Ranking
1st
in the UK for Media Studies
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Course overview
Turn your creativity into your career with our MA Digital Media and Creative Industries. Get the knowledge and skills you need to build a thriving career in the arts and cultural industries.
This MA will enhance your professional skills and give you the knowledge and expertise to progress, whether you're a graduate looking to pursue a creative career or someone who already works in the industry who's looking to lead and inspire.
Course structure
The MA runs over 12 months full-time.
Spring term
Spring term
January - April (12 weeks)
Full-time students normally take three modules per term in the spring and autumn terms.
One-third of your degree is your dissertation or a creative project. You begin planning and submit a proposal for your dissertation during the spring term.
Summer term
Summer term
May – August
There are no taught modules during the summer term. You’ll continue your research, writing, and creative production.
Autumn term
Autumn term
September - December (11 weeks)
Full-time students normally take three modules per term in the spring and autumn terms.
There are two hours of seminar time per module per week, and an emphasis on guided independent learning.
Course highlights
Our interdisciplinary teaching draws on expertise and experience from across our arts and humanities departments to give you key insights into the sector.
Discover creative industries and the law, marketing in creative sectors and multi-media adaptation. You'll develop industry-specific skills, from digital advertising and marketing to media production, project design and delivery. Take your learning beyond the classroom and learn how to apply those skills by collaborating with our cultural partners on a live brief considering key issues in the creative sector.
- Stand out in the sector. You'll gain hands-on experience with practice-based projects.
- We're not just talking about careers; we prepare you for the next step in your creative career.
- Learn from industry experts and collaborate with organisations like the Royal Shakespeare Company, Birmingham Rep, and Create Central.
- Be part of Birmingham's rich cultural scene - explore literature, film, drama, and arts festivals; meet creatives and learn from those in the know.
Hone your freelancing and entrepreneurial skills with insights from creative practitioners.
Our teaching combines academic expertise with practical modules where you'll collaborate with our cultural partners.
1st in the UK for Communication and Media Studies (Complete University Guide 2026).
Get the skills to thrive
Whether you already work in the sector or you're looking to begin a creative career, you'll gain transferable skills which will prepare you to adapt to the latest changes in the creative industry. Build your skills in digital content creation, project management, and data analytics. Our interdisciplinary teaching approach lets you develop a comprehensive understanding of the creative sector, so you’ll be ready to thrive in your career as new trends and technologies emerge.
Talk to our students
Hear more about studying at Birmingham. Chat to one of our friendly postgraduate students to get their thoughts on our courses, stunning campus and life in a vibrant and cultural city.
Course delivery
At Birmingham, research and teaching go hand-in-hand. Lecturers and professors continue to research in their field, offering valuable expertise in Digital Media and Creative Industries across film, marketing, law and more.
- Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
- Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
- Dissertation – for MA students, this can be a standard 12,000-word dissertation or a practice-based project where you work with industry on a particular area of their work. If you study the PGDip, you don’t complete a dissertation or practice-based project.
Facilities
At Birmingham, we have a range of facilities available for you to use during the MA, depending on which areas of the creative industries you're interested in. If you're interested in film or TV media, our Film Editing Suites contain hardware and software for you to use - from Macs to cameras and editing software. If you're interested in Music or performance, our Bramall Concert Hall and University Music rehearsal spaces are ideal for musicians.
Module information
The MA programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation.
Modules run for one term, and each module involves a two-hour weekly seminar which you’ll need to attend.
The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.
As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.
2025/26 Session
The following must be taken:
You must choose one of the following:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Creative Media Project | 60 |
| Dissertation | 60 |
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2:1 Honours Degree
or equivalent, in a subject relevant to Digital Media and Creative Industries.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill
English presessional programmes
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.
Fees and scholarships
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, supervision, assessment and includes membership to the Guild of Students.
- £11,250
Full-time
We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2026 entry are above.
The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
Paying your tuition fees
Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.
Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.
Tuition fee deposits for international students
International students undertaking a postgraduate taught degree are required to pay a tuition fee deposit before an electronic Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) can be issued.
Postgraduate Masters loan
To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.
Scholarships
To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.
Birmingham Masters scholarships
We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
- 17 December 2025
Application deadline for UK and non visa requiring applicants. We will close applications as soon as the programme is full. Early applications are encouraged.
How to apply to our taught courses
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate taught programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
Career opportunities
By studying a postgraduate degree in Digital Media and Creative Industries at Birmingham, you’ll develop transferable skills suited to a range of career paths. These skills include entrepreneurial skills, time management, creative thinking and strong written and verbal communication skills.
Our graduates enter many roles, including:
- Publicity
- Video Editor
- Editorial
- Creative Director/Producer
- Cultural Co-ordination
- Digital Journalism
Employers our School of English, Drama and Creative Studies graduates have worked for include:
- Birmingham Museums Trust
- Hachette UK
- BBC
- Fremantle Media
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
The Graduate Market in 2024 and 2025 High Fliers reports.
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Careers Network
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
We're first choice for graduate employers... again!
We are the most targeted UK university by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2025). Our graduate stories highlight the achievements of Birmingham alumni and the way their university experience shaped their journey.
Upcoming events
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Student experience
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation will allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
As one of the original pioneering cities, Birmingham is a melting pot for shopping, food and drink, nightlife, sport, culture, and industry. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Campus life
Our green and spacious campus is the place where our community comes together to learn, relax and socialise. Like a town of its own, just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.