MA Social Media and Digital Marketing

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Exeter

Program Overview

The MA Social Media & Digital Marketing at the University of Exeter is designed to give you the perfect mix of theory and practical skills. You’ll learn how to create, manage, and analyse social media campaigns while gaining a deep understanding of how digital platforms shape culture and behaviour — perfect for anyone looking to step confidently into the fast-moving world of digital marketing.

Curriculum Structure

Taught Modules Phase: You’ll start with core modules like Media and Communications: Theory and Concepts, which builds your understanding of the media landscape, and Social Media: Management and Strategy, where you’ll plan campaigns, manage platforms, and develop effective strategies. Optional modules such as Applied Digital Marketing Analytics or Brand Design allow you to tailor your learning to your interests and career goals.
Dissertation Phase: After your taught modules, you’ll focus on a dissertation project, giving you the chance to explore an area that excites you — whether that’s analysing a digital campaign, researching user behaviour, or investigating a theoretical question about online culture. This is your opportunity to produce a piece of work that showcases your skills and expertise.

Focus Areas

Social media strategy, digital content creation, e‑commerce, user analytics, and understanding digital culture

Learning Outcomes

Plan, implement, and evaluate data-driven social media campaigns
Understand how digital platforms influence audiences and culture
Gain practical skills in content creation, SEO, and e‑commerce strategy
Conduct independent research through a dissertation project

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

While the course is rooted in communications, it equips you with highly sought-after industry skills, blending digital strategy, analytics, and creative thinking — all of which are directly applicable to marketing, communications, and digital media roles.

Reputation (Employability / Rankings)

The University of Exeter ranks 11th in the UK for Communications (Complete University Guide 2026) and is known for its world-class research facilities, including the Digital Humanities Lab and the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum. These resources keep your learning fresh, research-driven, and industry-relevant.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This MA isn’t just about lectures and essays — it’s designed to get you hands-on with the tools, spaces, and real-world projects that social media and digital marketing professionals use every day. From creating campaigns to analysing data and exploring digital culture, you’ll have access to world-class facilities and expert guidance to bring your ideas to life. You’ll work on practical projects, collaborate with peers, and even get input from industry professionals, so your learning is always connected to the real world.

Some of the ways you’ll gain practical experience include:

Digital Humanities Lab – a creative hub with a huge video wall, photography labs, AV recording studio, and a MakerSpace for 3D scanning and printing, perfect for testing out digital ideas.
Bill Douglas Cinema Museum – explore over 70,000 film-related artefacts and use them in research or creative media projects.
Centre for Intermedia and Creative Technology (CICT) – a space for experimenting with VR, AR, and creative programming alongside researchers and technologists.
Centre for Advanced Research Methods (CARM) – training in digital research methods, computational social science, and creative project development.
Multimedia Design Studio – get hands-on with visual design, video editing, web assets, and animation to make your campaigns really stand out.
Industry talks and guest sessions – learn directly from social media and digital marketing professionals, gaining insights that connect classroom learning to real-world practice.

These opportunities ensure that by the time you graduate, you’ll not only understand the theory but also have the practical experience and confidence to step into a digital marketing role.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of this MA leave ready to step into exciting roles such as Social Media Manager, Digital Marketing Strategist, Content Analyst, or E‑commerce Specialist. With a combination of practical campaign experience, data analysis skills, and critical understanding of digital culture, you’ll be able to make an immediate impact in businesses, agencies, or organisations of all kinds. Exeter ensures your learning doesn’t stop at the classroom — it’s all about preparing you for the real world:

Here’s how Exeter helps you succeed:

Career Zone Support – personalised guidance on CVs, interviews, applications, plus access to job listings and employer networking through Handshake.
Internships & Industry Pathways – opportunities to gain hands-on experience via fully funded internships and industry-led projects.
Alumni Mentorship – connect with professionals in your field through the Career Mentor Scheme to gain insider insights and grow your network.
Graduate Support Post-Study – up to three years of career advice, workshops, job fairs, and mentoring even after you graduate.
Long-Term Value of the Degree – the MA’s blend of social science and practical marketing skills gives you a solid foundation for strategic roles now and as your career grows.
Graduate Outcomes – Exeter graduates go on to work in social media management, analytics, media campaigns, consultancy, NGOs, and more.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue your studies, this MA also opens doors to a PhD in Media and Communications, focusing on digital engagement, research, or theory. Alternatively, you could pursue specialised postgraduate certificates or diplomas in Marketing Analytics, Digital Entrepreneurship, or User Experience (UX) Research, building directly on the skills and dissertation work you’ve completed.