Digital Cultures and Media
BA Honours
- UCAS code: P305
- Full time
- 3 years
- Next start date: September 2022
Digital technology now shapes every aspect of culture and society. This degree will make you stand out as a specialist in this field. It will set you up for a career in the digital, media or creative industries.
Fees (per year)
- Home: £9250
- International: £Not set
Entry requirements
- A Level: AAB
- IB: 34 points
UCAS Institution name and code:
- NEWC / N21
Course overview
Ever wondered how social media influences our politics, or how AI can discriminate against different ethnicities? Are you fascinated by how apps have affected our lives?
We rely on digital technologies - to read the news, maintain our friendships, and manage our work. They affect what we do and how we behave.
This Digital Cultures and Media degree focuses on how digital technologies shape society. It explores how media influences culture and communication. You'll create and analyse contemporary media like mobile apps and data visualisations. You’ll learn creative applications of immersive technologies, and how to apply them in the real world.
You will graduate with the ability to combine critical thinking with the practical digital skills needed to reshape our digital lives.
Your course during COVID-19
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption.
Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to guidelines that may be in place from time to time.
View our COVID-19 Study page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2022-23.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information
Quality and ranking
- 8th in the UK – The Complete University Guide 2023 (Communication and Media Studies category)
- 16th in the UK for Media & Film Studies - The Guardian University Guide 2022
- 13th in the UK – Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 (Communications and Media category)
- Top 150 for Social Sciences – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2022
- Top 150 for Communication and Media Studies - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022
- 1st in the UK and 8th in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 125 University - QS World University Rankings 2023
Modules and learning
Modules
The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
You'll learn key digital skills and be introduced to cultural theories that will set you up with a strong foundation for the rest of your degree. You'll explore how digital technologies shape, and are shaped by, their cultural and political contexts. You'll learn basic skills in digital storytelling, data visualisation, interactivity, and the creative web. You'll take a module on critical writing and research to support your undergraduate learning.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Digital Cultures | 20 |
| Skills and Methods in Digital Cultures | 20 |
| Introduction to Media Studies | 20 |
| Introduction to Scholarly Practice | 20 |
| Introduction to Social and Cultural Studies | 20 |
| Optional Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Adventures in Digital Learning | 20 |
| Stuff: living in a material world | 20 |
| Journalism: Pasts, present and future | 20 |
| Introduction to Popular Music Studies | 20 |
| Contemporary Pop Performance | 20 |
You’ll expand your understanding and knowledge of digital cultures. You'll develop your digital skills and put them to use working in a group to respond to a real-world problem, introduced by partners in industry.
You'll choose from a wide range of optional modules to focus in more depth on topics that interest you, such as gender, race, sexuality, social media, digital politics, and celebrity culture.
Modules
| Compulsory Modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| Work Experience: Find, Apply & Succeed | 0 |
| Research Methods | 20 |
Further compulsory modules
Expanding Digital Cultures (20 credits)
Collaborating in Digital Cultures (20 credits)
Further optional modules
Online User Interaction (20 credits)
Analysing Social Media Interaction (20 credits)
Media and Democracy (20 credits)
You'll put the knowledge and skills from Stages 1 and 2 into practice, undertaking your own research with the option for a dissertation or practice-based project.
You continue to take options in digital cultures and media studies, or modules from across the University.
Modules
Compulsory Modules
Digital Cultures dissertation (40 credits)
OR
Digital Cultures project (40 credits)
Modules
Further optional modules
Cultural Phenomena and the Role of the Media, Digital/ Social Media and PR (20 credits)
Digital Communication for Cultural Institutions and Organisation (20 credits)
Critical Approaches to Media, Communication and Culture (20 credits)
We base these figures and graphs on the most up-to-date information available to us. They combine data on the planned delivery and assessments of our courses in 2021-22 with data on the modules chosen by our students in 2020-21.
Teaching time is made up of:
- scheduled learning and teaching activities. These are timetabled activities with a member of staff present
- structured guided learning. These are activities developed by staff to support engagement with module learning. Students or groups of students undertake these activities without direct staff participation or supervision
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods
Teaching is through lectures, seminars, practical skills workshops, and one-to-one tutorials.
In Year 3 you undertake a research project that accounts for one-third of your time.
Assessment methods
You'll be assessed through a combination of:
-
Assignments – written or fieldwork
-
Coursework
-
Dissertation or research project
-
Essays
-
Group work
-
Projects
-
Reflective report/journal
Skills and experience
Practical skills
You'll learn to create digital media such as mobile apps and data visualisations. You’ll create digital stories using immersive technologies, combining photography, film, sound and text. You'll explore the interactivity of wearable technologies and modern mobile devices and learn to look at the web as a place that can be creatively remade.
