BA (Hons) Digital Media and Society Bachelor's degree at the University of Sheffield
BA (Hons) Digital Media and Society at University of Sheffield. What sets this course apart is its dual focus: rather than treating digital media as a purely technical or creative subject, it examines it through a social science lens, looking closely at how digital media shapes, and is shaped by…
About this course
This course is unique in offering you the opportunity to develop a broad understanding of the relationship between digital media and society from a social science perspective. You will use innovative digital methods to research digital media in society, and learn to make digital media products that focus on the needs o From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Digital Media and Society is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at the University of Sheffield, based in Main Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Sociology graduates from this provider, 91% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 60% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £25,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Sociology & Social Sciences, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 91% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 95% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
First year 10 modules
- Data Visualisation: Coding and DesignCore20 credits
Module details
This module consists of three key elements. The first is principles of good graphic design, combined with how graphical representations of data can be used to lie and mislead. The second is learning how to make a wide range of graphs, maps, and figures, for different audiences using a modern and powerful programming language. The third is interpreting visual representations of data, whether from other sources or by students on the module themselves, and using them to answer substantive research
- Digital Media and Society I: Core ConceptsCore20 credits
Module details
Students taking this introductory module will be introduced to core concepts, issues, and debates about the production, use and social impacts of digital media and information technologies in society. Students will learn to develop an understanding of the core theoretical and conceptual approaches to understanding digital media and its impacts on society. Students will also be taught fundamental applied skills in digital media content production, design, and distribution, and will apply these sk
- Introduction to Media and CommunicationCore20 credits
Module details
This module provides students with an introduction to the complex, dynamic, and fascinating relationship between the media and our contemporary society. It will take students back to some of the earliest academic media theories, later arriving at discussions of cutting-edge communication-related debates. The module covers a wide range of topics, including: Media ownership, Audience studies, Media and democracy, 'Effects' of media and human behaviours, Celebrity and influencer cultures, Social me
- Digital Media and Society II: Contemporary IssuesCore20 credits
Module details
In this module, students will build upon the learning developed in Digital Media and Society I: Core Concepts. Students will apply the theories and concepts acquired in the prerequisite module to emerging issues, debates, and social concerns, with a focus on the impact that digital systems and AI technologies have on a range of areas, including (but not limited to) wellbeing, the environment, and various industries. Students will implement the technical skills acquired in the prerequisite module
- Introduction to Digital Methods ResearchCore20 credits
Module details
This unit introduces students to methods for carrying out research, sometimes referred to digital methods. It provides hands-on practical opportunities to try out in practice. Digital methods are techniques for researching digital cultures and content. Students will explore online surveys and interviews, or virtual ethnography. They will use new methods devised especially for researching digital content like: social media content, likes and shares; blog posts and comments; hyperlinks; search eng
- Lies, Damned Lies and StatisticsOptional20 credits
Module details
There's more and more data around us - in the media, used by politicians or governments, generated by users and businesses. Whether you are a data analyst, social researcher, journalist, or simply an informed citizen, understanding how data is used, and sometimes misused, is a crucial skill. In a world increasingly driven by data, the ability to critically interpret and evaluate statistical claims is more essential than ever. This 20-credit module aims to demystify data and help you develop your a
Assessment: written data communication task and a multiple-choice exam
- Press, Politics and DemocracyOptional20 credits
Module details
This module aims to help you understand how the levers of power operate in regional and national politics and how you can use this information and understanding to hold those in power to account on behalf of readers, viewers and listeners through your news reporting.
- Theories of SocietyOptional20 credits
Module details
This module aims for in-depth investigations of decisive advances in sociology's theoretical inquiry into social relations, conditions, and processes. You will receive guidance in interpreting key concepts and ideas in a range of different contributions to social theory and in analysing the configurations of those concepts and ideas. The module will support you in developing the skills to engage closely with complex primary socio-theoretical writings in order to understand, reconstruct, and arti
- Sociology of hope, community and social justiceOptional20 credits
Module details
This module aims to introduce and develop students' understanding of the concepts of hope, community and social justice and their related theoretical contexts, challenges and debates. Drawing on multidisciplinary sociological and social policy perspectives and debates, the module will develop students' knowledge and critical understanding of the concepts of hope, community and social justice and the range of historical and contemporary political and collective actions that have been shaped by tr
- Making Sense of Education: Facts, Fiction and DataOptional20 credits
Module details
Politics, practices and media discourses related to Education, frequently invoke 'evidence' or statistical reasoning in an attempt to persuade. These approaches can be deliberately misused or accidentally misleading. This module will equip you with the knowledge you need to become a discerning data user and critic through a mix of active learning, seminars and computer workshops. You will develop practical skills to support your engagement with 'evidence' throughout your studies, explore a range
Second year 4 modules
- Digital Media and Social ChangeCore20 credits
Module details
This module will introduce you to a range of core theoretical frameworks in order to understand, analyse and evaluate the complex relationship between digital media and social change. You will focus on two key aspects of the relationship between digital media and social change. Firstly, you will examine purposeful activist use of digital media to create social change, investigating how new possibilities for participatory communication have been exploited by activists to contest inequalities. Top
- Advancing with Digital MethodsCore20 credits
Module details
Building on what you studied in Level 1, this module will help you advance your understanding of new methods for carrying out digital research. You will be introduced to advanced techniques for doing research on and about digital platforms, including social media. You will be taught how to use advanced tools, techniques and processes, through extensive practical experience in computer lab sessions. Throughout this module, you will be encouraged to evaluate the discussed tools and techniques in t
