BA (Hons) Digital Culture and Communication (Full Time)

Get ahead of the rest with this cutting-edge course, designed to give students an in-depth understanding of the impact of digital technologies and social media on society, organisations and culture. You’ll collaborate with industry professionals and develop sought-after digital skills in this fast-moving area of communication.

Key elements include:

• Up-to-the-minute skills, knowledge and understanding of digital technologies and their applications
• A blend of creative, analytical and strategic skills as well as the technical skills required for a range of digital technologies
• In-depth study of communication and interaction in the digital world, patterns of behaviour and how they have changed
• Study of how digital technologies have impacted on the creative industries, including marketing, PR, journalism, advertising and television
• Study of groups and communities online, particularly through social media
• Practical applications in the use of digital technologies for marketing, PR, lobbying and organisational development
• Relevant work experience
• Work on live briefs reflecting industry practice
• Opportunity to build a portfolio of work
• Guest speakers from industry.

Industrial focus

Some of the most influential digital businesses, including AIA, the Institute of Direct Marketing and Futurerising, have helped develop this course. The course content includes the most current technologies and thinking and reflects the needs of industry, giving students graduating from this course a head start in their careers.

All students do relevant work experience and also work on live briefs which mirror real practice in industry. Students develop the strategic, technical, creative and analytical skills required by industry and are encouraged to build a freelance portfolio through working for Solent Creatives – Solent’s in-house creative agency.

Two-thirds of all creative industries jobs have a digital component, including account management, account and strategic planning, project management, creative and technical development, yet there is a skills gap in this area. Graduates from this course will be equipped for digital communications roles in a variety of areas and sectors, including marketing, advertising, PR, the media, business, charities and the public sector.

Course content

Year 1

• The Digital Landscape
• Online Cultures
• Creative Digital Technology.

Year 2

• Digital PR, the Internet and Social Media
• Direct and Digital Marketing
• Employability Skills.

Year 3

• Strategy, Planning and Analysis
• Agency Simulation
• Work Placement.

Assessments

A range of assessments are used, designed to reflect authentic professional contexts including live briefs, case studies, presentations and proposals.

Key career skills

Digital technology skills, creative problem solving, social media collaboration, search engine optimisation and paid search, digital metrics, and analytics.

Projects/work experience

Work experience takes place between your second and third years on the course, but preparation begins in your second year when you will be supported in identifying the skills you will need to develop your professional career.

Industry quote

Bridey-Rae Liscombe, The Rabbit Agency

"From nowhere, social media sites have become the missing link in the consumer/vendor relationship, that final extension of a brand which can make a company seem a little less machine, a little more human. Social Media is by far the best way to keep track of trends and at the moment that is where a lot of brands are focussing their attention"