Media, Data and Society

Media, data and society sits at a genuinely important junction between three of the most pressing forces shaping contemporary life. Media shapes how we understand the world, who has a voice, and what narratives dominate public life. Data is transforming how organisations know things about people, how decisions are made, and how power is exercised at scale.

And society provides the context within which both media and data operate: the inequalities, institutions, cultures, and conflicts that determine who benefits and who is harmed. A degree that takes all three seriously is one that prepares you for an exceptionally wide range of roles in a world that urgently needs people who understand these dynamics.

At the University of Liverpool, this three-year full-time programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and a work placement, making it one of the most practically immersive media and social science degrees available. The sandwich year places you in a professional environment for an extended period, which is particularly valuable in a field where industry connections and practical experience are integral to career development. The year abroad opens an international dimension, allowing you to examine how media systems and data practices differ across national contexts.

You will study media theory and history, digital culture, data literacy and analysis, platform economics, surveillance and privacy, journalism, and the sociological frameworks for understanding how media and technology intersect with power and inequality.

The degree develops both quantitative and qualitative skills. You will learn to work with data sets and to interpret social research alongside developing the critical and analytical capabilities to situate that evidence in broader cultural and political contexts. Communication, writing, and the ability to make complex ideas accessible are skills developed throughout.

Graduates in media, data and society go on to careers in journalism, digital media, data journalism, communications, public relations, policy, social research, platform and tech companies, broadcasting, and the charity sector. The combination of media literacy and data competence is sought after across many sectors. Postgraduate study in media, data science, communications, or related fields is another strong route.