This is a one-year master programme (two-years part-time) in the Political and Cultural Studies Department. The programme allows students from different disciplinary backgrounds to develop skills in understanding digital media and technology in the context of a research-led department.

Programme aims

This MA offers an innovative interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach to contemporary technology and new media, drawing upon expertise in Media and Communication Studies, Politics and International Relations, American Studies, and Film Studies. The MA examines some of the key issues confronting twenty-first century global societies through a dynamic programme that combines theoretical and applied perspectives in cultural and creative industries, social media, software studies, philosophy, technology, and media/medium theory.  Students are encouraged to apply theoretical, political and social theory together with computational research tools in analysing and understanding all forms of digital media.

The programme explores key concepts and ideas in the ‘computational turn’ as well as focusing on research methodologies for those undertaking research on digital humanities, digital media and technology.

• Develop advanced empirical and theoretical knowledge and understanding of digital and new media.
• Acquire research skills in media research methodologies
• Develop critical theoretical and analytical skills, improve written and oral communication skills.
• Understand the development of digital media and technology historically through a number of theoretical perspectives.
• Appreciate the role of digital technology and new media within wider social, economic and political contexts and the implications for policy formation.
• Develop research planning skills, time-management and project-planning skills through a substantive piece of individual research.

An example of aesthetic theory and typography using digital media software

Course outline

The course structure is split across the year allowing three modules taken in each academic semester (a total of six modules) and then a dissertation over the Summer. The dissertation component allows students to either write a 20,000 word dissertation or design a research project of their own (with 10,000 word report) which draws on issues and themes developed throughout the year.

Topics include:

• Political Economy of Media

• Digital Theory

• The Cultural and Creative Industries

• Digital Edge

• Software Studies

• Critical Approaches to New Media

• Media/Medium Theory

• Journalism and New Technology

• Philosophy of Technology

• Creative Arts

• Information Aesthetics/Data Visualisation

• International Development and Communication

• Research Methods for New Media Forms

Further module information

Who should apply?

• Students interested in digital media and new media technologies, from a humanities, social science, computer science or related background.
• Professionals interested in the challenge of digital media both in terms of their professional practice, but also related to fields in policy research and public administration.
• Students interested in preparation for postgraduate research, MPhil or PhD, or who wish to develop skills and knowledge related to digital media.

Further information about MA Digital Media  [PDF 132Kb]

Entry Requirements

The typical entry requirement is a minimum of a lower second class BA degree (with an overall average of at least 55%) or equivalent, in Development Studies, Politics, International Relations, Media, Arts, Humanities, Social Science or a related subject area.  Overseas students are expected to possess and IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent, if English is not their first language. Relevant work experience is also taken into consideration.

Further Reading

Students sometimes ask what they can do to prepare for their studies. It would be a good idea to make yourself familiar with some of the literature and key concepts of the field.

Background reading includes: 

• Berry, D. M. (2011) The Philosophy of Software: Code and Medition in the Digital Age, Basingstoke: Palgrave. 
• Berry, D. M. (2008) Copy, Rip, Burn: The Politics of Copyleft and Open Source, London: Pluto.
• Lessig, L. (2004) Free Culture: How Big Media Uses Technology and the Law to Lock Down Culture and Control Creativity. New York: Allen Lane. 
• Manovich, L. (2001) The Language of New Media, MIT Press. 
• McQuail, D. (2005) Mass Communication Theory, London: Sage.

For people with little previous experience of the concepts, theories, and research methods of Media Studies (if, for example, your undergraduate studies were not either media studies or mass communication), it is important to become familiar with some general approaches in this field. See, for example: 

• Croteau, D. and  Hoynes, W. (2000) Media/Society: industries, images, and audiences, Thousand Oaks, Calif: Pine Forge Press.
• Webster, F. (1995) Theories of the Information Society. London: Routledge.
• Downing, J.,  Mohammadi, A.,  Sreberny-Mohammadi, A. (1995) Questioning the media: a critical introduction, London: Sage.
• Curran, J. and Gurevitch, M. (2005) Mass media and society, London: Hodder Arnold.

Please contact Dr. David M. Berry if you have any questions about the course.