2021 start

International Public and Political Communication

Department of Journalism Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences

Become an expert in media relations, political marketing and how organisations shape their messages to persuade, inform and sometimes mislead. Sharpen your knowledge by designing a campaign of your own.

Course description

Messages and viewpoints are all around us at all times. Political parties, public and governmental institutions, pressure groups, charities and NGOs shape messages in particular ways, advocating viewpoints and constructing campaigns to influence public opinion, specific audiences and policymakers. Our course teaches you to be an expert in both the analysis and development of such messages.

You'll learn about media relations, political marketing and the scope and significance of political communication. You'll develop skills in communicating with the media (including media training) and using different media outlets to promote ideas through advocacy and lobbying. Our teaching offers a deep and critical understanding of key debates around the intersection of the media and public and political communication internationally.

We teach a deep critical understanding of key debates around the intersection of the media and public and political communication internationally. So this degree is a good route into PhD study as well as a solid foundation for careers in lobbying, journalism, public relations and more.

Applying for this course

We use a staged admissions process to assess applications for this course. You'll still apply for this course in the usual way, using our Postgraduate Online Application Form.

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Modules

Core modules

Research Methods
Comparative Perspectives of Public and Political Communication
Introduction to Political Communication
Media, Society and International Crises
Soft Power and Public Diplomacy
Communicating with the Media
International Visual Public and Political Communication

Dissertation

Your dissertation is undertaken in semester 2. You can choose between a traditional-style project and a work-based dissertation.

The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption. We are no longer offering unrestricted module choice. If your course included unrestricted modules, your department will provide a list of modules from their own and other subject areas that you can choose from.

Teaching

We teach through lectures, seminars, workshops and research exercises.

Assessment

You’re assessed by essays, examinations and a dissertation.

Duration

1 year full-time

Student profile

Anyone who studies in Sheffield will be assured of the following: the best student experience in the UK; resourceful tutors; workshops and seminars to give you practical experiences; being fully equipped for the job market; a network of friends from all over the world; and the satisfaction of having a very useful degree. Plus, Sheffield is a lovely, calm city with lots of get-away destinations that gives me the best study environment.

Laila Abubakari
MA International Political Communication

Entry requirements

You must have one of the following:

A 2:1 undergraduate degree (we will consider a 2:2 if we are sufficiently impressed by your potential).
An alternative qualification approved by the University as degree equivalent.
Substantial previous work experience in a media-related role.

Entry requirements for international students

Overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component, or equivalent.

Other English language qualifications we accept

We also accept a range of other UK qualifications and other EU/international qualifications.

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the department.

Fees and funding

There are a number of bursaries and scholarships for students on the journalism, magazine and broadcast courses, from the Scott Trust (owner of The Guardian), Journalism Diversity Fund, The Aziz Foundation Scholarship and others.

Funding opportunities for MA degrees in journalism

Financial information for postgraduate taught courses

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