Digital Media, Public Relations and Advertising BA Honours - Courses

Course Overview

UK Fees £9,250 *

International Fees £17,000 *

Duration 3 or 4 years

* Price per academic year

Course summary

Our Digital Media, PR and Advertising BA is ideal for those who want to explore the commercial aspect of marketing communications and consumer culture. The course has been designed to prepare you for the fast-changing media and communication industries and digital media roles of the future. You’ll become a highly skilled media professional who can create and share messages professionally across any digital platform, to truly connect with an audience.

The course starts with a shared first year, where you will study alongside students on the other Digital Media BA pathways in Media Production, Communication and Journalism. Together you’ll study the broad principles of digital media to produce a portfolio of digital content, develop your research skills and gain a critical understanding of core academic concepts. You’ll gain skills in content creation, digital media production, storytelling, and research, alongside a critical appreciation of the role of media in society.

At the end of your first year, you’ll have the choice to continue with Digital Media, PR and Advertising or change to another pathway on the course to reflect your interests and aspirations.

In your second and third year, you’ll build on your practical skills and conceptual insights. You’ll develop advanced digital production skills and learn to create and pitch strategies and content for different media platforms and contexts. These include multimedia formats, for a range of different audiences and organisational contexts and responding to client and employer objectives and briefs.

You will have the opportunity to learn from industry professionals throughout the course and can benefit from our industry links by opting to complete a work placement year or expand your educational experience by studying aboard between Years 2 and 3. 

Top reasons to study with us  

Westminster is ranked top 15 among UK institutions for Communication and Media Studies in the QS World University Rankings 2023. The University is also ranked in the Top 15 in the Complete University Guide 2024 for 'Graduate prospects' in Communication and Media Studies.
Employability and enterprise skills embedded in the modules, through the use of practical tasks and problem-solving exercises that mirror the workplace and, where possible, incorporate live briefs
Work and international experience –  provided through the core module Working in Digital media in Year 2 and the optional Placement or International Experience Year available between Years 2 and 3
Develop sought-after skills – You’ll develop high-level skills, which are in demand across a range of sectors and professions
Produce your own content in a professional setting. Our award-winning student-led Smoke Media offers plenty of opportunities to get involved
TEF Silver – Our teaching, learning and student outcomes received a silver award in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)

Course structure

During your first year, you’ll study alongside students on the other Digital Media BA pathways.

At the end of your first year, you’ll have the choice to continue with Digital Media, PR and Advertising or change your specialism to one of our other Digital Media pathways in Communication, Journalism or Media Production. Each pathway will give you a distinctive preparation in one of the most important fields of digital media.

These pathways, along with a variety of optional modules, provide you with the opportunity to customise your degree and expertise according to your interests and career objectives.

Your final degree award will reflect this specialism, e.g. Digital Media, PR and Advertising BA (Hons).

Creating Digital Content
Creative Industries and Professional Life
Digital Media and Society
Media and Communication Research 1
Storytelling across Platforms

Credit Level 4

In Year 2, you’ll take two shared core modules, two pathway modules and two option modules.

Working in Digital Media (shared)
Theories of Media and Communication (shared)
Strategy and Marketing Communication (pathway)
Consumer Culture and Society (pathway)

You'll also choose two option modules from the module list below (option module availability depending on numbers): 3D Interactive Media Development, Celebrity Culture and the Media, Design Thinking, Human Computer Interaction and User Experience, Media and Climate Crisis, Mobile First, Politics, Journalism and the Media, Produce Your Own Podcast, Specialist News and Features, Web Design, Commercial Music Radio, Internet Cultures, Media and Communication Research 2.

Credit Level 5

Digital Media Placement Year: if you choose to take the opportunity of one-year work placement after Year 2, you’ll complete the Digital Media Extended Work Placement module.

International Experience Year: if you choose to take the opportunity to spend one academic year after Year 2 studying overseas at one of our Exchange Partner Institutions, you’ll complete the Digital Media Study Abroad module. 

Find out more about the costs involved in taking a study abroad or placement year.

In Year 3, you’ll take two shared core modules, one pathway module and two option modules.

Dissertation or Individual Practice Project (shared)
Digital Media Project (shared)
Data and Society (pathway module)

You'll also choose two modules from the option module list below(option module availability depending on numbers):

Creative Advertising, Diversity and the Media, Specialist, Creative and Long Form Journalism, Specialist PR, Technology, Culture and Society, Transforming Audiences, UX and App Design, Working in Digital Media 2

Credit Level 6

Programme recognition

This course is delivered through a partnership with BAFTA albert Education, which provides staff and graduates with the tools and techniques needed to learn about environmentally responsible working practices and their professional relevance. The partnership will help students develop knowledge about sustainability, carbon footprinting and planet placement in programmes.

Course accreditation

The course is accredited by the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA).

Programme Training Opportunities

This course is committed to health and safety training, and has partnered with the Mark Milsome Foundation to offer an optional online course for students wishing to develop their skills in this area. The Mark Milsome Foundation Skillset Production Safety Passport course ensures that students are equipped with essential safety knowledge, as they venture into careers in the film and TV industry. Created in memory of Mark Milsome, the course provides a Level II Production Safety Passport valid for 5 years from ScreenSkills. This additional course is available free of charge to University of Westminster students studying this Undergraduate course.

Programme specification

For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).

To request an accessible version please email [email protected]

Prospectus

Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.

Request a prospectus

Get in touch

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm BST)

[email protected]

Live chat with us
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm BST)

Open days

Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.

Next open day

Saturday 15 June On campus

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Careers

Digital skills are among the most sought after in graduates. As a result, our students are ideally placed to build successful careers across both the private and public sector.

