MSc Media, Communication and Development

About the MSc programme

This programme offers an intensive, year-long exploration of a wide range of contemporary issues in media, communications and development.

The main aim of this programme is to offer an advanced interdisciplinary education and training in contemporary theory and research in the field of media and communications and its application in low income country contexts. It aims to:

• Provide an opportunity to critically examine the intersection of the fields of media and communications and development research.
• Provide research training for students wishing to go on to MPhil/PhD research in the media, communication and development field and for entry to a variety of media, communication and development related careers.
• Enable students to develop a critical understanding of a range of theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of media and communication in the Global South, with a particular emphasis on low income country contexts.
• Allow flexibility for students to pursue particular topics of interest in the field of media and communication with an emphasis on issues that arise in low income countries.

We attract students from a diverse range of backgrounds, often including professional experience working in media and communications or development related fields. Indeed, the opportunity for cross-cultural meetings and exchange of ideas among the student body is a valuable feature of studying at LSE.

You should have at least an upper second class honours degree or its equivalent in a social science subject. We particularly welcome applications from those with professional experience in the media,communications and/or development fields and, in this case, we would accept a degree in other subjects. Exceptionally, where applicants can demonstrate significant expertise in the field and an ability to cope with the academic demands of the programme, we may consider professional experience as mitigation for degree results that are slightly below the required marks.

On graduating, our students enter a variety of careers in the UK and abroad, including broadcasting, journalism, advertising, new media industries, political marketing, market research, regulation and policy, media management and research in both public and private sectors. See lse.ac.uk/media@lse/alumni|

Teaching and assessment

The programme consists of four units, including required and optional courses and the dissertation. Courses typically involve a combination of lectures and seminars. The Methods of Research course is taught as a series of lectures and practical classes. You will be examined by written examinations, research assignments, essays related to courses, and the dissertation which must be submitted in the summer.

The programme runs for a full calendar year. Formal teaching is usually completed by the end of the Lent term. Examinations for all courses are generally held during May and June. The remaining months are set aside for students to complete their dissertations, and it is not normally essential for students to remain in London during these months.

Part-time students will normally take and be examined in courses to the value of two units in each year of study.  In the first year, these two units, selected in discussion with the student's academic adviser, will usually include the compulsory theoretical course(s) and one or more option course(s).  The methods course(s) and the dissertation are then usually taken in the second year, together with the remaining option course(s).  Students may be permitted to vary the courses to be taken in each year with the approval of their academic adviser.

Please note that we do not provide a practical training in journalism, production, campaigning or media management.

Compulsory courses

(* half unit)

• Critical Approaches to Media, Communication and Development*
• Theories and Concepts in Media and Communications I (Key concepts and interdisciplinary approaches)*
• Methods of Research in Media and Communications (including Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis*
• Dissertation

Options

Choose to the value of one and a half units from the following:

• Mediated Resistance and Citizens*
• The Audience in Media and Communications*  
• Political Communication*
• Current Issues in Media and Communications: Policies for ICTs, Society and Development*
• International Media and The Global South*  
• Information, Communication and Knowledge Systems*  
• Media and Communication Governance* 
• Theories and Concepts in Media and Communications II (Processes of communication in modern life)*
• Identity, Transnationalism and the Media*
• Global Media Industries* 
• Media and Communication Governance*
• Interpersonal Mediated Communication* 
• Global Political Economy of Development I*
• International Institutions and Late Development*
• Gender, Knowledge and Research Practice*
• Gender and Media Representation* 
• Globalising Sexualities*
• Cultural Constructions of the Body*
• Democracy in East and South Asia*
• The State and Political Institutions in Latin America* 
• Democratisation and its Discontents in Southeast Asia*
• Information Systems for the Public Sector*
• Aspects of Information and Communication Technologies and Socio-economic Development* 
• Health Communication*
• New Media, Development and Globalisation*
• Film Theory and World Cinema*  
• Any other half unit paper which is offered in the School at master's level, subject to the consent of the student's teachers

NB. Students must take option courses to the value of at least one half unit from the Media and Communications Department.

Please refer to the School's policy on course capping: lse.ac.uk/courseCapping|

Please note that the availability of option courses is dependent upon a number of factors and thus neither the School nor the Department of Media and Communications can guarantee that all options will be available each year.