MA Media, Culture and Society
Course
options
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Course Overview
If you’re interested in learning more about how changing technology impacts our culture and society, or what role the digital sphere plays in culture and communication, we invite you to join us on this MA.
Studying and working in the media requires an acute awareness of the way media and culture shape people’s understanding of - and responses to - their world. Making sense of such a fast-moving area all depends on knowledge of the array of factors that influence the production, distribution, and consumption of media content.
Our MA in Media, Culture and Society is a vibrant, interdisciplinary course where you’ll develop theoretical knowledge and in-depth understanding of a range of key issues related to the impact of media on culture and society. You’ll be introduced to the theories, concepts, debates, and approaches to studying media and culture. You’ll also have the flexibility to tailor your degree to your interests, choosing from a wide variety of modules in digital media, PR, cinema, and more. You’ll develop your interests even further in your dissertation, where you’ll be supervised by an expert academic on a research topic of your choice.
Aside from your time in the classroom, we offer a huge range of activities for you to get involved with, from internships, placements, staff-student debates, or even opportunities to contribute to our blog and podcast series! We also host a regular speaker series featuring academics and politicians debating and discussing the hottest political topics of the day.
This dynamic Master's programme will equip you with the tools and skills necessary for success in a diverse range of careers, including media and journalism, PR, corporate roles, government positions, civil service, NGOs, or further academic study.
Study and Modules
Structure
Your MA will last one year, and throughout the year you’ll study fundamental questions about the relationship between media and society, and how each shapes the other. You’ll develop your research skills. You’ll also gain an understanding of core issues ranging from the digital divide and the new global media political economy to the cultural and creative industries and how they’re organised and managed.
You’ll be able to choose from a wide range of optional modules so you can focus on areas that interest you.
You’ll complete your Master’s with your dissertation, which will be written in the summer. This is an excellent opportunity to delve deeper into a subject that interests you, as you put your research skills into practice and carry out an in-depth enquiry into a topic of your choice.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll be taught by experts in fields such as digital media, communications, media and cultural studies, and public policy. Our teaching is research-led, in that we ask the same questions of our students as we do in our research. This means that your learning is at the cutting-edge of the discipline.
The majority of your teaching takes the form of seminars. You’ll have lectures too, as well as workshops and one-to-one tutorials. You may also be required to prepare presentations and undertake group work, as well as a range of other teaching and learning methods.
Independent study
Developing your ability to conduct independent study is central to this course. This includes preparation for seminars and assessments, but will be best exemplified by your Master’s dissertation. You’ll be allocated an academic supervisor to give advice on all aspects of writing and research.
How you'll spend your time during semester one and two:
- Teaching: 25%
- Independent Learning: 75%
Assessment
You’ll be assessed in a variety of ways, mostly through your essays, but also through presentations and other types of assessment.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject area
- Additional Entry Requirements
If you have alternative qualifications that have not been mentioned above then please contact the university directly for further information.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Any subject area
- Additional Entry Requirements
If you have alternative qualifications that have not been mentioned above then please contact the university directly for further information.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall with minimum 6.0 in Writing and Speaking and 5.5 in Listening and Reading
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- INTO UEA
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study the International Pre-Masters programme offered by our partner INTO UEA. This programme guarantees progression to selected Master's degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details, please click here:
International Pre-Masters in Business, Economics and Social Sciences
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
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UK Students: £10,675
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International Students: £22,700
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
In conjunction with UEA’s Careers Central service, we host dedicated events for students on our media, culture and politics programmes. At these events you’ll hear from alumni and professionals working in the fields of media, culture and politics, and benefit from their experience, insight and advice.
Recent graduates from this course have taken up jobs in a wide variety of fields, including business, teaching, public relations, research and journalism, as well as national and international organisations.
Careers
Example of careers that you could enter include:
- Research
- Social media
- Journalism
- Public relations
- Business
- Teaching
Discover more on our Careers webpages.