Digital Media BA

This course offers a blend of theory and practice, teaching you all you need for a future in digital and interactive media.

You’ll build a portfolio of practical projects and learn to analyse the impact of digital media products on individuals and society. You’ll have the opportunity to gain a range of technical skills using our industry-standard software, from graphic design to dynamic web programming and mobile app development, combining these with critical thinking, research and analytical skills.

Shape your degree to suit your interests and career plans through optional modules, whether they relate to creative or technical practice or theoretical analysis of digital media. You can even undertake a four-week work placement to gain experience of this fast-changing sector.

Our links with the digital media industries ensure great opportunities if you’re looking to research, design, build or manage the interactive products and services of the future.

Specialist facilities

Our digital media lab (pictured below) is equipped with specialist software for web and graphic design, including Adobe Creative Cloud. You’ll also benefit from access to our 40 editing suites equipped with the latest Avid video editing software and Photoshop, a Burli-equipped radio studio and a TV studio and gallery complete with large green screen area.

As well as our extensive loans service for equipment such as digital recorders, video cameras, stills cameras and more, our School is also home to a 58-seat cinema. It screens films twice a week during term time and is equipped with HD video projection facilities, 16mm and 35mm film projectors and Dolby Digital surround sound.

Digital media lab

Take a 360 tour of our facilities.

You’ll develop key skills in digital media design and production from your first year, as well as an understanding of different theories and approaches in communication and media. At the same time, you’ll examine the cultural, technological, political and economic contexts that have shaped the development of digital media and the research that will shape its future.

Year two will allow you to build on this foundation, as you develop advanced skills in web programming, study visual communication and work on real industry briefs. You’ll also develop your research skills and choose from a range of optional modules to tailor your studies according to your own interests and career plans. You can study media policy, digital storytelling, video games, motion graphics and design among many other topics.

By your final year you’ll have the skills and knowledge to produce a substantial piece of independent project work, either applying your research skills to complete a dissertation on a media-related topic of your choice or developing your own digital media product, service or campaign, from initial pitch through to finished product.

At the same time, you’ll gain a good grounding in legislation, policy and regulation surrounding digital media, and select more optional modules in areas ranging from documentary journalism to information design. You can also choose to complete a four-week work placement to gain practical experience in a related industry.

Have a look at some final year projects produced by previous students on this course.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Digital Media BA in the course catalogue

Modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

You’ll learn under the guidance of academic teaching practitioners and researchers, using a range of teaching and learning methods to give you the knowledge and skills that you need. These methods will include practical classes and workshops as well as lectures, seminars and tutorials.

In addition, you’ll have a reading list for each module and independent study is a crucial part of the degree, allowing you to develop your own skills and understanding. Your tutors will be available during their office hours to discuss any issues or questions that arise.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

We use a variety of assessment methods so you can demonstrate different skills. These will include practical production coursework, essays and occasionally exams.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB including one arts, humanities or social science subject. Excluding general studies and critical thinking.

Other course specific tests:

If you’re taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) you may receive an alternative offer alongside a standard offer. In this case, the typical offer would be ABC plus grade A in the EPQ.

• Access to HE Diploma

  Offers are made on an individual basis, typically a Pass with 60 credits overall including 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 should be at Distinction and 15 at Merit level.

• BTEC

  DDM

• Cambridge Pre-U

  M1, M1, M2

• International Baccalaureate

  34 overall
  (16 at higher level, with 5 at higher level in English or 6 at standard level).

• Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)

  H2 H2 H2 H3 H3 H3
  AABBBB (pre-2017)

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  BB in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers
  or
  B in Advanced Highers and AAABB in Highers
  or
  AABBBB in Highers

• Welsh Baccalaureate

  Please note that we don’t currently accept the Welsh Baccalaureate.

• Other Qualifications

  European Baccalaureate
  75% overall.

  Find your country to see equivalent international qualifications.

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer:
BBB at A Level and pass Access to Leeds.

International

Find your country to see equivalent international qualifications.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.

We typically receive a high number of applications for this course. To ensure we treat all applications fairly, we may put your application on hold until after the UCAS deadline before making a final decision. All applications received before the UCAS deadline are guaranteed equal consideration.

Read our admissions guidance and see ‘Application decisions’ for details.

All courses in the School involve rigorous theoretical study, research and presentation. All applicants must therefore provide evidence of completing, or working towards completing, a Level 3 (for example, A Level) Arts/Humanities qualification that demonstrates their ability to research a topic and present high quality written work. In some cases, applicants may also be asked to provide examples of completed essays or assignments in order to assess their suitability.

As part of your application, you'll need to submit a personal statement. Read our guidance on writing your personal statement.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023

Fees

UK: £9,250

International: £22,250 (per year)

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Digital media communications play a vital role for almost every organisation. This means career opportunities for graduates are rich and varied.

Our graduates pursue a wide range of careers in media including web design, social media analysis, content writing, online marketing, advertising, graphic design, project management and e-commerce. Many have built careers in well-known organisations like the BBC, The Guardian, ITV, MTV and M&C Saatchi.

Careers support

Within the School, we offer opportunities for you to attend talks and workshops led by industry professionals to help you gain insight into a career in digital media.

You can take part in our career mentoring scheme, where you'll be matched with someone working in industry who can give you one-to-one careers advice. Our annual Careers Day also allows you to meet and learn from professionals across the media and communications industries.

Find out more about careers and employability at the School of Media and Communication.

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.

If you don’t want to spend a full year on a placement, you can still choose to take the optional placement module, which gives you the chance to spend around four weeks working at a company or organisation within the media or a related industry. We have excellent links with the local, regional and national creative industries, ensuring that you have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience that complements your learning.

Find out more.