Frequently Asked Questions

Master Digital Communication and Creative Media Production

  • What is "Digital Communication and Creative Media Production"?

    Digital communication is the conception, design and implementation of targeted, creative, innovative and multimedia communication strategies for companies, agencies and media. Creative media production is their implementation using film, graphics, audio, digital applications, interactive websites, serious games and augmented and virtual reality applications. The Master's programme in Digital Communication and Creative Media Production combines scientific work with convergent digital communication technologies.

    Studying Digital Communication and Creative Media Production is worthwhile if you work in communication, marketing or advertising and want to develop new, innovative communication strategies. You will become an expert in practical application: you will understand how scientifically sound data is generated and be able to implement it technically in such a way that it can be experienced. Because you are familiar with both worlds, you will be able to take on important interface functions and become a sought-after employee in numerous different industries.

  • What can I do with my degree after the Master's program?

    With our Master's degree, you will acquire comprehensive knowledge in all key technical areas of the media and communications industry. You will develop a deep understanding of the workflows and the effort involved in the various roles and processes of a project. After graduation, you will be ideally qualified to work as an expert in the areas of management, strategy development and consulting as well as in the management and implementation of complex projects. The areas of creative media, media, communication and interactive digital formats in particular offer a wide range of career opportunities.

  • What are the requirements for admission to the Joint Master's programme?

    The prerequisite for admission to the Joint Master's programme is one of the following qualifications:

    • A recognised bachelor's degree in media and/or communication studies from a Swiss or foreign university
    • A recognised bachelor's degree in communication and/or media engineering from a Swiss or foreign university of applied sciences with a minimum grade of 5.0 (or several years of professional experience).

    Applicants from non-subject areas have the option of being admitted via an individual Sur-Dossier procedure. The final decision on admission is made by the Director of Studies on a case-by-case basis. The modules are offered in German and English. The language skills required for participation in the program in these two languages (level B2 to C1) are the responsibility of the students.

  • What does Joint Master's programme mean?

    The Joint Master's programme is offered by the University of Fribourg/Freiburg in close cooperation with the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons (FHGR). This means that graduates who successfully complete the program receive a double degree, i.e. a certificate from both institutions - the University of Fribourg/Freiburg and the FHGR. The cooperation between the two universities leads to the diversity of the content of the Joint Master's program: the university part is scientifically oriented and includes research aspects, while the University of Applied Sciences covers the practice-oriented part. The result is a combination of theory and practice that enables a well-founded and holistic education.

  • What percentage can I work during the Joint Master's programme?

    During a full-time course of study, it is generally possible to work up to 60%, depending on the flexibility of the employer and your own resource capacity. Many students currently work between 40% and 60%, which is compatible with the requirements of the Joint Master's program. If a higher workload is required, we recommend enrolling in a part-time program. However, it should be noted that the first semester - regardless of the chosen study model, i.e. full-time or part-time - is always completed full-time due to the block teaching. It is therefore possible to initially enrol for a full-time course and later switch to the part-time model if necessary. However, it is not possible to switch from part-time to full-time study.

  • Where do the lessons take place?

    Lessons take place at various locations: Zurich, Fribourg, Chur and Basel. The Joint Master's program begins with a kick-off in Chur. The other modules take place alternately in Fribourg, Zurich and Basel. The teaching location depends on the respective module block: teaching takes place at the specified locations. Zurich is the most common location. In the project phases, in which the students work in groups, the organization is the responsibility of the groups themselves. They can decide whether to meet online or in person at a location of their choice.

  • Can I take part in lessons online?

    Classes take place in person and are designed so that you can actively participate on site. All content and documents covered are available online so that they can be accessed at any time. Events and lectures are not broadcast live. We encourage and recommend participation in face-to-face events, as the direct exchange with lecturers and fellow students offers valuable added value and makes the learning process more efficient.

  • Do I have to move to study?

    The lectures in the Joint Master's program are easily accessible from all regions of Switzerland in the morning. Classes take place from Tuesday to Thursday and start at 10:15 a.m. at the earliest. No relocation is therefore necessary for the Master's programme.

  • Does the university/university of applied sciences cover the travel costs to the locations?

    Students are responsible for their own travel to and from the various study locations. To keep travel costs as low as possible, it is recommended that you use at least a Half-Fare travelcard.

  • What kind of projects will I be working on during my studies?

    The projects in the Master's program are thematically diverse and are based on the assignments and requirements of the practice partners. You can find an insight into the students' current projects under the following link: https://dcmaster-portfolio.fhgr.ch.

