International Public and Political Communication
Department of Journalism Studies,
Faculty of Social Sciences

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.
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 Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn.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.
Overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component, or equivalent.
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
Apply
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.
Contact
journalism-admissions@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 2500
Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.
Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.