BA (Hons) Digital Media, Culture and Communication

Deepen your understanding of how digital culture has changed how we live, interact, create and communicate.

Year of entry: 2026/27
Show year of entry: 2025/26

UCAS code

L391

Institution code

Y50

Start date

September 2026
View semester dates

Length

3 years full-time

Typical offer

ABB
Full entry requirements

School/department

Department of Sociology, School of Arts and Creative Technologies

UK (home) fees

£9,535

International and EU fees

£26,900

Apply for this course

Undergraduate Open Days

Book your place for our Open Days on Friday 5 and Saturday 6 September 2025.

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Key transformations in digital technology are shaping our lives. Examine how digital media, culture and communication has changed how we live, interact and create.

Why study Digital Media, Culture and Communication at York?

Learn to analyse and respond to shifts in digital media. You'll be supported by experts in digital media from across a range of disciplines. Under their guidance, you'll make sense of how digital developments shape our lives and experiences.

Explore a wide range of topics within digital media, culture and communication. This includes exploring personal identities, imagining geopolitical futures and examining the impact of AI on decision-making. You'll also delve into how we tell stories and create content in a digital world. In the process, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and skills to realise your ideas.

Develop practical skills in applied modules. Our range of option modules will allow you to tailor your degree to suit your interests. This includes applied modules that cover interactive media, filmmaking and content creation. This allows you to develop a practical skill set within the area of digital media that you're passionate about.

Prepare for your future. During your studies, you'll have access to careers support, events and opportunities. You'll also have the option of adding a placement year to your degree. This allows you to gain invaluable experience working before you graduate. Over the course of your studies, you'll develop a highly flexible skill set and gain knowledge relevant across industries.

Innovative research

The Department of Sociology is 1st for research impact and 4th in the UK for research overall according to the Times Higher Education’s ranking of the latest REF results (2021).

UNESCO City of Media Arts

The city of York is a hotbed of creative talent, and media arts are a driving force of York's social innovation, inclusivity, and diversity.

Molly, Department of Sociology student. Read Molly's blog post.

Course content

Year 1 - six core modules
Year 2 - four core modules and two option modules
Year 3 - three core modules, including a 40-credit dissertation, and two option modules

The course is based on a combination of core modules covering key aspects of the programme learning outcomes. These are balanced with highly relevant option modules in the second and third years. We have built the programme so that all modules - be they optional or core - speak directly to the programme's core themes.

Year 1

Your first year is based on six core modules that will give you the foundation and understanding of digital media, culture and communication.

Core modules

Academic integrity module

In addition to the above you will also need to complete our online Academic Integrity module.

Year 2

Your second year incorporates core modules that will advance your understanding of the issues on the programme. Adding direct specialist knowledge of digital media, culture and communication.

The option modules in the second year then allow you to choose to develop different forms of practical and analytical knowledge. These can be focused on the areas you wish to work in or prepare for your future.

Core modules

Option modules

You will study two option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.

Elective modules

You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.

Year 3

Your third year contains a specialist independent study module that will build on existing knowledge and allow students to design and develop research project work.

This independent study module sits alongside core modules in the first semester that develop your knowledge of the key issues of artificial intelligence and digital storytelling. Your second semester then focuses on the specialisms that you wish to develop further in applied and analytic forms of knowledge.

Core modules

Option modules

You will study two option modules. Examples can be found below. Some option module combinations may not be possible. The options available to you will be confirmed after you begin your course.

Elective modules

You may be able to replace one option module with an elective module, studying a complementary subject, a language or an interdisciplinary topic.

Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.

Placements

There are opportunities to spend time in industry as part of this course.

Work while you study

Learning outcomes

Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Learning outcomes for this course

Understand and respond to developments in digital technologies and their implications for contemporary culture and communication.
Critically evaluate accounts of the impact of digital media, culture and communication upon individuals, groups and social structures.
Design and conduct research that creates insights into the implications of a variety of developments in digital media, culture and communication.
Create detailed and creative accounts of the changes brought about by transformations in digital media, culture and communication.
Situate developments in digital media, culture and communication within wider social, cultural and environmental transformations.
Use a knowledge of wider debates and perspectives to produce contextualised arguments, findings and analyses.
Identify, interrogate and assess the properties of key present and future changes brought about by developments in digital technologies.

Ruby, Department of Sociology student. Read Ruby's blog post.

Fees and funding

Annual tuition fees

UK (home)	International and EU
£9,535	£26,900

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.

Fees for subsequent years

UK (home) fees may increase within the government fee cap in subsequent academic years. We will notify you of any increase as soon as we can.
International fees are subject to increase in subsequent years in line with the prevailing Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate (up to a maximum of 10%).

More information

For more information about tuition fees, any reduced fees for study abroad and work placement years, scholarships, tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and living costs see undergraduate fees and funding.

