(Full time) 2021 start
Society, Culture and Media MA
Overview
Please note: this masters is also available for January 2021 start. Applications for January entry close on 31 October 2020. View, and apply for, January 2021 entry here. This interdisciplinary programme will allow you to benefit from the expertise of both the School of Sociology and Social Policy and the School of Media and Communication, enabling you to gain an in-depth understanding of key issues, debates and theoretical perspectives, and to critically analyse the relationship between culture, media and society.
Taught by leading researchers in the field, this programme covers key issues and concepts such as: media and social media; consumption; audiences; representation; globalisation; migration and place; tourism; inequality; creative work and material culture. Through its grounding in sociological approaches to the study of culture and media, a concern with questions of power, inequality and identity will be threaded through the course, enabling you to think critically about the relationship between gender, class, race and ethnicity, and the cultural realm.
In addition to developing a specialist knowledge in the field, you will also acquire key transferable skills in research, communication, analytical skills, self-management and group working, which will open up a range of career pathways within the media and creative industries and beyond.
Highlights
Benefit from the expertise of both the School of Sociology and Social Policy and the School of Media and Communication.
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, videogames, digital resistance and reality TV.
Develop transferable skills including in research, analysis, group work and communication.
Prepare for careers in academia, communications and media policy, creative industries, media market, audience research and others.
Course content
Compulsory modules will provide a solid grounding in key sociological theories for the study of society, culture and media, and methodological debates and approaches.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to choose from a range of optional modules delivered by various Schools (Sociology and Social Policy, Media and Communication, Politics and International Studies, and Geography), 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 research 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.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Sociology of Media and Culture 30 credits
- Researching Inequality in the Media 30 credits
- Approaches and Methods for Media and Culture 30 credits
- Dissertation 60 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
You will also choose 30 credits from the below:
- Journalism Practice and Policy 30 credits
- The Cultural History of Promotional Communication 30 credits
- Engaging the Modern City: The Civic Researcher 30 credits
- Digital Resistance: Media Protest by Marginalised Groups 30 credits
- Popular Culture: World politics, Society and Culture 30 credits
- Technology, Media and Politics: Research and Real World Cases 30 credits
- Racism, Decoloniality and Migration 30 credits
- Reality TV: Truth or Fiction? 30 credits
- Videogames and Society 30 credits
Learning and teaching
Throughout the course you will be exposed to a variety of teaching methods including guest lectures, seminars, presentations, group work, blended 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 dissertation.
Applying, fees and funding
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree (hons) with a 2:1 or non-UK equivalent in a social sciences, humanities or related discipline.
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).
If you need to study for longer than 10 weeks, read more about our postgraduate pre-sessional English course.
How to apply
Application deadlines
UK students: 1 March
International students: 1 March
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.
For 2020/21 academic year courses the link visible above will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
For courses starting from September 2021, applications will open on October 1st 2020 and you will be able to access the application system from that date.
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
Faculty of Social Sciences Taught Admissions Policy 2021
Fees
- UK: £9,750 (total)
- International: £22,250 (total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Brexit
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.
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 about additional costs
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.
Career opportunities
The combined nature of the programme will equip you with key transferable skills and the specialist knowledge required 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 programme 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 programme also provides a basis for progression onto a PhD in sociology 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 at the Careers website.