(Full time) 2019 start
Digital Media BA
Overview
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 Suite Master Collection. 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.
Course content
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.
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.
Modules
Year 1
Compulsory modules
- Introduction to Media and Communication Research 20 credits
- Understanding Digital Media 20 credits
- Interface Design 20 credits
- Design for Digital Media 20 credits
- Introduction to Media and Communication Theory 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- The History of Communication 20 credits
- Camera and Editing 20 credits
- Animation and Interactivity 20 credits
Year 2
Compulsory modules
- Visual Communication 20 credits
- Dynamic Web Programming 20 credits
- Working in Digital Media Teams 20 credits
- Communication Research Methods 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
- Critical Theories of Media 20 credits
- Technology in Communication and Media 20 credits
- Communication Skills 20 credits
- Digital Storytelling 20 credits
- Digital Cultures 20 credits
- Media Policy 20 credits
- Motion Graphics 20 credits
- Videogames: Identities in Play 20 credits
- Eco-Design: Understanding Design's Role in Global Ecology 10 credits
- Colour: Art and Science 10 credits
- Principles of Typography 10 credits
Year 3
Compulsory modules
- Internet Policy 20 credits
Optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
In your final year, you'll be required to take one 40 credit module.
- The Documentary and Reality 20 credits
- International Communication 20 credits
- Placement 20 credits
- Feminism, Identity and Media 20 credits
- Understanding the Audience 20 credits
- The Reporting of Politics 20 credits
- TV Documentary Journalism 20 credits
- The Ethnography of Speaking 20 credits
- Popular Music and Society 20 credits
- Digital Media Project 40 credits
- Mobile Media 20 credits
- Citizen Media 20 credits
- Communication Dissertation 40 credits
- War and Media 20 credits
- Promotional Culture 20 credits
- Creative Work in the Cultural Industries 20 credits
- Information Design 20 credits
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, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: ABB
Other course specific tests:If you’re taking the EPQ 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.
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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.
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BTEC
DDM.
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Cambridge Pre-U
Offers will be based upon three principal subjects or a combination of principal subjects and A levels.
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International Baccalaureate
34 overall (5 higher level or 6 standard level points in English).
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Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)
AABBBB.
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
3 Advanced Highers or a combination of 2 Highers and 2 Advanced Highers at grades A or B.
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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
To see equivalent entry requirements for your country, check our international entry requirement directory.
For more information please contact the School of Media and Communication.
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 2019
Fees
UK/EU: See fees section below
International: £18,500 (per year)
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2018, the fee for 2018/19 will be £9,250.
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2019, the fee for 2019/20 will be £9,250.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. For example, the increase of 2.8% in 2017/18 was based on the government’s forecast for the RPI-X measure of inflation.
The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2019/20 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans. The UK government has not confirmed the situation for future years, so keep checking our website for updates.
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.
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.
Career opportunities
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
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 and work placements
Study abroad
On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. The University has over 300 partnerships with universities 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 Placement optional 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.