Digital Media and Society

Digital transformation and the rise of data-driven practices are reshaping how societies communicate, how media operate, and what it means to study media and communication. This MA focuses on those changes—often called digitalisation and datafication—and explores how media have shifted from traditional providers of information, education and entertainment into powerful systems for collecting and connecting data across previously separate areas of life. The programme examines both individual-level phenomena (recommendation systems, social network suggestions, activity tracking and personal analytics) and broader institutional effects across schools, finance, government and agriculture.

The course prepares graduates for planning and decision-making roles in a datafied society by combining critical analysis with practical skills. Core teaching centers on advanced theory and methods in communication and media research with an emphasis on digital media. Students also gain access to cross-disciplinary electives—including components from computer science and related fields—and receive hands-on experience through placements or collaborations with the regional media industry, enabling applied learning and professional networking.

Adopting an integrative, society-wide perspective, the programme gives students latitude to build individual profiles and specialisations. Alongside strengthening critical and analytical thinking, it equips students to work in businesses, organisations and institutions that need expertise on the social, technical and institutional implications of digitalisation and datafication.

Requirements

• Specific admission criteria are not included here; please consult the university’s official programme page for application prerequisites.
• Programme study requirements include completion of core modules in advanced theory and research methods for communication and media.
• Participation in cross-disciplinary electives (e.g., courses with a computer science component) to broaden technical and analytical skills.
• Practical, hands-on experience with the regional media industry (internship or collaborative projects) to develop applied competencies and professional contacts.
• Opportunities to select electives to create an individual specialisation and professional profile.

Language of instruction: English Location: Bremen, Germany Field: Media & Communication Degree: Master of Arts

Program overview This two-year, full-time MA builds advanced knowledge of digital media and the “datafied” society while combining theoretical study with hands-on practice. The curriculum is structured to move from shared conceptual foundations to applied methods and then to independent research and professional preparation. Students are encouraged to include a semester abroad or an internship to broaden international experience and improve employability.

Semester-by-semester focus and key modules

• Semester 1: Establishes a common conceptual framework for digital media and the datafied society and introduces initial options in digital media practice. The aim is to ensure all students share core theoretical perspectives and terminology.
• Semester 2: Concentrates on (digital) methods through a dedicated methods-training module and launches a two-semester research seminar where students design an empirical project. Semester 2 also deepens understanding of issues arising from deep mediatisation and datafication.
• Semester 3: Emphasises research practice—students carry out data collection and analysis as part of the research seminar and complete an independent study project. This semester also contains in-depth study of digital literacy and media-practical components; the optional media-practice internship can be taken here. Practical work and institutional/company contacts are actively developed to ease transition into professional roles.
• Semester 4: Dedicated to writing the Master’s thesis and preparing for the thesis defence, bringing coursework and research together into a final, evaluated project.

Intended learning outcomes Students complete the programme with:

• A solid conceptual grasp of digital media dynamics and the societal effects of datafication.
• Practical competence in digital research methods, including designing and executing empirical projects, data collection and analysis.
• Enhanced digital literacy and applied media-production skills through practical modules and optional internships.
• Experience in independent academic writing and thesis defence, and professional contacts to support career entry.

Core programme components / requirements

• Two-year full-time enrolment
• Participation in foundational modules on digital media and the datafied society (Semester 1)
• Methods-training module (Semester 2)
• Two-semester research seminar culminating in an empirical student project (Semesters 2–3)
• Independent study project (Semester 3)
• In-depth digital literacy teaching (Semester 3)
• Media-practical modules; optional media-practice internship (typically Semester 3)
• Master’s thesis and oral defence (Semester 4)
• Optional integration of a semester abroad or an internship to complement studies and career prospects

Graduates are prepared for roles that require analysing and shaping media and communication in datafied contexts—such as media planning, digital strategy, data-driven communications, research positions in academia or think tanks, and roles within public institutions or private companies that need expertise on digitalisation and data practices. The combination of methodological training, research experience and industry contacts also supports entry into consultancy, analytics and policy-advisory positions.

The programme’s practical elements and regional industry links are designed to help students build professional networks and gain applied experience that facilitates a smooth transition into the labour market after graduation.