Master of Science in Communication Design

at Falmouth University - Penryn Campus United Kingdom

You’ll learn to tell stories in an inventive and meaningful way, within a specialist facility, working with industry professionals. A focus on narrative, craft and practical making, alongside critical thinking, will help you develop the skills needed to succeed in the fast moving television industry.

You will:

• Work on professional commercial briefs with MAYN, our award-winning in-house creative agency. 
• Benefit from opportunities for industry-based placements and work experience. 
• Attend masterclasses, this year these have included showrunners, Emma Frost and Matthew Graham; directors Sam Masud, Stroma Cairns and Jon East, director of Killing Eve and Lost in Space; and Otto Bathurst, director of Black Mirror and Peaky Blinders.
• Have the opportunity to apply for The Hothouse, a placement with the acquisitions team at NBCUniversal in London.
• Study in a facility that's part of CILECT, the global association of the world's best film, television and animation schools.

On this course you'll explore non-fiction, poetry, fiction, children's literature and writing for digital games – learning to draft, edit and pitch your creations. By working on literary, community and industry-engaged projects, a final portfolio and an online profile, you'll also develop industry-level confidence and outstanding creative work.

You will:

• Produce illustrated anthologies, organise mini-festivals, or work with a business as part of your third-year collaborative project
• Attend our exciting guest lecture series, where you'll build relationships and contacts within all facets of the literary world
• Have the opportunity to attend and participate in literary events such as The London Book Fair and the North Cornwall Book Festival
• Take inspiration from The Lighthouse – the glorious workspace at the heart of our community – which hosts everything from skills and craft workshops to board game sessions, literary quizzes and poetry readings
• Use the stunning natural surroundings as inspiration for the writing process
• Contribute to a vibrant, thriving, writing community
• Write for FalWriting, our student-led online magazine, or read your work at our literary evenings and feel the warmth of the applause

This course is underpinned by intensive practical and collaborative work. You’ll explore every aspect of the creative process, from devising individual performances to directing and producing work with others. As a reflective practitioner, you’ll test the theories you learn in lectures through your own work, research and performances. 

You will:

• Benefit from AMATA’s year-round performance programme, which attracts top artists and performers.
• Build industry links through workshops, guest lectures and visits led by world-class companies such as Gecko Theatre, Kneehigh, Prodigal Theatre and The Young Vic .
• Learn to use our extensive range of technical sound, lighting and recording equipment. 
• Work with highly skilled and experienced practitioners, artists, academic staff and creative technicians. 
• Create and take part in a range of projects, including a major production at the AMATA Festival. 

Find your passion and pursue it. Investigate, experiment and specialise in all forms and industries including poetry, literature, children's fiction, non-fiction, screenwriting and digital games. You'll gain practical experience with our partners in publishing, literary festivals and professional writing, learning valued critical and technical skills.

You will:

• Design and run a student-led collaborative project as part of your third year. Previous projects have included producing illustrated anthologies, sitcoms and podcasts while working in collaboration with schools, charities and businesses
• Attend our guest lecture series, where you'll build relationships and contacts within all facets of the literary world.
• Participate in literary events, such as The London Book Fair and the North Cornwall Book Festival.
• Take inspiration from The Lighthouse (pictured above) – the glorious workspace at the heart of our community – which hosts everything from skills and craft workshops to board game sessions, literary quizzes and poetry readings
• Contribute your own work to Falwriting: our student-led online magazine
• Use our state-of-the-art Soundhouse and edit suites to record audience-ready productions.

As an independent performer, songwriter and self-producer, you’ll learn how to promote and release your own work, creating innovative portfolios based on experimentation, musicianship and a confident understanding of the industry. You'll study the audio-visual elements of pop and develop ways of critically conceiving and creating 'real' and 'virtual' presences. As someone invested in how pop makes meaning, you'll define a practice that's stylistically sophisticated and future facing.

You will:

• Develop songwriting techniques and performance and production skills.
• Establish innovative approaches to music making, the music business and technology.
• Perform and record in our high-spec AMATA studios.
• Forge industry links with studios, record labels, promotion companies and venues.
• Benefit from visiting lecturers like Bellatrix, Darcus Beese (Island Records), David Toop, Ed O'Brien (Radiohead), Mary Hampton, Jo Hamilton, Martha Tilston, Laura Snapes, Glen Roberts and Jerry Dammers (The Specials)

You'll learn how different specialisms work together, how to work effectively in a team and to develop the role you play in it. These courses simulate how industry operates, in a studio environment that's built to mirror a real games development studio.

You will:

• Build your own games from day one and have the opportunity to establish your own company in your third year
• Work in one of the largest and best equipped dedicated game-making spaces of any university in the UK
• Work in a department dedicated to gaming and be surrounded by people working in all aspects of
  the industry
• Develop a multi-disciplinary approach, using Unity and Unreal to touch upon all aspects of game creation
• Have the flexibility to change your area of specialism based on your skills and interests

Guided by a team of industry professionals, expert academics and technical tutors, you'll learn about music composition, performance, recording, editing, mixing and mastering. You'll also hone skills in creating sound and music for a wide range of media, including game engines and interactive installations.

You will:

• Develop as an industry-ready artist with the creative, technical, academic and professional attributes needed to succeed
• Work in high-spec studio facilities with a range of digital and analogue hardware, software instruments and plug-ins and surround sound monitoring
• Access a wide range of industry-standard equipment including microphones, portable recorders, amps, synths, drum machines and controllers
• Collaborate with musicians, filmmakers, game designers, dancers, animators and designers on other Falmouth courses
• Work in a vibrant community of research-active lecturers with industry connections. Recent visitors include Ed O'Brien (Radiohead), James Young (Darkstar) and Professor Jonty Harrison (Electroacoustic composer)
• Grow in experience and skills through optional modules, industry placements, overseas study and/or starting your own company

Supported by our internationally renowned academic team and industry partners, you’ll learn to shoot with a clear sense of purpose. Working in long-form documentary photography, breaking news, sport and fashion, as well as immersive multimedia narrative, you’ll acquire the skills you need to tell stories in fresh and engaging ways.  

You will:

• Work as a professional photographer from the start, while gaining valuable industry insight and technical know-how. 
• Have full access to our state-of-the-art educational photographic facility. 
• Benefit from a programme of visiting lecturers and industry mentors. 
• Enjoy opportunities for local, national and international work placements.  
• Exhibit your photography in London during the course’s annual Professional Week.