MSc Digital Culture and Society

Knowledge and skills in digital culture and society responds to one of the fastest growing areas of employment today. Whether it is marketing, communications, human resources or even health, employers increasingly need experts who understand the growing impact of digital life on society.

This MSc equips you with a range of highly sought-after skills including digital literacy, data analytics, web design, ethnographic analysis, critical thinking and project management skills.

• Benefit from our new state-of-the-art Digital Fabrication and Immersive Media Labs where you can gain access to cutting edge technology.

• Learn from a team of internationally recognized research-active staff who are leaders in their field.

• Combine a solid conceptual foundation informed by leading research with hands on practical training.

• Gain insights into highly topical contemporary developments and benefit from a programme of external industry speakers.

• Enrich your experience from a learning environment that brings together today’s most valuable subjects from the social and political sciences and performing arts and humanities to empower you to expand your thinking, realise your ambitions, and pursue your passions.

• Benefit from flexible placement opportunities with the opportunity to have a placement tailored to your career interests.

• Year 1

• Examine how digital technologies are affecting the most pressing issues of our time. Gain an understanding of key theoretical, ethical and philosophical debates. Learn how to use ethnographic and visual methods to study online worlds and become skilled in digital analytics including analysing big data. Draw on a wide range of teaching methods with an emphasis upon hands-on experiential learning including VR technologies.

  Access cutting-edge technology in our new Digital Fabrication and Immersive Media Labs, giving you the edge when applying for jobs in the cultural sector.

  This programme trains our students to be employment-ready, resilient global citizens who are empowered to make a difference in society.

  Core modules

  Introduction to digital culture
  This module examines the impact of digital culture and critically assesses technology’s role in society. It explores how cyberspace challenges traditional notions of identity, community, the body, politics, and personal relationships. It probes the major debates and theoretical frameworks of the analyses of digital society and identifies and analyses key epistemological and ontological assumptions underlying social research.

  Dissertation
  The dissertation module provides the opportunity for students to undertake a supervised, self-directed, research project of around 15,000 words on an appropriate research question relating to digital culture and society. This will require identifying strengths and limitations of the methodological approach and consideration of ethical issues. It will utilize the IT, library, and other research and scholarly skills developed in the ‘Introduction to Digital Culture’, ’ Researching Social Life’ and ‘Brave New Worlds’ modules.

  Researching social life
  This module examines the role and value of social science in understanding the social world and social problems and prepares students for undertaking their dissertations. The emphasis is on empirical techniques of gathering and interpreting social data. Through case studies, the module examines the particular ethical challenges posed by researching digital life. It covers formulating research questions, philosophy and methodology, research design and sampling, data analysis, writing up, and using social media to disseminate research.

  Elective modules

  Brave new worlds
  This module examines how to use ethnographic methods to make sense of the digital worlds which we now increasingly inhabit. You learn how to analyse and interpret human behaviour across a range of digital platforms including social media, online worlds, multiplayer games and virtual/augmented realities. We study how these technologies transform our relationships, identities, and conceptualisations of the world.
  
  Digital nationalism and the politics of online identities
  Why are exclusionary and aggressive forms of nationalism flourishing in the digital age? This module examines the role of the internet in the production and spread of new forms of digital nationalism. To do so, the module explores the significance of the internet domain name system, the biases of algorithms, and the affordances of social media, among other key themes. To address these themes, the module looks at real-world cases of digital nationalism from around the world.
  
  Social media theory and practice
  This module examines key concepts and theories relating to online communities and social networking. The module will provide the academic and conceptual basis for the development of effective social media engagement strategies such as, social media user behaviour, online community and personalisation.
  
  Digital culture and climate change
  Social science approaches play a critical role in understanding how some of the most pressing issues of our time such as climate change are communicated and addressed. This module examines the role of digital media in communicating climate change and debates concerning impact and influence.
  
  Digital analytics and marketing research
  In this module you learn how to deploy and evaluate data analytics and develop expertise to be able to engage in effective market research. We will discuss the origins, current practice and future trends of and in Big Data and consider various metrics and how to analyse performance. You will be introduced to the ethics of analytics and web data together with the associated legislation and compliances alongside an overview of some relevant international perspectives.

  Game studies
  In this module you research and analyse game design theory concepts, investigating topics such as gamification, serious games, playbour, ludology, urban gaming, non-linear narrative, representation, realism and simulation, as well as critical research methods. The module culminates in an essay examining a particular game design concept and critiquing its use within a range of game texts.

