Digital Futures OCAD University

The graduate program in Digital Futures responds to the increasingly important and sophisticated role of digital technology as a catalyst for change.

Digital Futures has an international student cohort and faculty. A global perspective is key to securing our graduates' futures in the eclectic international creative digital industries, encompassing design, arts, creative services, entertainment, media and cultural industries. The Digital Futures program is offered in partnership with the Canadian Film Centre (CFC) Media Lab.

The Digital Futures student-centred learning approach applies to both research and practice. The curriculum ensures that you gain core digital knowledge and skills as you explore your specific areas of interest through electives, industry internships, residencies and independent study.

The program focuses on practice-based learning and prototyping, with an enterprise component and supporting thesis research. Industry partnerships help students to build a career runway in advance of graduating. You are encouraged to work with industry partners in internships which lead to mentorship for your thesis research.

Entry requirements

Applicants must hold a BA, BFA, BDes, BComm, BSc, BEng or comparable honours degree/certification with an average of 75 per cent (B+) or better during the last two years of study, or must demonstrate impressive experience and expertise as a practitioner in a relevant discipline. All applicants must demonstrate creative and conceptual competence at a good level, as well as the clear potential for acquiring a practical knowledge in the diverse disciplines relevant to this graduate program to create an innovative and implementable thesis project.

For consideration by the admissions committee, and in addition to the basic application requirements outlined below, applicants need to complete and submit the following through the Graduate Application Portal:

• Research Proposal (800 to 1,000 words): Applicants must provide an initial proposal for a research creation project that they are interested in pursuing in the program. This should include: 1) title; 2) the idea - what you want to research / do / make; 3) the context - your proposed field of study including any relevant theories, methodologies, art or design works, or technologies; 4) the rationale for the research - why you want to do this and what is the significance; 5) technology, media, or tools that will be used to create the work; 6) expected outcome(s) in terms of realized creative work; 7) the relevance of the applicant's background and experience; 8) any reference sources used in the proposal; 9) bibliography of relevant sources
• Samples of Work: You must submit samples of relevant student and/or professional work produced in the last five years. Visual work, analysis reports and proposal documents may be included. You are expected to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of your primary area of interest.
• CV: Applicants should include an updated copy of their curriculum vitae.
• Program Specific Questions: Applicants will be asked to provide responses to a series of questions specific to the program.

Note: admission to the degree program is contingent on the availability of an appropriate Principal Advisor in the student's declared area of research interest.