Frequently Asked Questions
The following is a list of frequently asked questions about our program. If you don't find the answer to your question, don't hesitate to contact us.
General
Applying to the Program
Program Information
International Students
Answers
General
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Digital media, which includes entertainment technology, can be defined as media experiences made possible by the advent of primarily computer-mediated digital technologies (e.g., electronic games and special effects in motion pictures). The principles and techniques used are also applicable to a wide range of non-entertainment uses, such as image processing, scientific visualization, flight simulators and other virtual environments for education and training.
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Occasionally opportunities are available for students to work for the MDM Program during their studies. These positions are part-time and can include TA-ships, tech-support, blogging and general labour. Students are made aware of these positions via email, usually a few weeks into each semester, and students are responsible for indicating interest to the appropriate staff/ faculty member. The school does not guarantee a work posting with acceptance into the program.
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The MDM program is an intense, full time program. Students should expect to be on campus all-day most days of the week. The first semester of the program is particularly intense, as students will be taking four courses, and it is not recommended that they work during this semester. In the remaining three semesters, students are allowed to work up to 12 hours per week outside of the program.
Applying to the Program
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While financial support is available through scholarships and bursaries, additional funding is normally required for all students entering the program. Go to Tuition & Fees to see an estimated breakdown of expenses that a student will need to complete the entire MDM or EMDM program (in Canadian dollars).
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The Masters of Digital Media Program admission requirements are as follows:
- An undergraduate degree in an area of the Arts and Sciences, including Fine and Performing Arts, Computer Sciences, Communication, Engineering, Business or related fields of study.
- You will need to submit a completed application form and fee
- Three letters of reference
- A sample of your writing (academic or business-related writing samples are acceptable)
- A digital portfolio of recent work relating to digital media. Portfolios may be visual, aural, or textual in nature (or a combination thereof) and may be submitted electronically or as hard copies. Your portfolio must conform to specific digital media formats. Please feel free to contact admissions@gnwc.ca with any questions regarding your portfolio.
- Sealed transcripts from any post-secondary institutions attended.
For complete information go to Admissions Process.
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Academic references are certainly important, but for a student who has not graduated recently, they may be difficult to obtain. Please consider asking referees who can speak to your work habits, your creativity, and your ability to work in team-based situations.
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The portfolio submission is fundamentally important to your application. Because we accept students from a broad background, we expect to see a variety of portfolio submissions. Musicians, creative, visual and performing artists will create a very different portfolio than would computer scientists, engineers or project managers. Your portfolio should highlight the work you are most proud of whether in the form of programming code, photography, animation, video and/or still life sketches.
All portfolio work must be submitted digitally: Please review the Portfolio Submission Guidelines for more information. Note that your portfolio submission will not be returned.
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Think of this letter as your opportunity to make a first impression. As resources don’t allow the MDM Selection Committee to interview all applicants, this letter is really your opportunity to show your personality and to stand out from the rest. Typically, successful applicants have focused on their passion for digital media and why they believe they are a good fit for the MDM Program. Tell the Selection Committee why you want to enter the MDM Prgram. How does your previous academic history or area of interest fit with digital media, and how it led you to the MDM Program. Write about your goals and how you see the MDM Program helping you attain them. Finally, as this is one of the most important pieces of your application, in terms of format consider preparing a formal letter.
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Applications are adjudicated by the Graduate Program Committee, which includes representatives from GNWC's four partner institutions, MDM faculty, and industry. Acceptance is based on a careful evaluation of all elements in the applicant profile: academic records, letter of intent, letters of reference, portfolio, background relevant to higher level work in digital media, knowledge of computing, and writing skills, as well as proof of proficiency in English (if applicable).
Personal interviews may also be used to assist in the decision making process. The MDM Program Office will contact those applicants for whom an interview is required directly.
Students who are in the process of completing an undergraduate degree may be offered admission conditional upon having satisfied degree requirements before the start of the MDM program in September.
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There are two stages of the acceptance process. All students who are admitted will receive two letters. The first letter will indicate a recommendation of admission from the MDM’s Graduate Program Committee. Such letter will include a deadline to indicate whether the student intends to accept the offer. Students must e-mail the Senior Student Recruitment Officer to communicate their decision.
The second letter of admission is a confirmation letter by Simon Fraser University’s Office of the Dean of Graduate studies. Once a student receives the second letter, they will be required to officially accept their offer of admission online through the online application system, and pay a non-refundable deposit of $250.
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The GNWC reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission or require a student to withdraw if it is determined that documents in support of the application for admission have been falsified.
All submitted application materials, including the portfolio, become the property of GNWC and will not be returned to the student or applicant. By exception, arrangements may be made for the return of irreplaceable documents if a request to this effect is enclosed with the original material. GNWC is not responsible for lost or misplaced materials and will not pay for any brokerage, courier, or mail charges.
