Designing at the forefront of communication technology
Year of entry: 2025 (September)
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Upcoming eventsThe rapid expansion of digital networks have changed user expectations, creating demand for graduates who understand social and participatory design principles.
This course provides an innovative mix of sociological and technical skills. You will gain an understanding of the social, political and economic factors that affect the use of interactive technologies. You'll examine how technology is perceived and employed by the user. You'll learn to apply your knowledge to the practical problems of designing interactive pages, devices and systems.
Computer Science at York is in the top 10 in the UK for our departmental research, according to the Times Higher Education's ranking of the latest REF results (2021).
The course offered me a unique opportunity to deepen my skills as a social scientist while studying across two of the best research departments in the UK.Leonardo
MSc Social Media and Interactive Technologies
Modules explore topics in human-computer interaction, user-centred design, social and cultural theory and human psychology.
You'll learn from experts in the Department of Sociology and the Department of Computer Science, looking at interactive technologies through the key roles they play in society.
This course is not associated with a specific Study Abroad programme, but York offers a number of options through international partnering programmes.
Core Modules
You will take core modules which may include:
Our modules may change to reflect the latest academic thinking and expertise of our staff, and in line with Department/School academic planning.
You will develop, design, implement and manage your own original research project, supervised by a member of staff with the relevant experience for your topic. You will analyse the data and produce a 10,000-word dissertation based on your research project.
Examples of previous projects include:
Every course at York is built on a distinctive set of learning outcomes. These will give you a clear understanding of what you will be able to accomplish at the end of the course and help you explain what you can offer employers. Our academics identify the knowledge, skills, and experiences you'll need upon graduation and then design the course to get you there.
| Study mode | UK (home) | International and EU |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (1 year) | £11,200 | £27,190 |
Students on a Student Visa are not currently permitted to study part-time at York.
UK (home) or international fees? The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you're classed as a UK (home) or international student. Check your fee status.
Find out more information about tuition fees and how to pay them.
Discover your funding options to help with tuition fees and living costs.
We'll confirm more funding opportunities for students joining us in 2025/26 throughout the year.
If you've successfully completed an undergraduate degree at York you could be eligible for a 10% Masters fee discount.
We are pleased to work with Chevening Scholars to offer funding for our Masters programmes. Chevening Scholarships provide one year of fully-funded postgraduate study in the UK for international (including EU) students. The scholarships are open to early and mid-career professionals who have the potential to become future leaders.
You can use our living costs guide to help plan your budget. It covers additional costs that are not included in your tuition fee such as expenses for accommodation and study materials.
You’ll work with world‐leading academics who’ll challenge you to think independently and excel in all that you do. Our approach to teaching will provide you with the knowledge, opportunities, and support you need to grow and succeed in a global workplace.
You'll be taught through lectures, seminars, practical exercises and workshops. You’ll spend most of your time reading assigned texts and researching supporting materials on your own, discussing the readings and lectures in a group, and presenting work when requested. You'll also attend seminars from visiting scholars in sociology and computer science.
A member of the teaching staff will act as your supervisor throughout the degree to help guide your studies and monitor your progress.
You will be based in the Department of Sociology on Campus East. Most of your contact hours will be on Campus East.
Our beautiful green campus offers a student-friendly setting in which to live and study, within easy reach of the action in the city centre. It's easy to get around campus - everything is within walking or pedalling distance, or you can always use the fast and frequent bus service.
Core modules will be assessed by a mixture of ‘open’ essays (where an assignment is prepared in your own time) and presentations. Open assessments are released early in the semester so you can select one or more essay titles to read around the topic and plan your chosen essay.
Towards the end of your studies, you'll complete a 10,000-word dissertation on an original piece of your own research.
You'll develop the skills and knowledge needed to play a leading role in the design and evaluation of interactive technologies in industry, commerce, academia and public service. This social media degree also provides an ideal basis to progress to further study at PhD level.
| Typical offer | |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate degree | 2:2 or equivalent qualifications or experience in Social sciences with experience of social aspects of computing; Business and Management Studies; or Computer Science with experience of social aspects of computing. |
| Other international qualifications | Equivalent qualifications from your country |
If English isn't your first language you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. We accept the following qualifications:
| Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic and Indicator) | 6.5, minimum 6.0 in each component |
| Cambridge CEFR | B2 First: 176, with 169 in each component |
| Oxford ELLT | 7, minimum of 6 in each component |
| Duolingo | 120, minimum 105 in all other components |
| LanguageCert SELT | B2 with 33/50 in each component |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 with a minimum of 65 in each component |
| Kaplan Test of English Language | 459-494, with 426-458 in all other components |
| Skills for English | B2: Merit overall, with Pass with Merit in each component |
| PTE Academic | 61, minimum 55 in each component |
| TOEFL | 87, minimum of 21 in each component |
| Trinity ISE III | Merit in all requirements |
For more information see our postgraduate English language requirements.
You may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language courses. These courses will provide you with the level of English needed to meet the conditions of your offer.
The length of course you need to take depends on your current English language test scores and how much you need to improve to reach our English language requirements.
After you've accepted your offer to study at York, we'll confirm which pre-sessional course you should apply to via You@York.
We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to premium.
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