Business skills
In Stage 2 you'll apply your digital skills to real-world problems through a group-based practical project introduced by partners in industry and the charity/public sector.
Research skills
In Stage 3 you'll undertake a digital cultures practical project or dissertation. This gives you the chance to demonstrate your learned knowledge and develop your skills, techniques and understanding around independent, in-depth research.
You will learn from our expert staff who are at the forefront of the discipline. Our research themes include:
- digital communication and cultures
- feminism, intersectionality, and post-colonialism
- media, journalism and popular culture
- intimacy, sexuality, family, childhood and education
- digital labour, platform economies and neoliberalism
- media ethics
Opportunities
Study abroad
Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.
You can choose to spend up to a year studying at a partner institution overseas.
If you choose to study abroad, it will extend your degree by a year.
Find out more about study abroad
Work placement
Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.
You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.
If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year, and your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year. A work placement is not available if you're spending a year studying abroad. Placements are subject to availability.
Facilities and environment
Facilities
As a student of Media, Journalism and Film Practice at Newcastle University, you will join a vibrant community in the School of Arts and Cultures' Media, Culture, Heritage department.
You will be based in the Armstrong Building and Film@CultureLab, right at the heart of our city-centre campus. You'll be close to all of Newcastle University's amenities, as well as being just a five-minute walk to Newcastle's main street, Northumberland Street.
You'll have access to:
- professional-standard video and audio equipment, studio space and AV-editing facilities
- specialist computing facilities, including industry-standard software, such as Adobe Creative Suite
- a mobile studio suite
Support
You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.
You will also benefit from the expert knowledge and skills of our dedicated team of technicians based in Culture Lab.
Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.
Your future
The critical, creative and analytical skills you’ll develop will make you an attractive hire in almost any graduate job in the contemporary job market. You’ll be well suited to a career where innovation, collaboration and constant reskilling is key. This could mean you go on to work for:
- creative industries
- charities
- advocacy
- think tanks
You would be well suited to work in web, app or UX design, copywriting, content creation or strategy. Your understanding of the media, digital skills and ability to tell stories in a new way will be an asset as a journalist as well as in publishing, advertising, marketing and PR.
Make a difference
Sorry, you need JavaScript to view this video
Careers support
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Visit our Careers Service website
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Entry requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2022 entry.
A Levels
AAB
International Baccalaureate
A minimum of 34 points.
A Levels with PARTNERS
BBC. Some candidates may be invited to interview.
English Language requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English require a minimum score of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent with no less than 6.5 in writing and no less than 5.5 in any other element of the test.
If you need help to meet our English Language requirements, we can provide support with extra tuition.
Read more about UK visas and immigration requirements
Other international qualifications
ABB at A Level is typically the minimum required for entry to an undergraduate course. You can check the equivalent grades for qualifications offered in your country.
PARTNERS
The PARTNERS Programme is Newcastle University’s supported entry route for students from schools and colleges in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Entrance courses (INTO)
International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO.
Find out more about International Pathway Courses
Admissions policy
This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University, including Newcastle University London. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.
Download our admissions policy
Find out more about unconditional offers
Other policies related to admissions
Tuition fees and scholarships
Tuition fees for 2022 entry (per year)
Home Fee Students
£9250
International Fee Students
£Not set
The maximum fee that we are permitted to charge for home fee-paying students is set by the UK government.
As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Read more about fees and funding
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our undergraduate scholarship page for more information.
Year abroad and additional costs
For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year.
Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.
Find out more about:
Scholarships
Find out more about:
Open days and events
You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year at our on-campus and virtual open days.
You'll be able to:
• explore our beautiful campus
• find out about our vibrant city
• discover what students think about studying at Newcastle
You'll also have the opportunity to speak to academic staff and find out more about the subjects you're interested in.
Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually.
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University. Visit our events calendar to find out when we're visiting your region.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS
To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:
- the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
- the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
- the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college
If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.
Apply through UCASApply through an agent
International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.
Get in touch
By phone
Call us on +44 (0) 191 208 3333 and press option 1. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 10am until 4pm.
Live chat
Our Ncl chatbot might be able to give you an answer straight away. If not, it’ll direct you to someone who can help.
You'll find our Ncl chatbot in the bottom right of this page.
Online
Keep updated
We regularly send email updates and extra information about the University.
Receive regular updates by email