Society, Culture and Media MA

Course overview

This interdisciplinary course will provide you with an in-depth understanding of key issues, debates and theoretical perspectives on a wide range of sociological, media and cultural themes. You'll acquire the skills to critically analyse how these themes intersect and their implications for how we interact with culture and media in contemporary society.

You’ll be taught by leading researchers in the fields of media and social media; consumption; audiences; representation; globalisation; migration and place; tourism; inequality; creative work and material culture.

With a grounding in sociological approaches to the study of culture and media, you’ll explore themes around power, inequality and identity, enabling you to think critically about the relationship between gender, class, race and ethnicity in the cultural realm.

In addition to developing specialist knowledge in the field, you’ll acquire key transferable skills in research, communication, sociological analysis, self-management, and group working, which will open up a range of career pathways in the media and creative industries, academia, third sector and beyond.

Course highlights

• Benefit from the expertise of the School of Sociology and Social Policy.
• Gain specialist knowledge in the areas of consumption, traditional media and social media, globalisation, representation, popular culture and more.
• Tailor the programme according to your interests with optional modules which cover journalism, promotional communication, video games, digital resistance and reality TV.
• Develop transferable skills including research, analysis, group work and communication.
• Prepare for careers in academia, communications and media policy, creative industries, media market, audience research and others.

Course details

You’ll study core modules that provide a solid grounding in key sociological theories for the study of society, culture and media, and methodological debates and approaches.

In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to choose from a range of optional modules, enabling you to tailor the programme to pursue your specialist interests.

The final dissertation project will allow you to design, develop and implement your own critical enquiry into an aspect of culture and media.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Society, Culture and Media MA in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

You will also study 30 credits from the following options.

Learning and teaching

We use a variety of teaching and learning methods to help you make the most of your studies. These will include guest lectures, seminars, presentations, group work, online learning and independent critical enquiry.

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Assessment will include a series of short quizzes, a group project, an essay and a dissertation.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or equivalent in a social science, or related subject.

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Politics and Society (6 weeks) and Language for Social Sciences and Arts: Politics and Society (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadlines

International – Friday 27 June 2025

UK – Friday 15 August 2025

If you intend to apply for funding, you should submit an application for a place on your chosen course at least one month before any specific scholarship deadline.

The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.

If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Documents and information we will need include:

• original or certified copies of your transcripts
• original or certified copies of your degree certificate
• original or certified copy of your IELTS/TOEFL results (if English is not your first language).

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

This course is taught by

School of Sociology and Social Policy

Contact us

Postgraduate Admissions Office

Email: pgssp@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £12,500 (Total)

International: £29,000 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government.  Find out more at Masters funding overview.

The School of Sociology and Social Policy usually offers a number of scholarships each year. Find out more on the School's scholarships page.

Career opportunities

This course will equip you with key transferable skills and the specialist knowledge needed to pursue a career in sociology or media and culture.

The national and international growth of the media and creative industries has sparked greater demand for graduates who possess advanced skills and knowledge in the field, opening opportunities in communications and media policy, PR, social and digital media, media markets and audience research or other cultural and creative industries.

Additionally, the sociology element of the course will allow you to apply your knowledge and skills in fields such as education, statutory and voluntary agencies, NGOs (non-governmental organisations), INGOs (international non-governmental agencies) and charities.

The course also provides a basis for progression onto a PhD in sociology, cultural studies and media studies, and a strong grounding for an interdisciplinary PhD.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.