Frequently Asked Questions

What is special about this MA degree?

We believe that a Masters degree should be what its name says - a programme designed to promote 'masterly' conduct, to enhance professional expertise and to strengthen leadership attitudes. We believe that the MPP does exactly that because it places YOU and your PROFESSIONAL GROWTH at its centre and constructs a package of activities through which you can exercise and exhibit your 'masterly' achievements.

What do you mean by Professional Practice (Creative Media Industries)?

In the present-day world a powerful combination of electronic technology, new means of communication, entertainment and information has a profound impact on all aspects of life. 'Professional Practice (Creative Media Industries)' indicates a focus on active, professional involvement with this newly emerging sector. Of course, no individual student is likely to have expertise or experience covering the whole of such a wide range of activity - this MA/MSc programme offers students opportunities to explore their specialist area(s) within a broad contextual perspective.

What background and experience do you expect students to have?

The programme is designed to offer flexible developmental opportunities for students from a wide range of backgrounds. Some will already have substantial experience of work in the creative media, while at the other extreme some will wish to progress to MA/MSc study immediately after completing studies at BA or BSc level. In many cases, students will be in an intermediate position, with some experience they wish to claim credit for and also some professional developmental courses or projects they would like to undertake within the overall scheme of the programme.

It is not essential to have been awarded a BA or BSc degree before applying for the MA/MSc, but applicants without a first degree must have a substantial level of relevant professional experience that can be regarded as equivalent to a degree. All applicants should also be able to write in Academic English.

Applications can be considered from students with a BA or BSc (Hons) in an unrelated field, so long as they can demonstrate (1) some aptitude in a creative media area and (2) a need for creative media competence in personal or professional development terms.

How will the programme help me in my work and career?

Middlesex University is one of the world's leading universities in Work Based Learning and Professional Practice Studies, and this programme builds on the University's experience in these areas. A work-based learning approach is central to the design of the programme, and wherever possible students are encouraged and expected to focus on project or developmental work that is beneficial to their employers as well as to themselves.

More generally, as the creative media sector continues to grow and diversify, there will be an increasing need for people who have acquired a sophisticated understanding of the field and have experience of undertaking creative or investigative projects at an advanced level, supported by the award of a postgraduate qualification

How long does it take to complete?

The minimum duration for the programme is one year and the normal maximum two years. However, the schedule of studies is flexible in order to accommodate the diverse needs and professional circumstances of creative media students and extension for a further year is possible with permission.

Where do I have to go to complete my studies?

We regard the workplace as a classroom; therefore, the best place in which to do this degree is in or close to your professional creative media studio or workplace. Of course, we realise that you may want to step away from there for short periods of time in order to reflect and to 'get a sense of perspective'.

The programme emphasises the importance of individualised professional growth and development and thus relies heavily on principles of self-direction and self-motivation. Support in the form of academic guidance and supervision is provided by a number of means, including email, teleconference, and in-person meetings with your Learning Advisor and other professional staff wherever necessary and practicable. Support is also available online.

If you are judged on application to be unlikely to be able to put forward a viable claim for Recognition and Accreditation of Learning, and will therefore have to include supervised project work or Professional Development Scheme courses, you must be within easy reach of an SAE Institute Centre in order to facilitate the closer supervision and support required to complete the programme successfully.

How much work is involved?

The highly individualised nature of each programme makes it difficult to specify exactly how much work each student will have to undertake. As a guide for your planning, every 10 credits will involve approximately 100 hours of work (including reading, researching, thinking, working on assignments and projects, communicating with your Learning Advisor, participating in electronic discussion with other students and all other programme-related activities). The full award is worth 180 credits, bringing the total hours required into the region of 1,800 or approximately 45 normal working weeks. However, the total time commitment will be reduced in proportion with the amount of Recognition and Accreditation of Prior Learning a student is granted - up to 60 credit points of RAL is possible (see Module MPP403), reducing the total duration of studies by 1/3.
 

An important point is that in many cases a student's final project is something s/he would have been engaged in in the normal context of his/her employment. Even though there is a requirement to compile a reflective and evaluative overview report for the MA/MSc this can further reduce the overall time commitment.

Are any scholarships available?

SAE Online presently offers a limited number of partial scholarships to applicants who have successfully completed an undergradudate degree programme (BA/BSc Honours) with SAE Institute and Middlesex University. Eligibility for an SAE Online Scholarship is determined at the time of application. For this reason it is very important that you furnish us as much detail as possible when making your application.

At present, students who have fully completed an undergraduate degree course with SAE Institute are automatically eligible for a partial scholarship towards the MA/MSc Professional Practice (Creative Media Industries). The scholarships awarded on this basis cover up to a maximum of 20% of the MPP course fee and are normally allocated on a 'first come, first served' basis.

In addition to the SAE Online Scholarship, a number of applicants have received financial support from relevant government agencies, employers, banks and other public lending institutions.

What is the programme structure?

The first phase of the programme is exploratory in nature; students are introduced to a range of research techniques and theories that underpin creative media study and project work. During this phase, students are guided in preparing:

A claim for Recognition and Accreditation of Learning (RAL), if appropriate, and; a Learning Agreement covering their studies and projects for the rest of the programme. The final phase of the programme is an Independent Project, and, for students not claiming RAL, the central phase of the programme consists of an individually planned programme of supervised project work or Professional Development Scheme (PDS). Various balances between RAL and PDS elements are possible.

