A unique opportunity to explore the many forms of digital culture and their profound effects on society from various angles. Graduates of this programme will have gained the analytical tools required for understanding how digitisation and internet technologies shape modern culture.
KEY BENEFITS
- Develop an understanding of the role and consequences of digital technologies in contemporary culture, broadly interpreted to include such areas of activity as performing arts, telecommunications, information technology, philosophy, law and education.
- Study digital technologies within an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural framework, combining modules from participating departments.
- Obtain on-the-job training in a month long internship within a relevant organisation.
- Take field trips to major London cultural institutions, such as Tate Modern, National Gallery, Institute of Archaeology and the BBC Archives.
KEY FACTS
Student destinations
Advanced research degree; cultural heritage institutions - libraries, archives, museums, galleries - either as early stage training or as professional development; commercial organisations interested in the social and organisational impact of technology.
Programme leader/s
Btihaj Ajana and Tim Jordan
Awarding Institution
King's College London
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent)
UK 180/ECTS 90
Duration
One year FT, two years PT, September to September.
Location
Strand Campus.
Year of entry 2013
Offered by
School of Arts and Humanities
Department of Culture, Media and Creative Industries
Department of Digital Humanities
Closing date
31 August 2013.
Please note that applicants wishing to apply for funding (e.g. AHRC) must submit their application by the relevant funding deadline, which is usually early in the year. Please see
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/pg/funding/sources/index.aspx for information on the available funding opportunities and deadlines.
No set number.
Fees
PT Home: £5000 (2013)
PT Overseas: £8375 (2013)
FT Home: £10000 (2013)
FT Overseas: £16750 (2013)
CONTACTS
Contact information
Postgraduate Officer, Centre for Arts & Sciences Admissions (CASA)
tel: +44 (0) 20 7848 2765 / 2232 / 7232
fax: +44 (0) 20 7848 7200
Email
Website
PURPOSE
The aim of the MA Digital Culture & Society programme is to develop participants’ understanding of the role and consequences of digital technologies in contemporary culture, broadly interpreted to include such areas of activity as performing arts, telecommunications, information technology, philosophy, law and education. The programme is conceived as fundamentally interdisciplinary, drawing for its teaching on four academic Schools: Humanities; Law; Physical Sciences and Engineering; and Social Science & Public Policy. It is aimed at a diverse range of participants, offering technological insights to those with non-technical backgrounds, and cultural perspectives to those who have not thought about digital culture in a systematic way.
DESCRIPTION
The central focus of the programme is the interrelatedness of technology and culture in contemporary society. The principle educational aims are to develop and enhance participants’ awareness and understanding of a range of subjects relevant to digital culture and technology, including:
- The key information and communication technologies that shape contemporary society.
- The key developments in contemporary cultural expression, specifically as these are driven, mediated or influenced by digital technologies.
- The role of digital technologies in the study of culture and cultural artefacts from the past.
- How digital technologies are shaping society more generally, e.g. social intercourse, social structures, government, international politics, education and law.
- The current critical and theoretical debates around digital culture and the role of technology in cultural life.
- The ethical, moral and philosophical issues that arise from the role and impact of technology in cultural and social life.
Overall, the programme aims to develop and enhance the critical and analytical skills of participants in forming their own assessments of digital technologies and their impact in society and culture.
STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Core programme content
- Introduction to Digital Culture and Society (40 credits).
Indicative non-core content
- Dissertation (compulsory)
- Optional modules from participating Schools, including an internship.
FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
The programme consists of a compulsory core module (40 credits), optional modules (which consider aspects of the core module in greater detail) to the value of 80 credits, and a supervised research project (60 credits). The taught core and optional modules are assessed by coursework and/or examination. One of the optional modules offered is a work placement (15 credits) in an organisation relevant to digital culture.
ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
General entry advice
Minimum 2:1 honours degree (or overseas equivalent) in any discipline. For those returning to study, evidence of appropriate experience will be required. A written personal statement, emphasising both qualifying background and reasons for selecting this programme, will be required.
APPLYING TO KING'S
To apply for graduate study at King's you will need to complete our graduate online application form. Applying online makes applying easier and quicker for you, and means we can receive your application faster and more securely.
King's does not normally accept paper copies of the graduate application form as applications must be made online. However, if you are unable to access the online graduate application form, please contact the relevant admissions/School Office at King's for advice.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Your application will be assessed by two members of staff. Candidates with non-traditional qualifications or experience may be interviewed, either in person or by phone if overseas, and all applicants are welcome to call us to arrange a visit. We aim to process all applications within four to six weeks, although this may take longer in February and March, and over holiday periods.
