Program Overview

Digital Media and Society MA

The Digital Media and Society MA is a postgraduate program offered by the School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations, Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Sheffield. This course investigates the latest digital media developments, data, and algorithms through the lens of prominent social issues, such as gender, race, health, intimacy, surveillance, and activism.

Course Description

The program advances students' skills in qualitative, quantitative, and digital research methods. It explores how digital media interacts with society from a sociological perspective, examining key aspects of digital media, including how to research digital society and utilize key digital practices and methods.

Modules

A selection of modules is available each year, including:

• Core modules:
  • Perspectives on Digital Society
  • Researching Society
  • Digital Methods
  • Digital Media in a Datafied Society
  • Academic Skills and Literacy
  • Dissertation in Digital Media and Society
• Optional modules:
  • Visual Methods for Social Scientists
  • The Digital Self
  • Information Governance and Ethics (distance learning)
  • Digital Practices
  • Mobile Media and Digital Futures
  • Sociology of Genders, Sexualities and the Bodies
  • Digital Health
  • How the World Gets Made
  • Wikipedia and History
  • Media, State and Society in China
  • Health, Wellbeing and the City
  • Managing Climate Change
  • Digital Cultural Heritage: Theory and Practice
  • Transnational Feminist Approaches to the Media
  • Critical Incidents in International Journalism
  • The Use (and Abuse) of Radio and Digital Technologies in Conflict-Affected Areas
  • Big Brother: Communicating conspiracy theories
  • Media, Culture and Society in East Asia

Duration and Attendance

The program is available for:

• 1 year full-time
• 2 years part-time

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching is conducted through a combination of lectures, workshops, seminars, and small-group work. Assessment forms vary across modules and include essays, blog posts, reports, research projects, and practical work. Students will also conduct a sociological research project on a topic of their interest and write a dissertation of 15,000 words on their project.

Career Prospects

90% of graduates are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating. Alumni have gone on to work in various industries, including journalism, corporate culture, marketing, and research, securing jobs at institutions such as Sheffield City Council, NHS, Mitsubishi, APUS Group, L’Oreal, and China Unicom.

School and Faculty

The program is part of the School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations, which is located in the world-class Faculty of Social Sciences building, The Wave. The school's world-leading research shapes its teaching, and staff are experts in their fields, working with organizations in the UK and worldwide.

Entry Requirements

• Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honors degree in a relevant subject
• English language requirements: IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent

Fees and Funding

• Home (2026 annual fee): £11,380
• Overseas (2026 annual fee): £27,755
• £3,000 scholarships for international students
• Save up to £2,500 on course fees for Sheffield graduates

Student Profiles and Testimonials

The course has enabled students to learn practical skills and think critically, as testified by alumni such as Yuqian Chen.

Pathway Programme for International Students

If you're an international student who does not meet the entry requirements for this course, you have the opportunity to apply for a pre-masters programme in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Sheffield International College.

Contact and Further Information

For more information about the Digital Media and Society MA program, please visit the University of Sheffield's website or contact the School of Sociological Studies, Politics and International Relations directly.