MA Interactive App Development

For our students coming from a non-UK educational background, UCA has launched an Integrated International Pre-Masters year. On this course you’ll prepare for postgraduate study with a mix of online and face-to-face learning that will give you the study skills required to complete a Master’s, and you’ll also improve your English for academic study.

Fundamentals of Interactive App Development
This unit provides an overview of the different approaches to build applications (native, hybrid, web) and introduces you to key concepts, standards, data formats and development tools in integrated application development, covering both frontend (client-side) and backend (server-side) technologies.

You will develop a series of increasingly complex and feature-rich applications, enabling you to apply theoretical knowledge in practical exercises, develop best-practice development skills, and build your own portfolio of working code examples.

Research Methods for Creative Technologies
You will learn to synthesise theoretical research methods and industry practices of interactive app evaluation to provide a critically informed and reflective toolset for analysing and critically assessing applications, interactive experiences, and their practice. 

You will learn about a range of methods for analysing interactive applications on the level of their content and form and develop an understanding of qualitative methodologies for capturing and evaluating the interactive experiences of a diverse range of users. 

In tandem, the professional practice strand of this unit will provide you with industry and practitioner-led insights into how interactive application design practices are analysed and assessed within the development process.

Web-Based and Native Application Development
You will be introduced to development frameworks and learn about web-based and native application development. By the end, you will be able to independently research and appraise development frameworks and related ecosystems and tools, and to develop both progressive web and native application with advanced capabilities.

You will be guided through researching and using industry-standard tool chains and frameworks for frontend and backend development, coding up complex and feature-rich web and hybrid applications.

App Lab
In this unit, you will learn about aspects supporting your computing and creative technology development, such as user-centred design methodology; prototyping; evaluation methods and accessibility guidelines. This will help you become familiar with user-centred design methodology and be able to iteratively design and systematically evaluate user interfaces that meet industry-standard usability and accessibility guidelines. 

Professional Practice
In this unit, you can choose from two options:

A collaborative professional practice group project - This is expected to involve groups of students across the postgraduate portfolio collaborating on a project which may be based on an industry brief.

A creative business start-up option - This is being developed by the Business School for the Creative Industries which will also lead on the delivery. The Creative Startup component is based on active-reflective learning. A real-world practical business experience is at the core of the unit component, but it will also encourage you to adopt a critical and reflective approach to your work and specific behaviours.

Final Major Project
The Final Major Project is a culmination of your skills, passions and creativity as developed across your MA education. The final major project, and your role in it, should be ambitious but achievable, and framed by how you want to promote yourself as an App developer.

Through this final project you will either utilise proposals you have been working on in other units or develop an entirely new proposal.

You may also wish to progress onto a PhD or MPhil research degree.

MA course

• A good honours degree or equivalent qualification in a related discipline
  
  

and/or

• Relevant work experience, demonstrating your ability to study at postgraduate level.
  
  

Consideration will also be given to applicants who can make a strong case for admission in relation to a particular project and can demonstrate their potential to satisfactorily complete the course.

Portfolio requirements

For this course we will need to see your portfolio for review. You can either submit a digital portfolio or request an in-person portfolio review with the course team. Further information will be provided once you have applied

MA course

The entry requirements for these courses will depend on the country your qualifications are from, please check the equivalent qualifications for your country:

• Non-UK equivalent qualifications

Any additional entry requirements listed in the UK requirements section, e.g., subject requirements, work experience or professional qualifications, also apply to international applicants applying with equivalent qualifications.

Portfolio requirements

You will be required to submit a portfolio for review. Further information on specific portfolio requirements and how to submit your portfolio will be sent to you after we have reviewed your application.

MA course with Integrated International Pre-Masters course

A recognised bachelor degree or 3 year diploma with a strong portfolio in a relevant subject.

Any additional entry requirements listed in the UK requirements section, e.g., subject requirements, work experience or professional qualifications, also apply to international applicants applying with equivalent qualifications.

Portfolio requirements

For this course we will need to see your portfolio for review. We request students to prepare 3-5 pages portfolio showcasing your utilisation of computer skills within a creative field. Please highlight experiences that may have developed your creative or visual skills, problem-solving abilities, design thinking, or visual communication, even if they aren't directly connected to the course. Further information will be provided once you have applied.

English language requirements

To study at UCA, you'll need to have a certain level of English language skill. And so, to make sure you meet the requirements of your course, we ask for evidence of your English language ability, please check the level of English language required:

• English language requirements