MA Media and Communication Industries
Course overview
Start date
September 2020
Subject area
Media and Journalism
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
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
The learning context encourages active
engagement with cultural and communicative forms and practices, and with
examples from the media and communication industries being studied and, contact
with a variety of academic and non-academic speakers and organisations.
Knowledge is
developed through
• Guided reading
and supervised independent study
• Knowledge-based
activities with feedback
• Lectures, talks,
demonstrations, screenings, seminars, workshops, tutorials, e-learning
• Production
practice
• Work placements
• Online
discussions and activities
Thinking skills are
developed through
• Reflective
activities with feedback
• Online
discussions and activities
• Tutor-led,
student-led and independent learning sessions
Practical skills
are developed through
• IT activities
with feedback
• Production
activities
• Research
skills-based activities with feedback
Skills for life and
work (general skills) are developed through
• The demands of
the study medium (e.g. distance learning)
• Planning
activities with feedback
• Project work
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
£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
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
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.
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
Coursework; Project work; Dissertation project;
production work; portfolio completion; practical reports; self-evaluation and
reflective reports.
All students will
be supported in securing a study-work placement opportunity as part of their
core module, Investigating Media Industries. The programme is organised in conjunction
with a variety of partner organisations who have agreed to support and assist
in placements, and students will also be supported in seeking study-work
placements with other media and communications organisations.
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
