Overview
This course will provide you with the core professional skills required for a rewarding career in digital media management and production. This interdisciplinary offering, bringing together Stirling’s internationally recognised strengths in media, film, and communication studies, is distinctive from competitors in offering you the unique opportunity to develop analytical, creative, and production skills; underpinned by important sociocultural understanding of human behaviour and communication in the digital context, and the complex factors influencing people’s behaviours.
You will gain an in-depth understanding of human communication and information-seeking behaviours, and the complex and variable sociocultural factors influencing peoples’ behaviours at both macro (societal) and micro (individual) levels. You will also acquire a comprehensive understanding of research methods for audience and media research, including options to develop data analytics and digital marketing skills. You will have the opportunity to develop practical skills in persuasive communication design, and digital content development including graphics design and video production. The course also includes the option to produce a digital media product as a specialist, practice-based alternative to undertaking a dissertation.
As a graduate, you will have the skills to contribute to the planning, development, and evaluation of multi-channel digital marketing strategies and campaigns. Via our unique offering, you will possess valuable interdisciplinary skills for flexible careers across digital industries public and private, and the ability to move into a number of specialist roles including digital media marketing, management, content design and production.
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Stirling has played an important role in the development of communications and media research both in the UK and internationally from the foundation of the original department in 1978.
As one of the UKs oldest and leading schools, the division of Communications, Media and Culture (CMC) maintains its commitment to wide-ranging research which crosses boundaries between arts and humanities, social sciences and management. CMC’s work encompasses research into screen and print media, digital media and social media, public communication and promotional culture, heritage and archives. CMC has research specialists in social media analysis, human information behaviour, digital journalism, and public relations; in addition to researchers working on many aspects of media representation, media institutions, media and communications policy, and relationships between media, culture and society.
CMC staff are frequent speakers on public platforms nationally and internationally, through the media in many countries, online, and in major conferences and symposia. They have contributed to policy discussion and formation through parliamentary commissions and inquiries, and public debate, and produce research with international impact.
Reflective of CMC strengths, our MSc Digital Media and Communication has a strong team of senior teaching and research staff to provide you with flexibility in choosing your own digital media learning pathway and learning goals, delivered by leading international researchers in communications and media research.
Entry requirements
Minimum second-class Honours degree or international equivalent. Applicants without these qualifications but possessing other qualifications including significant relevant work experience may also be considered.
International entry 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) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 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.
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
You can study full–time for one year or part-time over two years.
In the Autumn semester, you take three compulsory modules: Advanced Topics in Communication, Human Information Behaviour and Media Research Methods.
In the Spring semester, you pick three optional modules (see below) allowing you to prepare for careers in either digital analytics and marketing, or digital content production. You can also mix optional modules if desired (i.e. a mix of analytics, marketing, and production options).
In the Summer semester, you undertake a supervised research dissertation or supervised digital project aligning with your academic and/or professional interests.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2024. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
The taught course takes place within the University’s two 15-week semesters and involves lectures, seminars, tutorials and case-study work.
There is an emphasis on varied assessment, problem-finding, and critical practice modes of delivery.
Students benefit from a programme of guest speakers, including UK national press editors, directors of digital media production companies and regulatory policy-makers and advisors in the digital media space.
Recent field trips include BBC Scotland, one of the newest and most modern digital broadcasting centres in the world, the V&A Dundee, the UK’s newest international design museum shortlisted for European Museum of the Year 2020, and Codebase Stirling, a creative space and tech cluster, and part of one the largest and fastest-growing technology incubator networks in Europe.
You’ll be assessed by a variety of assessment strategies, including written assignments, exams, practical teams and individual projects.
Professor Steven Buchanan - Course Director, Tutor for Human Information Behaviour
Professor Dario Sinforiani - Tutor for Digital Video Production
Dr William Dinan - Tutor for Research Methods
Dr Victoria Esteves - Tutor for Research Methods
Dr Stefanie Hills - Tutor for Advanced Social Media Analytics
Dr Bernadine Jones - Tutor for Advanced Topics in Communication
Ms Staci Rowlison - Tutor for Visual Communication Design
Dr Conor McKeown - Tutor for Interactive Media Design
Dr Sandy Brownlee - Tutor for Data Analytics
Dr Lisa Siebers - Tutor for Digital Marketing and Data Technologies
Fees and funding
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
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.
Funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
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.
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
100% of Digital Media students at the University of Stirling think that their course has enhanced their employability
Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2021
96% of our graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation
(Graduate Outcomes 2020-21, HESA)
A number of rewarding professional career pathways are possible as a graduate of the MSc Digital Media and Communication, with strong market demand reported globally across both private and public sectors for graduates who understand how to effectively utilise digital media to reach and communicate with target audiences and customers. Digital communication, marketing and production skills taught on this course are in particular demand, with strong future growth projected across all sectors (e.g. US Bureau of Labor Statistics; Digital Marketing Institute).
Example graduate roles include:
Digital Media Manager
Leading multi-channel digital campaigns encompassing social media, websites and other media, and including: strategic campaign planning; leading and coordinating digital content development teams (creative development teams and marketing professionals etc.); and evaluation of campaign effectiveness via analysis of consumer/audience behaviour data.
Social Media Specialist
Managing social media accounts to maintain and build client brand reputation, including: leading social media campaigns; writing blogs, articles and posts to support campaigns; following and responding to targeted posts and discussions; and developing strategies to increase client audience figures (social media and website).
Digital Marketer
Evaluation and creation of business-driven marketing strategies. Strategic decision making and digital multi-channel promotional strategies; analysis of consumer behaviour, experimental factorial design of data-driven strategies and campaigns. Account handling and multi-team coordination.
Web Content Editor
Developing and managing client online multimedia content, including: writing, creating and managing digital content encompassing text, images, video and other media; working with content development teams (writers, graphic artists, and web designers etc.) to co-design content for campaigns; and soliciting audience feedback to develop engaging content.
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