MA Media and Communication Industries

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.

• 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.

• Bachelor's degree: GPA of 2.5 / 4 or overall classification of "Good" or higher
• UK Bachelor's degree with Honours: Second Class, Second Division or higher
• US Bachelor's degree: GPA 2.5 / 4

Extended Diploma or Diploma

FROM

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE

Diploma with 24 points including a minimum of 15 points at Higher Level

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.