MA Global Media and Digital Cultures (Online)
Online, United Kingdom
MA
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2027
TUITION FEES
GBP 12,000
STUDY FORMAT
Key Summary
About: The online MA examines digital power, participation and inequality with Global South perspectives. It combines critical theory and interdisciplinary research. Core modules include research design and global media; guided options cover digital cultures, geopolitics, migration and environment. The capstone is an 8,000‑word dissertation or professional project. Modules run 14 weeks and total 300 hours.
Career Outcomes: Graduates gain advanced critical, analytical and research skills and produce projects demonstrating expertise. Skills include communication, cultural and political awareness. Options include journalism, media and news organisations, NGOs, campaigning organisations, communications, politics and policy or roles like research analyst, content strategist, digital consultant.
The programme explores digital power, participation and inequality in contemporary societies, emphasising Global South perspectives. It blends critical theory with interdisciplinary, grounded research and develops advanced critical and research skills. Students study core modules (including research design and global media), choose guided modules spanning topics such as digital cultures, geopolitics, migration and environment, and complete a capstone (an 8,000-word dissertation or an 8,000-word equivalent professional project).
Modules are 14 weeks long and represent 300 hours of learning (200 hours directed/self-directed learning and 100 hours assessment preparation). Study tours are available to postgraduate students (destinations include New Delhi, Lahore, Seoul, Luang Prabang, Almaty, Bishkek, Kigali, Johannesburg and Doha).
The programme is offered part-time as either:
an accelerated two-year route (Year 1: 90 credits, Year 2: 90 credits including capstone) or
a three-year route (Year 1: 60 credits, Year 2: 60 credits, Year 3: 60 credits including capstone).
Most modules are 30 credits.
Year 1 covers core research design and global media modules. Later stages combine core research modules (e.g. Frontiers in Research) with guided optional modules across topics such as digital cultures, migration, environment, geopolitics, and finance. The programme culminates in a capstone dissertation or professional project (8,000-word equivalent).
SOAS Online Scholarships
Additional funding and discounts noted on the page include a £1,000 alumni discount for eligible alumni and a 10% corporate group discount for groups of two or more employees from the same company (subject to verification).
Graduates leave with advanced critical, analytical and research skills and substantial independent projects demonstrating applied expertise. Skills emphasised across modules include critical and analytical thinking, communication, research, cultural and political awareness, and practical digital competencies. Employment sectors named on the page include journalism, media, news organisations, NGOs, campaigning organisations, communications roles, and politics.