Earn a qualification in visual media and cultural studies, 100% online.
Join us online to learn how visual media and popular culture shape and reflect societies and politics around the world.
In this flexible postgraduate certificate (PgCert), you’ll explore visual and popular culture from a uniquely international perspective.
You’ll join experts from across disciplines to:
- learn about important concepts in the fields of media studies and cultural studies
- apply these concepts to global visual media, cultures, and subcultures, and
- develop your skills in comparative visual and cultural analysis.
You’ll also become a more confident communicator, learning to engage diverse audiences through effective and dynamic written and oral communication.
Fascinating topics
You’ll explore media and cultures from around the world, from bande dessinée to mainstream cinema, Western rock and pop culture to traditional fairy tales and Scottish song.
Through their diversity, these forms offer you rich, interconnected insights into contemporary cultural and transcultural discourses and expressions.
Interdisciplinary teaching
You’ll learn from an interdisciplinary team, drawing together expertise and methodologies in modern language studies, English, film, and music.
You’ll acquire a global outlook and transferable skills across different subject areas to support your learning or career aspirations in a globalised world.
Who is this online cultural studies programme for?
If you’re interested in exploring diverse popular cultures, subcultures, visual media, and cultural analysis, this PgCert is designed for you.
The knowledge and skills you’ll gain are particularly valuable for career progression within education, broadcasting, journalism and the media, as well as preparing you for further postgraduate study.
Choose the University of Aberdeen for online cultural studies courses
1st in Scotland for Film and Visual Culture
We’re rated 1st in Scotland and 6th in the UK for Film and Visual Culture in the Complete University Guide 2024.
1st in the UK for Art History
We’re ranked 1st in the UK for positive student responses in the 2024 National Student Survey.
Flexible
Flexible hours and 24/7 access, so you can study when it suits you.
By the end of this cultural studies qualification, you’ll be able to...
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Discuss how popular cultures and subcultures represent, shape, and interact with current societies and politics.
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Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the role of media and popular culture in national and transnational processes.
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Combine and apply a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary frameworks, including cultural studies, comic and film studies, popular music, traditional folk cultures, and politics.
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Engage diverse audiences in the fascinating processes behind popular culture phenomena through effective and dynamic communication.
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Summarise critical perspectives based on individual research and communicate these orally and in writing to tutors and peers.
What you’ll study
You’ll study the following courses that make up the 60 credits of this PgCert.
How you’ll study
Online learning
This distance-learning visual and cultural studies programme is delivered flexibly, 100% online.
You can learn with us anywhere, no student visa required, and manage your study hours to suit you.
Your teaching
This qualification is taught at postgraduate level.
Teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of online resources available, including:
- videos
- video lectures
- audio clips
- reading materials
- discussion boards with your tutors and peers
- the online resources of our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Your tutors
This PgCert is delivered by our School of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture, and our School of Divinity, History, Philosophy and Art History.
You’ll learn from experts in visual studies and areas related to popular culture, including language, literature, comparative cultural study, and music.
This PgCert is assessed online.
You’ll be assessed throughout your studies via methods including:
- essays
- projects, and
- your contributions to discussion boards.
Hours for taught courses
A 60-credit PgCert takes around 600 hours of study and assessment time to complete.
To study part-time, we recommend you take no more than 30 credits per term.
30 credits
- Around 300 hours of study and assessment time to complete.
- You’ll study 15 – 20 hours per week per term, plus more at assessment times.
This is an indicative guide to the time required for a typical student at this level to achieve the learning outcomes. This includes time for independent study, as well as teaching and assessments.
You can largely set your own study hours each week to cover the materials. Your learning materials are available 24/7, so you can log in and study when it suits you.
Activities at fixed times
There will be some activities scheduled at a fixed time, such as online meetings with your tutor and assessments with deadlines. But otherwise, you can access and work through the course at your convenience.
Our first-class support structure will ensure that you aren’t alone in your studies. You’ll have contact with your coordinator via email, MyAberdeen and Microsoft Teams. You can use social media and discussion boards to chat with your fellow students too.
We provide a wide range of services to support you in your studies and beyond:
- Careers and Employability Service
- Disability support
- IT support
- Library support
- Student Support Service – help with finances, stress, wellbeing and non-academic issues
- Student Learning Service – study support, with advice sessions available via phone or Skype
- Aberdeen University Students’ Association (AUSA) – run by students for students
- Toolkit – clever apps and free training that can make your study life easier
Wherever you are in the world, you’ll feel part of our very special Aberdeen learning community.
When you study with us, you can expect a first-class support structure so that you’re never alone in your studies.
But learning online does mean you have to motivate yourself and manage your own time.
Your most important commitment will be time – the time to work through, reflect on and understand your teaching materials.
Before you start a course that involves a high degree of independent study, we recommend looking at the time you will be able to devote to your studies each week:
- Be realistic
- Create a weekly schedule as a guide
If you have any questions about studying online, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re here to help.
We’re a member of the Access scheme run by the Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL).
Access study spaces, books and journals in your area
The SCONUL Access scheme allows you, as a University of Aberdeen student, to access books and resources at university libraries across the UK and Ireland, or visit them for a quiet place to study.
You’ll be able to use study spaces, books and journals at over 150 university libraries which belong to the scheme.
Your support team
Our friendly team are here to answer any queries you have before, during and after your studies.
Dr Jesse Barker
Jesse is the PgCert coordinator. He’ll be on hand to answer any questions about course content before you start, and to help you throughout your studies.
Dr Julia Kotzur
Julia is part of the School’s administration team. She’ll be there throughout your studies to answer any of your non-academic queries.
Get in touch
The online education team is here to answer any questions you have right now about this qualification, or about studying online.