Funding

We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2026/27 throughout the year.

Living costs

You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.

York, Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial

Just four UK universities are rated Gold for teaching and top ten for research* in the latest national assessment exercises.

* Awarded joint 10th in the Times Higher Education ranking of the Research Excellence Framework 2021.

Teaching and assessment

You’ll study and learn with academics who are active researchers, experts in their field and have a passion for their subjects. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace. Find out more about our approach to teaching and learning.

Teaching format

Our courses consist of a mixture of classroom-based lectures, seminars, and workshops.

Our research-informed curriculum will provide you with the ability to think critically, develop effective solutions to various work-based problems, and work both independently and as part of a team.

You’ll be taught in a range of specialist subject areas, allowing you to delve deeply into complex topics, explore a whole spectrum of social issues, and develop a resilient, adaptable and challenging mindset that will aid you both within, and beyond, your study.

In the UK, full-time students are expected to spend 1,200 hours a year learning. That's about 40 hours of classes and independent study each week during semesters. Everyone learns at a different rate, so the number of hours you spend on independent study will be different to other students on your course.

Teaching location

You will be based in the Department of Sociology on Campus East. Your teaching will take place at various locations across Campus East and Campus West.

About our campus

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 - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can use the fast and frequent bus service. Take a campus tour.

Assessment and feedback

The programme uses standard assessment methods such as essays, coursework, and reports along with non-standard assessments, which may include:

Reflective portfolios - where you are invited to develop your own case studies or reflect on your learning experiences
Book reviews - where you will review a text you have read offering insights and critique
Design prototype - where you will design an interactive media system
Creative project work - where you will devise your own project, research a topic and communicate your findings in a media format of your choosing.
Speculative design prototype or group design brief - where you will develop a design to address a digital media problem or issue.

Careers and skills

By enabling you to analyse and respond creatively to cutting edge digital developments, this course helps you to develop excellent employability skills that can be utilised in a range of different future careers.

You'll have the opportunity to take modules that will not only allow you to develop practical skillsets, but also engage with our external partners to see how these skills can be applied in the workplace.

Career opportunities

Creative industries
Marketing
Public relations
Social media
Communications

Transferable skills

Research and analysis.
Digital creativity.
Communicating complex ideas
Real world applications
Source and evaluate information
Creative communication

Entry requirements

Qualification	Typical offer
A levels	ABB
Access to Higher Education Diploma	30 credits at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher
BTEC National Extended Diploma	DDM
European Baccalaureate	An overall average of 75%
International Baccalaureate	34 points overall
T levels	We will consider a range of T Level qualifications for entry. Please visit our dedicated T Levels page for a full list of accepted T Levels.
Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers	Scottish Highers - ABBBB Advanced Highers - not required for entry We may also be able to consider three Advanced Highers or a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers, where an applicant does not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone. Please contact us to discuss your qualifications.
International foundation programme	Foundation Certificate from our International Pathway College or an appropriate alternative.
Other international qualifications	Equivalent qualifications from your country

Alternative offers

Meeting the following additional criteria may qualify you for an alternative offer.

Criteria	Adjustment
Widening participation	If you successfully complete one of the following programmes, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to two A level grades (or equivalent) below our typical offer: Black Access Programme, Next Step York, Realising Opportunities. More about widening participation.
Contextual offer	BBB
EPQ	If you achieve C or higher at EPQ, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer.
Core Maths	If you achieve B or higher in Core Maths, you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer.
MOOCs	If you successfully complete our online course Imagining York: Discovering the everyday do let us know, as you may be eligible for an alternative offer up to one A level grade (or equivalent) below our typical offer. More about MOOCs.

English language

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)	6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
IB English	A score of 4 in English A or 5 in English B (Higher Level or Standard Level)
Cambridge CEFR	176, with a minimum of 169 in each component
Oxford ELLT	7, with a minimum of 6 in each component
Oxford Test of English Advanced	136, with a minimum of 126 in each component
Duolingo	Integrated subscores: 120 overall, with a minimum of 105 in each component
GCSE/IGCSE/O level English Language (as a first or second language)	Grade C / Grade 4
LanguageCert SELT	B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
LanguageCert Academic	B2 with a minimum score of 33/50 in each component
Kaplan Test of English Language	478 Main Flight score with 444 in each component
Skills for English	B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component
PTE Academic	61, with a minimum of 55 in each component
TOEFL	87 overall, with a minimum of 21 in each component
Trinity ISE III	Merit in all components
Other English language qualifications	We also accept other English Language qualifications, including various school-leaving certificates.

For more information see our undergraduate English language requirements.

If you haven't met our 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.

Applying

To apply to York, you'll need to complete an online application via UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service).

How to apply

Next steps

Contact us

Get in touch if you have any questions

Dr Benjamin Jacobson

benjamin.jacobsen@york.ac.uk

Department