Digital Media

The Graduate Program in Digital Media offers courses and opportunities for advanced training and research leading to the degrees of Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MSc), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The program is jointly offered by the Department of Computational Arts (CA) and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS). Highly qualified students are provided with the opportunity to engage in specialized hybrid research work in a program that uniquely combines computational science and artistic practices. Work in digital media encompasses a broad range of current and emerging forms of digitally supported media, with applications that span from computer games to interactive art.

Across all three Digital Media graduate degrees, students work within a shared environment that enables the development of expertise complementary to their research specialization in computational science or artistic practice.

Degrees Offered

Master of Arts (MA)

Program Length (Full-time)

• 5 terms

Program Component(s)

• Course work
• Major research paper

Minimum Required GPA

• B

Fall Entry

• Full-time

English Proficiency Requirement

• Minimum TOEFL (Internet-based): 90-91 (for tests taken prior to January 2026) or 5 (January 2026 and after)
• IELTS (Academic Module): 7
• YUELI: Essential English Level 6 with pass
• YUELI Graduate Studies Preparation Program (GSPP): Graduate with Honours
• CAEL: Overall score of 65, no component score less than 60
• Minimum CPE Score: C1
• Minimum CAE Score: C
• Duolingo: 130
• PTE Academic: 67

Master of Science (MSc)

Program Length (Full-time)

• 5 terms

Program Component(s)

• Course work
• Major research paper

Minimum Required GPA

• B

Fall Entry

• Full-time

English Proficiency Requirement

• Minimum TOEFL (Internet-based): 90-91 (for tests taken prior to January 2026) or 5 (January 2026 and after)
• IELTS (Academic Module): 7
• YUELI: Essential English Level 6 with pass
• YUELI Graduate Studies Preparation Program (GSPP): Graduate with Honours
• CAEL: Overall score of 65, no component score less than 60
• Minimum CPE Score: C1
• Minimum CAE Score: C
• Duolingo: 130
• PTE Academic: 67

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Program Component(s)

• Comprehensive examination(s)
• Dissertation

Minimum Required GPA

• B+

Fall Entry

• Full-time

English Proficiency Requirement

• Minimum TOEFL (Internet-based): 90-91 (for tests taken prior to January 2026) or 5 (January 2026 and after)
• IELTS (Academic Module): 7
• YUELI: Essential English Level 6 with pass
• YUELI Graduate Studies Preparation Program (GSPP): Graduate with Honours
• CAEL: Overall score of 65, no component score less than 60
• Minimum CPE Score: C1
• Minimum CAE Score: C
• Duolingo: 130
• PTE Academic: 67

Additional Admission Requirements

Required Forms

• Application Form
• Recommendation Form
• Supplementary Information Form

(Forms accessed through MyFile; available within 48 hours after application submission.)

Number of Recommendations

• 2 letters of recommendation. Letters may be from previous professors, employers, or other individuals who can attest to the applicant's professional and/or academic qualifications.

Other Requirements

For MA/MSc applicants:

• Statement of Interest letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Portfolio (4-6 pieces)

For PhD applicants:

• Statement of Interest letter
• Curriculum vitae
• A qualifying research paper or similar significant contribution to the field
• Portfolio (4-6 pieces)

Portfolio Requirements

A portfolio is required for entry into all programs. It should demonstrate prior creative outputs primarily in the form of artworks, which may also encompass outputs from computer engineering-based projects.

Projects represented in the portfolio must emphasize a cross-disciplinary approach. Examples may include:

• Drawings/images
• Audio recordings
• Sound compositions
• Video documentation of interactive systems
• Gallery/curatorial documentation
• Games and interactive demonstrations (must include programming)

Projects from a computer engineering perspective may consist of:

• Source code for interactive applications
• Microcontroller code from physical computing projects
• Video documentation of projects
• Publications
• Prototypes that engage with the arts.

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York at a glance

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• Alumni: 375,000+ worldwide
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York is a research-intensive university ranked top in Ontario for global collaborative research publications (SciVal 2020–2024) and first among Canada's comprehensive universities for AI research publications. Research at York spans the full disciplinary spectrum, from the pure and applied sciences to law, health, the humanities, social sciences and fine arts. York actively partners with industry, government and community organisations to ensure its research serves public and societal purposes, in alignment with its University Academic Plan 2020–2025 and its commitment to building a better future.

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International community

With 8,700+ international students from more than 160 countries and a global alumni network of 375,000+, York is one of Canada's most internationally diverse universities. York International supports international students from arrival through to graduation and beyond, with dedicated programming, advising, exchange opportunities and community building. York's partnerships extend globally, with campuses in India and Costa Rica and academic relationships across every continent.

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Why York University

1. Founded in 1959, York is one of Canada's largest research-intensive universities, with 53,100+ students in 200+ programs and a global alumni community of 375,000+
2. Top 40 worldwide in the 2025 THE Impact Rankings and top 5 in Canada (Maclean's 2025), with top 10 rankings in 15 subject areas by QS
3. The Schulich School of Business is ranked first in Canada for MBA by both the Financial Times and QS Global MBA rankings
4. 36,000+ experiential learning opportunities annually, with a 90% employer satisfaction rate among GTA employers who hire York graduates
5. A genuinely global campus network spanning Toronto (Keele, Glendon, Markham), Hyderabad (India) and Costa Rica (EcoCampus)
6. $125 million in scholarships and bursaries awarded in 2024–25, with a strong commitment to accessible, equitable education
7. A diverse, inclusive and socially just community located in Canada's most dynamic city, open to the world and committed to making a positive difference