Theory of Interactive Media

What is our mission?

New Media in Art and Culture.

The Theory of Interactive Media (TIM) focuses on the study of new media art. New media art refers to a wide range of artistic works and practices that reflect a key aspect of contemporary civilization – the pervasiveness and transformative impact on culture and society of information and communication technologies (ICT). The mission of the study programme is to balance the instrumental and utilitarian approach of informatics and computer science to the study of ICT by investigating creative ways to deal with new media while using methods of media philosophy and media aesthetics or media studies; in this way, the study programme follows the humanities tradition.

What can our graduates do?

Graduates of the TIM Master’s degree study programme are well oriented in the history of new media art and they deeply understand the greater context of new media art development both as a practice and an academic discipline. They know and are able to correctly use the terminology and methodology of artistic disciplines and media theory. They know the main approaches to the study of new media art and of the new media, and they know the main ideas of the leading experts of new media art. They are able to connect knowledge of new media art history and theory with a knowledge of the new media functional features while they analyse and interpret new media art works.

What makes us unique?

This is the only study programme focusing on new media studies in the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic which offers both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. The instruction is provided by qualified professionals with rich teaching experience who are often actively involved in organizing festivals, curating exhibitions, and producing new media art.

Practical training

Practical training is a part of the type B/selective courses of the TIM study programme.

Over the course of four semesters, students can complete a course of practical training at cultural institutions of at least 40 hours, during which they gain practical experience in cultural institution workflow, festival organization, and independent art scene practice with a focus on new media in art and culture.

Further information

The department web page: http://www.phil.muni.cz/music/

Facebook managed by the TIM students: https://www.facebook.com/tim.ffmu/

Graduates of the TIM Master’s degree study programme are eligible for independent scientific research, publishing, and creative activities in the field of new media art, which is an important part of the creative industry of the information society. As specialists in new media art, graduates can find jobs as curators and dramaturges in the creative and organizational teams of new media art festivals and exhibitions. They can work in cultural and heritage institutions, where they can apply their knowledge of the new aesthetic and communication strategies emerging in the new media environment. Many of them will use their skills to work in various kinds of media (radio, television, print, online journalism).

Deadline for submitting applications: January 1 - April 30

Who the programme is intended for: The degree programme is intended primarily for graduates of the Theory of Interactive Media Bachelor’s programme at the Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University. It is also suitable for graduates of other arts and media studies. Applications from graduates of other programmes are assessed individually (send a motivation letter to the address: prijimaci.rizeni@phil.muni.cz).

Subject matter of the entrance examination: The entrance examination takes the form of a written test to check the candidate's knowledge of new media arts and his/her aptitude for research and creative activities in this field. The length of the written test is 60 minutes.

The examination consists of two parts:

1. Knowledge test in the range of the Bachelor's State Examination in the Theory of Interactive Media. More information here. Maximum score: 80 points.

2. A brief introduction of the applicant's own research, artistic or curatorial project in the field of new media art, which the applicant would like to develop in the framework of the follow-up Master's degree. Approximately 1 standard page. Maximum number of points: 20.

Waiver of the entrance examination: The entrance examination will be waived for applicants who have passed the Bachelor’s examination in the Theory of Interactive Media field/programme at the Faculty of Arts, Masaryk University with an excellent (A) or very good (B) result. Applicants can ask for a waiver for the entrance examination via the e-application form, section "Application for waiver of the entrance examination".

Website Department of Musicology.

General information on the course of the admission procedure to the follow-up Master’s degree programmes at FA MU can be found here. Documents for the current admission procedure are kept in Materials for Applicants.

Criteria for evaluation

Pass/fail line of the entrance examination: Full-time study: 40 points in total (maximum number of points: 100). The pass mark for the knowledge test is 30 points, the pass mark for the project is 10 points. Combined form of study: 30 points in total (maximum number of points: 100). The pass mark for the knowledge test is 15 points, the pass mark for the project is 10 points.

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Minimum score and numbers of accepted applicants in past years

After completing the Master’s degree study programme, it is possible to continue further studies in a doctoral degree study programme in media studies, contemporary art, or other creative industries at the Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Social Sciences, or Faculty of Education at Masaryk University or at other universities.