Please note that this degree is now closed for 2024 entry.
Key information
Duration: 1 year full time or 2 years part time
Institution code: R72
Campus: Egham
UK fees*: £13,200
International/EU fees**: £21,700
The course
Immersive Storytelling (MA)
Prepare to lead in the global creative industries with this forward-thinking Master’s program, designed for the next generation of producers, media managers, and creative professionals. Leveraging the extensive expertise of the StoryFutures team at Royal Holloway University, this program explores groundbreaking immersive technologies and narrative forms across multiple media sectors including theatre, film, TV, and gaming.
Since 2018 StoryFutures developed cutting-edge research & development and training programmes to upskill the UK creative workforce in emerging technologies with world-leading partners and SME’s. This course is the result of that programme.
Course Highlights:
- Innovative Curriculum: Dive into the latest trends in immersive storytelling, from 3D storytelling and interactive experiences to pioneering uses of VR (Virtual Reality), AR (Augmented Reality), and recent AI advancements. Examine real-world applications with case studies like Abba Voyage, Secret Cinema, Pokémon Go, and immersive Van Gogh exhibitions.
- Industry Connections: Collaborate with leading creative figures and engage with a diverse group of tutors in performance, music, and media arts. This hands-on approach not only enhances your practical skills but also enriches your understanding of the industry’s evolving landscape—from content consumption shifts to the impacts on funding and distribution.
- Practical Experience: Through workshops, prototyping exercises, and one-to-one project supervision, learn to craft compelling immersive experiences tailored to meet audience expectations. Develop scalable business strategies to bring innovative immersive projects to market.
- Teaching & Assessment: Benefit from a mix of workshops, lectures, seminars, and group exercises. Assessments include creative exercises, oral presentations, project plans, and a capstone Immersive Storytelling project.
Biographies of course leaders
Amanda Murphy
Professor Amanda Murphy is a distinguished academic and multi-award-winning Producer in the Creative Industries. She is recognised for her pioneering work fostering innovation in the UK's creative sector where she has been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of storytelling, offering new ways for audiences to interact with stories and content. She was Executive Producer of the UK’s biggest immersive storytelling project, Storytrails, reimagining history in bringing archive and stories to life using augmented reality. Amanda is also a BAFTA winner as Producer of the digital short film, Missed Call and created some of UK televisions most successful IP such as Supernanny that was shown in 47 different territories.
https://pure.royalholloway.ac.uk/en/persons/amanda-murphy
Chris Hogg
Christopher Hogg is a distinguished academic and award-winning writer, recognised for his pioneering work at the intersection of new writing and emerging technologies.
https://pure.royalholloway.ac.uk/en/persons/christopher-hogg
From time to time, we make changes to our courses to improve the student and learning experience. If we make a significant change to your chosen course, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
From time to time, we make changes to our courses to improve the student and learning experience. If we make a significant change to your chosen course, we’ll let you know as soon as possible.
Course structure
Core Modules
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Students are given an in-depth understanding of the critical role of the Producer/Media Manager in immersive projects. This module is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the rapidly evolving field of immersive technologies, with a particular focus on applying those skills to creative industry pathways such as film, TV, theatre or games.
The module emphasises the development of entrepreneurial skills and a critical understanding of the creative industries and the immersive ecosystem. Students learn to identify and leverage opportunities within this space, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset that is crucial in today's rapidly changing media landscape.
A significant portion of the module is dedicated to developing practical skills in engaging with audiences. Students will practice testing ideas and prototypes, learning how to effectively respond to feedback. This process is vital in refining immersive experiences to meet audience expectations and industry standards.
Lastly, the module focuses on fostering collaborative skills and leadership skills essential for the role of a Producer/Media Manager. Students will understand how to work effectively with creative artists and other stakeholders in the development and execution of immersive technology projects. This collaboration is key to successfully realising the potential of immersive storytelling.
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The course first broadens the perspective of media professionals by encouraging them to embrace the creative aspects of immersive technologies, which is crucial in the modern digital experience making and storytelling landscape. It then leads them into hands-on immersive projects, where students apply their learning in practical projects incorporating spatial elements, gaining valuable experience in the creative process.
A significant part of the module is dedicated to exploring various immersive technologies such as AI and AR. This understanding is vital for creating innovative and engaging narratives. Additionally, the course places a strong emphasis on audience interaction, teaching students to test and refine their ideas and prototypes based on feedback, a key skill in media production.
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This module focuses on user-centred design aspects and challenges in interactive traditional, augmented and virtual reality contexts, and addresses the approaches that can be used to create displays and interfaces to enhance user experience.
