Create. Explore. Connect. Experience U of A Media Studies.
Spend two immersive weeks at the University of Alberta exploring how digital media shape culture, communication, and everyday life, while making videos, discovering games and immersive technologies, visiting media spaces, and learning directly with faculty, media professionals and graduate students.
An introduction to Media Studies
Learn media by making, exploring and experiencing it
The program combines academic ideas with creative practice. Students move between workshops, labs, media spaces and cultural experiences, building toward a final video presentation at the end of the two weeks.
Play with media
Explore games and media history, ludology, game making, 3D modelling and printing, immersive media and virtual reality in UAlberta spaces.
Discover media + culture
Experience campus radio and sound studies, AI and large language models, Art & Design, and the media ecology of downtown Edmonton.
Contact Faculty of Arts International for more information
artsintl@ualberta.ca
Make something
Develop a video project throughout the two weeks
Try new media
Move from games and sound to VR, 3D making and AI.
Explore the city
Connect media questions with Edmonton's cultural and urban environment.
Build community
Meet students, faculty, professionals and peers from different backgrounds.
Program information
Two weeks of media, campus and culture
Media and Technology Studies in the Faculty of Arts approaches media as a cultural, social and technological force. This summer program gives international students a dynamic introduction to that environment through faculty engagement, creative workshops, campus facilities and experiences in Edmonton.
Who this program is for
International undergraduate and graduate students interested in media, communication, digital culture, creative practice and emerging technologies.
What to expect
Faculty-led learning, practical workshops, graduate-student support, media labs and facilities, cultural activities and opportunities to connect with the UAlberta community.
Fees + Accommodations
Fees
$2,700 CAD (includes on-campus accommodation)
Accommodations
Lodgings will be at Lister Centre at the University of Alberta. Meals not included. More information to come.
Program timeline
From first shot to final showcase.
Activities and facilitators are being finalized. The schedule below reflects the current 2027 program plan and may be adjusted as faculty and facility availability is confirmed.
| Week 1 | Create, explore, make |
|---|---|
| July 26 | Welcome to the U of A Opening, orientation and campus tour. |
| July 27 | Smartphone Video Workshop Filming, interviewing, sound and storytelling—begin your final project. |
| July 28 | Games & Media History + SHFT Lab Retro games, early computer culture and media history in action. |
| July 29 | Ludology + CRYPT/VITA Explore game studies and hands-on game-making activities. |
| July 30 | Digital Making & Immersive Media 3D modelling, 3D printing, immersive media and virtual reality. |
| Week 2 | Listen, think, share |
|---|---|
| Aug 2 | Heritage Day Free day / cultural experience. |
| Aug 3 | Campus Radio & Sound Studies Explore sound, campus media and a possible Art & Design experience. |
| Aug 4 | AI, LLMs & Media Ecology AI and large language models / Amii, followed by a downtown media-ecology treasure hunt. |
| Aug 5 | Video Editing Workshop Shape, edit and finish the story you have created during the program. |
| Aug 6 | Student Showcase Screen your final video, share your experience and celebrate the program together. |