Immersive Arts and Digital Narratives

Master

Overview

The Master's programme Immersive Arts and Digital Narratives is a liberal arts programme that explores the visual arts and the possibilities of new narrative forms against the backdrop of technological developments. Students on the programme have access to the X-Reality Lab, a unique space for immersive and interactive art. Immersion here does not mean passively succumbing to digital overwhelm, but actively diving in and artistically and critically exploring technological spaces and their double meanings.

Department of Studies & Examinations
+43 676 88122 492
studienabteilung@moz.ac.at

Length of course
4 semesters / 120 ECTS-AP

Language of instruction
English

Registration period
01.02.2026-28.03.2026

Entrance examination
11.&12.05.2026 (online)
15.-17.06.2026 (in Salzburg)

Downloads

Online Course Information

Tuesday, 10 February 2026
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 3 March 2026
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Rapid technological development calls for artistic and critical engagement. How and in what spaces can we create sustainable and effective experiences and bring stories into the world that touch and move us?
The four-semester Master's programme in Immersive Arts and Digital Narratives offers the opportunity to comprehensively explore and research immersive art and storytelling in the digital age. The aim of the programme is to reopen up the audiovisual, visual and performing arts in particular by integrating technological tools and methods. This involves developing new approaches and forms and realising artistic projects (digital, time-based, performative, immersive, interactive or cross-media projects) in a process-oriented manner, reflecting on them critically and placing them in new contexts.

Course information

The two-year programme is open to artists from all artistic or scientific disciplines, provided that they have completed a degree, have artistic practice and prior knowledge of technology, are interested in exploring the possibilities of technological developments in the arts and thus wish to open up new avenues.

The programme is oriented towards the current state of development and exploration in the arts, as well as the state of research in the relevant academic disciplines, particularly with regard to digital technologies and new narrative forms. Technological and social challenges and processes of transformation are reflected upon and addressed.

During their studies, students expand their artistic, narrative, technological, and research expertise. They are empowered to experiment with, develop, implement, reflect on, and contribute to artistic, scientific, and social discourse forms of artistic expression that are dynamically changing in line with technological change.

Students deepen their ability to reflectively integrate technological artistic methods and practices into their own artistic practice. They develop, conceptualize, and realize projects that can combine digital, time-based, performative, immersive, interactive, or cross-media methods and practices. Collaborative work in artistic teams is explicitly encouraged. In addition, students acquire the ability to present projects that deal with these forms of expression, reflect on them critically, and place them in new contexts. Students have a strong understanding of the connections between technology, art, culture, and their relevance in current and future areas of society.

The programme qualifies students for professional activities that require theoretical, technological and artistic skills and knowledge. It also qualifies them for activities that are undergoing dynamic change due to technological advances, as well as those that are yet to emerge.

The Curriculum is competency oriented. Upon completion of the master programme Immersive Arts and Digital Narratives students should have the following competences:

Artistic practice and independence

be free and independent in their artistic work,
be able to work experimentally and research-oriented with concepts and methods from various artistic and scientific disciplines and integrate these into their own artistic practice in a reflective and responsible manner,

Conceptualization, implementation, and collaboration

be able to conceptualize, organize, plan, and implement artistic projects in a process-oriented and collaborative manner, and develop appropriate ways to present, communicate, and document these projects,

Narration, dramaturgy, and staging

possess comprehensive knowledge of dramaturgy, storytelling, staging, and composition in relation to images, space, sound, text, and context, and be able to apply this knowledge across different media,
have developed an awareness of the feedback loops between artistic practice and structures, systems, and contexts,

Digital, technological, and cross-media skills

have developed a deep understanding of technological (digital, time-based, performative, immersive, interactive, or cross-media) methods, tools, and practices and be able to integrate these into their own artistic practice,

Theoretical and research-based skills

have in-depth knowledge of media art, media history, digital art, creative technologies, and artificial intelligence, and be able to further develop this knowledge and apply it critically in their own artistic work,
have developed a deep understanding of digital methods, tools, and practices, as well as their historical development and contextualization in contemporary and future-oriented forms of artistic expression,