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Yes! You can apply to the MDM Program even though you will not have finished your degree until after the application deadline. Submit your most recent *official* transcripts (*you will need to request them from your Registrar's office) in your application package by the MDM application deadline. The Selection Committee will view your grades and courses up until that point. If accepted to the MDM Program, the Selection Committee will likely grant you a "Conditional Acceptance", on the condition that you submit final transcripts upon completion of your degree.
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No, the MDM program does not require GRE test results for admission into the program. A complete list of all requirements can be found at MDM Admission Requirements.
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Do my letters of reference need to be sent directly from my referees or can I submit them all together?
So long as the reference letters are each in their own envelope with the referee's signature across the seal, it does not matter if they all arrive together in one larger envelope or if they arrive on campus individually.
Program Information
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The field of media arts and technology continues to grow in British Columbia. Employers demand the high level of creative and technical competence that graduates of this program will possess. Our program has been designed in close collaboration with our industry partners who have helped guide us with their understanding of today's market and industry needs.
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The MDM Program is designed to allow students in-depth study of all aspects of Digital Media. Each of the core courses deals in some significant way with games and their impact on the creation of digital media; game design courses are also available as electives. One of the five core courses is specifically in Game Design.
Our program is not games-based, however, and although it is expected that approximately half of our graduates will find employment in the video game industry, there is opportunity to explore all the myriad aspects of digital media in our core, elective and project courses. Our program is project based, and some of the projects will be student-initiated. If you have a great interest in game design or other specific entertainment technology applications, you will in all likelihood be able to create one or more projects in that area.
Similarly, if your interest lies in serious games, or health and education applications of digital media, you will have opportunities to create projects to facilitate rich, personalized learning experiences.
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MDM students are registered at Simon Fraser University (SFU) and have access to SFU’s resources while they are completing the program. Once all degree requirements have been completed, students shall be awarded the MDM degree from all four partner institutions.
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Yes! The MDM Program degree is approved by the all four Senates or Education Councils of the GNWC partner institutions. As such, the MDM Program degree bears the seals of all four partner institutions.
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Individual faculty members may structure their courses differently from term to term within the overall course outline. The five core courses and project courses are designed to obtain maximum participation with and interaction between students and faculty.
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A: Students may select their two required elective courses from the following:
- Two MDM Special Topics courses (DMED 540 and DMED 541). The Special Topics courses will be offered from time to time by GNWC Faculty, Associate Faculty at partner institutions and visiting faculty (including industry specialists). They will normally be advertised at least a few months in advance of the offering and may be offered in various formats (e.g. one week intensive instead of the normal 13-week format).
- One Directed Studies course (DMED 550). Students seeking to arrange an individualized course of study must arrange this at least 2 months in advance with a GNWC Faculty member or an Associate Faculty member at a partner institution. The number of Directed Studies available will be limited by the faculty resources.
- With permission of the Program, students may take any graduate course at any of the partner institutions for which they have the prerequisites. Students should consult their instructor or the program assistant for more information.
- With permission of the Program and agreement of the instructor, students may take one suitable senior undergraduate course at a GNWC partner institution. Students should consult their instructor or the program assistant for more information.
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We anticipate that approximately one-third of the projects will be student-initiated, one third will be industry-driven, and one third will be faculty-initiated. Most projects will run the length of a semester and will be developed in close collaboration with a faculty member and business advisor. Most will include a full rapid development schedule, including prototyping and where applicable, installation. In DMED 520-6 Projects I - Building Virtual Worlds, each project is completed in 2-3 weeks, while in DMED 521-23, each project is completed over the length of the semester.
Please see the Student Projects page to view current semester-length projects.
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Sound business/management planning skills are an integral part of our project-based curriculum. In addition, students will have the opportunity to take intensive business workshops that introduce an entrepreneurial framework and business planning techniques specific to digital media creation and design, as well as issues of business Intellectual Property and copyright law. Participation in at least one intensive workshop is mandatory.
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Are the courses designed specifically for people with lots of prior computer programming experience?
MDM students are drawn from diverse backgrounds and we welcome applications from people with degrees in the arts, sciences, business, social sciences or applied sciences. Computer literacy is mandatory, as is an interest in and knowledge of the creation of digital media. Non-credit elective courses will be available for those interested in augmenting their technical expertise.
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Yes! The Executive Masters of Digital Media Program (EMDM) is designed to suit the needs and schedule of working professionals by offering a part-time, limited-residency format of the MDM program. The EMDM provides the same curriculum as the MDM program, but offered during evenings and weekends, and through a combination of face-to-face and online course delivery. For more information, see the EMDM program overview at mdm.gnwc.ca/emdm.
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The MDM program is targeted at individuals with an undergraduate degree in a related discipline (or an equivalent combination of formal education and professional experience). It is anticipated that each class will have a mixture of professionals currently working in the industry and students continuing directly from an undergraduate program interested in entering the field.
