Political Communication  MA

Overview

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Overview

As the shape of politics and communication has changed significantly in recent times, approaches to teaching and research in political communication has widened.

Political party membership and election turnouts are steadily declining while interest group membership and issue-based campaigning are on the increase.

Professional marketing, advertising and public relations approaches, developed in the corporate sector, have become central to the political process.

City's Political Communication MA, which analyses a wide range of forms of political communication from government and political party communication to the activities and communications of corporations, social movements and interest groups, will appeal to anyone with an academic, personal or professional interest in media and communications or politics.

Course Fees:

  • Full-time EU: £9,000 (2013 entry)
  • Full-time Non EU: £12,000 (2013 entry)

Start Date:

23 September 2013

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

You will usually need to have an upper second class Honours degree in a social-sciences related subject, but we also welcome applications from those with substantial experience in human rights organisations, NGOs, social services, journalism/media/communications, information services or other related sectors.

Other Suitable Qualifications

Postgraduate Preparatory Courses for International Students

If you do not qualify for direct entry, our partner INTO City University London offers an academic preparation programme - the Graduate Diploma in Business, Law and Social Science. The course offers a route to City University London through an excellent teaching and learning experience, located in purpose built study facilities. Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma at INTO City University London to the standard required provides guaranteed progression to this Masters degree.

English Requirements

If your first language is not English, one of the following qualifications is also required:
  • IELTS: an overall score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 for each subtest
  • TOEFL (internet based): 100 - 105

INTO English Language Programmes

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, INTO City University London offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.

Please click the links below for more information:

Visa Requirements

City University London retains Highly Trusted Status from UKBA, enabling us to sponsor international students to study in the UK.

The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:

  • Students on courses of more than 6 months
  • Students on courses of less than 6 months
  • Students on a pre-sessional English Language course

For more information see our main Visa page.

When and Where

Start Date:
23 September 2013
Duration:
Full-time - one year (with an additional three months to submit dissertation, if required)

Course Content

Traditionally, research and teaching in political communication has concentrated exclusively on institutional politics.

Governments, political parties and elections have dominated the agenda. However, as the shape of politics and communication have changed significantly in recent times, such an approach now seems to be far too narrow.

Political party membership and election turnouts are steadily declining while interest group membership and issue-based campaigning are on the increase.

Professional marketing, advertising and public relations approaches, developed in the corporate sector, have become central to the political process.

This course covers several aspects of political communications, including:

  • government and political party communication and media relations
  • political marketing, public opinion and election campaigning
  • global institutions and international politics and communications
  • the activities and communications of corporations, social movements and interest groups
  • the production, regulation and consumption of both mass and alternative media
  • different forms of promotional/political culture social and political theory
  • communication issues surrounding human rights, race, citizenship and democratisation.

The course will appeal to anyone with an academic, personal or professional interest in media and communications or politics.

It will suit those: wanting to go on to do further postgraduate research; policy-makers and communicators employed in government, political institutions and campaigning groups; journalists and others employed in the media and cultural industries/institutions.

Course Structure

You complete six taught modules: three core modules and three electives. You also take part in a dissertation workshop and produce a dissertation over the summer.

Core modules:

Elective modules - choose three from:

NB. Elective modules choices are subject to availability.

Read the full programme specification.

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching

We will teach you through a combination of lectures, classes and seminars, taking place in the first and second academic periods (September-April).

Assessment

The majority of postgraduate sociology modules are assessed by 100% coursework. However, some modules outside of the department may have different assessment methods so please check carefully. You are required to obtain a minimum pass mark of 50% in all assessment components.

Dissertation

The dissertation of 15,000 words accounts for one-third of the total marks for the MA degree.

Read the full programme specification.

Fees

  • Full-time EU: £9,000 (2013 entry)
  • Full-time Non EU: £12,000 (2013 entry)

Funding

For up-to-date information about tuition fees, living costs and financial support, visit Undergraduate Fees and Finance or Postgraduate Fees and Finance.

Career Prospects

82 percent of City's 2009 Sociology graduates were in employment or further study within six months of completing their course.

These courses will appeal to you if you wish to achieve a broad study of the subject, either as preparation for a research degree, entry into employment in the wide realms of media and communications, or as a means of furthering your understanding if you are already working in the domain.

These courses can lead to a wide variety of careers in broadcasting, press and telecoms networks, NGOs, the development sector and consultancies, advertising, marketing, politics, journalism, media management and regulatory agencies.

Find out more about City University London

Application Deadline

There is no fixed application deadline. Applications will close when the course is full, so you are encouraged to apply early.

MA Political Communication

To apply for one of our Sociology courses you will need to submit:

  • A completed application form (either electronically or by post)
  • Two references (at least one should be from an academic referee)
  • A certified copy of your undergraduate academic results and degree certificate
  • Proof of English proficiency (if you are not a native English speaker, or someone who has not been taught in English for their first degree subject)

Applicants are encouraged to apply online and either upload or email scanned copies of their supporting documents for convenience.

The application form and reference form can also be downloaded via the following link:

If you require a hard copy of the application pack (containing an application form and reference forms) then please email your name, address and the name of the programme to the Programme Administrator along with your request.