Global Media and Communications MA
About this course
Environmental Concerns. Digital privacy. Rights and responsibilities. How an individual can remain ethical and true to themselves whilst also striving for success.
This Masters degree is focused on encouraging more ethical thinking within the communications professions. With placements and other work-like experience opportunities in non-profits, agencies and ethically-minded businesses, you can develop the practical expertise needed to create innovative and thoughtful media content.
By fostering an understanding of key social debates surrounding sustainability, equality, inclusivity and political decision-making, this course will develop the reflective skills that employers tell us are so important for success in the modern workplace.
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Expand you knowledge with guest speakers and field trips. -
Develop your professional portfolio with practical sessions and project work
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Become part of a multi-cultural student group who bring a wealth of knowledge and perspective to global communications. -
100% of NTU's research submitted to the 'Communication, Cultural & Media Studies, Library & Information Management' Unit of Assessment was rated world-leading or internationally excellent in terms of research impact - REF 2021.
We are proud to be part of the BAFTA Albert education partnership
Interested in Media and Communications?
Dip your toe in the water with our Journalism, marketing and PR short course programme for professionals that runs throughout the year.
What you’ll study
The degree encourages you to become an innovative, critically-minded, technically astute and ethically robust media communications professional. You will take 180 credit points through five core modules and one optional module. This approach allows for the core understandings necessary to succeed in this industry to be taught, life-long friendships to be made and your individuality to be expressed.
Some of the modules involve practical work, placements and work-like experience. This could include projects for businesses and the charity sector - such as producing a fundraising campaign, communicating a health programme, or preparing a social media campaign. Throughout these practical modules you will be producing work as part of your creative content portfolio, from podcasts to videos and displays.
Core modules
Careers, Reflection, Experience and the Ethical Self (CREATES)
You will begin by developing a personalised programme of up to 120 hours of work-like experience that you will complete throughout your course. This could include a combination of CV building, placements and/or internships, volunteering, a business plan, training courses and/or accreditations, or even a PhD proposal. The module will then explore ethics and the ethical self in relation to life and careers. In the new year you will create a Career Development Portfolio that can be used to showcase professional work quality as part of job applications.
Digital Creative Industries
In the 21st century the creative and cultural economies have seen increasing digitisation, leading to considerable change. With guest speakers and field trips you will examine these changes to working life and practices, and further understand how it will impact modern work.
Critical Understandings of Global Media and Communications
While the creators of media content undoubtedly have the potential to contribute to the resolution of many of the oppressive, suppressive and exploitative activities that occur around the world, the reality is that much of what is promoted across different platforms plays, or has played, some role in sustaining the status quo. Immerse yourself in critical debates about global media and communications and the module's key themes: Colonialism, decolonisation and media; Global inequality and media; Diversity, inclusivity, identity and media; and Sustainability, environmental degradation and media.
Experimental Creative Practice
Alongside building your knowledge and expertise with the latest equipment, software and other technologies associated with media production, you will develop your ability to tell stories, which sits at the heart of almost all content creation. There will be a focus on camera work, audio and filming and then the editing process, working in locations around Nottingham to produce content and create a portfolio of your work.
Major Project
You will develop a concise in-depth personal project that will be the culmination of your Masters experience. Your project can be either a ‘traditional’ dissertation, a collaboration with a member of academic staff to produce an academic journal style article and PhD proposal, or an extended practical work project where you will produce work to exhibit.
Optional modules - choose one
Digital Media, Politics and Culture in Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific is vital for all global supply chains, and its culture and politics are of growing interest, importance and influence. This module thus offers you a cosmopolitan view of media and communication patterns and industries beyond western-dominated discourse. Cultural fieldtrips will be made to places of relevance around Nottingham including to film screenings, art exhibitions and cultural institutes. There will also be guest speakers and you will be encouraged to better understand Nottingham’s links to Asia-Pacific, including NTU's Global Week.
Exploring Promotional Cultures
Gain practical skills in PR and content creation. These are important and coveted skills for the modern communications professional. Alumni guest speakers from diverse backgrounds working in the promotional industries will provide you with useful advice, whilst improving your understanding of work within the promotions industries.
Podcasting Production (20 credit points)
Develop a critical understanding of podcasting's role in contemporary media. Learn practical skills for professional podcast production. Analyze the link between traditional audio production and podcasting's place in journalism and media. Explore content, context, and the commissioning process. Gain insights on logistics and monetization from expert guest speakers. Appreciate, understand, critique, and contribute to podcasting in media.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
How you're taught
Study methods and assessment
The course is delivered through a series of lectures, seminars, workshops, group project work, work simulations, practical media sessions, directed learning and tutorial support. Visits to media and creative industry organisations and guest speakers from the industry form part of the course.
Assessment on the course involves coursework, report writing, presentations, and group work. The core of the course is structured with no formal examinations. You will write a dissertation, and prepare work on research methods including an assessed dissertation proposal as part of the research training element.
Learn a new language
Alongside your study you also have the opportunity to learn another new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have. Learning a new language can enhance your communication skills, enrich your experience when travelling abroad and boost your career prospects. Find out more about the University Language Programme.
Further information
You will be part of a multi-cultural student group who bring a wealth of knowledge and perspective to global communications.
Campus and facilities
Entry requirements
UK students
Academic entry requirements: 2.2 honours degree or equivalent.
Applications from candidates with non-standard entry qualifications will be considered on an individual basis if they can demonstrate relevant professional experience.
Additional requirements for UK students
There are no additional requirements for this course.
Other qualifications and experience
We welcome applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds and work experience. We consider credit transfer, vocational and professional qualifications, and any work or life experience you may have.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
Academic entry requirements: 2.2 honours degree or equivalent.
We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international entry requirements by country.
English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
If you need help achieving the academic entry requirements, we offer a Pre-Masters course for this degree. The course is offered through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC) based on our City Campus.
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
We welcome applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds and work experience. We consider credit transfer, vocational and professional qualifications, and any work or life experience you may have.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
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Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
