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2. Micro-credentials
3. Study Micro-credentials
4. Micro-credential modules
5. AT6020: Research Methods II: Digital Storytelling and Immersive Fictions

Course Fact File

Code	AT6020
Duration	12 weeks
Teaching Mode	Part-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info.
NFQ Level	Level 9
Fees	€500 (80% fee subsidy available) See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing Date	31 July 2026
Course Delivery Method	Online
Venue	Online
Credits	5
Start Date	23 Oct 2026

Outline

Module Goal

The aim of this module is to enable students to assess research work and to be equipped to make decisions by using using digital, filmic, and immersive research techniques and modalities.

Module Content

• This Module will critically appraise recent and prospective issues, developments and opportunities in the digital media and new media. It will adopt experimental new modes of visualising and interacting with spatial environments and provide new ways of conjecturing on our digital futures and the possibilities inherent in applied research. With this, it will look at interactions between real world spaces and digital mediations of these spaces - facilitating the acquisition of a wide range of critical and creative skills and the possibility of:
  • (a) understanding and visualising current social, ecological, economic and technological dynamics in urban settings.
  • (b) finding new ways to integrate research with digital exploration.
  • (c) enabling new forms of digital learning while maintaining empathy with real-world social and natural problems.

Additional Teaching Mode Information

 

Practicalities

Lecture Schedule: 

• 12 x 3hr workshops (Laboratory sessions) will take place online, Mondays from 2pm-5pm, commencing Monday 26 October 2026, up to 1 February (no lectures during Christmas break)
• There will also be 4x 1hr lectures (Seminars/webinars), hosted during a shared lunchtime series on Wednesdays from 1pm-2pm.
• All sessions are delivered remotely, no campus attendance is required. 
• AT6020 Research Methods II: Digital Storytelling and immersive Fictions is one of three level 9 microcredentials being offered to adult learners by the Cork Centre for Architectural Education at University College Cork. You can see a full breakdown of the timetable and schedule of all three microcredentials, as well as how they may work together for applicants who wish to enroll in more than one microcredential, here: https://ccae.curricula.dev/ 

About Flexible Learning: 

• These schedules are designed to accommodate people in full-time work and learners studying remotely. Live sessions sit at lunchtime or in a single weekly block, and every session can be joined online live or watched on demand, so each learner chooses the mix of live and on-demand participation that fits their week.
• All live sessions are recorded and remain available for the full run of each module.
• There is no mandatory attendance requirement.

Continuous Assessment - 100 marks: Portfolio - designed and curated digital artefact (100 marks)

Who teaches this course: Mr Viktor Gekker - Cork Centre for Architectural Education and Guest Lecturer: Mr David Concannon, UCC

Why Choose

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Explain the benefits of digital storytelling to improve key skills and support and communicate research.

2. Recognise the potential of the digital storytelling process to support a diverse range of urban stakeholders to critically reflect upon the city

3. Identify and describe digital media concepts and principles, both immersive and non-immersive, in the context of multimedia visualisations.

4. Demonstrate applied research skills in the creation of digital media and immersive environments.

5. Demonstrate theoretical understanding of, and practical competence in the use of advanced input and output devices in a virtual environment

Requirements

 To join this postgraduate micro-credential, you will ideally have as a minimum: 

• A minimum of a BSc (Hons) Arch (achieved after 4-years of full-time study) or equivalent qualification in cognate discipline (e.g. Engineering, Geography, Landscape Architecture, Architectural Technology).
  • However, applicants with suitable professional experience may be accepted subjected to the approval of the Programme Director under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
• Beginner ability with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop; InDesign) 
• Intermediate ability with 3D Modelling software programs such as 3DSMax, Rhino 3D, SketchUp Pro etc.

Fees and Costs

The fee for this micro-credential is €500.

• Those eligible for funding will receive an 80% fee subsidy. Jobseekers and returners will be given priority.
• If awarded HEA funding, these applicants will need to pay the remaining 20% fee (€100) on registration (non-refundable). 
• If an applicant's organisation wishes to pay their fees in part or in full, the applicants must pay the 20% on registration and any arrange any reimbursement with their employer/organisation directly. 

How To Apply

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