Graduate Overview
Research how media shapes the world
In the Depatment of Media Study, you'll be able to work with faculty who make, study and teach media across experimental film and video, digital and interactive media, physical computing and networked culture. You will develop your own voice as an artist, scholar or both while learning in a community that takes media seriously as an art form and a force in society.
UB Media Study is built for students who want to experiment, take risks and make work that can hold up in a critical conversation. Faculty approaches include historical and theoretical research, practice-led scholarship and hands-on making.
As a graduate student, you can expect:
- A culture of experimentation across media forms, from film and video to computational and interactive work
- Mentorship from faculty who support both creative practice and rigorous research
- Opportunities to connect your work to larger questions about art, technology and society
- Coursework that spans production, theory and research methods without forcing you into one lane
What sets us apart
Media Study at UB is known for pioneering contributions to experimental film and video, and the department continues to expand into digital, computational and interactive media. You will be encouraged to develop original work that responds to a media-saturated world, and to shape how media is made, understood and used.
Life in Buffalo
A city with energy, culture and room to grow
Buffalo offers the culture and opportunity of a major city without the cost or congestion. You get professional sports, a nationally recognized orchestra, a vibrant theater district and one of the country’s leading art museums, all in a city that is easy to navigate. Restaurants, coffee shops and local markets make it easy to settle in and feel at home.
Love the outdoors? Lake Erie, the Niagara River and nearby state parks offer hiking, skiing, skating, camping and beaches throughout the year. Winter is part of life here and so is the energy that comes with it.
Buffalo is affordable, connected and growing. Toronto is just 90 minutes away, and the region’s expanding economy means new ideas and opportunities are always within reach.
Photographer: Douglas Levere
Graduate work in Media Study connects theory and practice so you can build a focused path.
You may explore topics and methods such as:
- Experimental film and video production
- Digital and interactive media
- Physical computing and computational approaches to art making
- Media networks and web-based media
- Historical and theoretical approaches to media and art
- Practice-led and practice-based research methods
Funding Opportunities
Graduate education is a significant investment, and funding can play an important role in making it possible. Graduate students at the University at Buffalo have access to a range of funding options that support coursework, teaching, research and professional development. Opportunities vary by degree level and stage of study.
Media Study graduates take many paths, depending on their program and focus. The common thread is the ability to think critically, make compelling work and communicate ideas clearly.
Possible next steps include:
- Media arts practice and independent creative work
- Work in studios, cultural organizations and arts nonprofits
- Creative and technical roles in interactive and digital media spaces
- Teaching and academic careers, especially for MFA and PhD graduates
- Further graduate study in media, art, design and related fields
If you want a graduate program where you can make ambitious work, study media seriously and join a community of artists and researchers, Media Study at UB is ready for you.
