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 society. You’ll have the opportunity to gain a wide range of technical skills from graphic design and animation to dynamic web programming and mobile app development, and to combine these with vital critical thinking, research and analytical skills.

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

Our excellent links with the digital media industries ensure great opportunities for students looking to design, build or manage the interactive products and services of the future.

Specialist facilities

Our dedicated digital media lab is equipped with the specialist software for web and graphic design, 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 the 58-seat Phil Taylor 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.

Take a look around our facilities.

You’ll develop key skills in digital media design and production from Year 1, 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 2 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 could 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 could also choose to complete a four-week work placement to gain practical experience in a related industry.

Have a look at some student work produced 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

Broadening your academic horizons

At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. This course gives you the opportunity to broaden your learning by studying discovery modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

You’ll learn under the guidance of experienced practitioners and leading researchers using a wide 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 are available during their office hours to discuss any issues or questions that arise.

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: ABB

Other course specific tests:

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

  Offers will be based upon three principal subjects or a combination of principal subjects and A levels.

• International Baccalaureate

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

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  AABBBB.

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  3 Advanced Highers or a combination of 2 Highers and 2 Advanced Highers at grades A or B.

• Welsh Baccalaureate

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

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.

Successful applicants who are eligible for the Access to Leeds scheme will receive our standard offer, plus an alternative offer which is two grades lower.

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.

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/EU 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

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures Undergraduate Admissions Policy 2020

Fees

UK/EU: See fees section below

International: £19,500 (per year)

Tuition fees for 2020 entry 
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2020, the fee for 2020/21 will be £9,250. 

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. Fees for UK and non-UK EU undergraduate students are decided by Government and may vary if policy changes.

The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2020/21 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans for the duration of their course. The UK government has not confirmed the situation for future years, so keep checking our website for updates.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's planned exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

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.

In 2017, 92% of our students were in full-time employment or further study within six months of graduating (Destination of Leavers from Higher Education 2016/17).

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.