Political Communication (MA)

This course explores the rapidly evolving role of communication in political life, both nationally and internationally, and examines how changes, including the increasing importance of ‘spin doctors’, image-based politics, the 24-hour news cycle and the globalisation of media, are shaping politics.

The MA Political Communication will deepen your understanding of political communication in national and international contexts and, where relevant, your skills in this field.

You will:

Explore the political content of the mass media
Deepen academic and practical understanding of the actors and agencies involved in the production of political news and information
Examine the impact of media coverage of politics on audiences
Explore the interaction between media systems and political systems including government media policy, censorship, regulation and ownership
Be equipped with the research and study skills necessary to carry out project-based professional and academic research
Enhance academic skills and knowledge in preparation for further academic study
Develop basic skills in political communications practice

The course explores the rapidly evolving role of communication in political life, both nationally and internationally, and examines how changes such as the increasing importance of new online and social media platforms, image-based politics, and the globalisation of media are shaping politics.

MA Political Communication looks at the influence of actors in the political communications process, including politicians, journalists and citizens by drawing on cutting edge research and case studies.

This course is suitable for those interested in an advanced academic study of political communication or a career in political communication, as well as those already working in political communication, political parties, government agencies and bodies, statutory and voluntary organisations and the mass media.

It is also suitable for people looking to undertake PhD research in political communication.

Distinctive features

Studying MA Political Communication will increase your ability to undertake rigorous analytical work, be capable of producing well researched essays, assignments and dissertations to deadline, and you will have refined and improved your practical political communications skills.

Key facts

Next intake	September 2019
Duration	1 year
Qualification	MA
Mode	Full-time
Contact	Student Support jomecstudentsupport@cardiff.ac.uk +44 (0)29 2087 4156

Admissions criteria

Applicants will need to complete an online applications form which will then be considered by an admissions tutor.

Applicants should possess a higher education degree of at least lower second class honours (2:2), or a non-UK qualification recognised by the University as being equivalent to this. This requirement may be waived for candidates with relevant professional qualifications or experience.

In addition, applicants whose first language is not English must obtain an IELTS score of at least 7.0, or an equivalent English language qualification. However, applicants with an IELTS score of 6.5 will be considered provided they undertake and successfully complete the University’s ten-week pre-sessional English course.

You will be asked to provide references in support of their application, one of which will need to be from previous academic study.

Applications are considered throughout the year.

Find out more about English language requirements.

Applicants who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements

This is a year-long Master’s course combining core and optional modules.

Throughout the Autumn and Spring semesters, robust method training will be provided in order to enhance your research skills that will be assessed in your Masters dissertation.

As part of a core Autumn module, you be introduced to the practice of political communication by placing the profession into its societal and media contexts. The dual emphasis on practical matters and their underpinning theory and ethics have been designed to help you develop an appreciation of how political communication practitioners interact with the media and the wider community, and how they have become a significant factor in shaping world events.

The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2019/20 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2019.

Core modules

Module title	Module code	Credits
Introduction to Political Communication	MCT506	20 credits
Putting Research into Practice 1	MCT533	20 credits
Putting Research into Practice 2	MCT534	20 credits
Debates and Concepts in Media and Communications	MCT565	20 credits
Media and Political Understanding	MCT566	10 credits
Project Based Dissertation	MCT444	60 credits
Project Based Dissertation	MCT444	60 credits

Optional modules

Module title	Module code	Credits
Media Law	MCT467	10 credits
Reporting Business, Finance and Economics	MCT481	10 credits
Reporting the Middle East	MCT485	10 credits
Citizen Media	MCT490	10 credits
Global Crisis Reporting	MCT494	10 credits
In the Editor's Chair	MCT497	10 credits
Reporting Health and Science	MCT498	10 credits
Social Media and Politics	MCT540	10 credits
Governing the Internet: Digital Freedoms and Restrictions	MCT541	10 credits
Big Data, Society and Everyday Life	MCT562	10 credits
Public Relations, Offline and Online	MCT567	10 credits
Digital Economy, Digital Labour	MCT568	10 credits

The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.

How will I be taught?

You will be taught through a mixture of lectures and seminars, which complement the academic nature of the course.

How will I be supported?

You will be allocated a Personal Tutor, for help and support with academic and pastoral needs, who is available when needed to discuss progress, provide advice and guidance.

You will be supported by the Student Support services in the school and through wider university resources.

You will have regular tutorials with programme directors/personal tutors as well as the opportunity to meet with module co-ordinators on request.

Feedback

Feedback is provided at each assessment point for summative assessments, formative feedback is provided in practical sessions and throughout teaching.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through a range of formative and summative assessments throughout the course. The main method of assessment on this programme is course work.

What skills will I practise and develop?

You will develop a range of skills in political communication, useful both for the academic study of the discipline but also more generic ‘employability skills.’

Drawing on written and oral communication skills, the programme will require you to demonstrate an application of the concepts and terminology used in political communication scholarship to identify, evaluate and interpret issues related to both the theory and practice of the discipline.

In doing so, the skills you will practise and develop will involve:

presenting ideas clearly and persuasively
organising and structuring arguments to demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of political communication.

The employability skills honed on this programme can be transferred to practise and develop political communication in a wide range of contexts.

Graduates of this course are employed in a range of occupations, such as campaign and press officers, researchers for political parties and institutions, business management leaders, political consultants, international conference and seminar coordinators and PR officers.

Several graduates have also undertaken PhDs in Political Communication.

Master's Excellence Scholarships

Scholarships available worth £3,000 each for UK/EU students starting a master’s degree in September 2019.

Find out more

Tuition fees

UK and EU students (2019/20)

Tuition fee	Deposit	Notes
£8,950	None

More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.

EU students entering in 2019/20 will pay the same tuition fee as UK students for the duration of their course. Please be aware that fees may increase annually in line with inflation. No decisions regarding fees and loans for EU students starting in 2020/21 have been made yet. These will be determined as part of the UK's discussions on its membership of the EU and we will provide further details as soon as we can.