© Teesside University: Postgraduate courses: MA Digital Media and Communications

Digital Media and Communications

MA
Full-time and Part-time Media & Journalism

International students: due to the high volume of applications already received, we will start to consider applications for this course
from February 2022.

Full-time Part-time
2022/23 entry 2022/23 entry
Fee for UK applicants Fee for UK applicants
£6,695 a year £745 for each 20 credits

£4,335 a year with advanced practice More details about our fees

More details about our fees Length: Up to 3 years (can be completed in 2 years if
preferred)
Fee for international applicants
£14,000 a year Start date: September or January
Semester dates
£8,500 a year with advanced practice
Apply online (part-time)
More details about our fees for international applicants
Apply online (fast-track) for current students
Length: within 1 year (September start), 16 months
(January start) or 2 years with Advanced Practice
(September or January start)
Start date: September or January
Semester dates

Apply online (full-time)

Apply online (fast-track) for current students

Get in touch
UK students
Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 01642 738801

Online chat

International students

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 © Teesside University: Postgraduate courses: MA Digital Media and Communications

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: +44 (0) 1642 738900

More international contacts

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© Teesside University: Postgraduate courses: MA Digital Media and Communications

Course overview
If you are a graduate aiming for a career in public relations, this is the course for you. The public relations and media
industries are constantly changing. To stay ahead of the game you must develop up-to-date multimedia communications
skills and knowledge.

Journalism facilities
See the facilities you use when you study journalism at Teesside University

This course explores the changing nature of the communications landscape in the 21st century and develops your professional
skills and experience. This course gives graduates the freedom to develop up-to-date skills and specialisations for the global
digital communications industry.Working with an academic team, which includes professional journalists, digital content producers
and public relation's professionals; you are supported to develop your craft in the latest storytelling techniques to forge a
successful career in digital media. You also work with research active staff to develop reflective awareness of contemporary
issues in the communications field and develop your academic skills and writing. This course is primarily taught in Teesside's
purpose built digital working-environments, developing skills in creating meaningful content, which attracts an audience. This
course attracts graduates from all over the world and students are offered the opportunity to build a portfolio of work that
translates globally.

Course details

Course structure
Core modules
Digital Platforms and Production
You develop your digital communication capabilities by developing a website around a subject of your choice.
You develop digital content and journalism using a range of technologies, social media production and optimisation, user
experience and design and creative innovation.
You are assessed by 100% ICA, digital project portfolio and a 1,000 word evaluation report.

Digital Platforms: Develop and Launch

You consider user experience, content design, development and deployment of a digital product for an identified platform. You
develop an application to facilitate specific audiences’ engagement with digital content. You explore a range of open source
frameworks to develop a prototype product/service and devise a digital launch and enterprise strategy utilising digital
communication channels.
You are assessed by 100% ICA, a development portfolio and a launch strategy presentation.

Global Communications
You explore digital media and communications through three central and intertwining themes: representation, audiences and,
communication and culture.
Representation considers ideology, mediatised persona and bias.
Audiences considers intercommunication between mainstream and independent media; producers and consumers of content;
free expression and civil rights and democracy.
Culture and Communication examines the socio-cultural, political and economic implications of digital communication.

Launchpad: Exit to Industry

This module supports a strategic career vision related to the media and events industries. You are supported through a series of
workshops You produce a range of professional assets designed to support your career aspirations through work and analysis of
practice/work related practice.
Your assessment is 100% ICA professional portfolio and exit strategy.

Master's Project: Digital Media and Communications

You undertake a major, in-depth, individual study in an aspect of your course. Normally your project is drawn from commercial,
industrial or research-based problem areas. Your project involves researching and investigating aspects of your area of study and
then producing a major deliverable, which can be purely research-led dissertation or a project, which involves the development
and production of a media campaign and associated report.
Your assessment is 100% ICA.

Researching Communications
You explore contemporary developments and research methods within the media industries and the impact developments might
be expected to have on institutions, artefacts and audiences. You research a specific area or development within digital
communication or journalism - this may be technical, economic, cultural, sociological, or based on a combination of factors - and
predict future trends and directions. You develop research methods, skills and knowledge and expertise together to formulate an
independent research problematic.
You are assessed through 100% ICA consisting of either a 5,000 portfolio/presentation or an essay of negotiated equivalence.

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© Teesside University: Postgraduate courses: MA Digital Media and Communications

User Experience for Digital Communications

You build expertise in the design and development of user centred digital environments. You examine audiences and adaptability
of digital media with a particular emphasis on mobile or web-based systems, applications and services. You examine current
research initiatives; gain a thorough understanding of legislation, guidelines, standards and programming techniques related to
user centred design. Through analysis of current research and industry techniques, you explore design and development
methods for the creation of adaptable environments for digital media. The module facilitates techniques for evaluating websites
with audiences. You explore mobile applications for audience usability, adaptability and accessibility.

You are assessed by 100% ICA consisting of a portfolio

Advanced practice (2 year full-time MA only)

Internship
The internship options are:

Vocational: spend one semester working full-time in industry or on placement in the University. We have close links with a range
of national and international companies who could offer you the chance to develop your knowledge and professional skills in the
workplace through an internship. Although we cannot guarantee internships, we will provide you with practical support and advice
on how to find and secure your own internship position. A vocational internship is a great way to gain work experience and give
your CV a competitive edge.

Research: develop your research and academic skills by undertaking a research internship within the University. Experience
working as part of a research team in an academic setting. Ideal for those who are interested in a career in research or academia.

Modules offered may vary.

How you learn

Traditional lectures and seminars are employed, particularly around those subjects requiring a detailed, factual knowledge base.
We see it as an essential component of the programme that you engage in reflective practice which informs your future personal
development.

How you are assessed

Our assessment methods range from practical production tasks to traditional essay assignments. You produce a
professional-level multimedia public relations campaign addressing a range of styles, genres, platforms and audiences. You
produce an essay on a topic related to public relations theory and a formal business report on a new media application in an
organisational context.

You write an academic essay which helps provide a broader context for the practical work undertaken for your Final Project.

For your Final Project, you research, analyse and implement a promotional multimedia campaign for a real-life business client.

Entry requirements
You are evaluated on an individual basis and the level of your achievement, experience and suitability for the degree is properly
assessed. Normally a first degree (2.2 minimum), relevant experience or equivalent qualifications.

For general information please see our overview of entry requirements

International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country

Employability
Career opportunities
A qualification and experience in public relations opens up a vast range of opportunities in all areas of the media and
communications industries.

Graduates have forged successful careers internationally, including China, Malaysia, Nigeria and the Middle East. This course
has also attracted those currently working in the media industry or looking to translate their experiences working in other countries
to the UK jobs market.

Information for international applicants

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© Teesside University: Postgraduate courses: MA Digital Media and Communications

Qualifications
International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.

Select your country:

Choose

Useful information
Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.

Talk to us
Talk to an international student enrolment adviser

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