Master of Communication Sciences: Digital Media and Society
KU Leuven
Key Information
Campus location
Leuven, Belgium
Languages
English, Dutch
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
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Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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Introduction
You will get the chance to study the human consequences of digital media developments, the ways in which social factors shape these developments and the various domains in which digital media are developed, used and have an impact. During this master year you will get prepared for an academic career, a job in marketing or in a digital media company.
The programme of 60 ECTS credits brings variation in topics and teaching methods, allowing you to build your personal digital communication expertise via:
- Theoretical courses
- Interactive master classes
- Exercises in research design and digital methods
- An Internship
- Elective courses
- A master's thesis
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Admissions
Curriculum
Structure
In the theoretical courses, you attain insight into social scientific theories about the production and consumption of digital media, the way digitalization shapes individual identity, culture, politics, and business, and how ICT and social media can be effectively used in communication, advertising, and marketing. In these courses, you will learn to critically discuss theory and develop scientifically interesting and societally relevant ideas for research.
The master class offers the opportunity for in-depth reflection on current issues and developments in the field of digital media and society. In small, interactive groups, you will study and discuss topical case studies in the field of either media and crisis, media and design, or games and society.
In Research Design and Digital Methods, you will learn how to do social scientific research by using digital sources and methods. The course is both theoretical and practical: you will solve research problems and collect, analyze and interpret (big) data on social media platforms.
In the master thesis, you will combine theory and method, by researching under the supervision of a scholar from the Institute for Media Studies or the Leuven School for Mass Communication Research. The master thesis is the keystone of your research in the field of digital media and communication.
In the internship, you will learn to translate academic knowledge to practice. Based on your interests, you will work in an organization specialized in digital media and communication for six weeks, to gain experience with professional life and to further develop your skills as a communication expert.
By choosing from an extensive list of elective courses from different complementary domains such as advertising, intercultural communication, or online publishing, you will get the chance to personalize your curriculum according to your own needs and interests.
Please consult our website for recent information on this program.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Graduates from Digital Media and Society have gained knowledge and insight in the nature, effects and meanings of digital media. They learn how to do empirical research and report on their findings in academic papers and policy reports. Based on their expertise, they are able to develop evidence-based communication strategies. Given the sheer omnipresence of digital media in contemporary organizations, alumni of the master Digital Media and Society have ample opportunities for interesting jobs in numerous areas.
They are employed by marketing agencies or support governmental organizations, NGOs, commercial businesses in the evaluation and improvement of internal and external communication strategies. They manage public relations through social media communities, produce content, develop brands or set up totally new, digital marketing campaigns to reach out to citizens or consumers.
Another venue is the creative industry. Graduated students have the knowledge and professional skills to develop Programs or (journalistic) formats in media- and news organizations, or contribute to media policy. They are particularly able to support traditional media companies and organizations in the transition from mass communication towards digital, interactive and personalized communication with the envisioned audience.
Yet another professional field that fits the profile is research and innovation related to the psychology and sociology of digital media use and design. In NGOs, news agencies or commercial bureaus graduated students are able to research trends in new media, analyze the impact on the life-world and develop policies, guidelines and campaigns around topics such as fake news and digital media literacy, addiction, sexting or cyberbullying.