BA (Hons) Social Media Management Full-time

Develop the skills and experience to meet the growing demand for social media managers across a range of industries. You'll learn how to grow and engage your audiences as a content creator.

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Start date/study mode:

UCAS codeP508

Duration3 years

Fee (UK)£9,790

Fee (Int)£17,500

LocationOn campus

Course summary

This course gives you the chance to experiment with your own social media channels. You’ll learn how to grow your audience and keep them engaged. You’ll create content, track how it performs, and use analytics to understand what works and why. This helps you show the impact of your work and learn more about your audience.

You’ll explore how to plan social media strategies, including both organic and paid campaigns. You’ll also learn how social media links with public relations and digital marketing.

Along the way, you’ll look at how communication, influence, and persuasion work, so you can create content that really connects with people.

There are lots of opportunities to learn by doing. You’ll plan and run social media and PR campaigns for real clients, helping you build practical experience.

We have excellent industry contacts too. You’ll take part in masterclasses, workshops, and trips, including:

Sessions with community managers from Spotify
Masterclasses with creators from Yogscast
Augmented reality workshops with LADbible and Snapchat expert Liam O'Neill
Trips to the offices of Yogscast and Snapchat.

You’ll also complete a week-long placement, where you’ll start building valuable industry connections.

By the end of the course, you’ll have the skills and experience you need for a career in social media, content, and communications.

Why Sunderland for Journalism

Accreditations and approvals

The course is accredited by the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI). Our PR modules are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). The Media Law module is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). You can graduate with an extra qualification from the NCTJ. This proves you can publish legal and ethical content.

What you'll study

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific modules. If you’re not sure what you need before picking a module, your course leader can help.

Undergraduate module credits should total 120 credits per academic year. If optional modules are available, choose an amount that totals 120 credits.

How you'll learn

This is a practical, hands-on degree. You’ll build your own creator channels, grow digital communities, and create content for real businesses and audiences. You’ll also learn how to measure success, using data and reports to show the impact of your work.

You’ll work on live client briefs, both on your own and in teams. This means pitching ideas, developing them, and putting them into action.

Most of your teaching takes place in practical workshops. You’ll also have lectures, one-to-one tutorials, and placements. You'll learn from experienced professionals, such as video creators, PR experts, community managers, marketers, and e-commerce specialists.

In your first year, you’ll take a media law exam as part of the NCTJ certificate. This helps you understand how to publish content safely and legally.

You’ll also explore ideas in more depth, such as how influence and persuasion work on social media, and how content spreads online. You’ll present your ideas in ways that suit you, whether that’s written work, video, or presentations.

In your final year, you’ll create your own major project – your 'masterpiece’.' This is your chance to showcase your skills, interests, and career goals as a content creator and social media strategist.

Assessment is through a mix of:

Practical projects
Critical reflections
Case studies
Essays
Presentations.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is 96-112 UCAS Tariff points, from a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications. These may include A Levels, T Levels, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.

We accept a maximum of 6 points from Level 3 Key Skills qualifications.

You also need three passes at GCSE grade C or above. This must include maths and English language, or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you've studied for a GCSE that has a numerical grade, you'll need to achieve a grade 4 or above.

See how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff calculator(opens in new tab).

Our admissions policy uses a range of flexible options to support you to study with us. This may include a reduced offer of up to 16 UCAS Tariff points, (or equivalent). Find out if you're eligible for a tariff point reduction.

If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Fees and finance support

UK£9,790

International£17,500

Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. If you're a Home fee-paying student, the fee for your first year of study for 2026/27 will be £9,790. You'll pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

Check your fee status(opens in new tab).

See all course tuition fees.

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Start date/study mode:

UK students

Full-time September 2026
Apply now

International students

Full-time September 2026
Apply now

Disclaimer

We want to make sure you have clear and accurate information about our courses. Our website always shows the latest updates. If you’ve applied and you're offered a place, we’ll contact you in writing if anything important changes.

For more information, view our programme specifications. These include course content, learning outcomes, and the skills you'll gain.