Media and Communication: Digital Culture and Communication Pathway MA

Overview

By studying this MA in Media and Communication you will develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of different forms of communication in their social, political and cultural contexts, focusing either on the relationship between the media and politics in contemporary societies or, on digital culture and communication.

The Digital Culture and Communication pathway offers an excellent opportunity for you to engage with contemporary issues and debates on culture, media and society in the digital age. The pathway critically examines the relationship between media, technology and everyday life and it encourages students to analytically reflect on their own digital cultures, identities and everyday practices.

The pathway is built around core modules which focus on the theories and debates surrounding:

the impact of digital cultures and communication on everyday life and experience in the digital age.
the intersection between digital media technologies and wider social issues such as human interaction, work, politics, education, and the economy.
research methods used in media and communication research.

You will develop skills that directly enhance employability, including applying critical reviewing skills, giving presentations, plus data management, problem-solving, team-working and research design and implementation.

You'll able to pursue your own specific research/study interest in political communication via a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation and by choosing two further modules from a range of other M-level modules provided by the department or wider school.

Career prospects

Student career development is a major interest for the department and we actively encourage students to integrate career planning into their academic studies. This is promoted through individual modules which have strong policy and career relevant aspects, and a close relationship with the University’s excellent Careers Service who provide bespoke sessions for students.

Through this programme graduates will enhance their career prospects in professional areas like cultural and non-profit institutions, media, journalism and government. While some positions in these fields often require the ability to conduct research or project-work and to demonstrate sustained and complex organisational skills in ways encompassed by this MA, its emphasis on oral and written communication skills as well as on IT-based presentation skills and research will be useful for many types of employment. As a strongly academic degree, this MA offers a good preparation also for those graduates who wish to further their academic study through a PhD.

Candidates wishing to be considered for registration onto our Masters degree should possess a good Honours degree (2:1 or equivalent). You will require a good Honours degree (2:1 or equivalent) in a relevant field, such as Communications and Media, Sociology, Cultural Studies, Anthropology, or related discipline.