Bachelor of Media Arts degree

The Bachelor of Media Arts prepares students for the changing demands of digital media industries by training technically skilled, creative, and collaborative artists, with an awareness of the history and ethical demands of the digital media field. Students gain professional communication, creative problem solving, and project management skills. Concentrations allow students to specialize based on their chosen career paths and creative passions.

Program learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the BMA, students will be able to:

1. Situate digital media in historical, cultural, social, and theoretical context.
2. Develop skills in two or more distinct creative fields.
3. Apply professional communication practices in written, oral, and visual forms.
4. Create compelling narratives and stories using digital media.
5. Develop collaborative creative team skills.
6. Develop self-directed ideation, problem solving, and project management skills.
7. Produce creative work using digital media technologies (e.g. films, animation, documentaries, websites, games, interactive learning modules).
8. Apply ethical principles in information sharing, intellectual property, and media law.
9. Perform in creative and managerial roles to professional standards.

Entrance requirements

Applicants must meet the Degree/diploma level English language proficiency requirement. For details on how this requirement may be met, see the English language proficiency requirement section of the calendar.

Applicants must also submit a portfolio and letter of interest. See ufv.ca/creative-arts/how-to-apply/submit-your-portfolio for details about portfolio requirements.

Option 1: Secondary school (for students with secondary school graduation only)

B.C. applicants

1. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent.
2. A minimum grade of C+ in English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 (see Note) and a minimum of a B average in two additional Approved Grade 12 courses.

   Note: Students may also present English 12, English Literature 12, English 12 First Peoples, AP English, IB English A (standard level or higher level), or out-of-province equivalent, and UFV ENGL 091.

Out-of-province applicants

Students will be considered on the basis of courses equivalent to Approved B.C. Grade 12 courses. See the Admissions section of the calendar for more information on equivalents to B.C. secondary school graduation.

Out-of-country applicants

Students must have B.C. secondary school graduation equivalency, meet the prerequisites for ENGL 105 or CMNS 125, and have completed an equivalent average of B (equated to the UFV grading system) in two academic Grade 12 courses.

Alternatives to secondary school graduation

If students have completed the International Baccalaureate diploma program, the B.C. Graduation diploma (B.C. Adult Dogwood), or the General Educational Development (GED) certificate, they may be considered to have the equivalent of B.C. secondary school graduation for admission purposes.

Option 2: University entrance (for students who have attended some post-secondary school)

1. Prerequisites for ENGL 105 or CMNS 125.
2. One of the following:
   • Completion of a minimum of 15 credits in courses numbered at the 100 level and above, with a cumulative GPA of 2.33 on all credits attempted.
   • Completion of a two-year post-secondary credential with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 (equated to the UFV grading scheme) on all courses taken.
   • Completion of a post-secondary career or technical diploma (minimum of two years post-secondary credit) from a recognized Canadian or international post-secondary institution, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 (equated to the UFV grading scheme), calculated on all courses taken.
   • Completion of a three- or four-year Bachelor's degree from a recognized institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.00 (equated to the UFV grading scheme).

     Note: Students who have completed a previous degree are governed by UFV's Subsequent and Concurrent Bachelor Degree policy (98).

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider Qualifying Studies and/or a meeting with an Academic Advisor.

When to apply

Applications are accepted for entrance to the Fall and Winter semesters. For application deadlines, see Specific intake application process.

How to apply

1. Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.

   Additional documents required for a complete application:

   • Official transcripts (or interim transcripts) from all secondary and post-secondary institutions attended showing grade/course achievement. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details. To retain their original application date, students should order early so transcripts arrive within two weeks of the date the application is mailed or submitted.