Ask us a questionWhere this will take you
Your PgCert qualification
On successful completion of this programme, you’ll earn a recognised PgCert in Visual Media and Popular Culture from the University of Aberdeen, one of the UK’s six ancient universities.
You’ll receive exactly the same qualification online as you would on campus. Your PgCert title will not mention online or distance learning.
Your postgraduate qualification will be recognised by employers and learning institutions around the world.
Careers
This PgCert opens up a range of career prospects for graduates looking to work across cultural and disciplinary boundaries.
Career benefits
You’ll gain interdisciplinary knowledge, written and oral communication skills, and confidence in engaging with diverse media, cultures, and audiences.
This qualification could help you to progress within or towards careers in:
- media
- curatorial roles
- creative industries
- tourism
- business
- journalism
- broadcasting, and
- education.
Further study
The PgCert also provides ideal preparation to pursue further postgraduate research, including doctoral studies.
Lifelong career support
Our career support doesn’t stop when you graduate.
You have access to our free careers service while you study, and beyond.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Fees and funding
The fee quoted above is based on you starting your studies with us in the 2025/26 academic year.
Our indicative cost includes a 5% fee rise each year.
Pay as you go
This is a pay-as-you-go qualification.
You do not have to pay the full tuition fee upfront.
You can spread the cost and pay as you go, term by term.
How it works
- You decide how many credits to study for each term.
- At the start of term, you pay only for the credits you’re taking that term.
- This gives you control over your costs and workload for each term of your qualification.
Learning resources
Access to all the books and resources you need are included in your tuition fee. They’ll be made available to you online and you do not have to buy your own copies.
Printing
You may wish to set aside a small budget for printing, depending on how you like to work.
There are several ways you may be able to get help funding your studies:
- Employer sponsorship – we accept full and partial fee payments from sponsors
- Student loans
- Scholarships – search our funding database for scholarships
Find out more about funding options.
Student card
All our students are entitled to a University of Aberdeen student card. This gives you access to a range of student discounts around the city and online.
20% Alumni discount
You’re entitled to 20% off our postgraduate taught degrees and short courses if you have a degree from the University of Aberdeen. View Alumni discount details.
How discounts work
Discounts are applied during your application process. You can only use one discount per application.
Choose the University of Aberdeen for flexible online qualifications
Over 525 years of excellence
Study with the fifth-oldest university in the English-speaking world, founded in 1495.
Learn anywhere
On smartphone, desktop and laptop, with no need for a student visa.
20% alumni discount
University of Aberdeen graduates enjoy 20% off postgraduate online short courses and degrees.
Entry requirements
The minimum entry requirements for this PgCert are:
- a 2:2 UK honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
You’re also welcome to apply if you have:
- other relevant qualifications, and
- professional experience or interests.
Entry requirements
We welcome students from all over the world.
See the minimum entry requirements above. If you do not have qualifications from the UK, check equivalent qualifications from your country.
Visa requirements
You do not need a student visa to study online with us.
English language requirements
Teaching is delivered in English.
If English is not your first language, use our English requirements checklist to see if you need to provide evidence of your English language skills when you apply.
English language tests and scores
If you do need to provide English language test scores, these are the tests and minimum scores we accept.
These are our Postgraduate Higher requirements.
IELTS Academic, IELTS UKVI Academic, and IELTS Online (not IELTS Indicator or IELTS General Training)
- 6.5 overall
- 5.5 for listening and speaking
- 6.0 for reading and writing
TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition
- 90 overall
- 17 for listening
- 21 for reading
- 20 for speaking
- 21 for writing
- TOEFL DI code is 0818
Cambridge English: B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency
- 176 overall
- 162 for listening and speaking
- 169 for reading and writing
LanguageCert Academic/LanguageCert Academic SELT
- 70 overall
- 60 for listening and speaking
- 65 for reading and writing
LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator (Written and Spoken) – Online / In-centre
- Overall High Pass
- 33 for listening, reading and speaking
- 38 for writing
Oxford ELLT Digital – English Language Level Test Online
- 7.0 overall
- 5.0 for listening and speaking
- 6.0 for reading and writing
PTE Academic (online test not accepted)
- 62 overall
- 59 for listening, reading, speaking and writing
Duolingo – tests taken from 1 July 2024 onward
- 120 overall
- 95 for listening and speaking
- 105 for reading and writing
University of Aberdeen English Pre-sessional Programme (PSE)
- Pass
- Valid for one year. Refresher can be offered if out of date
Pre-sessional academic English preparation programmes undertaken at other UK universities
- Pass at an equivalent of 6.5 (C1)
- B2 in all four skills
- Certification must be within one year prior to the start of your course
For more information about language qualifications see our English Language Requirements page.
You will need access to:
A computer (PC, laptop or Mac) operating on either:
- Windows 10 or later
- macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later.
Most teaching materials are smartphone- and tablet-friendly. But we recommend a proper laptop or desktop for completing assignments comfortably.
Reliable internet access
We recommend:
- a wired connection
- a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps so you can take part fully in live sessions.
Speakers or headphones
- We recommend a headset with built-in microphone and earphones if you’re likely to study in an environment with background noise.
- A webcam is optional, but you may like to use one for some interactive sessions.
Software
We’ll give you access to Office365 applications. This means you can use online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and install these programs on up to five personal devices.
If your course requires specialist software, we’ll provide you with access to this and a licence that lasts throughout your studies.
See our detailed IT requirements for more information.
Postgraduate Certificate
60 credits
£2,700
This indicative cost is based on 30 credits of study per term, starting in September 2025.
Apply for this programme
- Start month
- September or January
- INDICATIVE COST
- £2,700
This indicative cost is based on 30 credits of study per term, starting in September 2025.
Register your interest
