Program calendar icon Program Length

  • 4 Years

Program credential icon Credential

  • Bachelor Degree

Program option icon Options

  • Minor

Program location icon Fully Available at

  • Nanaimo

Program location icon Partially Available at

  • Cowichan
  • tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)

The Digital Media (BA) Program

The Department of Media Studies in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities offers a Bachelor of Arts, Minor in Digital Media which allows students to earn a BA Minor focusing on applied digital media production skills and knowledge. The combination of production and distribution skills will benefit professionals wishing to design, produce, and distribute information in a variety of digital media, ranging from audio to video to the internet. This knowledge and these skills will be of substantial benefit in a wide variety of careers and fields of study ranging from Computer Science to English to Graphic Design.

The curriculum for the BA Minor in Digital Media is strongly project-based. Students are encourage and expected to apply the practical digital media production skills they develop towards their primary disciplines and will use the content and theory directly pulled from the students’ major field of study. For example, students often complete project work in their Digital Media classes that document activities, trips, and events that they participate in through their major field of study. Recreation and Tourism students have used Digital Media project work to build websites as part of their internships; Creative Writing students have used Digital Media project to turn their scripts into finished videos; and Global Studies students have created social media campaigns to build awareness for issues raised in the Major program. Students will gain from both the practical applied skills, as well as from the methods of problem solving and creativity necessary to create digital media. This combination of production and critical thinking skills is an excellent complement to many fields of study.

The ability to produce professional-level digital media is an asset in a wide range of career opportunities in today’s workplace. Earning a Minor in Digital Media is an excellent way to augment a primary field of study and add a valuable specialization. Communication, and especially digital communication, is one of the most rapidly expanding professional activities in the global economy.

Students must fulfill all the Institutional B.A. degree requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

Years 1 and 2Credits
DIGI 110 - (Introduction to Digital Media)3
DIGI 230 - (Interactive Communications)3
Plus two courses from the following:
DIGI 220 - (Web Production I)
DIGI 221 - (Scripting for Dynamic Digital Media)
DIGI 260 - (Interactive Motion Media)
DIGI 266 - (Introduction to Game Engines)
DIGI 270 - (Digital Audio I)
DIGI 271 - (Digital Audio II)
DIGI 280 - (Digital Video I)
DIGI 281 - (Digital Video II)
MEDI 265 - (Introduction to Game Studies)
6
Years 3 and 4Credits
DIGI 301 - (Digital Media Literacy)3
Plus five courses from the following:
DIGI 320 - (Web Production II: Presentation and Accessibility)
DIGI 330 - (Designing User Experiences)
DIGI 340 - (Digital Social Narratives)
DIGI 350 - (Interactive Imagery)
DIGI 366 - (Foundations of Game Design)
DIGI 405 - (Advanced Topics in Digital Media Technology)
DIGI 440 - (Digital Identities)
DIGI 460 - (Advanced Interactive Motion Media)
DIGI 480 - (Advanced Documentary I: Pre-Production)
DIGI 481 - (Advanced Documentary II: Filming and Production)
DIGI 482 - (Advanced Documentary III: Post-Production and Distribution)
DIGI 496 - (Senior Digital Media Project)
THEA 320 - (Introduction to Directing)
15


Note: Only required courses are offered every year, and other courses are typically offered on a two-year rotation.

Note: INTR 101 combines ENGL 125 and DIGI 110.

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year* Amount
Tuition (30 credits x $163.14 per credit) 4,894.20
Student Activity fee (4% of tuition) 195.77
Student Services fee (30 credits x $7.21 per credit) 216.30
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $26.59 per month) 212.72
Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) 265.00
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year 1,500.00
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.


International Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year* Amount
Tuition (2 semesters x $10870.72 per semester) 21,741.44
Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $463.40 per semester) 926.80
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $26.59 per month) 212.72
Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year) 265.00
Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year 1,500.00
Notes

Tuition in the above table is based on $776.48 per credit, up to a maximum of $10,870.72 per semester for 15 credits; $776.48 per credit beyond 15 credits. Ancillary Fees in the above table are based on $33.10 per credit, up to a maximum of $463.40 per semester for 15 credits; $33.10 per credit beyond 15 credits.

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus
Next Intake(s):

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Application Fee:
$44.27
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erin Johnson
Phone: 604.485.8033
Email: Erin.Johnson@viu.ca
Comments:

Please consult Student Services/Advising at 604.485.2878 or email PR.StudentAffairs@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements.

Next Intake(s):

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Application Fee:
$44.27
Testing Required:
No
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Campus
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Next Intake(s):

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Application Fee:
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
No
Testing Required:
No
International Admissions Officer Contact:
Name: Elham Akhoundi
Email: Study@viu.ca
Comments:

For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to WorldVIU@viu.ca.

Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.

Visit the Department Website

Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.