Media Technology
Programme
The Media Technology MSc programme at Leiden University takes two years. It is a relatively intense study programme and students should be prepared to study full-time. The Media Technology MSc programme consists of three semesters and an extension. Each semester focuses on specific issues. During the first and second semesters students take a number of basic courses and carry out several projects.
Elective courses
Within the Media Technology curriculum a portion of the total credits can be obtained by following elective courses. Throughout the academic year there are many electives available within different faculties and departments of Leiden University and the Interfaculty Art Science in The Hague. Students are also allowed to take electives in, for instance, Computer Science, Psychology, Art History, Linguistics and Philosophy.
For the most up-to-date course overview, see the e-Prospectus
Projects
As well as courses, student projects are also important in the Media Technology MSc programme. The projects most often involve creating actual products: software, hardware, something made from sticky tape perhaps. Because we are convinced that by doing, making and creating, new insights into the underlying research question are encountered. The resulting findings are published and exhibited at conferences and exhibitions. Media Technology can be said to deliver ‘autonomous scientists’, just as art academies deliver autonomous artists.
Many courses contain a project in which teams of students put the knowledge they have gained into practice, commonly resulting in some physical installation. In such projects, students must also research existing knowledge, and write papers that motivate their projects and discuss the results. Throughout the third semester, a project is scheduled in which students create innovative concepts that result in an actual product. The process of researching while creating the product is as important as the product itself. All projects start from their own theme, and the resulting products are presented to the general public in an exhibition. Graduation takes the form of a similar research project in which the scientific aspects are prominent. Graduation theses within the Media Technology programme are publishable scientific papers, not lengthy dissertations. Students are encouraged to submit their graduation papers to international journals, conferences and art festivals.
More information about the programme can be found at the Media Technology website.
You can sign up for one of the following Information Evenings by sending an e-mail to Lianne Heun
Monday November 5th 19.00 – 20.00
Monday January 7th 19.00 – 20.00
Monday March 11th 19.00 – 20.00
Monday May 6th 19.00 – 20.00
Monday June 10th 19.00 – 20.00
Master details
- Degree Master of Science in Media Technology
- Mode of study Full-time
- Duration 2 years
- Start date September (strongly recommended) and February
- Language of instruction English
- Location Leiden
- Croho/isat code 60206
Prof. Bas Haring
“I believe it is important that students do ‘their own thing’. They then become inspired, which results in greater diversity.”
“Scientific research is often characterised by large scale projects which are carried out in a highly structured fashion. I consider it important to create a place for small scale projects which might be considered as rather whimsical. Where scientists work as artists. The Media Technology programme is such a place, where the Faculty of Science and the Academy for Creative and Performing Arts work together. This programme fits well in Leiden: it is very classical to combine art and science.
I want to teach students how science works, and show them that in their own way they, too, can make a contribution to science. Our students can make their own decisions about what interests them. Their research does not have to result in a paper: it may also be a product. In information technology, research often leads to a product, such as a game or an installation. I believe it is important that students do ‘their own thing’. They then become inspired, which results in greater diversity.
My personal motivation is to ensure that science is better understood; so that we all become a bit more knowledgeable. Personally, I try to achieve this by writing books, like Cheese & Theory of Evolution and Iron Will.”