2. When applications have been processed, applicants will receive information on portfolio submission dates and a copy of the portfolio guidelines. The portfolio and letter of interest are not due at the time of application, but will be submitted online and reviewed in May for the Fall intake and in October for the Winter intake.
3. Applicants will be advised of an admission decision and, if accepted, will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required prior to registration (see the Fees and Other Costs section) and will be applied toward tuition fees.
4. In cases where course work is in progress, an admission decision may be made conditional upon completion of academic requirements. Proof of completion of entrance requirements is due by the end of the first week in August for the September intake.

Basis for admission decision

Admission to the BMA is on a competitive basis. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Students will be admitted based on prior academic success, workplace experience, and portfolio assessment only.

Fees and additional costs

For general information on tuition and ancillary fees, see the Fees and Other Costs section. Please note that all MEDA-designated courses have a differential tuition rate, which covers software licenses and digital media equipment use. For more information on the tuition rates for MEDA courses and computer/software requirements, please check the Bachelor of Media Arts webpage.

For information on financial assistance, students are encouraged to visit the Financial Aid and Awards office.

Program duration

The BMA program can be completed in four years of full-time study, with students taking 10 courses per calendar year. Actual completion plans will vary from student to student based on a variety of factors.

Location

The BMA is offered in Abbotsford. Students may take electives, if available, in Mission or Chilliwack.

Co-operative Education option

The Co-operative Education option provides students with the opportunity to acquire paid, career-related work experience in conjunction with their studies in the Bachelor of Media Arts degree program. Students may use up to six credits of Co-operative Education as lower-level electives for the Bachelor of Media Arts degree. See the Co-operative Education section for more details.

Program outline

There are three sets of requirements to note:

1. Program requirements
2. Core requirements
3. Concentration requirements

Program requirements

1. 120 university-level credits (100-level and above), of which:
   • At least 30 must be completed at UFV
   • At least 45 must be at the upper level, with at least 24 of these completed at UFV
2. Completion of elective credits to achieve 120 credits for the degree.

Core requirements: 49 credits

Lower-level requirements: 30 credits

Upper-level requirements: 19 credits

Concentration requirements

Students must complete one of the following concentrations as part of their degree:

• Digital Entertainment Art: Integrating traditional art and design fundamentals with digital media technologies, this concentration is designed for students interested in concept art, motion design, animation, visual effects, interactive media, and games.
• Digital Performance: Investigating the intersection of live performance and virtual embodied experience, students focus on digital scenography, acting for digital media industries, or creating for immersive experiences, interactive performances, and mixed reality.
• Film: Applied instruction in all areas of film production combined with the study of film as a global media form. Students gain industry-standard technical, creative, and professional skills and will situate their creative practice historically and theoretically.
• Interactive Media: Students design and produce engaging interactive experiences utilizing various digital media platforms such as mobile applications, games, online experiences, and mixed reality.
• Interactive Media Leadership: Students focus on problem-solving, facilitation, and persuasive communication, as well as basic creative production processes, to develop the skills needed to manage creative teams, coordinate work flow, and oversee large projects in new media.

Students admitted to the degree should seek advice from the Academic Advisor for Fine Arts, Design, and Media. Students should select courses based on their planned concentration beginning in their first year, and must make a formal declaration of their concentration to the Academic Advisor after completing 15 credits of lower-level core requirements and prior to the completion of 60 credits towards the degree. Exceptions may be made in special circumstances by the Academic Advisor and/or the Director of the School of Creative Arts.

Digital Entertainment Art concentration

Concentration learning outcomes

1. Apply principles of visual organization, visual language, and theory to visual communication problems.
2. Communicate narratives, dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through computer-generated imagery.
3. Create artwork that effectively communicates specific objectives.
4. Produce appealing 2D and 3D computer-generated imagery and animation.
5. Demonstrate technical competency using digital content creation software.

Program outline: 33 credits

Digital Performance concentration

Concentration learning outcomes

1. Use performance and theatre theory to explain how the use of digital technologies impacts live performance and concepts of embodiment.
2. Create performance experiences for live digital environments.
3. Demonstrate competence in the use of digital technologies for live performance.
4. Execute performances for a range of live and digital contexts.
5. Collaborate effectively with others to create live digital performances.

