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.

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 and our 10 week online pre-sessional.

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

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.