Digital Media MA

Course overview

Smartphones and social media, digital networks and big data, gamification and mobile platforms – digital media continue to change the way we live, work and communicate.

This course, taught by the School of Media and Communication, interrogates the impact of digital technologies on individuals and society, providing you with the skills and knowledge to think critically and creatively about digital media.

You'll learn about diverse digital media techniques and processes, including coding and hacking, web design, digital ethnography, and more, to complement your analysis of critical theory. Merging theory and practice, you'll gain an understanding of the social, cultural and economic roles of digital media.

With a range of optional modules to choose from, you'll be able to tailor your degree to your personal and career interests. The content of the modules is informed by the research interests and practice of academic staff who teach them, allowing you to gain the knowledge and skills to thrive in this dynamic, fast-paced sector.

Application deadlines

Please refer to the application deadlines.

Our facilities

The School of Media and Communication has fantastic facilities to support your studies. You can work on your own projects in our 44 editing suites, equipped with Avid Media Composer editing software and Adobe Creative Cloud.

Take a look around our facilities

You'll also have access to Helix, the University's learning innovation hub for students, staff, and the local community. Located in the heart of campus, Helix offers cutting-edge digital provision, including immersive technologies, multimedia production studios, as well as a physical makerspace. You'll be able to bring your own initiatives and ideas to life through collaboration, creation and innovation.

Course details and modules

You'll take a core module called Digital Practices, which spans the length of the course to introduce you to critical issues. You'll be introduced to a range of digital practices, including web building, web design and data mining, in order to develop how you think about digital media. We will also concentrate on digital methods, thinking about a range of digital tools and processes for undertaking research.

We’ll touch on web languages such as HTML and CSS to open up how we think about digital media. No experience of the practical skills are required, but some knowledge is desirable. We’ll critically examine the relationship between digital media and contemporary culture and the interactive forms and practices that are emerging, and you'll gain some practical production, project management and critical skills through group work tasks and collaborative projects.

You'll then have the chance to broaden your approach with your choice of optional modules, from photography and cinematics to political communication, television narratives and public relations in society.

You'll complete a written dissertation, using the digital methods and skills you've learnt, applying these to a critical research issue.

If you choose to study part-time, you’ll complete the course over two years, instead of one, taking fewer modules each year.

Have a look at some student work produced on this course.

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 Digital Media MA Full Time in the course catalogue

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

Year 1 compulsory modules

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

Learning and teaching

You’ll be taught in a mixture of practical workshops, lectures and small group seminars that allow you to discuss your reading and present some of your research to other students.

Independent study is crucial to this degree, allowing you to practice your skills and deepen your knowledge.

You'll be taught by active researchers in the field of communication and media. The research interests and practice of your tutors inform the content of the course.

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

We also use a range of assessment methods, depending on the modules you choose. They’re likely to include practical projects, essays, reports, group and individual presentations, and case studies, among others.

Applying

Entry requirements

You’ll need a bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or equivalent qualification, preferably in a digital media and communication related degree specialising in one of the following subjects indicated under 'Digital Media related subjects'.

We will also consider applicants with relevant experience, an interest in digital media and communication, or coming from an area of expertise to which digital media and communication is complementary such as the ones listed under ‘Other areas’.

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of subject disciplines so please do not hesitate to apply if your subject is not listed.

All applicants will be required to respond to the questions in the supporting statement section of the online application form to explain why you wish to study this particular course and your career plans. Relevant professional experience may also be considered. We may request additional documentation to inform our decision.

You may be required to submit a translation test for each language combination you wish to study and in each direction. If we require this from you, we will request this after you have submitted your application.

Digital Media related subjects

• Media-related courses (theory focused)
• Communication studies
• Digital media courses (theory focused) such as Network and New media, Digital humanities, Digital media art, Visual communication design, Editing/publishing for new media

Other Areas

• Literature
• Politics
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Cultural studies
• Political science
• Computer science
• Information technology
• Web design
• User experience design
• Interactive arts
• Communication design
• Marketing
• Digital marketing
• Game design
• Advertising
• Digital humanities
• Statistics
• Data science

International

Our admissions team are experienced in considering a wide range of international qualifications. If you wish to discuss whether your qualifications will meet the necessary entry criteria, contact the School’s admissions team.

You can also check the accepted qualifications for your country or region.

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 Communication and Society (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Communication 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 and our 10 week online pre-sessional. 

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

How to apply

Please see our How to Apply page for information about application deadlines

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 intend to apply for funding, we advise you to submit an application for your chosen course as early as possible and at least one month before any scholarship deadline.

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

Documents and information you'll need

• A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying (please submit an official English translation where the original is not in English)
• Your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
• A personal statement in response to the questions asked in the supporting statement section of the application form
• A full up-to-date CV
• Any previous UK CAS, visa and BRP documents if you’re an international applicant who has previously studied in the UK on a Tier 4/ Student Visa

* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.

Personal Statement Requirements

Please summarise your reasons for applying to this particular programme of study. Your response can include details of your previous study/work experience relevant to the programme and career ambitions. Your response can provide us with important information on your suitability for the course, so please complete carefully.

Please explain why you have chosen to apply for this Masters course at the University of Leeds by answering the following questions in separate numbered paragraphs:

• What areas of this course particularly interest you and why? Have you studied these before? Please explain your reasons for applying to this particular Masters course
• Why do you want to study this course at Leeds? Please comment on aspects such as available resources at the University and in the city, research specialisms within the school or academics you would like to work with.
• What potential themes have you considered for dissertation research?
• How will studying for this course help you to achieve your longer term goals?
• Why do you see this course as a particularly valuable subject to study?
• What skills and experience do you have that have prepared you for this course? You may like to give details of any final year work/projects you have previously undertaken, relevant work experience etc.

Relevant work experience might include: digital content creation; web design; user experience design; digital marketing; social media management; multimedia production; graphic design; data visualisation; interaction design; digital analytics; app development; e-commerce; research assistance.

Next Steps

Where further information to support the assessment of your application is needed, we may ask for a recent sample of written work.

We do not generally request references, unless further information is required to support the assessment of your application.

Support for part-time and mature learners

The Lifelong Learning Centre provides support for mature and part-time learners across the University, including advice on how to apply to university and support throughout your studies.

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 2026

This course is taught by

School of Media and Communication

Contact us

Postgraduate Admissions Team

Email: mediapg@leeds.ac.uk

Fees

UK: £12,500 (Total)

International: £29,500 (Total)

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

Read more about paying fees and charges.

Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.

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.

Head of School Masters Scholarships

We offer scholarships to applicants holding an offer to study a Masters at the School of Media and Communication in the form of tuition fee waivers.

To find out how to apply and to see all funding opportunities, visit our scholarship and funding opportunities page.

Career opportunities

People with high-level production, project management and critical analysis skills in digital media will be in high demand for decades to come, and this course will equip you with the knowledge and skills to thrive in a wide and rapidly expanding range of careers in digital media practice.

These could include digital marketing, animation, web design and development, social media, analytics, PR and consultancy among others. You’ll also be well-prepared for future research in this fast-changing field.

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.