Ability to analyze and reflect

be able to analyze and reflect on complex relationships between image and representation, space and time, and human and non-human actors in artistic, social, and theoretical contexts,
be able to reflect on, communicate, and further develop one's own artistic practice and position its relevance against the backdrop of technological challenges and the associated social and ecological aspects,

Critical and ethical awareness

have developed a critical awareness of art and digitality,
be able to think and act ethically in order to help shape a sustainable, inclusive, diverse, and democratic world that is rapidly changing as a result of technological change,

Innovation, knowledge acquisition, and lifelong learning

be able to formulate new perspectives, approaches, and insights and contribute these to current discourses and dialogues,
have undergone specialization through targeted in-depth study within the framework of (free) electives, which may also be of interest for artistic and societal development, while at the same time further developing their individual interests in the spirit of lifelong learning beyond their own field of expertise.

The programme spans four semesters, during which students continuously work on their projects dealing with immersive, interactive art forms or the possibilities of storytelling in the digital age. They receive individual guidance and support throughout.

Artistic Practice/Project: The programme focuses on (individual) artistic practice/projects that incorporate the possibilities offered by technological developments.

Digital Forum: This is where regular exchanges take place between students (of all years), teachers and supervisors.

ThinkLab: The lectures focus on deepening knowledge of media theory and media history, artificial intelligence and creative technologies, and the ethics and aesthetics of the digital. Seminars 1-3 focus on stories/structures/systems, text/context and image/space/time.

Immersive and Digital Arts Lab: The two workshop formats are attended over three semesters. In the practical workshop Digital Arts and Narratives 1-3, students explore technological methods and practices, procedures and process logics that are important for the development of new narrative forms and structures. The focus is on the possibilities of image generation, worldbuilding and audiovisual, time-based composition. In the practical workshop Interactive and Immersive Arts 1-3, students deepen their knowledge in the field of immersive and interactive projects. The focus here is on the various possibilities of interaction and immersion, including spatial staging involving real and virtual spaces as well as human and non-human actors.

Excursion: In the second and third semesters, excursions are organised, including visits to international festivals that deal with immersive arts or new narrative forms.

Free electives: Students can choose from the courses offered by the Mozarteum University. Courses offered by other universities may also be credited.

The programme is open, non-hierarchical and collectively organised. Courses are open to external interested parties, subject to capacity, and are held in English.

Detailed instructions with screenshots can be found here.
Please take a look at the FAQs about registration in Muvac if you get stuck at any of the steps.

The steps necessary for registration are detailed below. Applicants who have already studied at an Austrian university should start with step 3.

1. Create a basic account in MOZonline
2. Once in the MOZonline account: fill in the mandatory statistics UHstat1 (pre-registration for studies) and make a note of the application number that is sent by email upon submission of this information.
3. Create an application account in Muvac
4. Fill out your own profile in Muvac (minimum requirements: personal data, information on expertise matching the desired degree programme, in the CV: current employment and information on previous training)

During the application period:

5. Select your desired degree programme in Muvac (Browse -> Studies)
6. Fill out the application form in Muvac ("Apply now"), being sure to enter your application number (see step 2) or Austrian matriculation number in the appropriate field

Please note: Your application is only valid once you click "Submit application" in Muvac and subsequently receive a green confirmation message from Muvac. Creating a basic account in MOZonline (step 1) or creating a profile in Muvac (step 4) does not constitute a valid application!
After successful submission, you will receive an email from Muvac confirming receipt of your application. You can also check the status of your application yourself after logging into Muvac under Menu -> Applications.

Communication during the application process takes place via Muvac or email, depending on the degree programme. Please ensure that you can be contacted at the email address entered in your profile throughout the entire application process and regularly check whether you have received any new messages in Muvac. You can set your own profile to inform you of any new messages in Muvac by email (Account settings -> Notifications).

If your contact details change, please update your profile yourself.

