Irish university set to offer country’s first ‘influencer’ degree

Do you know someone perfect for this course? 📸

Author: Emma DicksonPublished 26th Sep 2023

A university in the south east of Ireland is to offer the country's first degree in social-media influencing.

Those undertaking the degree at the South East Technology University (SETU) of Carlow will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Content Creation and Social Media.

The course will be available to applicants from November 2023 and will launch in September 2024.

According to the university’s course guide, students “will learn to become an expert in social media theory and practice. You will enlarge your talent for connecting with people who are interested in what you have to say.

Modules explored on the course include - creative video, celebrity studies, psychology, data analytics, podcasting and work experience.

Lecturer in Media and Communications at SETU Carlow Dr Eleanor O’Leary told RTÉ’s News At One about the employment opportunities within this sector.

“Lots of people end up working and collaborating with brands, they could be self-employed as an influencer, or they could go in and work with a company or organisation as a content creator.

“It draws on existing media, PR and marketing skills but it’s a new area in and of itself.”

Dr O’Leary said the industry has doubled in value globally since 2019 and is worth an estimated “14bn to 16bn globally”.

“We saw this as adding on to what we already offered in that space and also we had done a number of summer schools in the area of digital skills called ‘The Digital Hustle’.

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