The University's Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.

£130bn

Expanding sector

This is how much the UK’s world leading digital and tech sector is worth (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, November 2018)

Get work-ready

Access insight talks from industry experts and gain professional experience during the optional work placement year. Our Creative Enterprise Centre will help you to develop key entrepreneurial skills.

Cross-disciplinary course

The structure of the programme is designed so you can also work collaboratively with other students on cross-disciplinary projects.

Industry links  

We offer our students strong industry connections to employers across a wide range of digital media industries in London, one of the two pre-eminent global centres for the media. You will also benefit from access to our internationally renowned research academics, members of our Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI), whose work is at the cutting-edge of research exploring the implications for digital and legacy media of issues such as globalisation, activism, artificial intelligence and fake news.

Job roles 

Entertainment publicist
Social media strategist
Public affairs consultant
Social media manager
Digital Marketing Executive
Internal communications manager
Advertising account planner/buyer
Marketing communications
Integrated communications planner
Public relations consultant
PR officer

Work experience

Work-based learning is provided through the core module Working in Digital Media 1 in Year 2. You’ll be able to choose to take an optional sandwich year between Years 2 and 3, with a maximum 40-week placement to develop your employability skills, and boost your CV with relevant work experience. A sandwich year coordinator will help students identify placements through leveraging our industry contacts via our Careers Advice teams, Creative Enterprise Centre and the School Employers’ Panel, but it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to find a placement.

Graduate employers

Graduates from this course will be able to find employment in a wide range of sectors and professions, including government and the not-for-profit sector as well as the creative industries.

Our graduates are able to work independently as well as collaboratively in roles that demand advanced communication and research skills, such as consultancy, research, administration and management. The programme also enables graduates to continue on to further postgraduate study.

Graduates from our media and communication courses have found employment at organisations including:

Ogilvy
McKinsey Consulting
Sky TV and Online
BBC TV News, Online and World Service
Royal College of Art
ITN
The Guardian
Financial Times

Elle Magazine

International Opportunities

Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.

Opportunities could include:

Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
Attending an international summer school or field trip
Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad

International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.

Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.

Students working and studying internationally

Course Leaders

Changes in the field of digital media happen very quickly, all the time, so we need to be agile. At the same time, students can specialise in a field they love. Flexibility combined with expertise. This is what this course is about.

Dr Andrea Medrado

Senior Lecturer

Andrea Medrado is a Senior Lecturer and the leader of the Cultural Identities and Social Change theme at the Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI).

Her research focuses on digital media activism and artivism in the Global South and on participatory approaches to analysing marginalised communities’ engagements with AI. Her book 'Media Activism, Artivism and the Fight Against Marginalisation in the Global South' was published in 2023. She has also published in leading academic journals and is the Vice President of IAMCR. Andrea has also worked as a creative writer in advertising agencies, specialising in political communication and election campaigns.

See full profile

John Brissenden

Deputy Course Leader, BA Digital Media

John is the pathway leader for the Digital Media, PR and Advertising BA. He is also deputy course leader for the Digital Media BA. He was involved in the design and validation of the programme, and has helped introduce the programme since the first students joined it in 2021.

John joined Westminster in 2018 from Bournemouth University, where he was a Senior Lecturer in Public Relations. Prior to joining Bournemouth in 2004, John had a distinguished career in PR, working in agencies in London from 1988 to 1992 and then holding a series of senior client-side roles in the broadcast television sector from 1992 to 1999. From 1999 to 2003, John was Director of Publicity at Sky.

See full profile

Public relations and advertising goes from strength to strength here at Westminster. Our course attracts students from over 30 countries, and employers value our innovative approach.

Course Team

A levels – BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points)
T levels – 104 UCAS Tariff points
International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM
BTEC Diploma – D*D
Access – 104 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course

In addition to one of the above, you should have:

GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths Pass – IB Pass

If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.5 overall, with 5.5 in each component.

We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.

View more information about our entry requirements and the application process

International Baccalaureate – 104 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.

More information

What our students say

Elisa Hernandez Biffa

Digital Media BA

I love how different the teaching has been compared to how it is in my country. I feel like I have a voice and what I say really matters. As an Erasmus student, I’ve felt welcome and part of the Westminster community. To be a Westminster student is an experience that I will never forget.

Westminster Degree Shows

The Westminster Degree Shows are an annual collection that showcases the creativity, vibrancy and artistic talent of our undergraduate arts courses. You can see the latest online collection on Westminster Degree Shows.

Learn new skills

Learn a new language

From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme.

Develop your entrepreneurial skills

Our award-winning Creative Enterprise Centre offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects.

Gain extra qualifications

We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.

Fees and Funding

UK
INTERNATIONAL

UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

Funding

As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.

Find out about undergraduate student funding options.

Scholarships

The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.

Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)

When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.

Find out how we set our tuition fees.

EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme

If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.

International student funding

Find out about funding for international students.

Additional costs

See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.

Teaching and assessment

How you'll be taught

Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:

Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision

Year

21%79%

18%82%

1%50%49%

17%83%

Scheduled hoursIndependent studyPlacement

How you'll be assessed

Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.

Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:

Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
Written exams: end of semester exams
Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation

Year

10%90%

17%83%

25%75%

3%19%78%

Written examsPracticalCoursework

Data from the academic year 2023/24

Supporting you

Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.

Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Visit our student hub

Course Location

Harrow is our creative and cultural hub.

Home to most of our arts, media and digital courses, it houses state-of-the-art facilities for every discipline, including project and gallery spaces, film studios, creative labs, collaborative learning spaces, and the creative enterprise hub. Harrow Campus is based in north-west London, just 20 minutes from the city centre by train.

For more details, visit our Harrow Campus page.