Communication for Development

Entry requirements

Normally a good undergraduate honours degree (high 2:2 or above), or equivalent from a university outside the UK. Applicants who have relevant career experience are also encouraged to apply.

Evidence of prior experience in the sector may also be taken into consideration for all international development degrees.

Students may join immediately after their undergraduate degree, or after some years of employment to enhance career prospects by acquiring further skills.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Develop the knowledge and skills to support social change through communication with our MSc Communication for Development.

Study at one of the UK’s leading universities for environmental and ethical performance (the University of Reading is ranked 4th in the People and Planet University League, 2024/25).

The changing global communication landscape – information technologies, communication processes and communication opportunities – offer new ways to understand and improve how we can use communication to address livelihoods, reduce poverty, and support community development.

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:

• agricultural extension and advisory services
• communication and climate adaptation and resilience
• communicating about health and health promotion
• facilitating, driving and enabling change
• communication as a driver of rural development.

The MSc Communication for Development programme is particularly relevant for:

• development practitioners who would like to use communication in their development practice
• professionals who have, or are seeking, extension responsibilities
• media and marketing professionals who would like to work in development communication
• individuals working with communities on livelihoods and rural development projects
• people working in the community health sector
• 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 placed UK university for Agriculture and Forestry at 20th in the world (QS World Rankings by Subject, Agriculture and Forestry, 2025), with its own farms and specialist facilities
• 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 the 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

For a list of requirements by country, please visit our Country-Specific Information page.