Overview

Step into the fast-moving world of digital media and learn how content is created, adapted and delivered across platforms and industries.

Drawing on the latest research, our MA Digital Media and Content Creation equips you with a global perspective on today’s digital media landscape.

This course emphasises creativity and storytelling across a wide range of media. You’ll explore how technology has transformed the way media is created and shared around the world. Discussions focus on how content, story and audience connect, shaping today’s digital experience.

We draw on current research and industry trends, so what you learn is relevant this fast-paced and rapidly evolving field. Combined with practical elements, this ensures that you graduate with the skills and real-world experience employers are looking for.

Practical learning includes:

video-production
social media marketing
podcast creation.

Through lectures and workshops, you will learn how to:

organise and design digital projects
pitch ideas
lead teams
consider ethical impacts
analyse data.

A global perspective runs throughout the course, which covers a variety of media forms around the world. This learning is supported by in-depth discussions on how media, technology, globalisation, and digital platforms have changed communication between cultures.

Why study Digital Media and Content Creation at GCU?

Bring your ideas to life in our industry-standard facilities, including a TV studio, control gallery, creative labs, and radio production suite.
Learn from industry-experienced practitioners who bring real-world insight straight into your studies.
Be informed by the latest research by our research-active staff. We are joint first in Scotland for our impact in Communications, Culture and Media research (REF2021).
Our teaching gives you the best of both worlds by balancing theoretical knowledge with practical skills.
Your dissertation project is flexible, with a range of options available, including a practical project.

What you will study

Modules

Global Media Industries

Understanding Creativity & Storytelling

Social Semiotics and Product Analysis

Ethics Sustainability & Governance

Decoding Media Audiences

Digital Project Design

Data Analytics

Postgraduate Research Methods

Developing Leadership for the Common Good

Masters Research Project

We aim to display the most up-to-date information possible.

The modules listed on this page and the Programme Specification are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course. Please note that course content, modules, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at GCU. This might be because we are required to do so by law, by a governmental authority, regulator or accrediting body. We may also make changes for quality assurance reasons, or to enhance the course.

Careers

Our course prepares you for a wide range of careers where digital media and content creation skills are in high demand.

Growing market needs have created strong opportunities across sectors such as:

media
public relations
marketing
communications
television and broadcasting
social media
journalism
business
editorial work.

From social media management to TV production, the course is flexible and prepares you for a broad range of careers. Some students even enrol to support the growth of their own small business.

Course information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MA	Full time	1 year	Sep 27	Glasgow	Enquire
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MA	Full time	16 months	Jan 27	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MA	Full time	1 year	Sep 26	Glasgow	Enquire Apply

Please note that admission to GCU is considered on a competitive basis, and the academic entry requirements stated here may be the minimum required to be eligible for an offer.

International students can get information on entry requirements specific to their country in our International Study section.

All entry requirements listed here should be used as a guide and represent the minimum required to be considered for entry. Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place may be asked to achieve more than is stated.

Minimum academic requirement

UK honours degree 2:2 (or equivalent) in any subject area.

English language requirement

Academic IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent) with no element below 5.5.

Additional information for international applicants

Entry requirements by country
Application deadlines
English language tests
Knowledge of English - Applicants from a majority English speaking country may not be required to provide further proof of your English language proficiency. Information about this requirement is available on the Student Visa section of the gov.uk website.

Additional information for all applicants

Relevant experience (Recognition of Prior Learning)

GCU's flexible entry policies exist to allow relevant work experience and prior learning to be considered towards standard entry or advanced entry into a course.

If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.

Teaching and assessment methods

Assessment is designed to reflect professional standards and develop transferable skills. This approach builds confidence and enhances employability through:

teamwork
problem-solving
critical analysis
effective communication.

You will complete several digital media projects based on a real-world context. These can be tailored to your interests, from podcasts to adverts for small businesses.

You will be assessed through a variety of methods, including:

essays
tests
group work
individual presentations
multimedia submissions.

Guest lectures and networking events

You will have the opportunity to hear from guest lecturers who are professionals in the industry. This provides valuable insight into the industry, building your professional confidence.

Industry-standard facilities

We have a range of industry-standard facilities as well as digital and editing software. With a focus on student-led content creation, you will be given access to the same tools found in professional studios to develop and produce content with creative freedom.

Research-led teaching

Staff in the department bring a wide range of research expertise across areas, including:

analysis of screen, text, music, and discourse across different media
Television industry, production, formats, and genres
creative economy and cultural policy for music
digital and fan cultures
media institutions, cultural policy, and ‘platformisation’
media and sustainability
analytical psychology
journalism and broadcast production.

At the last Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), GCU was joint first in Scotland for our outstanding impact in Communications, Culture and Media research. 100% of our communications, culture and media research impact was world-leading or internationally excellent.

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and Conditions

Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.