Start dates
Fall (October), Winter (January), Spring (April), Summer (July)
Program length
18 months
Program Delivery
On-campus
Awards and Scholarships
More than 15 million in 2025
Use your voice
The global media landscape is rapidly evolving and the need to communicate clearly is more important than ever. With a Master of Arts in Digital Media and Global Communications, you will learn to use your voice to direct global conversations and tell stories that resonate deeply with your intended audience.
Career highlights
As the world becomes more digitally connected, it’s important to have communication skills that transcend boundaries in a thoughtful, clever way. This MA will allow you to effortlessly navigate a variety of industries as a thought leader in the digital media world.
Marketing
Public Relations
eSports
Gaming
Talk to a Student Advisor
Course highlights
Term one courses
Foundations of Digital Media
This course explores the history and future of digital media, examining its business, technological, and social impacts through ethical and legal lenses. Students will learn foundational concepts of interactive media, web design, video game design, and current industry trends, including AI, accessibility, and digital stewardship. Theoretical topics include new media's formal qualities, political dimensions, genre, narrative, history, and preservation.
Elective – Choose two of the below courses
Intercultural Communication
We live in an increasingly globalized world. Technology enables us to communicate just as easily with our local associates as with clients, stakeholders and colleagues thousands of miles away from us. This course introduces intercultural communication theories, exploring their evolution and application in today's digital world. Students learn foundational and contemporary concepts, critical analysis methods, and barriers to successful intercultural communication, including digital accessibility.
Data Stewardship: Ethics, Privacy, and Digital Communication
The growth of e-commerce, e-services and social networking sites mean that technology developers, service providers, consumers and policymakers are reconsidering what privacy means in everyday life. What does privacy mean in our digital world? This course focuses on issues relating to data privacy in the context of digital communications and artificial intelligence including journalism, surveillance, facial recognition, and biometrics.
Ethics and Etiquette in Digital Communications and Artificial Intelligence
Explore ethics and etiquette in digital communication and AI. This course covers ethical principles, their application online (including privacy and intellectual property), AI ethics (bias and societal impact), digital citizenship, and relevant regulations like GDPR. Through case studies and practical exercises, students develop skills for ethical navigation of the digital world.
Term one courses
Foundations of Digital Media
This course explores the history and future of digital media, examining its business, technological, and social impacts through ethical and legal lenses. Students will learn foundational concepts of interactive media, web design, video game design, and current industry trends, including AI, accessibility, and digital stewardship. Theoretical topics include new media's formal qualities, political dimensions, genre, narrative, history, and preservation.
Elective – Choose two of the below courses
Intercultural Communication
We live in an increasingly globalized world. Technology enables us to communicate just as easily with our local associates as with clients, stakeholders and colleagues thousands of miles away from us. This course introduces intercultural communication theories, exploring their evolution and application in today's digital world. Students learn foundational and contemporary concepts, critical analysis methods, and barriers to successful intercultural communication, including digital accessibility.
Data Stewardship: Ethics, Privacy, and Digital Communication
The growth of e-commerce, e-services and social networking sites mean that technology developers, service providers, consumers and policymakers are reconsidering what privacy means in everyday life. What does privacy mean in our digital world? This course focuses on issues relating to data privacy in the context of digital communications and artificial intelligence including journalism, surveillance, facial recognition, and biometrics.
Ethics and Etiquette in Digital Communications and Artificial Intelligence
Explore ethics and etiquette in digital communication and AI. This course covers ethical principles, their application online (including privacy and intellectual property), AI ethics (bias and societal impact), digital citizenship, and relevant regulations like GDPR. Through case studies and practical exercises, students develop skills for ethical navigation of the digital world.
These course highlights provide a glimpse into the Master of Arts in Digital Media and Global Communications program, your actual schedule may vary. There is a program break during Term 4. For full course descriptions and schedules, consult the Academic Calendar.
Career outlooks
The way the world communicates is constantly evolving, especially in the digital realm. Understanding how and where people access information is important for those who are trying to communicate important messages, whether it be for advertising, news, or governmental purposes.
According to Canada’s Job Bank, new job openings for professional occupations in advertising, marketing, and public relations is expected to total 73,700 between 2022 and 2031, while the number of anticipated new job seekers for these roles will only be 67,200. This is a growing field with plenty of opportunity.
Career path and salary
- Digital marketing strategist - $82,500
- Public relations manager - $91,650
- Social media producer - $87,750
- Intercultural communications specialist - $80,010
- Director of marketing and communications - $104,000
*Source, Talent.com
Hear from our Associate Dean
Digital communications and digital media change on a daily basis, so you have to be ready to learn new things every single day. We provide you with all the digital technology tools you need.
Admissions
Academic information
Applicants must meet the following minimum conditions for admission:
- Bachelor’s Degree – Completion of a recognized undergraduate degree equivalent to the four-year honours degree standard identified in the Ontario Qualifications Framework, in an appropriate specialization, or relevant bridging studies, with CGPA of 3.0 (on 4.33 scale) or better.
Document checklist
Applicants must submit:
- A completed application form
- Official transcripts from all post- secondary institutions attended
- Official documentation confirming professional designations, where applicable
- Proof of English language proficiency, if applicable
International information
Applicants who completed undergraduate studies outside Canada must also submit:
- Certified translations of any documents not in English
- Documentation confirming award of their previous degree(s), if not already indicated on official transcripts
- A credential evaluation from a recognized service, if required by the registrar
Tuition information
Choosing to pursue a university education is a big commitment that impacts every aspect of your life – including your finances. Our fees are determined by the total cost of individual credits per academic year. All fees are listed in Canadian dollars and these rates are subject to change.
Awards and scholarships
The Office of the Registrar had dedicated more than $15 million in scholarships, awards and financial support to students in 2025. Entrance Awards are for newly admitted international and domestic students, while Academic Scholarships are for those entering the second term of their program.
Financial aid options
UNF has partnered with organizations to help newly admitted domestic students finance their education.
$17,505
Domestic tuition
$39,375
International tuition
$15 Million
Scholarship & awards
Hear from our students
Frequently asked questions
Will I gain practical experience?
There are several opportunities for you to gain practical experience through this program, including internships, work-integrated learning opportunities and capstone research projects. Attend one of our graduate program webinars to learn more directly from faculty members. Visit our events page to find the date for our next webinar.
Do I need to take the GRE?
We do not use standardized testing as part of the admission process for our graduate degrees. We look at your academic record from your undergraduate studies during the application process. See our admissions page for more information about our requirements.
Why choose UNF?
UNF is committed to innovative education and research for a digital world. This technology-centred approach puts you, the student, first. Learn from industry leaders and experienced faculty, gain experience through work-integrated learning components, and build a foundation that sets you on the path for success.
Contact your Student Advisor
Schedule an appointment with your dedicated Student Advisor at a time that’s convenient for you.
This institution has been granted a consent by the Minister of Colleges and Universities to offer this program for a five-year term starting Oct. 14, 2022. Prospective students are responsible for satisfying themselves that the program and the degree will be appropriate to their needs (e.g., acceptable to potential employers, professional licensing bodies or other educational institutions.)
