MA in Digital Media
Southampton, United Kingdom
MA
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 26,200 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* EU and international students | £11,000 - UK students
Explore the rapidly developing world of digital media on our MA Digital Media course.
To successfully address challenges in the rapidly developing global media landscape, new technologies, and local realities, you need a responsive media education.
Our MA Digital Media degree offers a distinctive blend of critical and creative approaches to digital media and media studies. This learning approach is supported by multi-disciplinary methodologies and led by a faculty with extensive research experience, industry networks, and practitioner backgrounds.
As a digital media practices student, you can enjoy:
- a blend of teaching, learning and assessment methods that enables you to integrate theory and practice
- the latest facilities and learning resources at Winchester School of Art
- collaboration with University research groups
- guest talks from media scholars and industry professionals
- participation in exhibitions and research events
- participation in software and technical equipment workshops and inductions
- study trips and networking opportunities with leading global cultural institutions
Distinctive Approach to Theory and Practice
Working in contemporary digital media requires innovative solutions and thinking, informed by the latest theory and practice.
MA Digital Media focuses on critical media studies with practice-led projects, and draws on disciplines such as:
- media arts
- visual culture
- algorithmic culture
- social media platforms
- media infrastructures
- screen and audiovisual studies
- games and playful media
We update our selection of media practices and industries every year to ensure the course remains relevant over time.
On this 1-year course, you'll develop your skills in critical thinking, media theory and literacy, and creative methodologies.
With a robust introduction to media theory, you'll learn how to navigate global contemporary issues in media, including ecology, race, gender and politics.
You'll build a robust portfolio of work that highlights the best of critical theory and practice approaches from a wide range of digital media. You'll also learn how to develop your own practice in a critical and creative way.
Over the course of the programme, you'll use digital media technologies, platforms and tools to create and lead independent media projects. You'll conduct research which is relevant to media, arts, culture and technology, and collaborate with students and staff in a variety of ways, working across media.
You'll also be able to take part in an exhibition of student group projects, as well as our annual symposium. Both of these events will enable you to collaborate with other students and grow your network of industry connections. You can read more about one of our previous exhibitions, Spatial Media, Inhabitations and Relocations.
Excel in the dynamic field of digital media
With advanced technical facilities at Winchester School of Art, we support a wide range of specialisms and practices, from audio-visual media to digital culture.
You'll be taught by internationally renowned theorists and practitioners in the media sphere, who will help you prepare for a career as a media professional anywhere in the world.
We also invite media professionals and theorists to give guest talks throughout the course and provide specialised feedback on your projects.
Our research at Winchester School of Art is socially engaged, and our MA Digital Media course is closely integrated within the research culture of the University, including the newly-established Critical Infrastructure and Image Politics research group.
Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship
There are 40 scholarships available to international students applying to study an undergraduate or postgraduate master's degree in an arts or humanities subject. Successful applicants will get £10,000 towards their tuition fees.
Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply, on our website.
Winchester School of Art Progression Scholarship
This scholarship is available to all eligible UK and international Winchester School of Art graduates who go directly from an undergraduate to a master's degree within the school. You will get either £1500, £2,500 or £3,000 depending on the grade you get for your undergraduate degree.
Learn more about the Winchester School of Art Progression Scholarship on our website.
On this MA Digital Media course, you’ll explore a variety of core, compulsory and optional modules to enhance your understanding and refine your interests.
We'll deliver taught modules in semesters 1 and 2, before you independently complete your final project during the summer, which is sometimes referred to as semester 3.
The core modules provide in-depth knowledge relevant to the specialist concepts and methods of digital media practices, while the compulsory modules consider a broad range of subject-specific topics.
Modules
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
You must study the following modules:
- Critical Media Practice
- Digital Media I: Critical Theory
- Digital Media II: Collaborative Critical Practice
- Final Project (Digital Media Practices)
- Media Research and Methodologies I
- Media Research and Methodologies II: Research Proposal Development
You must also choose from the following modules:
- Creative Thinking and Problem Solving
- Digital Cultures
- Entrepreneurship
- Experimental Publishing
- Exploring the Visual Language of Display
- Global Marketing
- Sustainability in Business and Design
- Visual Culture
Semester 1 Overview
In your first semester, you'll sharpen your knowledge of specialist concepts, methods and practices in digital media through the following compulsory modules:
- Digital Media I: Critical Theory
- Media Research and Methodologies I
- Critical Media Practice
Semester 2 Overview
In your second semester, you'll engage in collaborative work with other students and select one of the chosen media specialisms, with options including screen practices, media arts and media ecologies.
Semester 2 includes 2 core and compulsory modules:
- Digital Media II: Collaborative Critical Practice
- Media Research and Methodologies II: Research Proposal Development
Semester 2 also includes an optional module of your choosing. This module gives you an opportunity to further enhance the career orientation of your studies and tailor your programme towards your professional aspirations.
In the rare case that not enough students sign up for an optional module, we may not run it. We'll let you know early and help you choose another module that suits you.
Final Project Overview
Your final project, sometimes known as semester 3, can either be a written research project or an integrated theory and practice project that includes written work and practice-based research.
You'll apply the knowledge and skills you develop throughout this programme to your final project. Your project will also give you the opportunity to develop an area of personal expertise.
Learning
Your overall workload will comprise:
- in-person class hours
- independent learning
- assessments
Outside of lectures, seminars and other timetabled sessions, you'll study by yourself. This usually involves:
- reading journal articles and books
- working on individual and group projects
- developing practical work
- researching in the library
- preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and for assessments and examinations
The latest research will guide your learning, and modules may change to reflect fresh developments in digital media.
You will be taught by an expert team whose diverse expertise matches the course content. The team includes senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience, demonstrators, and technical officers.
Postgraduate research students who have teacher training and specialise in a module topic may help teach seminars. They may also take part in practical classes, project work and field trips. The module leader will supervise all contributions.
Assessment
You'll complete practical and theoretical work throughout the course. In your final project, you will be able to present your work as either:
- theory: 10,000 words:
- integrated theory and practice: 7,000 words, and 3,000 words' equivalent of practice-based research
If you choose to do a theory project, you will take part in, organise and showcase your work in a digital publication.
If you choose an integrated theory and practice project, you’ll take part in our final degree show alongside other practical courses.
When applying, you'll be asked to choose your preferred project format as part of your portfolio checklist. This helps us plan the programme ahead. This is just an option for how you’d like your project to be assessed, and not a fixed pathway.