BA (Hons) Digital Media Production Bachelor's degree at Sheffield Hallam University
BA (Hons) Digital Media Production at SHU. You'll engage with core theory, research methods and applied practice alongside specialist options, professional skills development and an independent project, building a portfolio of work across real-world briefs and formats.
About this course
<p>Design and produce new media products in film, animation, interactive media, web, apps, VR, cross media and games.</p> From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Digital Media Production is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at SHU, based in City Campus. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For Media, journalism and communications graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £24,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Media & Communications, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 4 modules
- Content Creation And ProductionCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This module equips you with the team skills to create content for current and emerging online platforms. You will develop valuable skills associated with working in multidisciplinary project teams. These skills will be developed whilst undertaking an authentic learning and work experience project with an industry client. This will involve the design and development of a client project through a project-based learning approach in which you will produce enterprising solutions to the problems and c
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Creative Media FundamentalsCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This module provides a practical introduction to some of the primary professional tools and creative media platforms. You will develop a fundamental understanding of the nature and use of a range of creative media hardware and software tools. This will provide you with a solid foundation of creative media production skills which you will be able to draw on throughout your studies.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Digital StorytellingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module introduces the principles of digital storytelling used in diverse professional contexts; including commercial, societal and educational. You will gain a practical understanding of how digital media platforms are used to communicate effectively on complex issues with diverse audiences. The module develops you as a multifaceted and ethical digital media professional, by enhancing your practical production knowledge with analytical, writing, and digital storytelling skills.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- User Experience Design (Ux)Compulsory20 credits
Module details
In this module you will consider User Experience Design and the role of the User Experience (UX) Designer. Applying themes and theories to your subject area, the module will introduce this important process and the key concepts within. You will develop your awareness of the importance of interactive design. You will also develop methods for researching and testing with audiences to design and deliver a meaningful user experience.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
Year 2 5 modules
- Immersive TechnologiesCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Immersive digital platforms are used to inform, augment, enhance and create audience experiences in a variety of different contexts, including gaming, simulation, health, rehabilitation, heritage, sports, storytelling and narrative, art and more. The usage of immersive digital platforms ranges in scale from multi-platform, multi-user, site specific, digitally enhanced audience experiences, to single user augmented reality tools created for mobile platforms. In this module you develop a critical
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Interactive RealitiesCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module introduces new methods and tools for creating interactive work outside the bounds of traditional screen media. You will be challenged to work in interdisciplinary groups to create an interactive artefact that responds to an industry-set brief. This module also prepares you for the sandwich placement year and future work experience opportunities.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Photography And Video ProductionCompulsory40 credits
Module details
Photography and video production share the need for sound understanding of camera technologies and the production process using primarily digital workflows. You will build knowledge of the creative and technical requirements for successful storytelling and communication of ideas. The teaching will cover relevant theoretical and cultural contexts as it builds on audio-visual skills already acquired at level 4. A challenging brief will enable you to further develop their own creative vision while
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Working In Cultural, Media And Creative IndustriesCompulsory40 credits
Module details
The aim of this module is to take you through the design, production, marketing, live streaming and documentation of creative industries events. The module will be delivered through an enhanced applied project alongside an employer or organisation so you can appraise their own values and motivations in context of the world of work, considering inclusivity and industry sector values. You will be encouraged to bring your own specialist practical skills and knowledge from your subject area and appl
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Study Abroad - Creative IndustriesOptional60 credits
Module details
This module is for undergraduate students to study abroad in their second year, Semester 2 (only for courses that offer this option). With this module, you can spend a semester at one of the University's approved partner institutions worldwide – from Europe to the Americas, Asia Australia or Canada. Study Abroad plays an important role in the University's commitment to an engaging, challenging, and thriving learning culture. It offers opportunities to experience other academic cultures and foste
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
Year 3 1 modules
- Undergraduate Sandwich Placement Applied Professional DiplomaCompulsory
Module details
The aim of this module is to enhance students' professional development through the completion of and reflection on meaningful work placement(s). A work placement will provide students with opportunities to experience the realities of professional employment and experience how their course can be applied within their chosen industry setting. In this module students undertake a sandwich placement (min 24 weeks / min 21 hours per week) which is integrated, assessed and aligned to their studies.
Final year 2 modules
- Alternate RealitiesCompulsory20 credits
Module details
In this module you will focus on storytelling across mixed reality platforms. You will be part of a team-based project, based on a current industry theme, which will challenge you to apply your skills and creativity to craft an "Alternate Realities" artefact.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Digital Media FuturesCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This module challenges you to develop the intellectual and practical skills to use novel technologies and techniques for manipulating and interacting with digital media. You will use a range of software tools to develop skills to explore new developments and methods.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
You'll design and produce new media products across film, animation, interactive media, web, apps, VR, cross-media and games. A course like this typically moves from foundational theory and production skills in Year 1, covering media power, audiences, camera work, audio and editing, to platforms, digital cultures and social media in Year 2. You'll develop practical expertise in areas such as journalism, PR and advertising, film and TV, social media, games and interactive media, with opportunities to produce a portfolio of work. In your final year, you'll usually undertake specialist options, an industry project or placement, and produce a substantial media project or dissertation.
Who it's for
You're drawn to storytelling and visual communication in digital form. You have a strong eye for design, enjoy problem-solving in production environments, and want practical experience making media that reaches audiences. You're self-directed, the part-time format suits those juggling work or other commitments, and you thrive when learning alternates between conceptual understanding and hands-on making. This course will feel collaborative, project-driven, and iterative.
Careers & job market
Across Media & Communications nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months. Of those working, 60% are in highly skilled roles or undertaking further study. National Graduate Outcomes data shows starting salaries typically fall between £22,000 and £28,000 at 15 months; after five years, this ranges from £22,525 to £31,800. Your outcomes will depend on your specialism, experience and role chosen.
University & format
BA (Hons) Digital Media Production at Sheffield Hallam University, a university in the City Campus location. The course is studied part-time and taught in English. Sheffield Hallam is a recognised UK degree-awarding body; its degrees are nationally recognised. The university achieved Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
Entry & how to get in
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by Apply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at SHU →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Media & Communications graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £24,000 | £21,500 – £26,000 | 60 |
| 3 years after | £20,000 | £16,500 – £28,500 | 15 |
| 5 years after | £23,500 | £19,500 – £28,000 | 15 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 60; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-22.
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in media & communications · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Media & Communications nationally
National figures for Media & Communications graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Media & Communications courses at the same study level.
Compared with 541 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
Job market & outlook
How Media & Communications graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Media & Communications graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Media companies
- Agencies
- In-house comms teams
- Broadcasters & charities
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Media & Communications graduates.
Media Operations, VP (Parental Leave Cover)WPP MediaMedia Relations ManagerCommonwealth War Graves CommissionMedia ManagerUS Tech SolutionsMedia Planning and Buying CoordinatorBurberryMedia Sales ExecutiveService ServiceMedia Planner/BuyerDifferent Technologies Pty Ltd.Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
Most graduates were in work or further study, with a median salary of £24,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Sheffield Hallam University
Media, journalism and communications across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around City Campus
3,427 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Media & Communications right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to SHU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £18,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check SHU’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with SHU and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at SHU
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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