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This module will describe the key principles of academic integrity, focusing on university assignments. Plagiarism, collusion and commissioning will be described as activities that undermine academic integrity, and the possible consequences of engaging in such activities will be described. Activities, with feedback, will provide you with opportunities to reflect and develop your understanding of academic integrity principles.
Optional Modules
There are a number of optional course modules available during your degree studies. The following is a selection of optional course modules that are likely to be available. Please note that although the College will keep changes to a minimum, new modules may be offered or existing modules may be withdrawn, for example, in response to a change in staff. Applicants will be informed if any significant changes need to be made.
Students will also choose from one of the following:
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The module serves as the pinnacle of the students' educational journey through StoryFutures Immersive Producing 1 and StoryFutures 2 Advanced Immersive Producing, designed to showcase their comprehensive understanding and skills acquired from previous courses. It provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their independence, originality, time management, and teamwork by crafting a comprehensive immersive script or project or choosing between producing an immersive piece. The course emphasizes a balance between independent work and the development of team-building skills essential for successful immersive projects. Graduates are equipped to excel in immersive storytelling, adeptly respond to challenges, explore funding opportunities, and foster an entrepreneurial mindset in the field, ensuring they are well-prepared to navigate and contribute to the immersive storytelling landscape.
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This module is designed to be the culmination of the students' learning journey in StoryFutures Immersive Producing 1 and StoryFutures 2 Advanced Immersive Producing, allowing them to demonstrate their comprehensive understanding and skills in either a practical or analytical context. The module allows students to choose between producing an immersive piece or writing an industry report, drawing on the skills and knowledge they've developed in previous courses.
In this module students will emerge with a rich blend of creative and analytical skills tailored for the evolving landscape of immersive media. This module uniquely positions students at the intersection of production, storytelling and insightful industry analysis, offering two distinct but interrelated pathways: immersive project creation and industry research.
For those drawn to the immersive project pathway, the course is a gateway to mastering the art of producing within virtual and augmented realities.
Students opting for the industry report pathway will delve into the analytical side of immersive media. Students will hone their ability to conduct comprehensive research, critically evaluate industry trends, and synthesise complex data. The focus will be on developing a deep understanding of current issues and advancements in the immersive sector, culminating in the creation of industry-standard reports.
Teaching & assessment
You will be taught through a mixture of hands-on workshops, lectures, seminars, group and individual exercises as well as one-to-one supervision for your final project.
Hands-on workshops will enable you to work alongside creative technologists to adapt and adopt technologies to creative demands, as well as work in commercial environments with partner businesses.
You will typically be assessed through creative exercises (written, visual and experimental), oral presentations and pitch documentation, project plans and the final Immersive Storytelling project.
Entry requirements
2:2
Preferred subjects: Media, Drama, English, Video Games, Digital Media, Film, Photography, History or Music.
UK 2:2 (Honours) or equivalent in one of the following: subjects, Media, Drama, English, Video Games, Digital Media, Film, Photography, History or Music. You are likely to be invited for an interview to assess your motivation for the subject.
International & EU requirements
English language requirements
All teaching at Royal Holloway is in English. You will therefore need to have good enough written and spoken English to cope with your studies right from the start.
The scores we require
- IELTS: 6.5 overall. Writing 6.5. No other subscore lower than 5.5.
- Pearson Test of English: 61 overall. Writing 61. No other subscore lower than 51.
- Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE): ISE III.
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) grade C.
Country-specific requirements
For more information about country-specific entry requirements for your country please see here.
Your future career
Graduates are primed for success in high-profile roles within the creative sectors, with alumni becoming award-winning directors, producers, and more, employed by giants like BBC, Netflix, and Apple TV. Others have leveraged their MA towards research careers, potentially leading to PhDs. Our robust international alumni network opens doors to myriad professional opportunities and support.
Fees, funding & scholarships
Home (UK) students tuition fee per year*: £13,200
EU and international students tuition fee per year**: £21,700
Other essential costs***: TBC
How do I pay for it? Find out more about funding options, including loans, grants, scholarships and bursaries.
* and ** These tuition fees apply to students enrolled on a full-time basis in the academic year 2024/25. Students studying on the standard part-time course structure over two years are charged 50% of the full-time applicable fee for each study year.
Royal Holloway reserves the right to increase all postgraduate tuition fees annually, based on the UK’s Retail Price Index (RPI). Please therefore be aware that tuition fees can rise during your degree (if longer than one year’s duration), and that this also means that the overall cost of studying the course part-time will be slightly higher than studying it full-time in one year. For further information, please see our terms and conditions.
** This figure is the fee for EU and international students starting a degree in the academic year 2024/25. Find out more
*** These estimated costs relate to studying this particular degree at Royal Holloway during the 2024/25 academic year, and are included as a guide. Costs, such as accommodation, food, books and other learning materials and printing, have not been included.
