Study at the forefront of an exciting new field
Year of entry: 2026 (September)
Social media and other emerging communication technologies are becoming a key aspect of social research practice.
The data they generate contain insights into how entire populations communicate, behave and interact with each other.
This course provides the practical research skills and conceptual foundations you need to conduct studies in this new field.
You'll examine the role of social media in contemporary societies, and its potential for ethical research. You'll develop a foundation in traditional social science research skills, as well as explore new methods of analysis for both large- and small-scale data.
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
You will develop, design, implement and manage your own original research project, supervised by a member of staff. You will analyse the data and produce a 10,000-word dissertation.
Examples of dissertation titles with social media topics include:
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
Two-months after completing my Masters degree, I secured a job as an SEO and Social Media Analyst at the Telegraph Media Group.
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £12,500 | £28,600 |
| Part-time (2 years) This is the year 1 fee. Fees for future years are subject to confirmation. |
£6,250 | £14,300 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
For courses which are longer than one year, the tuition fees quoted are for the first year of study.
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2026/27 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. Chevening Scholarships provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
You'll spend time working on your own, reading assigned texts and researching supporting materials, as well as working with others in seminars to discuss readings in a group and present your work. A member of the teaching staff will act as your supervisor throughout the degree, to help guide your studies and monitor progress. You'll be taught using a variety of methods in a range of formats including:
You will be based in the Department of Sociology on Campus East. Most of your contact hours will be on Campus East.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
You will be assessed in a number of different ways, depending on the module you study.
Forms of assessment include portfolio work, essays and reflections. You will also complete a 10,000 word dissertation on a subject of your choice that relates to your programme.
You will also receive feedback on work that does not count towards your final grade such as group and individual presentations, helping you to understand your strengths and identify areas for improvement.
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You'll develop the skills and knowledge needed to play a leading role in the design and evaluation of interactive technologies in industry, commerce, academia and public service. This social media degree also provides an ideal basis to progress to further study at PhD level.
Turn ambition into achievement with our expert guidance and connections. From your first day here to life after graduation, we'll help you find your career advantage.
| Qualification | Typical offer |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent in Sociology or a relevant discipline, or equivalent suitable experience |
| International pre-masters programme | Pre-masters from our International Pathway College |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Oxford Test of English Advanced | 136, minimum 126 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 478-509, with 444-477 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
Get in touch if you have any questions
