At least 13 universities are offering degrees designed to help you become a social media influencer

1 hour ago 9

By MOLLY CLAYTON, INFLUENCER EDITOR

Published: 00:33 GMT, 15 November 2026 | Updated: 01:24 GMT, 15 November 2026

They are typically considered the less intelligent group among their Gen-Z peers.

But now, the Daily Mail can reveal that students are increasingly choosing to get a degree in influencer and content creation courses, compared to traditional media and journalism degrees, with at least 13 UK universities now offering degrees specifically focused on content creation.

The rise comes as children's career ambitions are increasingly shaped by social media, with influencers now among the dream jobs of children as young as seven.

Earlier this year, research found that 60 per cent of middle and high school students said they wanted to become influencers or had chosen a career based on social media.

While older students were more likely to name careers such as electrician, engineer, teacher or welder, becoming a social media star was a common aspiration among younger children and teenagers.

Even those who did not want fame themselves often said social media had influenced their choice of career.

Other popular choices included footballers, musicians, actors and...princesses.

And with Britain's creator economy booming, the lure of becoming a social media star is unlikely to disappear.

The Daily Mail can reveal that students are increasingly choosing to get a degree in influencer and content creation courses, compared to traditional media and journalism degrees (file photo)

Figures from Oxford Economics' 2025 economic impact report show that YouTube generated more than £2.8billion for the UK economy last year – a 25 per cent increase year-on-year – while supporting the equivalent of 60,000 full-time jobs.

Universities appear to be responding to the demand.

One university has told the Mail exclusively that more students are choosing content creation routes over traditional journalism and media courses than ever before.

And there are now courses specifically dedicated to content creation at universities and colleges including Arts University Bournemouth, Arts University Plymouth, the University of Bedfordshire, the University of Brighton, the University of Buckingham, the University of Derby, Greater Manchester University, Hereford College of Arts, Leeds Beckett University, Nottingham Trent University, Ravensbourne University London, the University of Salford and Warwickshire College.

Courses range from Content Creation with Marketing and Social Media Content Creation to Digital Content Creation and Media Content Creation.

The University of Derby alone offers two content creation courses.

But Britain's most prestigious universities appear to have resisted the trend.

Oxford told The Mail there are no courses on these subjects and that it is not aware of any plans to introduce them.

Durham University also said it does not offer such courses and has no plans to do so.

The University of Sheffield said: 'We don't offer an influencer course or degree at any level, undergraduate or postgraduate, and we have no plans to introduce one.'

Read Entire Article