Columbia exchange

Our Programmes

We deliver a range of specialist programmes at master's level and doctoral research training

The Department of Media and Communications is renowned nationally and internationally for its high quality original research and our teaching excellence

The Department of Media and Communications is a leading centre in the field of communication and media studies, renowned nationally and internationally for its high quality original research and teaching excellence. We encompass diverse social scientific approaches to media and communications, offering interdisciplinary graduate teaching to an international body of students through the delivery of a range of specialist programmes at master's level and doctoral research training.

Master's programmes (12 months)

MSc Media and Communications

This programme aims to provide a broad-based understanding of the development and forms of media and communications in relation to political economy, regulation and power, production and organisation, processes of mediation and influence, communication content and audience response. It offers an up-to-date engagement with diverse theoretical, conceptual and empirical developments in research on media and communications through a mix of compulsory and optional courses and an independent research project.

MSc Media And Communications (Research)

An intensive exploration of a wide range of contemporary issues in media and communications, providing advanced research training to enhance your methodological and analytical skills. This programme is particularly suited to students wishing to undertake MPhil/PhD degrees or pursue research-related careers.

MSc Media and Communications (Data and Society)

This programme provides students with the resources to understand the wider implications of a social shift towards data. It will also teach students skills in understanding how data processes can be constructed, managed and renewed to fulfil social and civic ends, identifying the ethical questions raised by data’s growing role in communication and social processes and what approaches might resolve them, and understanding the significance of data-collection processes.

MSc Media and Communications (Governance)

Aiming to provide a broad based understanding of the institutions and regulations that structure the development and forms of media and communication systems. The programme covers policy, regulatory, legal and economic aspects of media and communication services.

MSc Media, Communication and Development

An up-to-date engagement with theoretical, conceptual and empirical developments in research on media, communication and development. An ideal preparation for research work and high level employment in both media and communications, and media, communication and development related fields.

MSc Politics and Communication

An ideal preparation for research work and employment in media, politics, communication and related fields (although note that we do not provide practical training in journalism, media or campaign management).

MSc Strategic Communications and Society

In a world of expanding media, managing communications becomes a strategic priority. This programme prepares and gives students relevant knowledge for precisely this complex media environment. The question of how to manage communications is now a strategic challenge at the heart of the contemporary economy, society and government. Addressing this challenge has become ever more important, creating new risks and opportunities for all organisations and institutions, large and small.

MSc Gender, Media and Culture

Co-taught with LSE's Department of Gender Studies, this programme encourages students to interrogate a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches to the gendered analysis of contemporary media and culture. In addition to core units in gender, media and communications theory, students choose from a range of options offered by the Department of Gender Studies and the Department of Media and Communications.

Master's programmes (21 months)

MSc Global Media and Communications

A critical exploration of mediation in the global context, examining processes of globalisation in relation to organisation, production, consumption and representation in media and communications.

Students study for the first year full-time at LSE, with the next year studying full-time at one of our international partner institutions:

PhD programmes

We build on LSE's commitment to connecting theory with empirical research and practical or policy applications. Located at the heart of one of the world's media capitals, we sustain excellent links with media and communications industries and policy makers. Students are encouraged to read widely, to engage critically with challenging ideas and to undertake independent empirical research.

More information

Online courses

Strategic Communications in Society: Power, Ethics, and Practice

This online certificate course critically explores the role strategic communications play in organisational and social change. It delves into the power of communications and communicators in effecting change while highlighting ethical considerations.

Sustainability Communication Strategies

This three-week online masterclass course is deeply rooted in theory, research, expert insights and real-world case studies. It’s designed to enhance your understanding of the expectations that organisations now face in relation to producing communications about the environment and sustainability.

Short courses

Digital Platforms: Power, Politics and Resistance

This course is ideal if you are looking to combine a social and technological understanding of digital platforms with an overview of the harms they generate and the civic response to these harms. If you are targeting a career in the technology sector, in communication, advertising & journalism, or in public policy, this course is for you.

International Journalism and Society: The Role of the Media in the Modern World

This course is a unique opportunity to benefit from our outstanding research into modern journalism combined with talks by pioneering media professionals. The course will draw upon recent high-profile research led by Professor Charlie Beckett.

Global Communications, Citizens and Cultural Politics

This course explores the role of media and communications in relation to identity, citizenship, culture and conflict. The course is framed within lively debates over popular culture, nationalism, imperialism, and globalisation. Examples used encompass the role of films in society, celebrity politicians, cities as technology hubs, and changes in interpersonal and political relationships through social networking.

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to your most common questions.