Like all Middlesex University programs, the MA/MSc is underpinned by a scheme of credit points (cps). Broadly speaking, 180 cps are required for an MA/MSc; the introductory phase carries 60 cps and the final project is normally 60 cps, which leaves 60 cps for the central RAL or PDS component. However, this is for guidance only since each student's programme is planned and approved on an individual basis.

The aims, timescale and all other aspects of your programme are negotiated and agreed in the Learning Agreement referred to above. Your Learning Advisor will help you to plan this.

What is 'recognition and accreditation of learning' (RAL)?

This is an important concept of work-based learning. The essential aspect is a belief that all work activity is a learning experience, and that this learning can be assigned credit equivalent to more conventional academic work. In addition to this uncertificated learning, credit can be claimed for certificated learning such as short courses as well.

Students are guided in reflecting on the study and work experience they have acquired at the point of starting their MA/MSc studies and in presenting a claim for RAL that can be counted towards the MA/MSc.

How much RAL credit can be included for the award of the MA/MSc?

Students are normally allowed to include a maximum of 60 cps of RAL and/or PDS in the MA/MSc. Up to 30 cps may be at level 3 (final year BA/BSc level), but other credit for RAL, as for other modules in the programme, must be at level 4 (postgraduate).

Can you explain the PDS element of the programme?

Like the RAL, PDS is planned by each student on an individual basis, and students are assisted in preparing a Learning Agreement covering this element as well as the final Independent Project. PDS can be as much as 60 credit points towards the MA/MSc, but in most cases there will be some credit points included from the RAL claim as well. Depending on the student's developmental needs and the availability and accessibility of suitable provision, some credit points may be allocated for short courses of other relatively formal study or training. Level 3 modules available in the SAE Institute BA/BSc programmes or distance learning courses may also be included, and supervised projects are a further possibility.

The balance of RAL and PDS in the MA/MSc will differ from student to student, reflecting the profile at the start of the programme and the developmental needs identified.

What is expected or acceptable for the final project of the programme?

Many students have at least a preliminary idea for their final project at the start of the programme, but the precise aims and scope of the project are defined with tutorial help. Projects may be creative, developmental or investigative in nature, but in all cases submission of a project report is required; guidelines are provided for the report.

In most cases, an important factor for students who are already in employment is to formulate a project that is of value to their employer as well as to their own personal development.

Is on-line support material available?

On-line handbooks, guidelines and other learning support materials have been developed for the programme.

Can I submit work for assessment in a language other than English?

Assessed work in all modules must be submitted in English. However, we appreciate that for many students English is a second language and due allowance is made.

How do I know how much RAL credit I could claim before enrolling?

A final decision on your RAL will be made formally by the Programme Approval Board, but in order to help you decide whether to apply we will give you preliminary advice about the amount of RAL you might be awarded.

Will I meet other students on the programme?

Wherever possible, group presentations or seminars are arranged, bringing together students enrolled at a particular SAE Institute Degree Centre. Chat room and asynchronous communication is also encouraged within our learning management system.

When does it start?

The next start dates for the MA in Creative Media Practice are:

• 16th of January 2012
• 30th of April 2012
• 3rd of September 2012

Within an overall timeframe of either one or two years, realistic deadlines and scheduling are developed on a one-to-one basis in consultation with your Learning Advisor and take into account, wherever possible, your professional commitments and related circumstances.

Who will supervise my work?

Each student is allocated to a Learning Advisor. If possible, the Advisor will be located close enough to the student in order to facilitate face-to-face meeting, but if this is not possible contact is maintained via telephone and the internet.

What classes do I have to attend?

Decisions regarding class attendance and/or 'on-campus' activities are determined through an individualised process in close consultation with each student. This process takes into account your prior learning and professional experience and your current professional commitments and academic progress. Normally you would be expected to be in regular and frequent contact with your Learning Advisor and to attend and participate in any tutorial sessions that are convened after due consultation and negotiation with you.

Where necessary, access to SAE Institute research resources will be negotiated as part of the programme planning. In any event, MPP students are valued members of the SAE Institute community throughout their enrolment and thus are welcome to visit SAE Institute Degree Centres both formally and informally.

Who awards the degree?

The MA/MSc Professional Practice (Creative Media Industries) is awarded by Middlesex University, England. It is a fully accredited Masters Degree in the United Kingdom, and thus is widely recognised throughout the world where British degrees are respected and valued.

What role does SAE Online play in the programme?

SAE Online is a Global Partner of Middlesex University (MU) and provides strong links with the creative media industry. In the context of the MPP, SAEOline works closely with MU in the selection and enrolment of students, in the operational administration of the programme and in the provision of industry input and academic research support. During your studies in the MPP programme you will be enrolled with SAE Online and registered with Middlesex University, England.

How do I enrol?

Your enrolment is processed through the SAE Online Office of the SAE Institute Academic Registrar. Your initial application should be made online using our contact form. In the first instance, you will be asked to provide a detailed CV (incl. information about previous education and professional experience). Upon receipt of this information your application will be assessed and you will be contacted with the result. If you are admitted to study, you will be required to forward additional documentation and make payment of your course fee. Once these formalities have been completed, you will be contacted directly by your appointed Learning Advisor who will begin to assist you with the structuring of your programme.