Media, Communications & International Journalism (Taught)

The Masters in Media, Communications & International Journalism combines the latest in media, communications and audience theory, and research methodologies with the production and editorial skills that are required of the modern journalist. You can apply your understanding of the role of the media in society to your own journalistic output.

WHY THIS PROGRAMME

• You will be taught by members of the Glasgow University Media Group, which has an international reputation for pioneering research methods in media and communications.

• The Glasgow University Media Group comprises industry-trained programme-makers and the programme includes a practical element related to transferable skills for employability.

• The city of Glasgow is the centre of the media industry in Scotland and is home to the headquarters of BBC Scotland, STV and a range of major press titles including The Herald and The Daily Record. The Media Group has strong connections with local industry.

• Researchers from the Glasgow University Media Group have presented their work globally, given expert evidence to Westminster select committees and appear regularly on the BBC and other news outlets.

• You can choose optional courses from areas such as economics, criminology, human rights, sociology, and politics whose research is at the forefront of debates about the role of the media in society.

• Sociology at Glasgow is ranked 6th in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2026, and 7th in the UK by the Good University Guide 2026.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
You will take four core and two optional courses, followed by a dissertation or journalism project. Courses are taught through a combination of lectures and seminars. Practical skills in news-gathering and programme-making will be developed through seminars and workshops which will focus on the delivery of journalistic articles and features across media. Assessment is based on individual written essays and assignments, as well as the practical journalism group work and individual projects.

Core courses
Media, Communications and Journalism: Criticism and Theory
Media Research Methods
Researching Audiences and Media Representations
Producing News

Optional courses
You may choose their two optional courses from Sociology or elsewhere in the School of Social & Political Sciences. Enrolment on optional courses is subject to availability and timetabling.

CAREER PROSPECTS
This programme is well suited to students who are looking to pursue or build upon a media and communications career in the public domain. Many graduates go on to work in:

• journalism

• marketing and public relations

• factual TV and radio

• government bodies

• non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

• museums and heritage.

The programme will give you a working and critical knowledge of the culture of media and communications, making you well-equipped to enter media and communication roles in health, education, finance and other fields.