Overview
This multi-faceted course examines the development of structures of power, control and ownership of the media, and how media can be mobilised in activism, resistance and in social justice movements. Drawing on leading international academics and media professionals from across London, Communication and Media Studies at Brunel University London can be studied through two pathways, a theoretical pathway or a media practice pathway.
Our academics and media professionals will offer you the latest knowledge and draw on cutting edge debates to analyse how the media shapes culture and society, how digital media shapes social and power relations, and how media can be used for social activism.
On the theoretical media and communications route, students develop a detailed and meaningful understanding of the wide discipline of media and communications. They will engage with media and communications theory and research techniques, and develop skills that will allow them to critique media and communications in a sophisticated fashion. Students also have the opportunity to meet professionals working in the broadcast, advertising and marketing industries and to take part in course‑related field trips.
The course is designed to meet the needs of advanced students with backgrounds in media, sociology and other relevant disciplines and is also perfectly suited for professionals in the communications/broadcast industry seeking to gain a more sociologically informed understanding of those industries. The courses offer a distinctive focus on media activism and politics.
The degree offers the opportunity to study London’s media industry including a mixture of industry visits, guest lectures, mentoring and practical skills development to accommodate different student needs, with a strong emphasis on student engagement with entrepreneurship and professional development. Our graduates typically progress to further advanced academic research or pursue careers in the media industries. Destinations will include independent media production companies, public and private institutions (BBC, Channel 4, ITV) and an increasing number of media activist organisations.
"The course was immensely stimulating, allowing me indulge some of my existing interests and introducing me to plenty of new topics and ideas" - Paul Solman
"The course was immensely stimulating, allowing me indulge some of my existing interests and introducing me to plenty of new topics and ideas" - Paul Solman
Course content
This course offers a global and interdisciplinary approach to how contemporary digital media technologies shape cultures and societies. Drawing on critical media studies, digital media and media production it challenges assumptions about the media’s impact on individuals, institutions and power relations in social and political contexts.
The traditional theoretical pathway teaches viewing media not just as entertainment but through critique and as a lens for social and political engagement.
Throughout the course you can combine critical theoretical and empirical study of the media including issues of media audiences together with the study of developments in information and communication technologies. You will be required to do a dissertation on any aspect of Media and Communications study. Typical modules on the programme include Digital Audiences and Identities, Digital Media Career Development and Media as Power (see below for more modules).
Compulsory
- CO5601 Media as Power
- CO5602 Analysing the Media
- Digital Audiences and Identities
This module gives students a critical overview of key debates about media audiences and identities. The module focuses students’ analytical attention on research concerning a range of case studies within the broad field of audience reception drawn from the cross-cutting fields of Sociology of media, cultural studies, feminist research, and critical race research.
- CO5605 Social Media and Society
- CO5606 21st Century Media-Bodies
- CO5600 Written Dissertation
Optional
- CO5604 Media Production as Activism
- JR5624 - Journalism and Contemporary PoliticsThis module sets out to provide students with advanced knowledge and a critical understanding of how journalism shapes and is shaped by contemporary politics around the world. It aims to cultivate the ability to critically appraise power relations, ethical sensibilities, and crises as they develop around contemporary issues such as pandemics, tensions over access to resources, internal and external conflict and unrest, migrations, and financial collapses.
- CO5607 Digital Media Career Development
- CO5608 Political Satire & Comedy
- Fake News, Images and Websites
The module is a mix of theory and practice. In the theory classes, you will learn about historical and contemporary approaches to understanding fake news, manipulated images, and conspiracy theories. The practical workshops teach you the techniques and tools for verifying or debunking claims, images, and videos. The assessment is a mix of theory and practice.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
The Media and Communications MSc is perfect if you’re interested in a career in the media or creative industries. You will gain the theoretical and practical skills you need for the fast‑paced media environment, network with media practitioners and gain an in-depth overview of both media and society. Career opportunities for our graduates typically include further advanced academic research or pursuing careers in the media industries such as Disney Channel, the BBC and Sky.
Whatever your career goals, this course will help you achieve them. We invite professionals who are working in the media and broadcast industry (advertising and marketing, television documentary and different PR organisations) to come and deliver talks and offer careers advice. You’ll benefit from bespoke workshops and lectures to enhance your employability skills, including media and communications careers advise and help on pitching yourself to employers.
Many of our students go on to advanced academic research or to pursue careers within the media industries. Typical job roles include Press and Communications Officer and Head of Information. Past students have worked in developing countries for HGO’s or as technology consultants.
UK entry requirements
- A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification, in a Media/Communications-related subject (Social Science, Business Studies, Arts and Humanities, Media, Communications, Sociology, Cultural Studies, Politics, History, Film Studies, Geography, Criminology).
- Applicants with other qualifications, or equivalent professional qualifications with considerable relevant work experience will be considered on an individual basis.
EU and International entry requirements
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2024/25 entry
UK
£12,650 full-time
£6,325 part-time
International
£21,260 full-time
£10,630 part-time
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
You'll be taught by world leading experts in your field of study and have the opportunity to interact with fellow students on London’s leading campus University.
Your programme will consist of various learning and studying activities, including lectures, seminars and discussions. On each taught module students will have in person lectures, seminars or workshops for two-to-three hours per week on average during the teaching terms. There will also be supervision sessions for the dissertation, as well as regular opportunities to seek guidance during module lecturers’ feedback and consultation hours. Additionally, students can seek support in individual meetings with their personal tutors, both on campus and online. There will also be regular cohort meetings and student society events, at both programme and departmental levels. Field trips and excursions to support students’ learning will be organised throughout the year.
All lectures, seminars, cohort meetings and other social activities will occur in person on the Brunel campus. It is expected that students will regularly attend these events, as sustained engagement with a learning community is a central dimension of the Brunel experience. Online provision of some activities will be made available when it is appropriate to the learning outcomes of your programme.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
You’ll be taught through lectures, seminars, workshops and other activities. Teaching focuses on the rapid changes in global media and communications and the social and cultural consequences in an international context.
You’ll be taught by academic specialists who draw on their cutting-edge research, publish in internationally renowned journals and often discuss their research in news media. Academics in the department actively incorporate their latest research projects in their teaching thereby offering you the latest insights and knowledge in their fields. This means that you’ll have the most up-to-date content, and you’ll benefit from plenty of hands-on experience. You’ll have the opportunity to go to our drop-in sessions on information literacy to enhance your academic writing skills. You’ll also be invited to attend the department’s academic research seminar programme and social events.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
You’ll have the opportunity to be assessed through a variety of traditional and new assessment types. Assessments can include traditional essays and reviews, contributing to online blogs and engage in critical analysis of visual media. You’ll be assessed through essays, report writing, blog entries and group work. You’ll also complete a written dissertation.
Under supervision, students will build up a portfolio of work to use as a calling card in the world of freelance employment, as well as in more structured career paths. The design of these portfolios will be informed by the industry contacts that students engage with on the course and will help graduates to be well-equipped to undertake a number of positions in the media.