MA Media and Communication Industries
Course overview
Start date
September 2021
Subject area
Media and Journalism
Attendance
Full-time, 1 year
Part-time, 2 years
Learning
On campus, dual delivery
Course summary
The media industries that inform and entertain are also leading sectors of employment. This course explores both the cultural and economic aspects of media. Today, more than ever, media professionals need to understand the cultures, forms and practices of contemporary communication industries, and recognize and respond to changing conditions, challenges and policy issues. You will explore media and marketing communications industries from the global to the local, and from political economic aspects to the creativity of media practitioners and users. You will examine contemporary convergence across media, marketing and promotional industries and will be supported in your independent investigation into chosen aspects of digital publishing, audiovisual and social media, advertising, public relations and other marketing communications industries.
This MA offers a stimulating and wide-ranging programme supporting routes into both postgraduate research and careers in the creative industries in content creation and operations, management, research, policy and other support services. The programme will help you develop both academic and applied skills through research and study, innovative work/study experience, and production.
UEL is part of one of the largest ESRC-funded Doctoral Training Partnerships in the UK, the UBEL DTP and this MA is ESRC-recognised.Return to campus: dual delivery
In a Covid-secure environment, enjoy learning on our state-of-the-art campuses and flex between online delivery
Find out moreIndustry links
This course supports you in investigating contemporary media and marketing communication industries through research, industry work/study experience, and (optionally) by developing your media production skills.
Worldwide connections
Exploring changes across media businesses in the UK and worldwide, you will be assisted in investigating chosen topics, from working practices and governance, to co-creation and use, across creative industries, from digital publishing, audiovisual, mobile and social media, to advertising and other promotional industries.
Multiple resources
Our course gives you access to a broad range of expertise in the School of Arts and Digital Industries and the School of Social Sciences, both at UEL. We have a wide network of industry professionals and researchers.
How you'll learn
You'll be taught by a range of staff, some of whom are practitioners and/or published researchers in the area they teach. The assessments focus on a mix of research and practical skills some of which are presented as ‘live or simulated briefs’ as well as applied or academic research projects. This ensures that the practice-led and research informed teaching is relevant to industry and the world of work as well as the pursuit of advanced PG study (MPhil, PhD) and research careers. Our staff are well placed to take advantage of a range of professional and research networks, and industry contacts. Each module is designed with practical components and a reflective component, with the intention that students develop an ability to comment critically on and justify their creative process
Guided independent study
When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve skills development through online study, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects and preparing coursework assignments and presentations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, specialist facilities, such as edit suites, the library, the full Microsoft Office software, including MS Teams, and Moodle: our Virtual Learning Environment.
Academic support
Our academic support team provides help in a range of areas – including learning and disability support
Dedicated personal tutor
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of the academic course team who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.
Workload
For full-time time study, you will spend around 330 hours
of timetabled learning and teaching activities to complete the MA. These may be
lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours
may vary depending on each module.
The approximate workload hours for this
course are:
Full-time. scheduled teaching – 332 hours; guided
independent study – 1768 hours.
Your timetable
Your individualised timetable is normally available within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9.00am and 7.30pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.
Class sizes
To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally attracts 20 new students per year. Lecture sizes are normally maximum 40 students.
In the classroom you will be taught in groups of 18–20 students. However, this can vary by academic year.
Our MA partners include
Branded Content Marketing Association (and its member companies involved in marketing and media services). The BCMA is the global industry body for branded content practitioners, run by practitioners, promoting best practice, sharing knowledge and growing the branded content industry. BCMA will also recommend placements to its member companies.
Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom (and associated organisations involved in media policy, research and production)
CY Film Productions an independent film and TV production company.
Drum Omnicom Media Group’s
award winning content & creative business dedicated to helping ambitious
brands create and influence popular culture.
Instinct PR a leading consumer public relations agency founded by Jonathan Kirkby, a PR expert for over 12 years and UEL alumni.
New Internationalist
The world's leading independent publisher of magazines and books on politics, global justice and equality.
OpenDemocracy
Based in Dalston, openDemocracy is an independent global media platform publishing up to 60 articles a week and attracting over 8 million visits per year.
TCO London
TCO is a Shoreditch based independent agency and media owner, that makes premium content for brands and published film review and youth culture magazines.
The MA team also brings a strong track record of working with BAME cultural producers and organisations across London and the South East.
Fees and funding
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,906 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
The scholarship is open to full-time and part-time UK and EU students of taught postgraduate courses. *Exclusions apply.
Find out more about full eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Terms and conditions apply.How we can help you
Did you know that with a postgraduate qualification you can expect to earn more than someone who only holds an undergraduate degree?If you want to build new skills, change career paths, or further your career prospects, a postgraduate degree can help you. Our range of scholarships and bursaries will make financing your education that much easier. Below is some of the funding available to support you in your studies:
- Alumni Discount – up to 15% fee waiver *exclusions apply. Please see Alumni Discount page for information.
- Early Payment Discount – 5% fee waiver
- Asylum Seekers scholarship – 100% fee waiver
- Civic Engagement – £1,000
- Hardship Bursary – up to £2,000
- Sport Scholarships – Up to £6,000
Terms and conditions apply.
• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer
- Apply for a Postgraduate Loan
- Take advantage of UEL scholarships and bursaries
- Ask your employer to sponsor your study
- Study part-time so you can work at the same time (applicable to courses that have a part-time mode)
- Look at UK Research and Innovation funding options
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
£10,280 to fund your Masters Programme under the Postgraduate Loans (PGL) scheme
Postgraduate Loans (PGL)
The Postgraduate Loan (PGL) provide non means-tested loans of up to £10,906 to taught and research masters students. It will be paid to students as a contribution towards tuition fees, living costs and other course costs.
Applications are made directly through Student Finance England
Eligibility
Whether you qualify depends on:
• if you’ve studied on a postgraduate course before
• your course
• your age
• your nationality or residency status
Full eligibility can be found here
Please take a look at the Postgraduate Loans for an overview of the new funding.
The scholarship is open to full-time and part-time UK and EU students of taught postgraduate courses. *Exclusions apply.
Find out more about full eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Terms and conditions apply.How we can help you
Did you know that with a postgraduate qualification you can expect to earn more than someone who only holds an undergraduate degree?If you want to build new skills, change career paths, or further your career prospects, a postgraduate degree can help you. Our range of scholarships and bursaries will make financing your education that much easier. Below is some of the funding available to support you in your studies:
- Alumni Discount – up to 15% fee waiver *exclusions apply. Please see Alumni Discount page for information.
- Early Payment Discount – 5% fee waiver
- Asylum Seekers scholarship – 100% fee waiver
- Civic Engagement – £1,000
- Hardship Bursary – up to £2,000
- Sport Scholarships – Up to £6,000
Terms and conditions apply.
• By telephone
• In person at our Docklands or Stratford campus
• Bank transfer
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate
your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and
university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
Per 30 credit module
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1,265* per month to cover your living costs. It includes expenses for accommodation, food and drink, travel within London, text books, entertainment, clothing, toiletries and laundry. Most Tier 4 students are required to show they have sufficient funds to cover the first nine months of the course before they start- a total of £11,385- in addition to the tuition fees. You can find more information about the specific requirements of the Tier 4 student visa here. The amount that you will spend can vary depending on your lifestyle. The UKCISA International Student Calculator can help you plan and manage your money.
* Please note the Immigration Rules are subject to change and this figure is likely to be increased by UKVI year on year. Please therefore check our ISA page for more information at the time of preparing your visa application.International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.
Email: international@uel.ac.uk
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
Entry requirements
Overall IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening (or recognised equivalent).
If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English programme. The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 11-week pre-sessional course.
What you'll learn
- Advanced understanding of media and communication industries, their economic or business applications, their industrial and management structures and methods, their creative practices and techniques, their activities and influence on users, stakeholders and societies.
- The ways in which cultural and media organisations and practices intersect with political and economic processes, cultural meaning-making, creativity and social communications
- The political, economic, social, cultural and technological forces that influence the media and communication industries
- The ways in which creative artefacts are originated, produced, distributed, appropriated and used
- The organisation of work and professional and occupational codes and practices in cultural production, distribution and reception
- The legal, ethical and other regulatory frameworks, including the intellectual property framework, that are relevant to media and cultural production, distribution, circulation, and reception
- How to engage critically with major thinkers, contemporary researchers and debates within the field, putting them to productive use
- Develop critically informed analysis and evaluation of cultural texts and practices associated with media and marketing communication industries, and your own work.
Who teaches on this course:
- Dr Tony Sampson (Programme Leader)
- Dr Valentina Signorelli
- Dr Andrew Branch
- Dr Mark Tintner
What you'll study and when
We consistently review and develop our courses and modules to ensure they are up-to-date with sector and industry graduate skills demands. Course structure, modules and options are subject to change.
- Investigating Media and Communication Industries (Core)
- Global Media, Communication and Development (Core)
- Professional Practice and Research Methods (Mental Wealth) (Core)
- Final Project (Core)
- Quantitative Data Analysis (Option) [required for ESRC recognised MA]
- Media and Marketing Communications (Option)
- The Moving Image (Option)
- Documentary Cinema (Option)
- Audiovision (Option)
- Sustainability and the Commons (Option)
How you'll be assessed
Depending on options, coursework will include a mixture of
practical outcomes, e.g. individual or group-based films, artefacts,
presentations, written assignments, videos and podcasts or research-based
assignments.
The approximate percentages for this course are:
Year 1: 100% coursework
You’ll always receive written or audio feedback, outlining
your strengths and how you can improve. We aim to provide feedback on
assessments within 15 working days.
Your future career
The course will prepare students for a variety of careers in the management and production of media content and services, both in the UK and worldwide. Students will be able to demonstrate both academic and applied skills in research, planning and communication, and those pursuing practice-based options will be able to demonstrate enhanced skills in content creation and production processes. Students will also be equipped to work in communications in broader contexts such as in communications regulation and compliance and media policy, marketing communications and promotion, and various strategic and support services across the media and creative industries. Our students will also be well placed to pursue further research at PhD level, and even pursue an academic career.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal
