MA Performance and Digital Media
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Location: High Wycombe
- Duration: One Year
- Start Date: September 2026
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Are you ready to enhance your performance skills with the tools that are redefining storytelling in the digital age?
This MA equips you with cutting-edge technical skills to enable you to create performances with the latest digital technology from camera work and audio editing to immersive digital environments and motion capture, so you can create bold, original work and step confidently into the professional world of performance, screen, and media
This course is built around doing. You’ll work with cameras, sound equipment, editing software and virtual production studios, learning how to shape your performance for screen, stage and emerging platforms. From lighting and audio recording to working with green screens, virtual production technology and body-mounted cameras, you’ll build practical skills that are directly relevant to the industry.
You’ll also explore new technologies like augmented reality and performance capture, and learn how to adapt your performance skills to different formats. Whether you're filming a short character narrative, designing immersive experiences or producing live work for digital audiences, you'll be gaining the kind of experience that employers and collaborators look for.
During your time studying this course you’ll get to create alongside leading practitioners. Throughout the course, you’ll engage in workshops, productions, and mentoring sessions with professionals at the forefront of UK digital media performance. These real-world collaborations provide insight into current industry practices and help you build a network that can support your career beyond graduation.
This course gives you the space to experiment and the support to take creative risks. You’ll work across media formats developing ideas that reflect your interests and push the boundaries of what performance can be.
As you move through the course, you’ll take on more responsibility for shaping your own projects. You’ll lead eventually produce a final piece of work that brings together everything you’ve learned. Whether you’re drawn to immersive storytelling, screen-based work or something entirely new, you’ll have the freedom and the tools to make it happen.
Every module is designed to help you build a professional portfolio that reflects your skills, creativity, and artistic maturity. You’ll have the chance to take on roles not only as performer, but also explore all aspects of production: directing, producing, operation and editing, gaining experience in digital storytelling, and interdisciplinary collaboration. By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to work as a performer in a range of screen and audio contexts and emerging digital media. You may decide to build a career as a freelance artist, join a specialist company that works with performers, or pursue further academic research.
Located just outside London, BNU offers access to high-spec facilities such as green screen, virtual production studios, sound recording facilities, and a full range of camera support systems. You’ll work in spaces designed for experimentation and production, with the added benefit of being close to the West End, Pinewood Studios and other cultural centres. It’s the ideal environment to develop your craft and connect with the wider creative community.
What will I study?
Across the year, you'll explore how performance works in a digital world, how it’s made, how it’s shared, and how it’s evolving. Early on, you’ll get to grips with the ideas and techniques that shape contemporary performance, from acting for camera and audio to experimenting with digital tools. You’ll learn by doing, creating short pieces and testing out new approaches.
As the course progresses, you’ll start developing your own projects, working in small groups and eventually creating your own productions. You’ll also dive into emerging technologies like augmented reality and performance capture, finding new ways to tell stories and connect with audiences. By the end, you’ll have built a body of work that reflects your creative voice and technical skill.
How will I be taught and assessed?
Teaching on this course is practical, collaborative, and designed to reflect how work is made in the real world. You’ll take part in workshops, seminars, performances, and study trips, with plenty of opportunities to test ideas and get feedback. Some projects will be shared with an audience, others will be filmed or recorded, giving you experience across different media/performance formats.
Assessment is varied and tailored to different learning styles. You might be asked to create solo or group performances, lead workshops, write reflections or present project proposals to professional organisations. As you move through the course, you’ll take on more responsibility for shaping your own work, leading up to a final independent project that brings together your creative and technical skills.
What are the course entry requirements?
Typically 2:1 or above in a Media or Performing Arts related field, and/or experience in the performing arts sector (in its widest sense, from performance to design, video production, teaching and leadership).
All students will be required to attend an interview and give a presentation on their relevant experience. Students will be required to work to a high level in both practical and academic work.
We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds and experiences and are prepared to consider students with relevant experience in addition to the above typical profile.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
What are the tuition fees
Home
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Home, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £11,420 per year *
International
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Overseas/International, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £16,280 per year *
Please note all of the 2026/27 academic year fees stated are subject to parliamentary procedure. Tuition fees are expected to increase each academic year in line with the maximum permitted value set by the Government for that academic year. The expected rise for Home undergraduate students (including those on a foundation year course), may impact both new and continuing students.
What are my career prospects?
This course is designed to prepare you for a wide range of roles in the creative industries. Whether you want to perform, produce, write or lead your own company, you’ll graduate with the skills and experience to take that next step. You’ll build a portfolio of work, gain confidence using professional tools, and develop the kind of creative independence that employers and collaborators value.
Graduates go on to work in theatre, film, digital media, arts management and education. Some start their own performance companies, while others move into roles like creative producing, screenwriting or performance for games and immersive platforms. If you’re thinking about further study, the course also sets you up well for PhD-level research or specialist training.
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