This program gives you knowledge about the media profession and insight into fact-based media production in each of the areas within journalism, communication, animation, production, or design.
Media professions are changing. Journalists, communicators, animators, producers and documentarists are becoming closer connected professionally. As the only institution in Norway, Volda University College is offering a practical-theoretical Media master's degree, where students from the various media professions meet.
The Master in Media Practices is a 2-year (120 ECTS credits) post-graduate degree programme. It provides advanced knowledge of the media profession and its narrative forms; and specialized insight into non-fiction media production in the fields of journalism, communication, animation, production, or design.
The master's degree creates a common learning environment for media students, where different fields meet through topics that are relevant to all types of professional performers in the media industry. As a media student in Volda you will benefit from the expertise of teachers with broad national and international experience in the media industry. We offer a close relationship with various media industries and colleagues all over the world.
The regular application deadlines are:
January 15th: Applicants with citizenship and education from visa-required countries.
April 15th: Applicants residing in Norway with a Norwegian ID number and citizens of EU/EEA countries.
Situated on the western coast of Norway, Volda is surrounded by mountains, forests and fjord. Volda is a charming town in the county of Møre og Romsdal, with around 10 000 inhabitants and a student body of approximately 4500 students.
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Located in the heart of Fjord Norway lies the small charming town of Volda. It is surrounded by mountains, forests, lakes and fjords. As a small town of app. 10 000 people, Volda has everything you need within walking distance. A hike to the fjord or the mountain starts directly outside your doorstep.
Volda University College can offer world-class facilities and great academic quality.
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World-class facilities
Volda University College (VUC) is a one-campus institution where all university buildings and facilities are in short walking distance from each other. VUC can boast top facilities for teaching and learning, including a brand new media building and the newly renovated Social Science building.The Faculty of Media and Journalism boasts industry standard studios, editing suites, control rooms and cameras. And at the Learning Lab (Læringsverkstaden) students of all study programmes can get access to 3D-printers, VR-goggles, iPads, cameras and much more.
Not only will you find top facilities and equipment at VUC, but another benefit of studying here is that you will also be able to use it, borrow it and experiment with it. VUC's buildings are open for students 24/7 and students are not only allowed, but encouraged to use the facilities also in extra-curricular activities, such as for example the Student Media.
Feeling seen, proximity, security and a leisure filled with enjoyable activities are things students highly value. They get that in addition to a solid education and friends for life here at Volda University College.
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Feeling seen, proximity, security and a leisure filled with enjoyable activities are things students highly value. They get that in addition to a solid education and friends for life here at Volda University College.
I did my internship for MMP at NRK Super (TV-channel for children and youth) and enjoyed it so much! I felt so welcomed by my colleagues, bosses and other interns. In my internship, I develop stories for the news broadcast Supernytt, and I've done everything from editing sound clips of panda babies, to interviewing the fire department about fire safety. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I enjoy every day at work and wish that the internship could last indefinitely.
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I did my internship for MMP at NRK Super (TV-channel for children and youth) and enjoyed it so much!
I felt so welcomed by my colleagues, bosses and other interns. In my internship, I develop stories for the news broadcast Supernytt, and I've done everything from editing sound clips of panda babies, to interviewing the fire department about fire safety. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I enjoy every day at work and wish that the internship could last indefinitely.
The program provides advanced knowledge of the media profession and its narrative forms; and specialized insight into non-fiction media production in each of the areas of the fields of journalism, communication, animation, production, or design. The master's degree creates a common learning environment for media students, where different fields meet through topics that are relevant to all types of professional performers in the media industry.
Students can choose between different types of master’s level productions:
Practical non-fiction media production combined with a written assignment (MMP313)
Animation production combined with a written assignment (MMP313)
Ordinary written master thesis without production (MMP314)
Volda University College has the largest media education environment in Norway and has educated professionals since 1971. The college also has a close relationship with the various media industries in Norway and abroad. The program allows for 8-10 weeks of practice in a cutting-edge media company or institution relevant for the candidate and their field, whether this is journalism, communication, animation, production, or design.
Admission requirements for this program is a completed unversity degree equivalent to a Norwegian Bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS), which normally means an undergraduate degree of 3-4 years duration. From this degree, a minimum of 90 ECTS credits (or 1 1/2 year of full-time studies) of course work must be from the field of media or journalism studies, and applicants must have a minimum of 40 ECTS credits from practical courses. Relevant work experience may be used to compensate for this requirement if subjects are within practical fields.
A good grade point average (GPA) from the Bachelor’s degree is required. For Norwegian applicants this amounts to an average grade of C or better. For international applicants, no set grade point average is required, but the admission committee will review the applicant’s grades in light of the grading system of the university/country in question.
