MSc Digital Media and Communication

Program Overview

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MSc Digital Media and Communication

Overview

This course will provide you with the core professional skills required for a rewarding career in digital media management and production. This interdisciplinary offering, bringing together Stirling’s internationally recognised strengths in media, film, and communication studies, is distinctive from competitors in offering you the unique opportunity to develop analytical, creative, and production skills; underpinned by important sociocultural understanding of human behaviour and communication in the digital context, and the complex factors influencing people’s behaviours.

You will gain an in-depth understanding of human communication and information-seeking behaviours, and the complex and variable sociocultural factors influencing peoples’ behaviours at both macro (societal) and micro (individual) levels. You will also acquire a comprehensive understanding of research methods for audience and media research, including options to develop data analytics and digital marketing skills. You will have the opportunity to develop practical skills in persuasive communication design, and digital content development including graphics design and video production. The course also includes the option to produce a digital media product as a specialist, practice-based alternative to undertaking a dissertation.

As a graduate, you will have the skills to contribute to the planning, development, and evaluation of multi-channel digital marketing strategies and campaigns. Via our unique offering, you will possess valuable interdisciplinary skills for flexible careers across digital industries public and private, and the ability to move into a number of specialist roles including digital media marketing, management, content design and production.

Top reasons to study with us

• Top 5 in Scotland for Communication and Media Studies (The Complete University Guide 2025)
• 96% of our graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2020/21, HESA)
• We are ranked top 3 in Scotland, and top 250 in the world for Communications and Media (QS World University Rankings 2025)

Flexible learning

If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.

Research overview

Stirling has played an important role in the development of communications and media research both in the UK and internationally from the foundation of the original department in 1978.

As one of the UKs oldest and leading schools, the division of Communications, Media and Culture (CMC) maintains its commitment to wide-ranging research which crosses boundaries between arts and humanities, social sciences and management. CMC’s work encompasses research into screen and print media, digital media and social media, public communication and promotional culture, heritage and archives. CMC has research specialists in social media analysis, human information behaviour, digital journalism, and public relations; in addition to researchers working on many aspects of media representation, media institutions, media and communications policy, and relationships between media, culture and society.

CMC staff are frequent speakers on public platforms nationally and internationally, through the media in many countries, online, and in major conferences and symposia. They have contributed to policy discussion and formation through parliamentary commissions and inquiries, and public debate, and produce research with international impact.

Reflective of CMC strengths, our MSc Digital Media and Communication has a strong team of senior teaching and research staff to provide you with flexibility in choosing your own digital media learning pathway and learning goals, delivered by leading international researchers in communications and media research.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

• Minimum second-class Honours degree or international equivalent. Applicants without these qualifications but possessing other qualifications including significant relevant work experience may also be considered.

International entry requirements

• View the entry requirements for your country.

English language requirements

• If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
  • IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
  • IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.

Course details

You can study full–time for one year or part-time over two years.

In the Autumn semester, you take three compulsory modules: Advanced Topics in Communication, Human Information Behaviour and Media Research Methods.

In the Spring semester, you pick three optional modules (see below) allowing you to prepare for careers in either digital analytics and marketing, or digital content production. You can also mix optional modules if desired (i.e. a mix of analytics, marketing, and production options).

In the Summer semester, you undertake a supervised research dissertation or supervised digital project aligning with your academic and/or professional interests.

Modules

• The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2025. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.

Teaching

• The taught course takes place within the University’s two 15-week semesters and involves lectures, seminars, tutorials and case-study work.
• There is an emphasis on varied assessment, problem-finding, and critical practice modes of delivery.
• Students benefit from a programme of guest speakers, including UK national press editors, directors of digital media production companies and regulatory policy-makers and advisors in the digital media space.

Fieldwork

• Recent field trips include BBC Scotland, one of the newest and most modern digital broadcasting centres in the world, the V&A Dundee, the UK’s newest international design museum shortlisted for European Museum of the Year 2020, and Codebase Stirling, a creative space and tech cluster, and part of one the largest and fastest-growing technology incubator networks in Europe.

Assessment

• You’ll be assessed by a variety of assessment strategies, including written assignments, exams, practical teams and individual projects.

Course director

• Professor Steven Buchanan
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Key staff

• Professor Steven Buchanan - Course Director, Tutor for Human Information Behaviour
• Professor Dario Sinforiani - Tutor for Digital Video Production
• Dr William Dinan - Tutor for Research Methods
• Dr Victoria Esteves - Tutor for Research Methods
• Dr Bernadine Jones - Tutor for Advanced Topics in Communication
• Ms Staci Rowlison - Tutor for Visual Communication Design
• Dr Conor McKeown - Tutor for Interactive Media Design
• Dr Sandy Brownlee - Tutor for Data Analytics
• Dr Lisa Siebers - Tutor for Digital Marketing and Data Technologies

Fees and funding

Fees and costs

• University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
• Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
• If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
• If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.

Scholarships and funding

• Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
• If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
• If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
• This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.

Additional costs

• There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.

After you graduate

• 100% of Digital Media students at the University of Stirling think that their course has enhanced their employability

• Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2021

• 96% of our graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation

• (Graduate Outcomes , HESA)

A number of rewarding professional career pathways are possible as a graduate of the MSc Digital Media and Communication, with strong market demand reported globally across both private and public sectors for graduates who understand how to effectively utilise digital media to reach and communicate with target audiences and customers. Digital communication, marketing and production skills taught on this course are in particular demand, with strong future growth projected across all sectors (e.g. US Bureau of Labor Statistics; Digital Marketing Institute).

Example graduate roles include:

• Digital Media Manager
• Social Media Specialist
• Digital Marketer
• Web Content Editor

What our students said

• Nicola Spiteri - Malta - MSc Digital Media and Communication. Graduate position - Digital Media Executive, AMSM Marketing Group
  • "I chose to undertake the MSc Digital Media and Communication course at the University of Stirling because it provided the right mix of theoretical and practical work that I was looking for."
• Victoria Blessing Achebe - Nigeria - MSc Digital Media and Communication. Graduate position - Web Content Editor, National Health Service Scotland
  • "Originally chose Stirling because is highly ranked for Media and Communication. But moreover, the University supported me and lifted my self- confidence."
• Akinwale Fayemiro - Nigeria - MSc Digital Media and Communication. Graduate position - internship with BBC Scotland
  • "I’m currently on an internship with BBC Scotland, I gained this through the professional portfolio created while studying at the University. "

Related courses

• MRes Media Research
• MSc Media Management