Digital Culture & Society

Overview

Our course gives students unique opportunity to critically study the developments and implications of digital technologies on contemporary culture and society. Our programme looks at how digital developments are reshaping various socio-political and economic fields such as work, governance, identity, cultural communication, finance, industry, and many more.

By researching digital technology and industries, graduates of this course will sharpen their analytical and communicative skills while gaining critical insights into the effect of the digital. In addition to the theoretical core module, students will have the opportunity to take practise based optional modules to develop their practical and organisational skills through individual and team-based projects.

Graduates of this course will potentially embark on professional careers in social and technology research, work in think tanks, the arts and the cultural sectors, government and public administration, international development, NGOs, education, in media and communications globally as well as into marketing and public relations or journalism. They can also progress to PhD study.

Key Benefits:

develop an understanding of the role and the impact of digital technologies in contemporary culture and society.

gain an overview and awareness of emerging and established digital technologies by learning about highly topical and contemporary developments.

acquire specific knowledge of digital technologies and their wider effects; as well as practical skills through our optional modules.

gain the ability to review, synthesise and integrate information and data for research and reporting purposes.

There is the possibility of taking part in an internship programme. London’s many cultural institutions and its wide creative industry offers further possibilities. In 2020/1 this may be subject to change due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please contact the department if you wish to discuss this further.

Key information

Application status Open

Duration One year FT, two years PT, September to September.

Study mode Full-time, Part-time

Credit value UK 180/ECTS 90

Course intake No set number.

Course leaders Dr Btihaj Ajana and Dr Mercedes Bunz

Further details

Course contact for further information Postgraduate Admissions Team, Admissions Office tel: +44 (0) 20 7848 7000 fax: +44 (0) 20 7848 7200

Course contact form Postgraduate admissions

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty Faculty of Arts & Humanities

Department Department of Digital Humanities

Locations

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In the heart of London

Find out more about the programmes on offer in the Digital Humanities Department at King's

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Course detail

Description

On this Digital Culture & Society MA course you will focus on how technology and culture are connected in today’s society. We will introduce you to different perspectives on the changing nature of digital developments and how they are reshaping various cultural, socio-political and economic fields such as work, governance, identity, cultural institutions, finance industry, and so on. We aim to develop and enhance your 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.
How digital technologies are shaping today’s society, including 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.

Course format and assessment

Teaching

If you are a full-time student, we will provide 120 to 180 hours of teaching through lectures and seminars, and we will expect you to undertake 1,674 hours of independent study.

If you are a part-time student, we will provide 90 hours of teaching through lectures and seminars in your first year, and 50 hours in your second. We will expect you to undertake 720 hours of independent study in your first year and 954 hours in your second. Please note, part-time is not an option for students entering the programme in January 2021.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

Your performance will be assessed through a combination of coursework and written/practical examinations. Forms of assessment may typically include essays. Coursework contributes approximately 80% and examinations approximately 20% to your final mark.

Location

Usually, the course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Strand Campus. We are located in the heart of London, offering you an unparalleled location and easy access to the city’s cultural offerings. However, 20/21 teaching will be delivered via blended learning of online and in-person teaching, subject to social distancing regulations. Please check the offer holder pages for further updates.

Regulating body

King’s College London is regulated by the Office for Students.

Structure

Year 1

Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180 credits.

Required Modules

You are required to take:

• Introduction to Digital Culture & Society (40 credits)

• Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional Modules

In addition, you are required to take 80 credits from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:

• AI & Society (20 credits)

• Crowds & Clouds – Digital Ecosystems (20 credits)

• Curating & Preserving Digital Culture

• Dark Web, Dark Nets and Transgressive Cultures (20 credits)

• Data Journalism (20 credits)

• Digital Asset & Media Management in the Broadcast Media (20 credits)

• Digital Entrepreneurship (20 credits)

• Digital Media, Digital Marketing (20 credits)

• Digital Methods for Internet Studies (20 credits)

• Digital Publishing (20 credits)

• Digital Asset & Media Technologies in Practice (20 credits)

• iData: The Policis of Personal Data Economies t

• Introduction to Quantiative Methods (20 credits)

• Internship: Digital Culture & Society in the Workplace (20 credits)

• Management for Digital Content Industries (20 credits)

• Maps, Apps & the GeoWeb: Introduction to the Spatial Humanities (20 credits)

• Metadata Theory & Practice (20 credits)

• Open Cultures (20 credits)

• Social Media, Marketing and Platforms (20 credits)

