Digital Media and Culture BA (Hons)

Our BA Digital Media and Culture is focused on studying and researching the relationships between digital media and culture. Not only will you learn about the latest technological trends but the wider historical context of how the digital media we use and depend on today have been made possible. <br/><br/>Our world today is increasingly digital. We can know our city’s iconic places through location-aware apps. We shape our identity alongside social media influencers. We fuel the growth of platform monopolies through small, daily gestures like posting videos or ‘liking’ friends’ jokes. We are learning that biases around race, class, gender and sexuality are embedded into algorithms that need to be challenged. <br/><br/>If you are interested in exploring digital media theories and research with leading academic scholars, this course is for you.<br/><br/>The course gives you an extensive understanding of:<br/><br/><br/>- online identity<br/><br/><br/>- social media influencers and algorithmic bias<br/><br/><br/>- location-based media<br/><br/><br/>- meme cultures<br/><br/><br/>- the power of platform companies<br/><br/><br/>- how to develop your own research.<br/><br/><br/>Alongside your more academic studies, you also learn how to become a digital media professional. On this course, you also have access to option modules focusing on applied knowledge and aptitudes, such as social media strategy, digital design, video editing and data mining. <br/><br/>By the end of your studies, you will be equipped to work across a broader range of professional and creative settings where knowledge of digital media is in high demand. You will also be very well prepared for further academic study on a postgraduate course. <br/><br/>If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didnt achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. <br/><br/>**Highlights**<br/><br/><br/>- Birkbeck was ranked as one of the top four universities in the UK for its Art and Design research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.<br/><br/><br/>- In film, media and cultural studies, Birkbeck fosters an especially research-intensive environment. We offer an extensive portfolio of internationally respected courses that span a variety of academic disciplines and engage with the latest ideas and techniques in journalism, media and cultural theory, arts policy and management, film and television studies, creative marketing, digital culture and East Asian cultural studies.<br/><br/><br/>- Attend our dynamic programme of seminars, events and guest lectures organised by affiliated research centres and networks such as Birkbeck Interdisciplinary Research in Media and Culture, the Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image and the Vasari Research Centre for Art and Technology.<br/><br/><br/>- Make yourself at home in our Bloomsbury campus, which includes facilities such as the award-winning Birkbeck Cinema, the Peltz Gallery, and computer labs equipped with video editing, print layout and web design software packages.<br/><br/><br/>- Learn from leading academic researchers in the field such as Scott Rodgers, Joel McKim, Rebekah Cupitt, Silke Arnold-de Simine, Lina Džuverović, Robert Topinka, Sophie Hope and Professor Tim Markham. Acquire up-to-date skills and knowledge from experienced industry practitioners at the heart of Londons global media industry.<br/><br/><br/>**Careers and employability**<br/><br/>Graduates can pursue careers in the media and cultural industries, for example in:<br/><br/><br/>- digital design and management<br/><br/><br/>- film and television<br/><br/><br/>- curatorial practice<br/><br/><br/>- news media and PR<br/><br/><br/>- cultural and educational institutions<br/><br/><br/>- public policy or professional communications.<br/><br/><br/>We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.