Applicants must upload links (URL) for your portfolio/show reel. For example to youtube, news articles, dropbox/drive locations, drawings, etc. This must be uploaded with the rest of the supporting documents in your online application. We do not want you to upload your portfolio/show reel due to the possible size of such files and also the danger of file alterations resulting in inferior quality.
Applicants need to document a high degree of English language proficiency, either through standardized English test such as TOEFL (minimum 80 points overall on the iBT test) or the IELTS (minimum overall score of 6.0 on the Academic test). Applicants who have passed the course in English from Norwegian secondary school and applicants who have completed secondary school in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, UK and the USA are exempt from documenting their English language skills. Read more about admission, the English language requirements and other possible exemptions.
Note: Admission for the Master in Media Practice is based on an overall review of the applicant based on the submitted transcripts/diplomas and examples of prior work (portfolio/show reel).
All documentation must be in Norwegian or English.
Internationalization
In the second semester students have the opportunity to study at another institution in Norway or abroad.
Teaching methods and assessment schemes
Teaching is offered in the form of lectures, seminars and workshops. The program allows for several weeks of practice in a cutting-edge media companies or institutions, relevant for the students and their fields. During the first semester you will be introduced for Storytelling relevant for all the professions, both from an academic view – but also from guest lectures from the business.
Language The language of instruction is English. Students can choose to write assignments in Norwegian.
Professional prospects and further studies
With a master's degree in practical media studies, you get a thorough and specialized education, well adapted to tomorrow’s media landscape. Both courses of study qualify for doctoral programmmes.
Admission requirements for this program is a completed Bachelor’s degree of at least 90 credits in media studies. There is a requirement that a minimum of 40 of the credits for the courses taken during the Bachelor’s degree are in practical subjects. Relevant work experience may be used to compensate for this requirement if subjects are within practical fields.
An average grade of C for the Bachelor’s degree is required.
For full-time program students, documented English proficiency equivalent to 80 on the TOEFL test or 6.0 on the IELTS academic test is required. This requirement does not apply to Norwegian students.
About
Media professions are in flux. We see ever closer links and occupational slippage between jobs in the media industry (e.g. journalists, communicators, animators, filmmakers, producers, and designers). This disruptive digitalization and convergence create new challenges for candidates who might fill media professions. However, the convergence does not remove the need for professional specialization. The program, therefore, does not educate “one-size-fits-all” media practitioners, but rather emphasizes both what unites occupations/professions (like social missions, societal roles, rhetoric, narrative technique, and communication) and what differentiates them (different positions in society, various work tools, different professional traditions).
Learning outcome
In accordance with the national qualifications framework students shall acquire the following learning outcomes after completion of the course:
Learning outcome knowledge
The candidate will
have advanced knowledge in the field of media and specialized insight in a specific area of the field, for instance, journalism, documentary film, communication, animation, or design
have a thorough knowledge of the social significance of media and the ethical demands directed at those working in the profession
have a thorough knowledge of rhetoric, narration, and the forms of communication used in media
Learning outcome skills
The candidate will be able to
analyse media topics on the basis of the field’s history, tradition, individuality and place in society
produce a media product of professional standard in his/her chosen field
locate, analyse and manage different sources of information from a critical perspective, and employ these in order to structure, formulate and complete media products of a high professional standard in his or her area of expertise
plan, develop and complete an individual academic project on media in accordance with relevant norms in research ethics
Learning outcome qualification
The candidate will be able to
employ his or her knowledge and skills in new areas to complete advanced tasks and projects
present an extensive individual body of work and discuss academic issues, analysis and conclusions in the field of media, particularly within his or her area of expertise, with both specialists and the public
work independently in practical and theoretical problem solving and contribute to new thinking and innovation processes
Content structure
The programe consists of lectures and seminars, individual and group work. The first week we have a mandatory overnight excursion. Most courses are mandatory, or partly mandatory. Final assesment varies from written exams, portfolio and home exams. The master thesis are finalised with and oral exam.
Media Practices - master
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Media Practices - master
Informasjon
Media professions are in flux. We see ever closer links and occupational slippage between jobs in the media industry (e.g. journalists, communicators, animators, documentary filmmakers, producers). This disruptive digitalization and convergence creates new challenges for candidates who might fill media professions. However, the convergence does not remove the need for professional specialization. The program therefore does not educate “one-size-fits-all” media practitioners, but rather emphasizes both what unites occupations/professions (like social missions, societal role, rhetoric, narrative technique and communication) and what differentiates them (different positions in society, various work tools, different professional traditions).
Elective subjects from other master's programs. Application to the IPA subjects is to be done by email to Studentsorvis@hivolda.no before November 20th. International students need to document a high degree of Norwegian language proficiency.