• User-Centred Research and Design (20 credits)

• Web Technologies (20 credits)

• Digital Media Production Cultures (20 credits)

• Transnational Screen Production (20 credits)

• The Aesthetic Economy & Aesthetic Markets (20 credits)

• Visual Culture (20 credits)

• Cultural Memory (20 credits)

• Fashion Culture & Society (20 credits)

• Culture & the City (20 credits)

• Art and Globalisation (20 credits)

• Gender, Media and Culture (20 credits)

• Creatives: Working in the Cultural Industries (20 credits)

• International Heritage – Politics, Policy & Practice (20 credits)

• Digital Culture & Political Protest (20 credits)

• Cultural Policy (20 credits)

• Culture: Conflict, Diplomacy & International Relations (20 credits)

• Film & American Culture (20 credits)

• Media Culture & Ethnicity (20 credits)

• Up to 20 credits from other master’s modules that the Faculty of Arts & Humanities offers, subject to approvals

If you are a part-time student, you will take Introduction to Digital Culture & Society in your first year, and your dissertation in your second. In addition, part-time students will take 40 credits of optional modules in their first year and a further 40 credits of optional modules in their second year.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Entry requirements & how to apply

Digital Culture & Society MA Entry Requirements
Minimum requirements	2:1	Bachelor’s degree with 2:1 honours in English, or a related discipline. For those returning to study, evidence of appropriate experience will be required. Please note: Meeting the minimum requirements for your application to be considered does not guarantee an offer as applications for this programme are very competitive. In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme.
International requirements		Visit our admissions webpages to view our International entry requirements.
English Language requirements	Band C	Visit our admissions webpages to view our English language entry requirements.

Application procedure

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £100 applies.

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 and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

DC&S checklist
Personal Statement	Yes	Please provide a writing of around 500 words, answering the following questions: Briefly explain why you are applying for this specific programme and how it fits with your future plans? (max 250 words) How does your experience and education make you a suitable candidate for this programme? (max 250 words) Please write these questions as separate answers, with a clear title for your answer to each question. Documents where your answers are not clearly titled and separated will not be accepted.
Previous Academic Study	Yes	A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
References	Yes	One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. In some cases, we may request an additional reference from you.
Other	Optional	Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application.

Application closing date

We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible. Our first application deadline is the 26^th March 2021. After this date, the programme will remain open only if places are still available and will be closed as soon as it is full.

For programmes that remain open beyond this date, the final application deadlines for the following fee statuses are listed below:

EU or overseas (international) fee status: 30^th July 2021
Home fee status: 27^th August 2021

Please note, you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if you apply after the first application deadline in March, and we are unable to process more offers as places are filled before the final application deadlines above.

Help and support

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, or if English isn't your first language, our academic preparation courses can help you get ready for study in the UK.

Preparation courses

Fees and funding

Full time Home fees: £10,500 per year (2021/22)
Full time overseas fees: £27,900 per year (2021/22)
Part time Home fees: £5,250 per year (2021/22)
Part time overseas fees: £13,950 per year (2021/22)

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

The UK deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000.

If you receive an offer on or before 31st March, payment is due by 30^th April 2021.
If you receive an offer between 1st April and 30th June, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
If you receive an offer between 1st July and 31st July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
If you receive an offer on or after 1st August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
If you receive an offer from late August onwards, payment is due within 2 days of receiving the offer.

If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

Additional costs/expenses

In addition to your tuition fees, you can also expect to pay for:

• books if you choose to buy your own copies

• clothing for optional course related events and competitions

• library fees and fines

• personal photocopies

• printing course handouts

• society membership fees

• stationery

• travel costs around London and between campuses

• graduation costs

Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.

Financial help and support

Visit the fees and funding webpages to find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans and other financial help available at King's.

Career prospects

Our graduates transfer the skills and knowledge they develop with us to careers in cultural heritage institutions, such as libraries, archives, museums, galleries and in commercial organisations interested in the social and organisational impact of technology.

Testimonials

Jadis

"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."

Kate

"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."

Ruobing

"The internship module provided me a precious opportunity to work at the Barbican, the largest multi-arts centre in Europe. The Barbican offered me the opportunity to research on the use of multimedia in museums."

Zhen

"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."

Blue box with King's College London rankings. Starting with, 7th in the UK for research quality. Followed by, 6th in the UK for research power. Concluding with, 4th among multi-faculty universities for research Impact. The source is research excellence framework 2014

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Digital Culture & Society MA

Overview

Key Benefits:

Key information

Further details

Locations