Society, Culture and Media (Taught)

Understand culture, media and society and how they shape the world we live in.
Culture and media play a powerful role in shaping who we are, how we communicate and how inequalities are produced and challenged. This course explores how culture and media shape – and are shaped by – society.
This course equips you to understand those dynamics, encouraging you to think critically about power, identity and difference. By examining the relationships between gender, class, race and ethnicity, you’ll develop a nuanced understanding of how culture reflects and influences wider social change in an increasingly connected world.
Study key sociological, media and cultural debates, gaining a strong theoretical foundation. Then learn to critically analyse how topics such as social media, AI, globalisation, representation and identity intersect in contemporary life. Taught by leading researchers, the course draws on expertise in areas including digital cultures, inequality, audiences, creative work and material culture.
Alongside subject knowledge, you’ll graduate with valued transferable skills in research, communication, analysis, teamwork and self‑management. These skills open diverse career pathways in the media and creative industries, academia, the third sector and beyond – as well as roles that value critical thinking, cultural awareness and strong analytical ability.

Student profile: Emma Brice
“It’s a fantastic course because it’s allowed me to develop an expertise in a topic area that I’m interested in. As much as I have focused on celebrity, media and internet culture, this course permits many different research routes in society, culture and media.”
Emma Brice, MA Society, Culture and Media

Why study at Leeds

• Learn from experts: Benefit from the expertise of the School of Sociology and Social Policy.

• Gain specialist knowledge: Develop your understanding of consumption, traditional media and social media, AI and algorithmic cultures, globalisation, representation, popular culture and more.

• Tailor the programme according to your interests: Take on with optional modules which cover Researching Inequality in the Media, Gender, Sexuality and Popular Culture, Racism, Decoloniality and Migration, Video games, digital resistance and reality TV.

• Develop transferable skills: Gain valuable expertise across research, analysis, group work and communication.

• A hub for digital and creative innovation: Leeds and Bradford continue to lead in promoting digital culture, providing a dynamic environment for students interested in media and culture.

Rankings and awards
Top 20 in the UK for Sociology & Social Policy, The Guardian University League Tables 2025
Top 100 in the world for Social Policy and Administration, QS World Rankings by Subject 2026

Where this degree could take you
The national and international growth of the media and creative industries has sparked greater demand for graduates with advanced skills and knowledge in the field, opening opportunities in communications and media policy, PR, social and digital media, media markets and audience research and other cultural and creative industries.
Additionally, the sociology element of the course will allow you to apply your knowledge and skills in fields such as education, statutory and voluntary agencies, NGOs (non-governmental organisations), INGOs (international non-governmental agencies) and charities.

Career support
Top 10 most targeted for 10+ years by the UK's leading employers, The Graduate Market 2026, High Fliers Research
At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one.
Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change

Visit our website for the latest information on which modules we offer. https://courses.leeds.ac.uk/i094/society,-culture-and-media-ma

Assessment will include a series of short quizzes, a group project, an essay and a dissertation.