COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA Media and Communication curriculum is designed to equip students with both theoretical insight and practical research skills to analyse the rapidly changing media environment. In Semester 1, compulsory modules include Understanding Contemporary Media, which examines current trends and debates, Media Industries and Professions, focusing on the structure and practices of the media sector, and Digital Economies, which explores the economic forces shaping digital platforms. Researching Communications 1 introduces methodologies for studying media users and cultural industries. In Semester 2, students continue with core modules such as Media Representations, Identity and Digital Culture, which considers how media shapes identity and social perceptions, and Researching Communications 2, focusing on texts and digital platforms. Students also select two optional modules, choosing from Political Communication in the Digital Age, Data, Power and Democracy, or Cultural Memory and the Heritage Industries, allowing them to tailor the program to their academic and career interests. Throughout Semesters 1, 2, and 3, students complete a major Dissertation, with the choice of either a traditional research-based project or a Workplace Focused Dissertation in collaboration with an industry partner. This combination of core study, optional specialisation, and applied research ensures graduates are well prepared for diverse careers in media and communication.