It is our aim to admit groups of students with diverse backgrounds, across the broad areas included in digital media and entertainment technology. Admission requirements are designed to encourage such diversity while setting high standards for acceptance into the program.
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The four-month internship sounds like an exciting part of the program. What do I need to know about it?
The internship is a mandatory requirement of the MDM Program and occurs during the third term running May until August. Students have the assistance of the MDM Industry Relations department and a variety of additional resources to aid in the search for their internship. During this period students build on their real world experience and employers have the chance to try out prospective employees. For more information and to read what employers have said about past MDM interns.
International Students
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Yes! The MDM Program attracts the best and brightest applicants from around the world. Currently, more than one third of our student population is from a country outside of Canada. As all applicants need to provide proof of citizenship to the MDM Admissions Office, international students are asked to submit a photocopy of their passport.
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International students must have a valid Study Permit issued by Canadian authorities (through consulates or embassies or, in the case of citizens of the United States, through Immigration officials at border crossings) before entering Canada to study. Such applicants must demonstrate ability to pay the tuition fees and have sufficient means to be financially independent while in Canada.
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All fees must be paid through Simon Fraser University. Methods of payment are available at students.sfu.ca/fees/howtopay.html.
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As you will be residing in British Columbia for more than three months, you are required by law to enroll in the Medical Service Plan (MSP) and pay premiums directly to this plan (approximately $45). You should apply as soon as you arrive. Go to http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/insurance/bcresidents.html There is a three-month waiting period, during which you should arrange private coverage through companies such as http://www.studentguard.com/. After the initial three-month waiting period, the MSP covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services. MSP does not cover basic dental care, prescription drugs, or routine vision care (eye examinations, corrective lenses, etc.). GNWC’s student health plan will cover a portion or all of these expenses.
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In terms of living expenses, you will need to factor in accommodation, food, insurance and spending money. There are several types of accommodation available when you search for housing in Vancouver should you choose to live off-campus and we will include some of the costs. Rooms in houses can be rented for between $450 and $800 per month, the higher end usually including meals. Should you choose to live in an apartment alone (or with a roommate) the costs are higher and can range from a minimum of $1,200 - $2,000 per month, depending on your lifestyle.
You will be required to have basic medical insurance which is about $50 per month. You will have to estimate your food costs, but likely $400-$1000 per month should be sufficient. Transportation is easy because the program fees include a universal transit pass (UPASS) and extended medical coverage (prescription drugs, eyeglasses, massage therapy, speech pathology, etc). The fees also cover essentially everything you need for the course: your computer and all relevant software. Most students have spent much less than $500 on books etc. for their entire program.
Go to Tuition & Fees to see an estimated breakdown of expenses that a student will need to complete the entire MDM or EMDM program (in Canadian dollars).
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As a foreign student you may work on campus without a work permit, but please note that opportunities are very limited.
You may obtain what is called an Off-Campus Work Permit (OCWP) but this is only issued after you have been a student for 6 of the last 12 months and must be in good academic standing. With an OCWP, you can only work for a maximum of 20 hours per week. Please also bear in mind that with your school load, we do not recommend that you work for more than 12 hours a week. See link: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-offcampus.asp
You are also eligible to work for a period of up to 12 months after graduation in a field related to Digital Media. To do so you will need to apply for a work permit. -
As you will be residing in British Columbia for more than three months, you are required by law to enroll in the Medical Service Plan (MSP) and pay premiums directly to this plan (approximately $60). You should apply as soon as you arrive. Go to www.health.gov.bc.ca/insurance/bcresidents.html. There is a three-month waiting period, during which you should arrange private coverage through companies such as www.studentguard.com.
After the initial three-month waiting period, the MSP covers the cost of basic medical care within Canada, including most physician and hospital services. MSP does not cover basic dental care, prescription drugs, or routine vision care (eye examinations, corrective lenses, etc.). GNWC’s student health plan will cover a portion or all of these expenses.
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On-campus housing will be available starting September 2012 with three floors (76 units) of student designated rental housing. Further information will be provided closer to the date. Pease check our website regularly.
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International MDM graduates are eligible to obtain a post-graduate employment work permit valid for a period ranging from one to three years after graduation. This work permit allows them to work in Canada. Students do not need to secure employment before applying.
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Yes. All students admitted into the MDM program are eligible for scholarships administered by Great Northern Way Campus.
For more information, visit Scholarships Opportunities.
Financial Aid
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BC and Canada Student Loans are available for this program for Canadian and permanent resident students. Private lines of credit may be arranged through most banks. A limited number of industry-sponsored scholarship opportunities may be available for selected students based on their qualifications. All applicants are considered automatically for the industry-sponsored scholarships; there is no further application process. At the start of every term, students may apply for a limited number of technical support positions on campus.
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While financial support is available through scholarships and bursaries, additional funding is normally required for all students entering the program. Go to Tuition & Fees to see an estimated breakdown of expenses that a student will need to complete the entire MDM or EMDM program (in Canadian dollars).
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