Digital Media (Placement Year) Lancaster University

Developments in digital technology range from overly friendly chatbots to inconspicuous algorithms. But what role do digital media technologies, in their many forms, play in our everyday lives, our local communities and cultures, and the global societies we live in? The skills you’ll develop on this programme will prepare you for a dynamic career in one of the many areas where digital innovation is fundamental.

Why study Digital Media at Lancaster?

• Taught by world-leading experts in digital media, you will learn from academics who shape conversations in areas such as media power, ethics and AI

• Take advantage of our fully equipped digital media studio and specialist equipment to support your studies

• Dive into a field that is constantly evolving, preparing you for a fast-paced industry where no two days are the same

• Discover the relationships between digital developments and social concerns, and how technologies are affecting societies around the world

• Build strong contacts through networking opportunities, guest lectures and workshops with industry professionals, and field trips

How is Digital Media taught at Lancaster?

This course explores the question of how digital technologies, in their many forms, function in our everyday lives and the global societies we live in. You will develop awareness of how the design and deployment of digital technologies orders, shapes and disrupts society, often having more complex consequences than imagined or acknowledged.

You will discover how digital media is constantly evolving, exploring the past, present and future of media and its role in society. You will analyse key themes in digital societies, such as artificial intelligence and creativity, social media, digital tracking, algorithmic power, surveillance and quantification, and how these themes are presenting both opportunities and challenges within our everyday lives and the creative industries.

What specialist areas does the course cover?

Our research is world-leading. You will be taught by our team whose expertise covers a wide range of fascinating topics, from artificial intelligence and algorithmic cultures to fandom, sustainability, media activism, gender and sexualities, and more. Our international experts intervene in key debates about our “mediated world”, including consulting on media ethics and policy.

Your final project allows you to pursue you own intellectual interests and creative passions through a piece of original research. You might choose to write about the research you have carried out or produce a media piece like a website, a podcast, a music video, journalistic interviews, or a social media campaign. You can let your imagination run wild!

You will have access to the latest digital media equipment to help you complete your assessments, and you’ll be able to showcase your work at our Final Degree Show.

How will Lancaster support my future career?

You can build your creative portfolio by getting involved with our student media societies. Lancaster University has a television station, a newspaper, a radio station and a cinema where you can take on all sorts of roles, from social media management and digital content creation all the way to presenting live – if you dare!

We organise bespoke careers’ sessions on employment opportunities in the media and creative sectors, with the opportunity to join expert led workshops, creative sessions with media activists, and visits to heritage organisations. In the past we have run workshops with journalists from organisations such as the BBC; masterclasses in areas like podcasting; and career talks with professionals based at think tanks and NGOs.

Your Placement Year

Sometimes known as a year in industry, your placement year will take place between your second and final year of study and this will extend your degree to four years.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.

A levels

ABB

Access to HE Diploma

30 Level 3 credits at Distinction plus 15 Level 3 credits at Merit

Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales

We accept the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales in place of one A level, or equivalent qualification, as long as any subject requirements are met.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DDM

BTEC in combination with A levels

A level at grade B plus BTEC(s) at DD, or A levels at grade BB plus BTEC at D

International Baccalaureate

32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 HL subjects

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

We are happy to admit applicants on the basis of five Highers, but where we require a specific subject at A level, we will typically require an Advanced Higher in that subject. If you do not meet the grade requirement through Highers alone, we will consider a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers in separate subjects. Please contact the Admissions team for more information.

T levels

Distinction overall

GCSE requirements

English Language grade 4/C.

We will also look at your overall GCSE profile when considering your application as a whole.

We do have flexibility when considering GCSE requirements. Go to our GCSE information for more details.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component for this programme. English language qualifications for undergraduate study.