    It is possible to bring in your own practice partner, such as your own employer, with a specific project assignment.

  • How is a studio structured?

    Studios are carried out in cooperation with various companies that act as practice partners. They contribute specific project assignments that are worked on by the students. Based on the students' areas of interest, groups are formed to work independently on the project assignments.

    During the project work, the lecturers of the Joint Master's program offer regular coaching sessions in their respective specialist areas - for example on topics such as unity, team building, brainstorming or research. Students are responsible for organizing appointments with their practice partners and coaches and for working independently on the tasks. During the course of the module, face-to-face events can be coordinated and scheduled by the module leaders. In the last week of the studio, the groups present their projects in a plenary session. The results are submitted and graded as proof of competence.

  • What does a studio project consist of?

    A project in a studio involves developing a digital product and carrying out research work as part of a group project. At the beginning, the group receives an assignment from a practice partner. The group then develops ideas and puts them into practice. The group members share responsibility and organize themselves so that they can work efficiently. At the end of the project, a technical prototype must be available that has been implemented with Unity. In addition, research must show that the developed product has a benefit and offers a unique selling point.

  • Is attendance compulsory?

    Students have the freedom to organize their attendance in class themselves. If a course is missed, students can catch up on the material independently using the materials provided online and by exchanging ideas with lecturers and fellow students. As many projects are carried out in groups, the individual contribution of each team member is taken into account in the assessment. Care is taken to ensure that the performance of each member is clearly recognizable. Committed participation, especially in group projects, is therefore very important and contributes to the success of the course.

  • What happens if I can't come?

    If you are unable to attend one day, that is not a problem. There is no obligation to attend. However, it is your responsibility to catch up on the content you have missed. All topics covered will be made available online so that you can work on them from home. Groups and fellow students are encouraged to keep absent members up to date. If you are absent for a longer period of time or if you are unable to submit the certificate of competence on time, a doctor's certificate is required. You can also request leave of absence on a semester-by-semester basis. Such leave requests have fixed deadlines.

  • How are the proofs of competence structured?

    At the end of each module, you will submit a proof of competence that will determine your grade for the module. This certificate is made up of two key components: a technical product developed as part of the assignment and a scientific analysis of the topic. The latter usually takes the form of a small research paper within the project. The submission is made via a platform specially developed for the Joint Master's program, on which you can create your own website with predefined elements. The main product developed as part of the assignment will be assessed, as well as a reflection on your work and the design of your personal page on the platform. In this way, both practical performance and engagement with the project are taken into account.

  • Will I work with Unity during my studies?

    Yes, you will work intensively with Unity during the Master's program. In the “Advanced technical tool” module, you will independently create a Unity project to familiarize yourself with the software. In other modules, Unity is used as part of group projects. Here it depends on the distribution of roles within the group as to who works with Unity and who takes on other tasks. This allows you to set different priorities depending on the project. In any case, you will gain basic experience with Unity.

  • How does the collaboration with the practice partners take place?

    Collaboration takes place as part of the project work, particularly in the studios. We introduce practice partners who bring in a specific topic or project assignment from their company. The students work on this assignment as a project over several weeks and are in regular contact with their respective practice partners. Whether the finalized product is used by the practice partner is at their discretion. Students can also suggest practice partners themselves. For example, they can bring in projects from their own employer. This enables very individual and practice-oriented course content.

  • Is the Joint Master's programme practice-oriented?

    Yes, the master's programme is strongly practice- and technology-oriented. Each module is based on real or fictional examples from practice in order to convey the content in a practical way. Practical work is particularly important in the studios. Here, it is a prerequisite for passing that the group works on the development of a technical product, which forms the focus of the project group work.

  • Is there a "student life"?

    The Joint Master's programme is decentralised, meaning that there is no traditional campus. Nevertheless, students from previous years have maintained strong bonds and contact with each other. This means that after lectures, you can meet up with your fellow students at any time to do something together or round off the evening. Students who come from the same city in particular enjoy meeting up outside of study hours. This allows you to build an active social network and shape your ‘student life’ according to your own ideas.

  • Is a semester abroad possible?

    Yes, the best time to spend a semester abroad as part of this Joint Master's programme is in the final semester during the Master's thesis. Here you have the opportunity to write your Master's thesis in collaboration with a foreign practice partner of your choice. Individual parts of a module may also take place abroad. In the second year of study, for example, a two-week stay took place in Montenegro - at the location of a practice partner.

  • Is the degree internationally recognized?

    Yes, the degree is internationally recognized. Both the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons and the University of Fribourg/Freiburg are accredited institutions, which is why the degree is internationally valid.