Communication for Development
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (ideally 2:1 or above), or equivalent from a university outside the UK. Applicants who have relevant career experience are also encouraged to apply.
Students may join immediately after their undergraduate degree, or after some years of employment to enhance career prospects by acquiring further skills.
For a list of requirements by country, please visit our Country-Specific Information page.
Your personal statement
In your personal statement, you will need to demonstrate motivation and interest in communication as a tool for change. You may reflect on paid or unpaid experience in the field to help support your personal statement.
Your statement needs to demonstrate that you understand what the course is about, your motivation for studying, and what you would like to get out of your studies.
Months of entry
September
Course content
Develop the knowledge and skills to support positive change through communication with our MSc Communication for Development master’s degree.
Rapid changes in the global communication landscape – changing technologies, communication processes and communication opportunities – offer new ways to understand and improve how we can use communication to address livelihoods, reduce poverty, and develop communities.
Through this programme, you’ll develop your understanding of how communication can support individual and social change and lead to more effective and dynamic development policy and programmes.
The practical application of communication in development is diverse, including areas such as:
- extension and advisory service
- communication and climate change risk reduction
- communicating about health challenges
- facilitating driving and enabling change.
The MSc Communication for Development programme is particularly relevant for:
- professionals who have, or are seeking, extension responsibilities
- media professionals who would like to work in development communication
- individuals working with communities on livelihoods and agricultural development projects
- people working in the community health sector
- people with broad experience in development looking for a focus on communication
- those intending to go on to a research degree in communication for development.
Choose MSc Communication for Development at the University of Reading
You will:
- join the highest-ranking UK university for Agriculture and Forestry (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 - Agriculture & Forestry). We’re ranked 11th in the world, and are the only UK university in the top 50.
- build a critical understanding of communication for development theory and practise in the diverse contexts of international and local development.
- strengthen your professional competence in the design, planning and management of communication interventions.
- focus on practical application of new knowledge and skills to support communication in social change.
Joining this programme means you’ll also be joining the Graduate Institute of International Development, Agriculture and Economics in our School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, where we are committed to empowering change through our teaching and research. Our academics tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues across their respective fields of expertise, and our mission is to make a difference in the context of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Information for international students
IELTS: 6.5 overall with no element less than 5.5 (or equivalent)
Fees and funding
The fees listed are for full-time study, unless otherwise stated. Fee information will be confirmed in offer letters sent out to successful applicants. You can find further information, including information for part-time study, through our dedicated fees and funding page.
EU student feesWith effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government's guidance for EU students.
Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
The Graduate Institute of International Development, Agriculture and Economics also offers a number of scholarships.
Qualification, course duration and attendance options
- MSc
- part time24 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
- full time12 months
- Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
Course contact details
- Name
- Global Recruitment Team
- student.recruitment@reading.ac.uk