MA Digital Media, Culture and Society

As there is a high demand for our courses we operate a staged admissions process with selection deadlines throughout the year. Due to the competition for places and high quality of applications that we receive, we give preference to students from high ranking institutions and with grades above our minimum entry requirements.

Please ensure you submit all supporting documentation with your application before the application deadline to avoid a delay in processing.

Applications for 2023 entry:

Stage 1: Application received by 9th December 2022 ; Application update by 23rd February 2023

Stage 2: Application received by 10th February 2023 ; Application update by 6th April 2023

Stage 3: Application received by 31st March 2023 ; Application update by 25th May 2023

Stage 4: Application received by 29th April 2023 ; Application update by 29th June 2023

Stage 5: Application received by 1st July 2023 ; Application update by 27th July 2023

Whilst we aim to give you a decision on your application by the deadline date, in some instances due to the competition for places and the volume of applications received, it may be necessary to roll your application forward to the next deadline date.

Applications received after our final selection deadline will be considered at our discretion if places are still available.

Please note: All places are subject to availability and if you apply at one of the later stages, some courses may already be reaching capacity or be closed to further applications. We, therefore, recommend that you apply early in the cycle to avoid disappointment.

The MA in Digital Media, Culture, and Society offers advanced interdisciplinary study in the critique and use of digital media and technology with a particular focus on their cultural and societal implications.

The emergence of digital artifacts is a defining challenge of the twenty-first century, with transformative effects on our cultural production, our social bonds, our economies, and our political systems. Digital media make possible new modes of intellectual pursuit, artistic expression, and civic engagement which students will study through critical analysis and active engagement. At the same time, technology enables novel forms of surveillance and inequality: from the erosion of privacy to algorithmic bias, this course empowers students to recognize digitally mediated threats to civil society. Students will also learn how digital technology transforms the way in which we interrogate and curate the cultural record: students will have the opportunity to learn a range of digital skills, such as data analytics and visualisation.

The course brings together a diverse student body from different backgrounds in a research-led, seminar-based, interactive curriculum that prepares them for leadership roles as critical thinkers and practitioners in the technology sector and the cultural and creative industries.

Throughout the course you will learn to critically engage with the cultural and societal impacts of digital media and technology; evaluate digitally-mediated forms of intellectual pursuit, artistic expression and civic engagement; and conduct independent research on and with digital technology and media.

State-of-the art Facilities

Our teaching takes place in the Digital Humanities Lab, a dedicated, state-of-the art teaching and research space with large screens, flexible seating, and high-performance laptops. Our research-led teaching combines theoretically informed study and critique of digital media and technology with training in creative digital skills that are transferable in a wide range of roles, such as data analysis and visualisation.

Work Placement

Students may benefit from at least 20 days industry experience on a relevant project or programme, subject to availability, hosted on site and remotely by a relevant business or organisation, supported by the host supervisor and an academic supervisor. There is potential for students to develop their own industry placement, subject to the approval of the course unit convenor and programme director. Find out more on the work placements page .

Centre for Digital Humanities

You will be taught by an interdisciplinary team based at the Centre for Digital Humanities , which brings together staff, students, and external partners promoting cutting-edge research at the intersection of the humanities and technology. MA students will be encouraged to contribute to the Centre's research community by attending invited talks and methods training.

Culture and Technology in Manchester

Manchester is increasingly becoming one of the UK's most important cultural and technological hotspots. Now positioned as the engine room for the Northern Powerhouse, the city is benefiting from massive investment in its technological and cultural infrastructure such as MediaCityUK, the award-winning Whitworth, the Sharp Project and HOME.

Students on this course will be taught in a variety of formats, including:

• in-person lectures and seminars
• blended teaching
• student group and project work
• discussions on conceptual and critical questions; individual office hours; as well as hands-on tutorials with state-of-the-art digital technology in our new state-of-the-art labs.
• independent research by students
• individual office hours

Students will encounter a wide range of assessment formats including: academic essays, creative reflections, Storymaps, visualisations, and practical portfolios.

Students will have the opportunity to submit digitally-enhanced or practice-based dissertations. They will also have the option to undertake an industry placement, co-supervised by their host organisation and with an academic tutor.

The University of Manchester has world-class facilities.

Students will benefit from their own dedicated teaching space: the Digital Humanities Lab, a state-of-the art teaching and research space with large screens, flexible seating, and high-performance laptops.

As a student of the Graduate School, you will have access to excellent training within a dedicated postgraduate space where you can meet with each other, access resources, organise events and participate in a thriving academic community. Find out more on the Facilities page.

Students can also progress and further develop their skills and interests in PhD study. You will benefit from a wide range of CV-building opportunities on the course, and your supervisor provides you with personal and career development support.

The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability.