Interactive Media BSc (Hons)
Course code I610
What is special about this course?
Interactive media: a collection of varied technologies, combined to provide a user experience via digital platforms such as websites, mobile apps, software applications, and interactive installations - the opportunities are endless.
Explore digital content creation, graphic design, 2D/3D animation, video and audio production, and more, in this BSc (Hons) Interactive Media. Gain real experience and understanding in the development of interactive and digital media products, experiment with several key specialities and work with external clients on live industry projects
Let loose with your creativity, develop key entrepreneurial qualities, and get the solid theoretical and technical understanding you need to succeed in this thriving field.
Special features
- Focus on the practical, learning technical skills in a wide range of disciplines including web, mobile apps, and computer games
- Nurture your creative thinking in a variety of contexts for the creation of digital media, including graphic design, video, audio, and animation
- Gain invaluable experience working with real world clients on a number of exciting projects
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
Entry to year one, HNC Digital Design and Web Development:
- 1 Scottish Higher at grade C or above OR
- 1 A level at grade D or above
- Alternatively, NC Computing with Digital Media Level 6 OR
- Foundation Apprenticeship Creative and Digital Media
- Applicants with other qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis, based on a portfolio review and interview.
Advanced entry:
- Direct entry to year two is an appropriate HNC, such as HNC Digital Design and Web Development or HNC Interactive Media, with Grade B or above in Graded Unit 2; or equivalent
- Direct entry to year three of the degree is an appropriate HND, such as HND Digital Design and Development or HND Interactive Media, with grade B or above in the Graded Unit 2; or equivalent
Access routes
SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.
Year 1 - HNC
Year 1 of this course is the HNC Digital Design and Web Development
Year 2 - DipHE
You will study the following modules:
- Digital design - bitmaps and vectors (S2)
- Creating an e-business - start-up and self-promotion (S2)
- Responsive web design and server-side scripting (S1)
- Interactive media project (S1 + S2)
- Introduction to animation techniques (S1)
Year 3 - BSc
You will study the following core modules:
- Advanced design techniques (S1)
- Designing web-based applications (S1)
You will also select one of the following:
- Team project (Computing and interactive media) (S1 + S2)
- Work placement industry specific skills (S1 + S2)
You will choose one of the following option modules:
- Socially responsible interactive media (S1)
- Branching narrative for interactive content development (S1)
You will also choose two of the following option modules:
- 3D animation techniques (S2)
- Video and audio production techniques (S2)
- Games development (S2)
Year 4 - BSc (Hons)
You will study the following modules:
- Web programming (Computing and interactive media) (S1)
- Technologies in human computer interaction (HCI) (S1)
- Advanced topics in interactive media (S2)
- Dissertation: interactive media (60-credits) (S1 + S2)
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- Part-time (unstructured)
You will learn through a combination of face-to-face and video conference lectures and tutorials, and online study via the university's virtual learning environment (VLE), making use of online learning materials and collaborative tools.
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 4 years @ 40 hours per week
- Part-time (structured): 8 years @ 20 hours per week
Where can I study my course?
- Argyll
- Moray
- North, West and Hebrides - Fort William campus
- Shetland
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Year | Level | 2024-25 Full-time | 2024-25 Part-time | 2025-26 Full-time | 2025-26 Part-time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | HNC | £1,285 | £86 (per HN credit) | £1,285 | £86 (per HN credit) |
| Year 2 | HND | £1,285 | £86 (per HN credit) | £1,285 | £86 (per HN credit) |
| Year 3 | Degree | £1,820 | £305 (per 20 credit module) | £1,820 | £305 (per 20 credit module) |
| Year 4 | Degree | £1,820 | £305 (per 20 credit module) | £1,820 | £305 (per 20 credit module) |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| Year | Level | 2024-25 Full-time | 2024-25 Part-time | 2025-26 Full-time | 2025-26 Part-time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | HNC | £7,110 | £474 (per HN credit) | £7,440 | £496 (per HN credit) |
| Year 2 | HND | £7,110 | £474 (per HN credit) | £7,440 | £496 (per HN credit) |
| Year 3 | Degree | £9,250 | £1,542 (per 20 credit module) | £9,250 | £1,542 (per 20 credit module) |
| Year 4 | Degree | free | £1,542 (per 20 credit module) | free | £1,542 (per 20 credit module) |
4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK and EU students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying (see the Funding section opposite).
EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK.
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship for the degree (3rd) year and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Year | Level | 2024-25 Full-time | With scholarship | 2025-26 Full-time | With scholarship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | HNC | £8,775 | £8,775 | £8,925 | £8,925 |
| Year 2 | HND | £8,775 | £8,775 | £8,925 | £8,925 |
| Year 3 | Degree | £15,996 | £11,996 | £16,950 | £12,950 |
| Year 4 | Honours |
£15,996 |
Free | £16,950 | Free |
Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union) and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| Year | Level | 2024-25 Full-time | 2024-25 Part-time | 2025-26 Full-time | 2025=26 Part-time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | HNC | £8,775 | £585 (per HN credit) | £8,925 | £595 (per HN credit) |
| Year 2 | HND | £8,775 | £585 (per HN credit) | £8,925 | £595 (per HN credit) |
| Year 3 | Degree | £15,996 | £2,666 (per 20 credit module) | £16,950 | £2,825 (per 20 credit module) |
| Year 4 | Degree | £15,996 | £2,666 (per 20 credit module) | £16,950 | £2,825 (per 20 credit module) |
Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK
Further information on international course fees.
A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award, including where students are following a recognised ‘top-up’ degree structure where the first year and second is made up of an HNC/D award.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
What can I do on completion of my course?
Once you have successfully completed this course, you might like to consider careers in:
- Graphic design
- Website design and development
- App development
- Computer games
- Animation
- Visual effects and CGI
- Video and audio production
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
Studying opened new doors for me and it could for you too. Choose a subject that genuinely excites you and just go for it – university is a great way to meet like-minded people, improve your self-confidence, and gain skills you had no idea existed!
One of the great things about UHI is that classes are smaller than other universities. This has meant more one-to-one time with my lecturers who we're more than happy to sit down and really walk you through a problem. I think that’s a fantastic approach and one that goes a long way towards fostering a love of the field itself. There was a real sense of camaraderie among us. If one person was struggling, we’d all work together to try and come up with a solution. It was just such a positive atmosphere and I imagine that’s a level of support you don’t get at larger universities.
Ian studied Computing at UHI.
Apply for Interactive Media BSc (Hons)
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.