Political Communication & Media

Entry requirements

First- or upper second-class Honours degree, or equivalent, in social science.

Months of entry

January

Course content

The MSc in Political Communication and Media is a multi-disciplinary programme that explores the intersection of politics, media and public discourse and prepares students to understand, analyse, and effectively engage in the communication processes that shape political life.

During this course, you will:

• study how traditional and digital media shape political narratives and influence public opinion, elections, policymaking and democratic processes;
• gain a thorough understanding of core theories about the public sphere, agenda-setting, framing and persuasion;
• engage in current debates about political messaging, propaganda, misinformation, media bias, and the role of artificial intelligence;
• learn practical skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods to evaluate political communication strategies and understand the state of the art in media effects research.

The MSc in Political Communication and Media explores how politics and media interact in today's fast changing information environment. It looks beyond established democracies to include authoritarian and hybrid regimes, offering a global perspective on how communication shapes power, participation, and public debate across different political systems.

A key strength of the programme is its focus on research and methodological training. You will build strong skills in both qualitative and quantitative approaches while also engaging with emerging tools in big data and artificial intelligence. This combination equips you to analyse political communication at multiple levels, from individual messaging strategies to large-scale patterns in digital media.

By blending theoretical depth with methodological innovation, the programme prepares you for diverse career paths in political consulting, media strategy, journalism, research and academia. You will leave with the critical insight and technical expertise needed to understand - and influence - the evolving dynamics of political communication worldwide.

Fees and funding

Humanities & Social Sciences: Glasgow 850 International Masters Scholarship, January 2026