- Digital StorytellingCore20 credits
Module details
The use of digital media to enhance the effectiveness of a narrative is common in the fields of business, entertainment, cultural heritage, education and journalism. The module provides an introduction to the area of digital storytelling including key concepts and technologies involved in creating/using digital content and how to use digital media to tell a story. Students will be taught practical skills such as how to create and use digital media such as images, videos, and sounds, and how to d
- Social Research Design and MethodsCore
Module details
Social research methods are an important aspect of higher education in the social sciences, equipping you with practical skills to carry out a research project of your choice. In this module, you will be i
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
The course structure moves you through several connected strands. You'll start with core theory, building a grounding in how digital media and society interact, before developing skills in research and methods that let you investigate these questions directly using digital tools. Applied practice runs alongside this, giving you the chance to actually create digital media products rather than only studying them. As you progress, specialist options such as these allow you to focus your studies in directions that interest you most within the field. An independent project gives you the space to pursue a piece of research or practice of your own design, while professional skills strands help you connect your academic learning to the kinds of competencies valued in media-related and social science careers.
Who it's for
This course will suit you if you're curious about the role digital media plays in everyday life and want to understand it properly rather than just consume it. If you find yourself questioning how social media, apps or online platforms shape opinions, relationships or communities, you'll enjoy the analytical side of the degree. You should be comfortable with both reading and writing about ideas critically and getting stuck into practical, hands-on media-making work, since the course asks you to move between the two. It suits people who like research just as much as creation, and who are motivated by the prospect of designing digital media with real users and their needs in mind, rather than purely for self-expression. Most students accepted onto this course previously studied A-levels or equivalent, typically achieving UCAS tariff scores in the 144–159 range, though this reflects the profile of recent entrants rather than a fixed requirement. If you're someone who enjoys independent thinking and wants a degree that mixes social science rigour with digital creativity, this is likely to feel like a natural fit.
Careers & job market
Nationally, across Sociology & Social Sciences courses, 85% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 55% of working graduates are in highly skilled roles or further study, according to Graduate Outcomes data. These figures describe the national picture for the field rather than outcomes specific to this course or university. Median earnings data (LEO) for graduates in this field nationally show starting salaries between £23,000 and £30,000 at 15 months, £20,400 to £28,800 after three years, and £24,650 to £34,800 after five years, again, national figures rather than guarantees tied to this particular degree. Continuation data shows that 89% of students nationally in this field continue past their first year, either still enrolled or having completed their studies, which gives a sense of typical persistence rates in the subject area.
University & format
This degree is delivered by the University of Sheffield, a public, research-intensive Russell Group university founded in 1905, based at its main campus. The course runs full-time over three years and is taught in English, leading to a BA (Hons) award (UCAS code L391). Teaching quality has been rated Silver in the Office for Students' TEF 2023, and the University holds recognised UK degree-awarding powers, meaning the qualification is nationally recognised. Additional bursaries and scholarships may be available, and it's worth checking the university's own funding pages for current details.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.
Optional placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 94% |
| another higher-education qualification | 3% |
| a Baccalaureate | 2% |
| Other | 1% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
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 (code L391). 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 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. 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
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at University of Sheffield →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 Sociology & Social Sciences 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 | £25,000 | £23,500 – £30,000 | 35 |
| 3 years after | £23,000 | £20,000 – £27,000 | 85 |
| 5 years after | £29,000 | £24,500 – £36,500 | 90 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in sociology & social sciences · 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 Sociology & Social Sciences nationally
National figures for Sociology & Social Sciences 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.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Sociology & Social Sciences courses at the same study level.
Compared with 751 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
- Welfare and housing associate professionalsSOC 2020 322 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,937
- Legal professionalsSOC 2020 241 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £45,000
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 70; response rate: 50%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Sociology & Social Sciences 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 Sociology & Social Sciences 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
- Local authorities
- Charities & NGOs
- Research organisations
- Government & universities
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Sociology & Social Sciences graduates.
Sociology AdjunctCommonwealth Of VirginiaSociology ECT - High-Achieving Secondary School in BrightonMarchant RecruitmentHead of Psychology and SociologyTeacherActiveIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. 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
91% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £25,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.1 out of 10: NSS 87.3% · in work or study 91% · continued 95%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
The University of Sheffield
Social sciences across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Main Campus
2,964 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 Sociology & Social Sciences right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to University of Sheffield from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by University of Sheffield; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. 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 University of Sheffield’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 University of Sheffield and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at University of Sheffield
Sociology & Social Sciences at other universities
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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