Bournemouth University

What you'll study

The MPhil is a research-focused degree centred on an individual project agreed with academic supervisors. Typical research themes within the Faculty include computer graphics and animation, virtual and augmented reality, human-computer interaction, data visualisation, multimedia signal processing, interactive systems and games technology, machine learning for media, and practice-led investigations in digital storytelling and production.

Study is built around:

• Developing and executing an original research project under the guidance of one or more supervisors.
• Comprehensive literature review and formulation of research questions and methodology appropriate to the chosen topic.
• Design, implementation and evaluation of experiments, prototypes or practice-based artefacts where relevant.
• Preparation of a thesis that presents findings, situates them within the field and demonstrates critical reflection on methods and outcomes.
• Oral defence (viva voce) of the thesis before examiners.

Researchers have access to discipline-specific facilities and technical support to carry out empirical, computational or practice-based work. There is also scope for collaborative projects with industry partners and interdisciplinary supervision where projects span media, computing and the creative industries.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a relevant master’s degree or equivalent professional experience demonstrating research potential. Strong candidates typically have a degree in computer science, software engineering, media technology, digital arts, animation, design, or a closely related subject, complemented by evidence of independent research ability or substantial professional practice.

Application materials should include a clear research proposal outlining the topic, objectives, methodology and anticipated outputs, academic transcripts, a curriculum vitae, and two academic or professional references. Applicants whose first language is not English will need to demonstrate proficiency in English; specific language evidence requirements are provided by the university during application. Shortlisted applicants may be invited to an interview or to discuss their proposal with potential supervisors.

Career prospects

Graduates of the MPhil programme progress to a wide range of careers. Common paths include:

• Further doctoral study or academic careers, including research and teaching roles in higher education.
• Research and development positions in technology companies, specialising in areas such as computer graphics, VR/AR, interactive media, machine learning and human-computer interaction.
• Technical and leadership roles in games studios, visual effects and animation houses, broadcasters and multimedia production companies.
• Research roles in public sector organisations, cultural institutions and research institutes, or consultancy positions focusing on digital innovation and user experience.
• Entrepreneurship and creative practice, where graduates exploit research outcomes to develop new products, services or creative enterprises.

Why study at Bournemouth University

Bournemouth University combines interdisciplinary research strengths in media and technology with well-established links to the creative industries. The institution hosts recognised centres and groups working in animation, games, vision and immersive technologies, offering a supportive environment for practice-led and technical research alike.

Postgraduate researchers benefit from specialised facilities such as motion-capture studios, VR/AR labs, animation and post-production suites, and access to high-performance computing and software tools. The university emphasises knowledge exchange and industry engagement, creating opportunities for collaborative projects, placement-style partnerships and public-facing outputs.

Supervision is provided by experienced academics active in research and industry collaboration, and the doctoral research community offers training, seminars and peer networks to support progression from proposal to thesis. This combination of technical resources, creative culture and professional links makes Bournemouth University a strong context for researchers working at the intersection of media, science and technology.