Digital Media and Communications BA Honours

The course combines theoretical analysis, practical understanding and reflective media production. You will learn critical perspectives on social and cultural aspects of digital and social media, and develop a practical understanding of how media businesses and institutions operate. You will spend around a third of your time in reflective practice-based work, including web production and design.
A distinctive emphasis of the course is its use of social media platforms as spaces for learning and teaching.
Based at the recently refurbished Harrow Campus – home to the Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design – you will work alongside students from film, photography, music, fashion and journalism, in a unique hothouse of creative opportunity.
At all levels teaching includes a range of delivery modes, from lectures and seminars to practical workshop sessions, online collaborations, demonstrations and hands-on exercises.
All assessment is through coursework, including essays, websites, research reports, seminar presentations, social media contributions such as blog posts, and group and individual creative projects.
Subjects of study
The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course. For more details on course structure and modules, and how you will be taught and assessed, see the full course document.
Year 1 (Credit Level 4)
Your core modules introduce you to the operations of media industries and to major academic and political debates around media, culture and society. You will develop a thorough understanding of contemporary communication industries and cultures, and extend your research, critical thinking and communication skills. Subjects of study include:
Intermediate Web Production and Design
Internet Cultures
Introduction to Web Production and Design
Media and Society
Media and Globalisation
Year 2 (Credit Level 5)
The modules will deepen your knowledge and understanding of principles, issues and debates raised by the rise of networked digital and social media. You will learn advanced website production and design skills, and extend your historical understanding of the development of media industries and cultures. Subjects of study include:
Advanced Web Production and Design
Creativity
Cultural Industries and Media Markets
Design for Mobile Platforms
Information Society
Researching Media and Communication
Theories of Media and Communication
Year 3 (Credit Level 6)
You develop your research, critical thinking and clear communication skills to advanced levels, and apply these to an academic dissertation on a topic related to digital and social media as well as a major final production project. Subjects of study include:
Digital Media Production Project
Dissertation
Media Policy and Regulation
Professional Experience
Transforming Audiences
This list is indicative of what you will study on this course. For more specific and detailed module information please refer to full course document.
Westminster electives
As part of your course you can take elective modules. Electives are an exciting opportunity to widen your experience at university and to gain skills and knowledge that will help make you more employable. Find out about Westminster electives.
Course Leader
Heidrun Herzogenrath-Amelung
Work placement
From Year 2 to the end of Year 3 you are encouraged to do as many work placements as possible. Work experience is a degree requirement, and you will need to find your own placements, though staff will help.
Study abroad
You can take advantage of our Study Abroad agreements with overseas universities, spending half an academic year at another university in countries such as Australia, Canada, China, Hong Kong and the USA. Your work there will count towards your degree at Westminster.
Additional costs information