leadership through our vision for a Connected University. Our staff are at the forefront of this integrative approach to learning and will support you in making meaningful connections within and between disciplines such as the humanities, cultures, and technology.

Why Choose This Course
This MA course will introduce you to the dynamic discipline of digital humanities; it lays the foundation for further research and career possibilities where digital tools are used to address the creative needs of the arts and humanities.

Digital Humanities Active Learning Space

We have a specially designed state-of-the-art Digital Humanities Active Learning Space which is a student-centered, high-tech, flexible space used for the delivery of lectures, workshops, and seminars. It also offers dedicated digitisation facilities, as well as a variety of tools and technologies that will provide you, as a student in the arts and humanities, with an opportunity to 'learn by doing'.

Modules (total 90 credits)

Part I (60 credits)

DH6003 Digital Humanities Institute (5 credits)
DH6013 Getting Started with Graduate Research and Generic Skills (5 credits)
DH6032 Communities of Practice in Digital Scholarship (10 credits)
DH6033 Conceptual Introduction to Digital Arts and Humanities (10 credits)
DH6034 Humanities and New Technologies: Tools and Methodologies (10 credits)

plus 20 credits from the following elective modules:

CS6102 Graphics for Interactive Media (5 credits)
CS6103 Audio and Sound Engineering (5 credits)
CS6104 Digital Video Capture and Packaging (5 credits)
CS6117 Audio Processing (5 credits)
DH6006 Teaching and Learning in Digital Humanities (5 credits)
DH6007 Models, Simulations and Games (5 credits)
DH6012 Contemporary Practices in Publishing and Editing (5 credits)
DH6014 Digital Skills for Research Postgraduates in the Humanities and Social Science (5 credits)
DH6018 History and Theory of Digital Arts (5 credits)
DH6026 Principles of Game Design (5 credits)
HA6026 Global Galleries: History, Theory and Practice (10 credits)
MU6031 Sound Studies and Musicology (5 credits)

Part II (30 credits)

DH6035 Digital Arts & Humanities Dissertation (30 credits). A dissertation of 12,000-15,000 words plus a digital artefact must be submitted by a specified date.

Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Arts & Humanities (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award): Students who pass at least 30 credits of taught modules (including DH6033) may opt to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Digital Arts & Humanities.

Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Arts & Humanities (NFQ Level 9, Major Award): Students who pass modules to the value of 60 credits in Part I may opt to exit the programme and be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Arts & Humanities.

Modules

Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our Book of Modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

University Calendar

You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.

The entry requirement is a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or equivalent in any discipline.

Candidates who hold a Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) will also be considered under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) subject to the approval of the programme selection committee.

Students intending to take this course will need to be proficient users of common word processing software, and basic internet tools, have a basic grasp of spreadsheet and database software, and be willing, and keen to develop advanced user skills in those areas, and explore new technologies. Where specific tools are used in the field, skills development is built into the relevant modules to raise students' skills from those of the average MA entrant to best international norms in the Digital Arts & Humanities. The course team has significant experience in this area.

Students must submit a supplementary statement (c.750 words) indicating their potential research interests in the field, and how they envisage the use of digital tools might contribute to their research interests.

English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Please visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.

The closing date for non-EU applications is 30 June 2023

How Do I Apply
1. Check Dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.

For Irish and EU applicants we operate a rounds system and you can check the rounds closing dates here.
Note that not all our programmes are subject to the rounds system so check the opening and closing dates for your specific programme in the fact file boxes above.

2. Gather Documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.

3. Apply Online: Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

Please detail your research interest(s).

In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.

Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme. (Min 500 words - Max 1000 words)

1 year full-time.

Skills and Careers Information
This course produces digitally-literate, interdisciplinary graduates who will be able to fill a variety of roles in the 'knowledge economy'. Our graduates have gone on to pursue careers in a variety of settings, including IT, education, heritage, journalism, technical writing, publishing, galleries, design, and academia.