The VFS-MMU: SODA Degree Pathway

 

Vancouver Film School (VFS) and The School of Digital Arts (SODA) at Manchester Metropolitan University have partnered to deliver a wide array of electrifying Postgraduate Pathways that allow VFS graduates holding a Degree or relevant experience from a related discipline to complete a Master of Arts in Documentary, Emergent Technologies, Filmmaking, Sound Design, Games Art, Photography, or Animation in just 1 year.

About The Program

What is the VFS-MMU: SODA Degree Pathway?

The UK is home to the largest virtual reality and augmented reality sector in Europe. Students studying in London can benefit from being at the heart of the worldwide immersive technologies market – an educational experience headquartered in an investment capital while surrounded by an ever-growing infrastructure of emerging tech.

SODA Pathways are eligible to all VFS graduates that either hold a degree or have relevant professional experience equivalent to an undergraduate degree. This will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

VFS grads will also receive an exclusive 15% tuition fee discount.  

Eligible MMU: SODA Master of Art Degree programs include:

  • MA Documentary
  • MA Emergent Technologies
  • MA Filmmaking
  • MA Sound Design
  • MA Games Art
  • MA Photography
  • MA Animation (from 2022)

About MMU: SODA

The School of Digital Arts (SODA) is a brand-new School based at Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. Opening in 2021, SODA is a £35m ($60m) investment that will drive ideas and innovation across all forms of creative content.

The courses at SODA have been designed to meet the needs of the digital arts industry now, and in the future. Offering courses in film, animation, UX design, photography, sound design, gaming, AI and more, the School provides state-of-the-art lab facilities, workshops and professional networks.

SODA works closely with a range of leading industry partners who help inform the curriculum, giving students industry-ready skills and experiences to launch a career in the creative media, arts and digital tech industries. The School’s Industry Advisory Group is chaired by Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle and Executive Producer of Red Production Company & CEO of StudioCanal UK, Nicola Shindler.

Total time to complete your MMU: SODA Master of Arts degree

Plan your Pathway

FAQ

Applicants to our postgraduate taught programs in SODA require:

  • Successful completion of your Diploma with Vancouver Film School.
  • Presentation of a portfolio of portfolio of work, relevant to the SODA course you are applying for.
  • And either:
    • A 2:1 undergraduate degree (3.0 GPA). A 2.2 will also be considered.
    • Relevant professional experience equivalent to an undergraduate degree.

Applicants who do not meet the above criteria will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Overseas applicants for postgraduate SODA programs will require IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in any category, or an equivalent accepted English language qualification.

Our Language Centre offers pre-sessional courses support international students who need to meet the English language requirements of their chosen degree. We offer both long-term and intensive courses to help you achieve the level you require and offer various start dates throughout the year.

  • MA Documentary - September 13, 2021
  • MA Emergent Technologies - September 13, 2021
  • MA Filmmaking - September 13, 2021
  • MA Sound Design - September 13, 2021
  • MA Games Art - September 13, 2021
  • MA Photography - September 13, 2021
  • MA Animation (from 2022) - September 13, 2021

You will need to be able to demonstrate relevant professional experience equivalent to an undergraduate degree. This could be 5 years working in the film industry for example. Equivalency will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

For a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a postgraduate taught degree, go to https://www.mmu.ac.uk/study/international/how-to-apply/postgraduate-taught. You will need to demonstrate a portfolio of work that is relevant to the discipline that you wish to study at SODA. However, we understand that crossovers do occur between disciplines and we will address this on a case-by-case basis.

The courses are located at the School of Digital Arts building in Manchester, UK.

Opening in 2021, the School of Digital Arts is a brand-new School based at Manchester Metropolitan University. It is a £35m investment into the workspaces, networks, teaching and research that will drive ideas and innovation across all forms of creative content.

Full-time fee: £17,500 per year. *Please note the exclusive 15% partner tuition fee discount incentive for VFS grads. With the incentive applied, VFS grads would expect to pay £14870 or $25780CAD.

No application fees from Manchester Metropolitan University. VISA fees apply.

Additional courses costs:

All students have access to computing equipment and subject-specific equipment and resources. Software relevant to their study is available on campus and is regularly updated. In addition to desktop machines, students are also able to access the university laptop loan service. Students working off campus may wish to purchase their own equipment, computer and licensed software.

All students are strongly advised to purchase a portable hard drive to continually back-up their work (£50-100), or invest in a cloud storage service. In cases where students need to print their work, additional costs may be incurred which will be determined by the nature of the work.

There are opportunities throughout the course to attend local, national and international study trips and festivals which will incur costs. These costs are proportional to the distance and length of the activity. Students are encouraged to market their work in forums relevant to their study which may mean paying for materials or a digital service provider.

All essential reading material and learning resources related to their course of study is available in the library, however, students may wish to purchase their own books, subscribe to relevant online journals or pay for access to online resources or memberships.

International students cannot study part time on a Student Visa.

You will need to demonstrate a portfolio of work that is relevant to the discipline that you wish to study at SODA. However, we understand that crossovers do occur between disciplines and we will address this on a case by case basis.

You will receive an offer letter, which will be issued once your application has been processed. This can be completed during your VFS studies.

Seats are not currently limited. Average class size depends on the type of activity taking place. Lectures, for example can involve 100+ students whereas seminars might be in groups of 12.

Students can work 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays.

Yes, the Graduate Immigration Route will allow you to work in the UK for 2 years following completion of your postgraduate degree. For more information go to www.mmu.ac.uk/study/international/before-you-apply/working-uk.

Manchester Met offers a range of student accommodation options, go to www.mmu.ac.uk/study/accommodation to find out more.

Private accommodation providers are available at www.manchesterstudenthomes.com

For admissions and program related queries, please contact Lyndsey Ashton, Regional Development Manager
L.Ashton@mmu.ac.uk.

 

Begin Your Journey

The VFS Admissions team can assist you in selecting the program that best suits your goals, and to help you submit an application that reflects your abilities, giving you the best chance of being accepted.

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