Digital Media Swansea University
| Award | Attendance | Study | Duration | Start | Domestic fees | International fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MA(Res) | On-Campus | Full-time, Part-time | 1 - 2 years | October, January, April, July | £5006 per year | £17650 per year |
Course overview
An MA by Research in Digital Media enables you to undertake a substantial project led by your own digital passions and interests.
It represents a highly respected qualification which can present a pathway to a career in academia or widen your scope for employment in fields such as education, government or the private sector.
Your project will take one year full-time or two years part-time. It is suitable if you want to undertake a first research degree as an isolated culmination of taught studies, or if you are considering further research.
You will submit a thesis of up to 40,000 words, demonstrating original research. This is followed by an oral examination of the thesis (a viva voce examination, or viva).
Our Digital Media staff are members of the research group, Centre on Digital Arts and Humanities (CODAH) and our research strengths include:
• Media and Cultural Theory
• The History and Philosophy of Media Technology
• New Media
• Contemporary Digital Media developments in the UK, European mainland, USA and China
• Global Media and Journalism
Your project will be agreed in consultation with supervisors and we recommend these discussions are started before applying, to help draw up an initial proposal.
You are closely supervised by two experienced academics with relevant expertise throughout the course of your project. This involves fortnightly meetings in your first term and meetings at regular agreed intervals beyond.
You will develop and hone research skills needed for high-level work in any field of digital media, while skills and training programmes available on campus provide further support. You will have the opportunity to deliver presentations to research students and staff at departmental seminars, and at the School of Culture and Communication Postgraduate conference.
Entry requirements
Note for international and European applicants: details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page.
MA by Research - You should hold or expect to achieve a minimum of an upper second class honours degree (2:1), or equivalent, in a related subject or hold relevant work experience. If you hold a qualification from a non-UK institution please see our academic entry requirements - Country-specific Information for European Applicants and Country-specific Information for International Applicants.
If English is not your first language you will need an acceptable pass in an approved English Language qualification to make sure you get the full benefit from studying at Swansea. We consider a wide range of qualifications, including the Swansea University English Test, the British Council IELTS test (with a score of at least 6.5 and 6.5 in each component). A full list of acceptable English Language tests can be found here.
Applicants to this programme would normally be expected to meet the minimum entry requirements indicated above. The College/School reserves the right to ask for higher academic grades and qualifications. Admissions decisions take into account not only prior academic qualifications, but also factors including the standard of the research synopsis/proposal submitted by the applicant, their performance at interview (if required), intensity of competition for limited places and relevant professional experience (where appropriate).
As well as academic qualifications, Admissions decisions may be based on other factors, including (but not limited to): the standard of the research synopsis/proposal, performance at interview, intensity of competition for limited places, and relevant professional experience.
Reference Requirement
As standard, one reference is required before we can progress applications to the Faculty research programme, academic Admissions Tutor for consideration.
Please note that any protracted delay in receiving the outstanding reference may result in the need to defer your application to a later potential start point/entry month, than what you initially listed as your preferred start option.
You may wish to consider contacting your referee to assist in the process of obtaining the outstanding reference or alternatively, hold submission of application until a reference is sourced. Please note that it is not the responsibility of the University Admissions Office to obtain missing reference after our initial email is sent to your nominated referee, requesting a reference on your behalf.
The reference can take the form of a letter on official headed paper, or via the University’s standard reference form. Click this link to download the university reference form.
Alternatively, referees can email a reference from their employment email account, please note that references received via private email accounts, (i.e. Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail) cannot be accepted.
References can be submitted to [email protected].
Why study at Swansea University
There are many reasons to choose Swansea University for your studies; from the stunning beachfront locations of our Singleton Park and Bay campuses, to our global reputation for research and academic excellence, we offer a safe, supportive and fun environment to live and study, and our vast range of courses and subject areas mean you are sure to find the future career for you.
- Top 30 UK research-led university (Research Excellence Framework 2014-2021)
- Ranked within the Top 350 of universities globally (QS World University Rankings 2027)
- 95% of students surveyed would recommend Swansea University (Uni Compare 2026)
- 95% of graduates are in employment, study and/or other activities (HESA 2025)
Whether you join us for your undergraduate degree, postgraduate studies or research, you’ll receive a modern approach to learning, backed by cutting-edge facilities and an excellent research and teaching faculty.
Join Swansea and start your journey, studying in a picturesque, student-friendly city by the sea with so much to offer.