Citizens and permanent residents of Latvia, as well as citizens of other EU, EEA, and EU candidate countries:
4000 EUR (Full-time evening studies, English))
Other countries:
4700 EUR (Full-time evening studies, English))
The joint academic master’s programme in “New Media and Audiovisual Art,” offered by RISEBA University of Applied Sciences and RTU Liepaja Academy, is designed for students who wish to build a professional career in audiovisual media arts and become competitive specialists in the audiovisual industry within the European Union, as well as the Asian and North American markets. Graduates will be prepared to work in media, television, cinema, radio, video and film post-production, and visual effects organizations. They will also be equipped to serve as innovative creative consultants in business, companies, and the creative industries, as well as research-oriented professionals and artists. The programme provides comprehensive knowledge of new digital technologies, augmented and virtual reality, 360-degree cinema, cultural analytics, data visualization, and artificial intelligence, along with the practical skills needed to apply these tools in creative projects and scientific research.
Objective of the study programme
By combining resources and experience, the key objective of the study programme is to train competitive, research-oriented professionals – artists who have a comprehensive knowledge of new technologies, audio-visual arts and digital cultural processes, as well as specific skills in the creation of works of art and innovative media products, scientific research and the implementation of creative projects, and who are competitive in the art, innovation technology and creative industries labour market. Digital technologies will be used in the creation of more traditional audiovisual art forms (documentary films, video scenography, multimedia performances, digital art installations) and in work within mass media (television, cinema, radio, post-production, and special effects), as well as in the search for new art forms (augmented/virtual reality, 360-degree video, interactive narratology, immersive environments and game design) and in the development of practice-based research and digitization of cultural processes (cultural analytics, data visualization, archiving, etc.).
The curriculum is structured to allow students to balance their studies with work. Classes are held on Thursday and Friday evenings (18:00–21:00) and on Saturdays (10:00–15:00). Students can attend classes either in person or remotely. Exceptions include certain practical sessions and guest lectures, which require in-person attendance. For independent practical work, the Architecture and Media Center H2O 6, Durbes Street 4, is available to students 24/7.
During their studies, students may choose to major in one of the following specializations:
“Audiovisual Media Art” (Riga, RISEBA)
“Multimedia Performing Arts” (Riga, RISEBA)
“Digital Art” (Liepaja, RTU Liepaja Academy)
“Sound Art and Electronic Music” (Liepaja, RTU Liepaja Academy)
* Specialization tracks in “Audiovisual Media Arts” and “Multimedia Performing Arts” take place in Riga and are administered by RISEBA. Specialization tracks in “Digital Art” and “Sound Art and Electronic Music” take place in Liepaja and are administered by RTU Liepaja Academy.
Partner University:
The joint study programme “New Media and Audiovisual Art” is an academic master’s programme that combines the acquisition of in-depth theoretical knowledge with innovation-based practical classes. The practical part is implemented in the modernly equipped dynamic environment of the RISEBA Faculty of Media and Creative Technologies, allowing to create innovative solutions that strengthen the development of digital culture and audiovisual art in Latvia and the international arena.
The structure of the program is based on a modular system corresponding to 120 ECTS credits. It consists of 60 CP integrated (Part A) modules, which provide a fundamental theoretical and professional knowledge base, as well as specialization (Part B) modules with four directions of the art industry, which can be mastered in the amount of 27 CP. In addition, a free elective (part C) course of 3 CP is offered, as well as a master’s thesis worth 30 CP oriented to research and innovation.
The programme offers two main specializations in Riga – “Audiovisual Media Art” and “Multimedia Performing Arts” – administered by RISEBA. The other two specializations – “Digital Art” and “Sound Art and Electronic Music” – are offered in Liepaja and administered by RTU Liepaja Academy. Master’s students primarily attend classes at the Architecture and Media Centre H2O 6, Durbes Street 4.
To ensure a purposeful and qualitative study process, to provide students with the necessary support in knowledge and skills development and research, to attract new media professionals to the study programme and research and to initiate professional development of RISEBA and RTU Liepaja academy teaching staff.
