Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) in Digital Arts

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

3 Years

180 ECTS

Mode of Study

Full-time

The Bachelor of Fine Arts Honours is a practice-based undergraduate award in art and design practice and theory, based on studio practice and the digital environment. This single-honours programme develops a learning structure in which historical traditions and new practices confront and influence each other within a contextual, cultural and theoretical framework. If you aspire to become professional artists within the areas of Graphic Design, Digital Games, Web Development, Animation, Illustration and Photography, then this course is aimed for students like you. The course provides you with a holistic artistic education, with specialisation in Graphic Design and Animation (both of which involve photography and illustration). Through a combination of practical and theoretical modules, the course encourages the development of critical and original approaches to contemporary creative production and enables students to actively investigate the influence of new digital technologies in relation to creativity and visual communication.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Honours in Digital Arts programme is a practice-based undergraduate award in art and design practice and theory, based on conventional studio practice and applied within the digital environment. It is a three-year, full-time, single honours programme that develops a learning structure in which historical traditions and new practices confront and influence each other within a contextual, cultural and theoretical framework.

The course is aimed if you aspire to become a professional artist within the areas of Graphic Design, Digital Games, Web Development, Animation, Illustration and Photography. The course provides you with a holistic artistic education, with specialisation in two main routes in the second and third years, namely:

Graphic Design (Visual Communications, Web and Screen Design), and
Animation (Digital Games, Web, Television/Film and Digital Video Art).

The areas of Illustration and Photography are common and overlap both streams.

Through a combination of practical and theoretical modules, the course encourages the development of critical and original approaches to contemporary creative production and enables students to actively investigate the influence of new digital technologies in relation to creativity and visual communication. The programme provides a framework within which you are prepared for further academic research as well as integration into the various graphic design, illustration and animation industries which require a high degree of digital creativity.

Communication and Academic Skills Programme

The communication and academic skills programme complements students’ main course of study. It introduces them to writing and presenting as situated within academic contexts sensitive to specific disciplines and develops their competences for future careers.

Need help?

Information for International applicants

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

An Advanced Level pass at Grade C or better in Art.

Admission to this course is also open to applicants in possession of:

the Diploma in Design Foundation Studies from the University of Malta or
a qualification comprising not less than 60 ECTS credits (or equivalent), pegged at Level 5 on the Malta Qualifications Framework in an area deemed relevant by the Faculty Board, together with an Advanced Level pass at Grade C or better in one of the following subjects English, Graphical Communication, History, Information Technology, Marketing, Philosophy, Sociology, or a subject (other than Art) deemed comparable by the Faculty Board, together with passes at SEC Level at Grade 5 or better in English Language, Mathematics and Maltese or
a transcript showing passes in 120 ECTS credits in respect of the first two years of study in a three-year MCAST Bachelor's degree course in an Art and Design related subject, together with passes at SEC Level at Grade 5 or better in English Language, Mathematics and Maltese./li>

All applicants shall be required to attend for an interview and present to an interviewing board a portfolio of their recent works. Applicants who are unsuccessful in the interview shall not be admitted to the Course.

You are viewing the entry requirements for International applicants. Switch to Local qualifications.

You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

The University of Malta has student accommodation on campus called Campus Hub. Campus Hub is just a 2-minute walk from the main campus. For more information, visit the accommodation website.

Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to choose study-units to the value of 4 ECTS credits from the elective study-units on offer during the first semester.


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

DGA1003	Research Methods in Art and Design	4 ECTS	(NC)
DGA1004	Introduction to Text and Image	6 ECTS	(NC)
DGA1007	Introduction to Visual Narrative	2 ECTS	(NC)
DGA1018	Storyboarding and Sequential Art	4 ECTS	(NC)
DGA1019	Introduction to Software and Hardware	4 ECTS	(NC)
DGA1021	Intermedia Studio 1	4 ECTS	(NC)
DGA1022	Ideas Generation and Development	2 ECTS	(NC)

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

DGA1012	Introduction to Design Thinking	4 ECTS
DGA1014	History of Photography	4 ECTS
DGA1015	Contemporary Art Photography	4 ECTS
ELP1063	English Speech Fluency	2 ECTS
IOT1008	An Introduction to Creativity	4 ECTS
LIN1063	Academic Reading and Writing in English	2 ECTS
MCS1012	Introduction to Analogue Photography and the Darkroom	4 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

DGA1008	Introduction to Illustration	6 ECTS	(NC)
DGA1010	Introduction to Animation	6 ECTS	(NC)
DGA1017	Introduction to Computational Art	6 ECTS	(NC)
DGA1020	Applied Software Practices	4 ECTS	(NC)
DGA1023	Intermedia Studio 2	4 ECTS	(NC)
DGA1024	Introduction to Photography	4 ECTS	(NC)

Requirement for regular progression to Year 2: 60 ECTS credits

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to register for study-units listed under one of the streams below: either the Visual Communications Stream or the Animation Stream.


