MA (European Masters)

Ludic Interfaces

3 good reasons to study Ludic Interfaces at Salford:

International course with a high level of visibility within its market
Industry contacts with opinion-leading institutions
Based at MediaCityUK with significant periods of study abroad

"Ludic Interfaces" is the name for a new discipline and an innovative type of interface.

Ludic interfaces are playful interfaces. The term refers to devices like the Wii console, solar power operated building facades, unconventional musical instrument controllers, and game art devices.

Ludic interfaces take the best from computer games, artistic experiment, interactive media, media conversion, social networks and modding cultures and result in tools that offer an ease of use and playfulness to cope with a rapidly changing society.

Course details

The course consists of three phases:

Phase 1: In year 1, semester 1 you will study at the University of Salford, with the exception of a two-week travel visit spent at the European partner institutions, eg: Linz and Valencia, within the European Familiarisation module. Visits take place in a two-week period, with one week spent at each partner institution. A total credit value of 60 credits (30 ECTS) is provided in this phase.

Phase 2: During year 1, semester 2 and year 2, semester 1 you will attend intensive European block workshops, lectures and seminars at each of the three partner universities. Visits take place in a two-week period, with one week spent at each partner institution. All students, in their respective cohorts, work together on projects that take place in each of the partner universities. In parallel with this phase, you will undertake a single core module (with the option to undertake a further Salford module in year 2, semester 1) which is shared with MA/PgDip Art and Design. A total credit value of 120 credits (60 ECTS) is provided in this phase.

Phase 3: This final phase comprises of a Negotiated Thesis, a single 60 credit (30 ECTS) where a major project in ludic interfaces is produced.

All modules will be administered, assessed and managed according to the university regulations of the institute delivering this module. This includes arrangements for reassessment, PMC (or institutional equivalent) and appeal procedures where applicable.

Year 1/ Semester 1

Research Methods and Practice

(15 ECTS: shared with MA Art and Design). This module identifies core research methods and activities for the art, design and creative and cultural industries sector in order to allow you to develop an individual approach to your postgraduate studies at MA level. Once core principles are established, you can tailor your approach to research and enquiry according to your individual perspectives.

European Familiarisation

(core for all European Masters in Ludic Interfaces students, owned and delivered by University of Salford) (15 ECTS). You will be introduced to Ludic Interfaces and will evaluate and analyse these concepts. You will also investigate, categorise and value types of Ludic Interfaces within international cultural contexts and will engage with your international counterparts on the course, carrying out international research projects within scholar and practititoner communities. This will enable you to develop advanced individual viewpoints while using intellectual and artistic skills to cooperate on a European wide basis.

Year 1/ Semester 2

Creative Contexts

(15 ECTS Shared with MA Art and Design) You will be equipped with international, commercial and cultural perspectives on the creative cultural industries. You will also gain multi-disciplinary experience through working with peers and professionals from different disciplines. You will have the opportunity to debate issues relating to cultural and creative industries, practice methodologies, creativity, management and enterprise and innovation policies and enter into work placement opportunities and / or live studio projects.

Theory and Practice of Playful Interfaces

(core for all Ludic Interfaces students, owned and delivered by Art University in Linz) (15 ECTS) In this module you will get an overview of prevalent examples of interactive computer art, the various artists, designers and developers who shape this field. Works and examples analyses will include interactive installations, net art, software art, robotic art, interactive environments as well as new and experimental forms of interface applications and interaction design in industries and entertainment.

Besides getting to know these practical examples, a special focus of the module will also be a theoretical reflection through analysing the writings and theories about this field.

Year 2/ Semester 1

Ludic Strategies

(core for all Ludic Interfaces students, owned and delivered by Universidad Politécnica de Valencia) (15 ECTS)

You will establish a solid background in techniques and technologies applied to creative projects, and be given insights related to fields in Ludic Interfaces. You will also solve concepts and derive technical solutions for digital and electronic creative projects.

Option - Specialist Practice

(shared with MA/PGDip Art and Design) or an alternative offered by partner institutions (owned and delivered by either Art University in Linz or Universidad Politécnica de Valencia) (15 ECTS) This module enables you to identify your place in the context of the notion of specialist practice in the art, design and creative and cultural industries sector. You will define your intentions in terms of your personal programme of self-directed study in order to develop appropriate outcomes that relate to a specialist area of practice.

Year 2/Semester 2

Negotiated Thesis

(30 ECTS) (shared with MA/PGDip Art & Design) As a prerequisite to progression onto the Major Project you have to have been accredited for 180 credits (90 ECTS)

The dissertation will develop your ability to conduct an original, individual research programme (written or practical) at postgraduate level and to formulate your own conclusions. It will also encourage an extended application of theoretical or practical constructs of an aspect of studies using both primary and secondary source materials.

Before you can start the dissertation you have to attend a conference with all of your international peer students to prepare for the dissertation, present your topic, discuss research questions and learn about methodological and terminological standards.

Course Enquiries

For course enquiries please call us on:

T: +44 (0) 161 295 4545

Or Email us at:

Home/EU students
E: enquiries@salford.ac.uk

International students
E: international@salford.ac.uk