The application process for the MA Immersive Arts is structured as follows:

Online application and submission of the portfolio from 1^st February 2026 to 28^th March 2026 (see above for instructions! In case of questions, please write to studieninfo@moz.ac.at)
First round (if portfolio positively assessed): Online interview (approx. 10-15 minutes) between 11^th and 12^th May 2026
Second round (if successful in the online interview): workshop and interview on site in Salzburg between 15^th and 17^th June 2026. Invitations will be sent approximately 2 weeks before the exam date.

The following documents must be uploaded as part of the online application:

Bachelor's degree certificate (or degree certificate of an equivalent study programme). If the applicant has not yet completed their bachelor's degree, a confirmation of enrolment or an official confirmation of the planned date of graduation must be uploaded.
Complete overview of subjects and grades (Transcript of Records) of the bachelor's degree. Applicants whose documents are not available in either German or English must include an official translation.
English language certificate, if already available (at the time of admission: A2), further information HERE

Applicants must also upload a portfolio (as one single PDF document) containing the following:

Concept: A concept for a project in the field of immersive arts and digital narratives, which can range from a project in a media space (e.g. XReality Lab) to any project that can be seen/experienced in different locations. The concept (in German or English) should be described/visualized on a maximum of two pages, including a description of the content, a description/illustration of artistic and narrative means and any technologies that may be used.
Critical reflection with vision: A critical reflection on the submitted project, revealing a positioning of content, use of technology and resource assessment in relation to the challenges of our time (social, ecological, technological), as well as a draft vision of how we can experience art or tell stories in the future.
Portfolio: A portfolio of selected artistic works related to the MA Immersive Arts and Digital Narratives. This should show which methods and technologies the applicant already has experience with (e.g. experience with media, interactive, virtual installations and programs) and which specific roles/tasks were taken on in the respective projects (conceptualization, staging, programming, performance, sound design, scenography, etc.). The portfolio should be documented in a form appropriate to the respective work/artistic practice (links only with brief descriptions).
Declaration: A declaration with the following wording: ‘I confirm that I have created and conceptualized the works presented in the application documents myself’ (including identification of any aids used, e.g. AI tools).
Letter of motivation (1–2 pages) explaining the reasons for studying.
Tabular CV detailing education, professional activities, artistic practice and, if applicable, technical skills.
In the case of non-artistic preliminary studies, experience and practical knowledge in the use of digital technologies must be demonstrated or indicated, or proof of relevant activity/professional practice must be provided.

The work/documents must be digitised (scans, photo, etc.) and uploaded as one single PDF document with a cover sheet (photo, name, date of birth, address, telephone number, school-leaving qualification, email and details of previous vocational training, date and signature). Only one upload will be accepted (PDFs should be merged to create a single document). The maximum file size is 25 MB.

Online interview, workshop and on-site interview

Part 1: Online interview

Those whose portfolio has been positively assessed will be invited to an online interview with the examination panel, in which the applicant will present themselves and their project.

If the candidate passes the online interview, an invitation to the entrance exam in Salzburg will be issued.

Part 2: Workshop and on-site interview

Oral examination lasting approximately 20 minutes, consisting of two parts (portfolio and interview). During this examination, applicants demonstrate their artistic, technological and scientific (reflective) potential to complete the Master's programme.
In addition, candidates will be given tasks to be completed both individually and together with other candidates.

Portfolio: Applicants present a concept/project from their application portfolio and position themselves and their practice in the context of immersive arts and digital narratives. The examination lasts approximately 15 minutes.
In addition, tasks are completed and, if necessary, group workshops are held. Applicants invited to the practical part will also be given a task on site, which they will sketch and present as a prototype using their (individual) artistic, technological, digital and media methods. (The technology used can range from interactive tools to world building or interaction with non-human actors).

Interview: A conversation lasting approximately 5-10 minutes with the examination committee about motivation, background, preliminary studies, expectations and career prospects.

Accessibility and widening participation

Please note that the Mozarteum University Salzburg offers various support options at the time of your audition and during your studies if you have a disability or a chronic illness.
If this applies to you and you would like to take advantage of counselling, please contact Claudia Haitzmann: claudia.haitzmann@moz.ac.at or +43 676 88122 337.