KU Leuven
Master of Communication Sciences: Digital Media and Society
Leuven, Belgium
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English, Dutch
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Introduction
From virtual worlds, social media, and the use of AI technology to online gaming – digital media re-shape society in various domains and inform the way individual people live, think, and act. The international Master of Communication Sciences: Digital Media and Society provides a one-year master's program in which you will study the nature, effect, and meaning of digital media.
You will get the chance to study the human consequences of digital media developments, the ways in which social factors shape these developments, and the various domains in which digital media are developed, used, and have an impact. During this master's year, you will get prepared for an academic career, a job in marketing, or in a digital media company.
The program of 60 ECTS credits brings variation in topics and teaching methods, allowing you to build your personal digital communication expertise via:
- Theoretical courses
- Interactive master classes
- Exercises in research design and digital methods
- An Internship
- Elective courses
- A master's thesis
Curriculum
Theoretical Courses
- Introduction to Digitalization
- Production and Consumption of Digital Media: Theory and Application
- Psychology of Social Media
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Digital Marketing
Master Classes
- Media and Design
- Media and Crisis
- AI Society
Methods
- Research Designs for Communication Science: Quantitative Methods
- Research Designs for Communication Science: Digital Methods
Master's Thesis
- Master's Thesis
Ideal Students
Student Profile
- You are fascinated by the way digital media shapes personal identity and wellbeing, culture and community, politics and policies, business and marketing.
- You want to specialize in theory, methods, and research to study digital media and communication.
- You like to develop evidence-based strategies in digital communication.
- You are motivated to work in the fields of research and innovation, social media, digital marketing, and a commercial, governmental, or non-profit context.
- You want to study at KU Leuven – one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe.
Career Opportunities
As a Digital Media and Society graduate you gained knowledge and insight into the nature, effect, and meaning of digital media. You learned how to do empirical research and how to report on your findings in academic papers and policy reports. Based on your expertise, you are able to develop evidence-based communication strategies.
Given the sheer omnipresence of digital media in contemporary organizations, alumni of the Master in Digital Media and Society have ample opportunities for interesting jobs in numerous areas:
- Creative industry: You have the knowledge and professional skills to develop programs or formats in the creative industry and in media and news organizations. You are able to offer valuable insight into media policy in several areas of expertise. You are able to support traditional media companies and organizations in the transition from mass communication towards digital, interactive, and personalized communication with the envisioned audience.
- Research and innovation: You can take 'key' positions in the field of consumer and market insights related to the psychology and sociology of digital media use and design. In NGOs, news agencies, or commercial bureaus, you investigate understanding of consumer behavior and the use of new media. You are able to develop policy guidelines and campaigns about topics such as fake news, digital media literacy, sexting, or cyberbullying.
- Marketing strategy: You are employed by marketing agencies or support governmental organizations, NGOs, and commercial businesses in the evaluation and improvement of internal and external communication strategies. You manage public relations through influencer marketing, podcasts, video content, inclusion and diversity awareness, and the creation of content to reach out to consumers around the globe.
Admissions
Program delivery
The courses are fully taught in English and also available in Dutch.
Program Outcome
- Credits: 60 ECTS
- Degree Type: Advanced Master
- Specifications: Master of Science.
Program Tuition Fee
Why study at KU Leuven
What sets us apart as a university?
A highly-ranked university
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. All of KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.
Research-based education
Education at KU Leuven is research-based, which means students will learn from the same professors who are performing the ground-breaking research you read about in the press. New insights are instantly integrated into classes and students are encouraged to perform their research. In our FabLab, students can use several high-tech machines to create whatever they want – all free of charge.
Affordable tuition fees
Higher education is highly valued in Belgium and therefore subsidised by the government. This allows KU Leuven to keep tuition fees relatively low, which gives you a price/quality ratio very few top-100 universities can match. We take pride in keeping our programs as accessible as possible to allow the brightest students from around the globe to join our courses.
International student life with respect for diversity
According to Times Higher Education, KU Leuven is in the top 50 of most international universities worldwide with staff and students from over 150 different nationalities. For all our international students, the Pangaea student center is their home away from home. Our university also strives for diversity and inclusion and wants to work together on a pact for more respect.
Program Leaders
Scholarships and Funding
Several scholarship options are available. Please visit the university website for more information.
Info Sessions
KU Leuven combines the best of both worlds by hosting both online and live info sessions. You choose how, where and when to get your information in your search for the right program
Rankings
KU Leuven is among the best 100 universities in the world according to both Times Higher Education World Rankings and QS World University Rankings. KU Leuven’s disciplines proudly belong to the top 100 of their field. Furthermore, KU Leuven was ranked by Reuters as the most innovative university in Europe in 2016.