To develop a creative environment for the study and research of new media art and to offer a versatile, interdisciplinary academic education, to continuously upgrade the material and technical base, and to develop cooperation with the New Media Culture Centre RIXC, creative industries and contemporary culture festivals.
To stimulate students’ creativity in developing innovative ideas, to develop the skills and competences needed for professionalism and research, and to offer versatile opportunities for presenting research projects.
To provide students with multiple opportunities to participate in the network of partner universities and organizations and the projects they initiate, to stimulate the international visibility of artistic research projects.
To strengthen the understanding of a culture-based economy, to provide students with specific production and management skills in the field of new media arts.
Study results to be achieved:
Students have developed competency of research processes, whereby they understand and can independently use theoretical and practical methods and approaches of practice-based art research.
Students know and can independently use basic audiovisual art techniques (approaches) and tools (software and devices).
Students have in-depth knowledge and ability to independently use the specific tools of their chosen field of study.
Students have developed creativity, entrepreneurship, and critical thinking in order to be able to identify the creative industry and market opportunities and create new products that are in demand on the market and valuable to society.
Students can use their management and marketing knowledge to work in the field of creative industries.
Students have highly developed digital competence and media literacy, which they can use independently in creativity, research and use in the labor market.
Students have global and civic competence, they can work in intercultural, international, and cross-industry cooperation networks.
Students understand academic and research ethics.
Students understand copyright laws, data ethics and cyber security issues.
1st year
Conceptual Thinking Contemporary Art Music Environment and Sound Theory Sound Composition Creating Audio Recordings Art of Cinematographer – Director New Media and Film Montage and New Media Aesthetics Visual Culture and Semiotics Interactive Cinema Production and Fundraising Intermedia Technology and Integration Experimental Cinema Script Development Directing Audiovisual Works Art Research in Digital Environments
2nd year
Digital Art Theory and Production Cinema 4D and Animation Artificial Intelligence (AI) Installations 360-Degree 3D Interactive Visualisation After Effects Digital Post-Production Narratology in Virtual Reality (VR) Interactive Arts and Multimedia Performances Multimedia Performing Arts
Optional study courses
Design thinking in public relations Painting: space and colors Innovation strategy and digital media communication Creativity and design thinking Digital transformation and social media Innovation and creativity in business Coaching, mentoring and supervision Financial management and project cost management Project communication management Cultural and historical heritage in today’s urban environment Cultural diplomacy and negotiation management Methods for visualizing objects and space Formative 3D studios
Please read the admission rules published on our website under Study at RISEBA -> Admission rules
Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
Hold a bachelor’s degree or a second-level professional higher education diploma in the humanities or arts;
English language proficiency at least at the B2 level;
Pass an entrance examination;
or
Hold a bachelor’s degree or second-level professional higher education diploma in social sciences, educational sciences, engineering, computer science, or related fields;
Have professional artistic experience as an author or self-employed individual working in the creative industries, culture, arts, or music sector (for at least 12 months), or have completed courses in the field of humanities and arts totaling at least 12 ECTS credits, including:
Art history or art theory (at least 6 ECTS credits);
Philosophy, cultural history, or cultural theory (at least 6 ECTS credits);
English language proficiency at least at the B2 level;
Pass an entrance examination.
Entrance Examination – Master’s Thesis Application and Creative Portfolio
In addition to meeting the required level of higher education, applicants must submit a prospective master’s thesis project application in advance, along with a creative portfolio of their previous work, and pass the English language entrance examination organized by RISEBA. The master’s thesis project application must be submitted electronically and the portfolio is uploaded to the program’s online directory ([email protected]). Applicants who have previously studied in English or who are citizens of countries where English is an official language are exempt from the English language entrance exam.*
The creative portfolio should include 3–5 examples of new media artifacts, audiovisual works, sound art, projects, prototypes, custom works, or studies.