Program outline: 32-35 credits

Film concentration

Concentration learning outcomes

1. Competently perform a range of technical and creative roles related to film production.
2. Perform according to professional standards practiced in the film industry.
3. Contextualize film in relation to multiple historical, social, theoretical, and aesthetic developments.
4. Analyze diverse examples of film by applying film theory and critical theory.
5. Articulate characteristics of own creative practice in relation to life experiences, aesthetic choices, and historical, social, and cultural considerations.

Program outline: 36 credits

Interactive Media concentration

Concentration learning outcomes

1. Apply user experience design concepts to human-computer interaction (HCI) systems.
2. Design media projects employing the tools and knowledge of a variety of creative industries.
3. Apply principles of visual organization, visual language, and theory to visual communication problems.
4. Create functional HCI experiences using script programming or mark-up languages.
5. Produce 2D and 3D computer generated imagery and animation for use in interactive experiences.

Program outline: 30-31 credits

Interactive Media Leadership concentration

Note: This concentration will be discontinued as of Fall 2023.

Concentration learning outcomes

1. Use appropriate leadership tools, strategies, and techniques for the context, team, and/or project.
2. Communicate effectively and persuasively in written, oral, and visual forms.
3. Employ effective interpersonal communication skills to build, manage, and lead creative teams.
4. Utilize a recognized method of project management and adapt it as needed.
5. Facilitate effective team meetings.
6. Use design thinking to solve problems.

Program outline: 36–38 credits

Policies relevant to the BMA

Course Repeat policy (86): Students may not register for a course more than twice without the permission of the department head/director for the discipline or their designate. All attempts will be recorded on the transcript, but only the highest grade will be included in the GPA. Transfer courses are considered in the number of attempts. A “W” or “AU” course is not counted as a duplication. Multiple repeats of the same course count as a single duplication.

Undergraduate Continuance policy (92): Students must have a CGPA of at least 2.00 to remain in good academic standing. Failure to meet or maintain a 2.00 will result in restrictions on registration and may lead to academic suspension.

• Readmission: Students required to withdraw from the program may apply for readmission if they can raise their cumulative GPA to 2.00 in a subsequent semester, and will be admitted ahead of other applicants.

Subsequent and Concurrent Bachelor Degree policy (98): Students who have already completed a degree at the bachelor’s level may be granted an additional bachelor’s degree provided that the two degrees are different, and that the student has met the program requirements. Students will complete at least one third of the total credits required for the additional degree, including at least 30 additional upper-level credits, beyond the credits taken in the first or concurrent degree. All 30 upper-level credits must be obtained through completion of UFV courses.

Transfer Credit policy (107) and Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) policy (94): Students who successfully complete academic course work at another post-secondary institution can transfer this credit to UFV to satisfy BMA degree requirements. They can also earn academic credit through an assessment of prior learning.

Residency

To meet the residency requirement of the BMA, the following restrictions apply:

1. Of the 120 credits for the BMA, 30 must be completed at UFV.
2. Of the 45 upper-level credits for the BMA, 24 must be completed at UFV.
3. At least 50% of the upper-level requirements for a concentration must be completed at UFV.

Graduation requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring they are eligible to graduate, and should regularly consult with the Academic Advisor for Fine Arts, Design, and Media. To be eligible to graduate, students must have:

• Completed the BMA program with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.
• Completed all the requirements of their concentration with a minimum CGPA of 2.00.
• Earned a minimum CGPA of 2.00 in all upper-level courses required for graduation.
• No more than five course duplications (with the exception of THEA 199 and THEA 299 when a grade of D or better is achieved).

Students must apply for graduation in the first month of their final semester. Visit the Graduation webpage for more information. The final deadline for students who wish to attend the June Convocation ceremony is April 1 of each year, with all program requirements completed by April 30.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.