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

DGA1006	Contemporary Image Making	4 ECTS
DGA2000	Intermedia Studio 3	6 ECTS
DGA2003	Audiovisual Language and Film Analysis	4 ECTS

Compulsory Units - Visual Communications Stream

DGA2005	Editorial Design	4 ECTS	(NC)
DGA2009	Designing for the Screen 1	4 ECTS	(NC)
DGA2019	Applied Photography 1	4 ECTS	(NC)

Compulsory Units - Animation Stream

DGA2011	Visual Narrative	6 ECTS	(NC)
DGA2012	Animation Principles	6 ECTS	(NC)


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

DGA2016	Intermedia Studio 4	4 ECTS
DGA2017	Introduction to Interactive Art	4 ECTS	(NC)
DGA2018	Immersive Experience Design	8 ECTS
IDG3000	Game Design and Conceptualisation	4 ECTS
MCS1130	Cultural Theory and Semiotics	4 ECTS

Compulsory Units - Visual Communications Stream

DGA2020	Applied Photography 2	4 ECTS	(NC)
DGA2021	Brand Identity and Packaging Design	6 ECTS	(NC)

Compulsory Units - Animation Stream

DGA2013	Digital Animation Production (3D)	6 ECTS	(NC)
DGA2014	Motion Graphics and Compositing	4 ECTS	(NC)

Requirement for regular progression to Year 3: 60 ECTS credits

In addition to the compulsory study-units, students are required to register for study-units listed under one of the streams below in accordance with the choice of stream done in their second year of the course.


Semester 1

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

DGA3004	Negotiated Practice	4 ECTS
DGA3014	AI Concepts for Artists and Designers	4 ECTS
DGA3018	Managing a Research Project	6 ECTS
DGA3021	Professional Practice	6 ECTS
ELP3001	Communicating Practice-Based Research	2 ECTS

Compulsory Units - Visual Communications Stream

DGA3016	Designing for the Screen 2	6 ECTS

Compulsory Units - Animation Stream

DGA3017	Character and Simulated Animation	6 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

DGA3011	Final Project and Dissertation	12 ECTS	(NC)
DGA3019	Future Perspectives	4 ECTS
DGA3020	Research Symposium	4 ECTS
DGA3023	Degree Exhibition	12 ECTS

Requirement for successful completion of Year 3 (final year): 60 ECTS credits.

Requirement for award of Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) in Digital Arts: 180 ECTS credits.

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Undergraduate Awards, 2019 and by the Bye-Laws of Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Digital Arts (Honours) under the auspices of the Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences.

If you successfully complete the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Honours in Digital Arts, you will:

Be able to apply your understanding of the history and theory of digital art and design to the analysis and evaluation of art and design outcomes in a variety of cultural contexts and settings.
Fuse theoretical knowledge with the use of contemporary technologies to conceive, develop, produce, and present innovative artworks.
Significantly contribute to the development of content in a variety of creative fields.
Become eligible for gainful employment in areas with a focus on creative digital media production.
Perform and communicate effectively as a professional artist and designer, individually and collaboratively, to propose, manage and complete art and design projects.
Prepare an effective professional portfolio suitable for career applications in the art and design industries or for admittance into highly competitive international graduate programs in art and design.

Apply your understanding of the history and theory of digital art and design to the analysis and evaluation of art and design outcomes in a variety of cultural contexts and settings;
Articulate your personal vision through practice and theory and explain the same vision effectively to multiple audiences, in a variety of situations, and through diverse channels of communication;
Fuse theoretical knowledge with the use of contemporary technologies to conceive, develop, produce, and present innovative artworks;
Be prepared to conceptually and technically refine your work in preparation for professional artistic practice;
Significantly contribute to the development of content in a variety of creative fields;
Become eligible for gainful employment in areas with a focus on creative digital media production;
Perform and communicate effectively as professional artists and designers, individually and collaboratively to propose, manage, and complete art and design projects;
Prepare an effective professional portfolio suitable for career applications in the art and design industries or for admittance into highly competitive international graduate programs in art and design.

Non EU Applicants:

Fee per academic year: Eur 8,500

You are viewing the fees for non EU nationals. Switch to EU nationals if you are a national of any country from within the EU/EEA.

The course prepares you for careers in the graphic design, the publishing and the digital games industries, the moving image and animation fields, as well as in more generalised areas which increasingly draw upon the creation of new media talent such as those of the audio-visual, gaming, mobile services, social software and IT.

As a graduate with a BFA Honours in Digital Arts at the required level, you will be eligible to read for the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Digital Arts and the MA in Digital Arts (by Research) offered by the Department of Digital Arts, Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences and also the Master of Science (MSc) in Digital Games offered by the Institute of Digital Games at the University of Malta.