The programme provides students with the opportunity to explore and realise the potential of the internet through the development of professional design and development practice; the degree allows students to interact with artists and scientists while enhancing knowledge and discovering new techniques for web development; the programme is structured so that over the 3 years students progress along 4 key themes: web design skills; web development practice; web management and core transferable skills; students investigate the applied use of the web, from how it provides support for large software systems to the next generation of human-computer interfaces; all subject areas are underpinned by relevant web engineering and design principles, giving the opportunity to gain significant standards-based expertise; during the second year students can choose to undertake a short placement as an optional part of study; the placement contributes credits towards the degree as well as providing important industrial experience; in the final year students undertake a year-long project in which students research and create a substantial piece of work; students can choose to specialise in one of the theme areas, or choose a project that encompasses a mixture of topics; there are 2 types of placement available to students; the first is a year-long placement in industry; students are responsible for finding an appropriate position, but are supported by the placement co-ordinator; during the placement students are allocated a placement supervisor who visits and is the main point of contact; recent placements have included positions with international organisations such as Microsoft, Sun Microsystems and BSkyB; the second placement opportunity is a new innovation for the programme of study, the provision of an optional placement module in the second year of the programme; this enables students to gain significant work experience as part of the programme of study.