Digital Media and Creative IndustriesMA / PGDip

This MA will enhance your professional skills and give you the knowledge and expertise to progress, whether you're a graduate looking to pursue a creative career or someone who already works in the industry who's looking to lead and inspire. 

Course structure

The MA runs over 12 months full-time; the PGDip runs over 8 months full-time. You can also study this programme on a part-time basis.

Discover creative industries and the law, marketing in creative sectors and multi-media adaptation. You'll develop industry-specific skills, from digital advertising and marketing to media production, project design and delivery. Take your learning beyond the classroom and learn how to apply those skills by collaborating with our cultural partners on a live brief considering key issues in the creative sector.  

• Stand out in the sector. You'll gain hands-on experience with practice-based projects.
• We're not just talking about careers; we prepare you for the next step in your creative career.
• Learn from industry experts and collaborate with organisations like the Royal Shakespeare Company, Birmingham Rep, and Create Central.
• Be part of Birmingham's rich cultural scene - explore literature, film, drama, and arts festivals; meet creatives and learn from those in the know. 

Get the skills to thrive

Whether you already work in the sector or you're looking to begin a creative career, you'll gain transferable skills which will prepare you to adapt to the latest changes in the creative industry. Build your skills in digital content creation, project management, and data analytics. Our interdisciplinary teaching approach lets you develop a comprehensive understanding of the creative sector, so you’ll be ready to thrive in your career as new trends and technologies emerge. 

• Taught modules - each module represents a total of 200 hours of study time, including preparatory reading, homework and assignment preparation.
• Seminars – modules are mainly taught by small group teaching.
• Dissertation – for MA students, this can be a standard 12,000-word dissertation or a practice-based project where you work with industry on a particular area of their work. If you study the PGDip, you don’t complete a dissertation or practice-based project.

Facilities

At Birmingham, we have a range of facilities available for you to use during the MA, depending on which areas of the creative industries you're interested in.  If you're interested in film or TV media, our Film Editing Suites contain hardware and software for you to use - from Macs to cameras and editing software.  If you're interested in Music or performance, our Bramall Concert Hall and University Music rehearsal spaces are ideal for musicians.

The PGDip programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules – you don’t complete a dissertation. 

Modules run for one term, and each module involves a two-hour weekly seminar which you’ll need to attend.  

The modules listed below are an indication only and may be subject to change. Occasionally, it may be necessary to make changes to modules, for example, to ensure they remain current and relevant.

As a research-intensive University, our teaching is informed by the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff. For more information on the circumstances in which the University may need to make changes to modules, please refer to the Terms and Conditions for applicants.

2025/26 Session

The following must be taken:

You must choose one of the following:

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

English Presessional Programmes

Improve your knowledge of spoken and written English in preparation for studying at Birmingham with our pre-sessional English courses. If you have a conditional offer, you can take one of these courses as an alternative to retaking IELTS or other similar qualifications.

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Postgraduate Masters Loan

To help with the cost of studies, this loan is available to all UK students. You can use this loan towards fees, maintenance or other costs at your own discretion. It’s available for all full-time, part-time and distance learning Masters programmes, as long as you don’t already have a Masters qualification (or equivalent).If you’re a student from Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, you can apply for Masters loans from your country’s government.

Scholarships

To help you afford your studies, we’ve put more than £33 million into student support and scholarships. We also offer a range of advice on searching for funding and managing your finances.

Birmingham Masters Scholarships

We want to welcome the brightest talent to our postgraduate community. That’s why our Birmingham Masters Scholarships award £3,000 to more than 300 students each year.

Our graduates enter many roles, including:

• Publicity 
• Video Editor
• Editorial 
• Creative Director/Producer
• Cultural Co-ordination
• Digital Journalism

Employers our School of English, Drama and Creative Studies graduates have worked for include:

• Birmingham Museums Trust
• Hachette UK
• BBC
• Fremantle Media

Careers Network

Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.