PERSONAL STATEMENT & SUPPORTING INFORMATION
Please provide a personal statement of 500 words. This should addresses broadly why you wish to apply. Your statement should explain your answer to at least the following questions: Why have you chosen this Master course, particularly explaining why the content of the Masters is of interest to you? Why has your education and/or work or life experiences so far lead you to apply to this Masters?
The personal statement should be a maximum of 500 words, if you submit a personal statement which is longer than this it will not be accepted, and you will be required to submit a shorter version, thus delaying application assessment.
FUNDING
AHRC, self-funded. Graduate School and School of Arts & Humanities studentships and bursaries.
Student profiles
Digital Culture & Society MA
Having worked professionally following my undergraduate degree I felt that the MA programme at King’s would offer the most scope for me to explore ideas I had encountered while working in an academic setting.
The inclusion of an internship opportunity in the MA programme was hugely positive. Not only did the internship allow me to test ideas learned through the course, it provided me with a better understanding of the digital space, online tools and research best practice. After my three month internship I found I was much more attractive to recruiters and saw my competitiveness as a candidate for employment greatly increased.
Following the completion of the programme I was equipped with a variety of skills and real knowledge of not only my field, but broader issues within the digital sector. I currently work in social media marketing and this transition would not have been so seamless had it not been for my experiences at King’s.
The MA programme and the course staff offer a supportive but challenging environment for learning. The course lecturers incredibly helpful and I would strongly encourage every student to participate in is the internship programme; as it offers a unique opportunity to increase your skills, make industry contacts and help influence your real life understanding of the concepts taught in the course.
Digital Culture & Society MAWhen choosing a graduate degree programme, I faced a conundrum. I wanted to build upon my background in journalism. But I didn’t just want to stick with the familiar; I hoped to go deeper into the dynamics and technologies of our increasingly digital world. However, finding a programme offering the right balance of technical skills, theory and real-world experience proved a trying task.
At many universities, such a programme simply did not exist. Of those I could find, some were too limited in focus, others too theory-heavy. None seemed the right fit. Then I found the Digital Culture and Society M.A. programme at King’s College London. King’s sits at the forefront of digital scholarship, and with the breadth of courses it offers I could tailor the programme to my exact research interests.
Receiving the International Graduate Scholarship just cemented my certainty that I had found the right place. The funding allows me the chance to focus on my education and the sheer experience of living in London. Once I arrived, King’s only exceeded my expectations. I still can’t believe that I am studying in the heart of London, that I can look out my residence hall window and see the Tower Bridge. I attend lectures given by leading practitioners in digital industries and take field trips to the British Library. The Digital Culture and Society programme is giving me an experience I couldn’t find anywhere else.
Find out more about being a student on MA Digital Culture & Society by
reading Kate's blog!
Digital Culture & Society MA
I chose King's to continue my study for its high reputation and amazing location. King's is one of the best universities in the UK.
King's has a profoundly academic environment. All the teachers in my department are so kind and professional. The internship module provided me a precious opportunity to work at the Barbican, the largest multi-arts centre in Europe.
I worked as an analyst during my internship. The Barbican offered me the opportunity to research on the use of multimedia in museums. I researched through online research and field work. After that, I finished a helpful report for them to recommend the use of multimedia interpretation in the future.
After graduating, I got a job in London, working as a Search Engine Optimisation analyst. This occupation needs me to think about both cultural aspects and technical effects. Thanks to my previous study in King's, I have done a good job.
Digital Culture & Society MAI have benefited a lot from King’s wonderful location in London, great reputation among employers and inspiring programs. London offers people everything beyond their imaginations. And because of King’s locating at central London, I have easier access to a series of events in tech, culture, creative industry and so on. Apart from that, I have secured myself a digital marketing internship at London within a short period of time and enjoy many takeaways professionally in a UK working environment and connecting it back to my program practically.
I am also exited about what is going on with my academic journey and how it relates to my career interest. Digital Culture and Society has offered me a view of how technology interplays with culture and social elements. I am particularly interested in how innovation in data-centric culture has urged IT companies to drive their needs both in human and machine, which further poses the challenge for production, labor and digital economy. While nurturing the ability to think the topic critically and academically under the guidance of brilliant lecturers, I am convinced I could contribute a more different insight to my future job role. Plus, the most amazing part of this study is that it reconfirms my passion and determination to work for IT industry and shapes a clear direction to realize that.
Find out what it's like as a student on Digital Culture & Society by
reading Zhen's blog!