Earn a postgraduate qualification in visual and cultural studies, 100% online.
Join us online to learn how visual and popular cultures shape and reflect societies and politics around the world.
In this flexible postgraduate certificate (PgCert), you’ll explore visual and popular cultures 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 visual and popular 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.
Try our degree scheduler
Choose your courses
See all the courses that are part of this degree and choose what you want to study.
Manage your study schedule
Control the pace and cost of your degree. Decide how much you want to study each term.
Save to your wishlist
Save your schedule to your wishlist so you can view and edit anytime.
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.
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 and Popular Cultures 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
Postgraduate Certificate
60 credits
£2,700
This indicative cost is based on 30 credits of study per term, starting in September 2025.
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.
Your personalised cost breakdown
Use the degree scheduler to plan your studies and see your cost breakdown, term by term.
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
PgCert
The minimum entry requirements 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.
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.
Apply via our Applicant Portal