  Core modules

  • Dissertation (DCS700)

    In this module students will be expected to operationalise an appropriate research question relating to digital culture and society, identifying strengths and limitations of the methodological approach. This will require attention is given to the selection and use of appropriate research methods, and relevant ethical issues. Students will demonstrate an ability to design and conduct an independent research project; analyse, evaluate and report findings effectively, and identify potential application in policy or practice settings. There will be a requirement for critical reflection on strengths and weaknesses of the research.

  • Introduction to Digital Culture (DCS701)

    This module examines the impact of digital culture and critically assesses technology’s role in society. It explores how cyberspace challenges traditional notions of identity, community, the body, politics, and personal relationships. It probes the major debates and theoretical frameworks of the analyses of digital society and identifies and analyses key epistemological and ontological assumptions underlying social research.

  • Researching Social Life (DCS703)

    This module examines the role and value of social science in understanding the social world and social problems and prepares students for undertaking their dissertations. It develops students’ knowledge of methods and strategies employed by social science researchers. The emphasis is on empirical techniques of gathering and interpreting social data. Through case studies, the module examines the particular ethical challenges posed by researching digital life. It covers formulating research questions, philosophy and methodology, research design and sampling, data analysis, writing up, and using social media to disseminate research.

  Optional modules

  • Brave New Worlds: Ethnography of/on Online and Digital Worlds (DCS702)

    This module teaches students how to use ethnographic methods to make sense of the digital worlds, which we now increasingly inhabit. Students learn how to analyse and interpret human behaviour across a range of digital platforms including social media, online worlds, multiplayer games and virtual/augmented realities. Students study how these technologies transform our relationships, identities, and conceptualisations of the world. The module also examines the socio-cultural and ethical aspects of digital worlds.

  • Digital Culture and Climate Change (DCS704)

    Social science approaches play a critical role in understanding how some of the most pressing issues of our time such as climate change are communicated and addressed. This module examines the role of digital media in communicating climate change and debates concerning impact and influence.

  • Digital Nationalism and the Politics of Online Identities (DCS705)

    Why are exclusionary and aggressive forms of nationalism flourishing in the digital age? This module examines the role of the internet in the production and spread of new forms of digital nationalism. To do so, the module explores the significance of the internet domain name system, the biases of algorithms, and the affordances of social media, among other key themes. To address these themes, the module looks at real-world cases of digital nationalism from around the world.

  • Game Studies (GDES702)

    Students research and analyse game design theory concepts, investigating topics such as gamification, serious games, playbour, ludology, urban gaming, non-linear narrative, representation, realism and simulation, as well as critical research methods. The module culminates in an essay examining a particular game design concept and critiquing its use within a range of game texts.

  • Digital Analytics and Marketing Research (MKT7003)

    In this module you will learn how to deploy and evaluate data analytics and develop expertise to be able to engage in effective market research.

  • Social Media Theory and Practice (MKT7004)

    This module exposes students to key concepts and theories relating to online communities and social networking. The module will provide the academic and conceptual basis for the development of effective social media engagement strategies such as, social media user behaviour, online community and personalisation.

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MSc Digital Culture and Society Prog Specification 7550

A good honours degree (first or second class) or equivalent. 

Other qualifications accompanied by substantial experience in an appropriate field may also be considered. Non-standard applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.

International students: IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent.

When to apply

Most of our taught programmes begin in September. Applications can usually be made throughout the year, and are considered until programmes are full. 

Before you apply

• evidence of qualifications (degree certificates or transcripts), with translations if not in English, to show that you meet, or expect to meet the entry requirements
  
• evidence of English language proficiency, if English is not your first language
  
• a personal statement of approximately 250-400 words about the reasons for your interest in the course and outlining the nature of previous and current related experience. You can write this into the online application form, or include it as a separate document
  
• your curriculum vitae or résumé, including details of relevant professional/voluntary experience, professional registration/s and visa status for overseas workers
  
• proof of sponsorship, if applicable.
  

Disability services

If you have a disability and would like further information about the support provided by University of Plymouth, please visit our Disability Services website. 

International students

Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Submitting an application

Once you are happy that you have all of the information required you can apply using our online postgraduate application form (the blue 'Apply now' icon on this page).

What happens after I apply?

You will normally receive a decision on your application within four weeks of us receiving your application. You may be asked to provide additional information; two academic/professional references, confirming your suitability for the course; or to take part in an interview (which in the case of overseas students may be by telephone or video conference) and you will be sent a decision by letter or email.

We aim to make the application procedure as simple and efficient as possible. Our Admissions and Course Enquiries team is on hand to offer help and can put you in touch with the appropriate faculty if you wish to discuss any programme in detail.

If you would like any further information please contact the Admissions and Course Enquiries team:

Telephone: +44 (0)1752 585858
Email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk 

Admissions policy

More information and advice for applicants can be referenced by downloading our Student Admissions Policy Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.