Study at Cardiff | Postgraduate

Political Communications (MA)

Course Aims

The overall aim is to allow students to deepen their understanding of political communication in national and international contexts and, where relevant, their skills in this field. More specific aims include:

• Exploring the political content of the mass media
• Deepen students’ 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
• Equip students with the research and study skills necessary to carry out project-based professional and academic research
• Enhance students’ academic skills and knowledge in preparation for further academic study
• Develop basic skills in political communications practice

Students taking this course will increase their ability to undertake rigorous analytical work, be capable of producing well researched essays, assignments and dissertations to deadline, and will have refined and improved their practical political communications skills.

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Who Should Apply

• Anyone interested in an advanced academic study of political communication
• Anyone interested in a career in political communication
• Those working in political communication, political parties, government agencies and bodies, statutory and voluntary organisations and the mass media
• Anyone looking to undertake PhD research in political communication

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Course Description

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, the opportunities of Web 2.0, 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.

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Available Modules

You will study the following areas:

• Political Communication
• Mediatised Conflict: The Politics of Conflict Reporting
• Putting Research into Practice
• International Communications and Journalism
• Introduction to Political Communication

Optional modules include:

• Media Law
• New Media & Politics
• Reporting Business, Finance & Economics
• Insurgency into the 21stCentury
• Global Crisis Reporting
• In the Editor’s Chair, International Relations for Journalists
• Reporting Health and Science
• Development Communications

For more course information, please see the MA Political Communications page on the School website.

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Graduate Destinations

Graduates of the MA programme 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.

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Entry Requirements

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 a British Council 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 eight-week pre-sessional English course.

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Next intake: September each year

More information

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