For more detailed information on entrance examinations, see: Admission rules
In case of additional questions, contact the program director Dr. Aigars Ceplitis: +37125620270
* Specialization tracks in “Audiovisual Media Art” and “Multimedia Performing Arts” take place in Riga and are administered by RISEBA. Specialization tracks in “Digital Art” and “Sound Art and Electronic Music” take place in Liepaja and are administered by RTU Liepaja Academy.
The objective of the programme is to prepare competitive audiovisual professionals – artists who have extensive knowledge of new technologies, audiovisual arts and digital culture processes, as well as specific skills in creating innovative media products, and who are competitive in the labour market of art, innovation technologies and creative industries.
The Master’s degree in Audiovisual and Media Arts equips graduates with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to excel in professional roles within the arts sector and research. It also provides a pathway for further academic advancement through the doctoral programme “Media Arts and Creative Technologies”at RISEBA/ RTU Liepaja Academy.
Classrooms:
Classrooms are usually used for theoretical lectures. All classrooms are equipped with computers and projectors for teacher and student presentations. In most classrooms, wide-format duplex monitors are provided for better visibility.
Media Lab
The Media Laboratory is an informal audiovisual creative research and experimentation space, equipped with high-quality technological infrastructure, which can only be used by the students of the master’s programme “New Media and Audiovisual Arts” and students of the RISEBA University’s doctoral programme “Media Arts and Creative Technologies”.
Video studio
Lectures in “Art of Cinematography” and “Lighting” are held in the 300 square meter video studio. Students can film their course works there during non-lecture time. The studio is equipped with a full-size black and green screen background and floor. Specific equipment available – camera crane with rails, RONIN, Steadicam. The university also provides training related to drone technology that meets the certification standard. The video studio also has a stationary lighting system. Next to the video studio, there is also a make-up room, a storage room for costumes and props, and a sound recording studio.
Editing studios
The Architecture and Media Centre H2O 6 has three large and two small video editing studios. The large editing studios are equipped with 15–20 stationary iMac computers. Audiovisual editing lectures and practical training in digital editing take place in these studios. The small video editing studios are designed for students to work independently after lectures. All editing computers are equipped with Final Cut Pro, Adobe Creative Suite Production Premium, Logic Studio, Cinema 4D, while the Media Lab uses Mistika VR, point cloud applications for photogrammetry, 3D scanning, DeepL, Stable Diffusion for AI rendering, and other digital editing software.
Erasmus+ study exchange programme offers the opportunity to study at the Media Department of TAMK University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Finland and Minerva Academy of Visual Arts, Design and Pop Culture in the Netherlands. Any student of the master’s programme who has completed at least one year of study can participate in the Erasmus+ exchange programme. A student can study for 1 or 2 semesters at one of RISEBA’s partner universities. The duration of study mobility is 2–12 months. The student does not have to pay for the period spent in the study and internship exchange programme abroad; the tuition fee is covered by the partner university, but the student continues to pay the RISEBA tuition fee. For the period spent abroad during mobility, the student is awarded an Erasmus+ scholarship to cover the costs of transport and accommodation. * Erasmus+ internship mobility provides that a student can undergo an internship in one of the companies of interest in one of the Erasmus+ programme countries. For this internship period, the student receives an Erasmus+ scholarship. The duration of internship mobility is 2–12 months.
Find out more about Erasmus+ and how to apply here!
Dr. Aigars Ceplītis, PhD – RISEBA Faculty of Media and Creative Technologies, Director of the Joint Master’s study programme “New Media and Audiovisual Art” at RISEBA, Administrative Director of the Joint Doctoral study programme “Media Arts and Creative Technologies” at RISEBA.
Dr. Maija Demitere, PhD – Director of the joint master’s study program “New Media and Audiovisual Art” under the study direction “Arts” at RTU Liepaja Academy in Liepaja.
Dean of Faculty of Media and Creative Technologies, Administrative Director of the Doctoral programme “Media Arts and Creative technologies”, Director of the Masters Study programme “New Media and Audiovisual Arts”, Researcher
