BA (Hons) Digital Media

Plan for your future with a Digital Media degree delivered jointly by the University of Stirling and Forth Valley College. Our career-focused media courses rank among the best in the UK.

Digital Media

Key facts

  • Award BA (Hons)
  • Start date August 2024
  • Duration 48 months
  • Mode of study full time
  • Delivery on campus
  • UCAS Code W2N9

Overview

As the speed of change in the media continues to accelerate, the demand for graduates able to embrace new technologies and innovative methods of content creation and delivery is also growing. The University of Stirling’s Digital Media course meets this demand head-on, and is shaped by the same expert teaching and research that has made our media courses among the best in the UK. Our Digital Media course is a fully integrated degree taught in conjunction with Forth Valley College, and you'll spend the first two years studying at the college and the final two studying at the University of Stirling campus. 

The course will provide you with practical training in the tools, applications and possibilities of the digital environment – from the creation of journalistic and multimedia content to its effective use across different platforms. The overarching aim of the course is to make sure you’re work-ready and equipped with a broad range of digital media skills.

Every business, organisation and media outlet relies on digital communications to share their messages. With the skills to produce creative digital content that helps them stand out in a saturated market, you’ll be opening the door to a world of exciting opportunities.

Top reasons to study with us

Entry requirements

Year 1 entry – Four-year honours

SQA Highers
BBB

GCE A-levels
BB

IB Diploma
28

BTEC (Level 3)
MMM

Essential subjects
English

Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.

Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.

Other Scottish qualifications

Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.

SWAP access course - for mature students only.

Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.

Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B

Essential subjects
English

Other qualifications

English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.

Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.

Essential subjects
English

International entry requirements

Advanced entry

Advanced entry is not available for this course.

Additional information

Start dates

This four-year course is a collaboration between Forth Valley College and the University of Stirling. In Years 1 and 2, you will be taught at Forth Valley College's Stirling Campus, where the teaching terms start in August each year (see Forth Valley College's term dates). You will then transfer to the University of Stirling for Years 3 and 4, where the teaching semesters start in September each year (see University of Stirling's semester dates).

How to apply

To apply for a full-time undergraduate degree, you should apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). You can apply for up to five courses on your application.

Direct applications

If you would like to apply only for this integrated degree course, you can use our direct application form (instead of completing a UCAS application for multiple course choices).

If you would like further information or guidance, please contact Forth Valley College’s University Partnership Officer, Lisa Baxter at lisa.baxter@forthvalley.ac.uk.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

  • IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) 56 overall with a minimum of 51 in each sub-skill.
  • IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.

See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.

Pre-sessional English language courses

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.

Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses

Course details

The first two years of this honours degree course will be delivered by Forth Valley College at their Stirling campus, and you’ll be based at the University of Stirling campus in Years 3 and 4.

Course structure

Throughout your course, you’ll develop specialist skills and knowledge across areas such as TV and radio production, desktop publishing, scripting, writing for the media and web design.

The first and second years of this partnership degree programme are delivered under thematic umbrellas which provide both theoretical and practical underpinning across Digital Media.

Year 1 (at Forth Valley College)

  • Introduction to Storytelling: scriptwriting, radio, video and narrative and media theory.
  • Journalism for Digital Media: copywriting for media, digital journalism, desktop publishing and research for media, law and the media.
  • Creative Economy: understanding the creative industries and economy, presentation skills and social media.
  • Independent Project 1: a self-devised, designed and delivered project showcasing skills developed throughout the year.

Year 2 (at Forth Valley College)

  • Storytelling Theory and Production: advanced scriptwriting, radio, video and film studies for new media.
  • Applied Digital Media: media communication theory, critical analysis of texts, advanced social media practice, introduction to animation.
  • Independent Project 2: a self-devised, designed and delivered project showcasing skills developed throughout the year.

Modules

The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.

Course details

Teaching

Teaching is delivered in a variety of formats, including lectures and small group sessions designed to help you develop key communication skills and benefit from close collaboration with teaching staff. The course combines the applied technological and media-oriented skills of Forth Valley’s HND programme with research-led subject specialism and digital expertise of the University.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed based on a combination of exams, essay writing, workshop reports and other methods - such as a final-year digital project. Typically, modules are assessed by a combination of coursework and examination, with the weighting varying depending on the nature of the material taught and the module outcomes specified. Your degree classification will be based on work done in Year 3 and Year 4.

Classroom hours

19 hours in years 1 and 2.

Contact

Lisa Baxter, Partnership Officer, Forth Valley College

lisa.baxter@forthvalley.ac.uk

Fees and funding

Fees and costs

Academic year: 2023/24 2024/25
Scottish students £1,820 £1,820
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland £9,250 £9,250
International students (including EU) £16,400 £17,200

Scottish students

This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.

Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.

You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland

This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.

You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).

We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

International students (including EU)

Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Additional costs

There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.

Cost of living

If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.

International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling.

Payment options

We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.

After you graduate

What jobs can you get with a Digital Media degree?

We’re rated among the best universities in the UK for media, and many of our graduates have established successful careers in film, media and journalism. These include working in television and radio industries as journalists, scriptwriters, directors, administrators and technicians.
 
Some have made careers in the press and publishing or in the arts and cultural industries. Others are working in advertising, public relations, market research, community media, animation, motion graphics, graphic design and new media.
 
Digital media courses vary in scope and content, but our programme is designed to make sure you graduate as a well-rounded, highly skilled and digitally literate individual able to work effectively across a range of media platforms. You’ll not only have the practical skills to create stand-out digital content, but you’ll also understand the ethical, legal and theoretical dimensions of the industry – making you a valuable asset to any organisation that relies on the power and reach of digital media.

  • You’ll be ready to hit the ground running and put your practical training to work as soon as you graduate.
  • Open the door to a world of opportunities – digital media skills have never been more in demand.

Discover Uni

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What our students said

Stacey Lange
Scotland
BA (Hons) Digital Media
What first attracted me to the course was the unique nature of it. It gave you a little bit of everything compared to other courses that focused on one specific part of the media industry.
Read Stacey's story

Flexible study

This course is not available as a combined degree.