Studiegids

nl en

Media Technology MSc

Master

The Media Technology master’s programme is the place where science and creativity meet. You are encouraged to formulate your own scientific questions and translate personal inspirations and curiosities into research projects. To answer these questions, students create actual products, because we are convinced that by doing and creating, new scientific insights into the underlying question are encountered.

Connecting research, personal curiosity and creativity
The Media Technology MSc programme recognises creativity as an important factor in scientific innovation. It aims to be a place where students, artists and scientists conduct research by creating innovative solutions, inspired by results and principles of science. To achieve this, the curriculum focuses on creative exploration and on the understanding of science and technology. The programme encourages its students to draw from the knowledge available throughout Leiden University and the Art Science Interfaculty in The Hague. Key concepts throughout the programme are creativity, technology and scientific research. The programme’s goal is to stimulate innovation and creativity in scientific research by the innovative application of technology. Media Technology can be said to deliver ‘autonomous scientists’, just as art academies deliver autonomous artists.

Science by creating
Science is meant to generate knowledge, in a rational and sensible way. Many research methods exist to do this. We believe that ‘science by creating’ can play an important role alongside other methods. By applying technology in fresh ways, one learns new things; new methods and alternative insights are discovered. We see this as a valid and productive way of doing research. Consequently, student projects in which actual products are realised are important in the Media Technology MSc programme. However, the process of researching while creating the product is as important as the product itself. The projects always lead to a working end-product or proof of concept that contains a media component: visual, auditive or otherwise. Most often, a scientific paper is also produced that describes the scientific advancements resulting from the project. Students are encouraged to submit these papers to international journals, conferences and arts festivals.

First year

Vak EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Core courses
Media Technology Field Trip 1
Research Fundamentals 3
Essentials in Art and Music 3
Creative Programming 6
Human Computer Interaction and Information Visualization 6
Playful and Creative Science 6
Hardware and Physical Computing 3
Meta Media 2
Sciences and Humanities 4
Non-human Cognition 4
Artificial Creatures 4
Sound, Space and Interaction 6
Exhibition: Science to Experience 12

Second year

Vak EC Semester 1 Semester 2

Core courses
Graduation Lab 1
Graduation Project (Media Technology MSc) 30
Portfolio (Media Technology MSc) 1

Accent courses (select 2 or 3 out of the 5 courses below and obtain 9-18 EC)
Computational Creativity 6
Research Seminar Artificial Intelligence 6
Research Seminar: Social Technologies 6
SCS: Scientific Narration and Visualization 3
Video Games for Research 6

Elective courses (obtain 10-19 EC, depending on selected accent courses)

Career Orientation

During the Media Technology MSc programme we want to provide you with the best possible preparation for the job market. In addition to knowledge, it is important that you develop skills, gain practical experience, orientate on positions & careers, and reflect on your own profile and development. In addition to substantive knowledge, it is also important to be aware of the so-called transferable skills that you develop outside and during your education. These are, for example, your cognitive skills such as critical thinking and communication. Altogether, this contributes to your development as a professional and offers good preparation for the labour market.

With an MSc degree in Media Technology you will be an autonomous scientist, prepared for a career involving creative and critical thinking. In particular, the programme prepares you for a future in scientific research.

Acquired skills and competence

You understand not only the fundamental principles and organisation of academia, but also the importance of creativity and playfulness in academic research. You have knowledge and skills in computer programming, other specialist areas (e.g. artificial intelligence, creative and performative arts, philosophy, cognitive science, linguistics), and in the use of various media and technologies within virtual and physical environments. You are able to communicate with colleagues/peers in science as well as with a wider public, and have the ability to act as independent researcher and thinker with a critical attitude.

Career prospects

After completing the Media Technology MSc programme you will have a broad array of career prospects: our alumni hold positions ranging from PhD researcher to creative entrepreneur. Students with a Media Technology MSc degree are admissible to a PhD programme, and if you have the desire to apply your knowledge of Media Technology outside the university, there are good job possibilities in the creative industry. Graduates also choose artistic professions or a career in teaching in higher professional education (HBO). In fact, any job that combines creative and scientific thinking is suitable. Media Technology students find a job within 6 months after graduation, with more than 60% within one month (December 2019).

Nevertheless, questions about this subject may arise during your studies, such as: How can you use the knowledge and skills you gain within and outside your study program in the labor market? Which direction do you choose within your study and why? What are you already able to do, and what skills do you still want to learn? How do you translate the courses you choose into something you would like to do later?

You may have already discussed this with the study advisor, mentor, tutor, the Science Career Service, fellow students or made use of the Leiden University Career Zone. All kinds of activities are organized where you get the chance to orientate yourself on the job market and gives opportunities to reflect on your own development, possibilities and (study) career profile as well. Central to this are the questions: "What are my capabilities?", "What do I want?" and "How do I achieve my goals?".

In the prospectus, learning objectives have been formulated for each subject, the purpose of which is to inform you which components are covered in the development of your (study) career profile and preparation for the labour market. Various activities are also organized that help you in making all kinds of career choices and to develop skills. An overview of activities is shown below.

Activities

A selection of activities and events organised by Leiden University, the Faculty of Science and the Media Technology MSc programme:

  • Alumni and guest lectures

  • What’s Next talks

  • Workshops, e.g. ‘How to get a PhD position’

  • Workshops en Career Colleges Science Career Service

  • Mentorship and tutoring

  • Science Career Event

  • Leiden University Mentor Network

Science Career Service

One of the utilities of the Science faculty, Science Career Service, offers information and advice on study (re)orientation, career planning and personal professional profile as well as preparation for the job market, such as job applications. Facilities provided to students include online information, walk-in consultations, workshops and individual counselling sessions. In addition, Science Career Service offers expertise and support to programmes that want to strengthen the connection between their curriculum and the job market. This can vary from providing specific guest lectures/workshops to advising on integrating career orientation programmes into the curriculum.

LU Career Zone

The Leiden University Career Zone is the website for students and alumni of Leiden University to support their (study) career planning. You will find advice, information, video recordings of webinars and tools such as professional tests to get an idea of your personal profile. You can also explore positions and sectors, you will find tips about CV, job application, LinkedIn and there is a vacancy platform that you can make use of.

Mentornetwerk

Leiden University likes to prepare students and young alumni well for the job market. For this we use the knowledge and experience of Leiden alumni. To bring students and young alumni with questions about their careers into contact with experienced alumni, Leiden University has established the Mentornetwerk. Students and young alumni can register for free.

Contact

Do you have questions about your (study) career choices and has the above information not been able to help you further? Please contact the study advisor via mediatechnology@leiden.edu.