Media, Communication and Development

Entry requirements

A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2). Applicants who do not meet the normal entry requirements can be considered with lower qualifications if they have significant work experience. If your first language is not English you should have an IELTS 6.5 overall, with at least 5.5 in each element. Applicants are required to submit one academic reference.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Our Media, Communication and Development MA is a sharp, future‑focused course that shows you how media and communication can drive real global change and open up a wide spectrum of international careers.

You will critically explore how media, technology and communication shape, and are in themselves shaped by, social, political and economic transformations around the world, with a strong emphasis on global development debates and practice. You’ll gain a rigorous grounding in policy and in the fast‑evolving international development and communications landscape. This will enable you to critically interrogate how digital platforms, data and storytelling are being used to rethink development strategies and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Optional modules allow you to shape your studies in areas such as fundraising, digital media production and campaign communications. The dissertation or professional project enables you to specialise in a topic that matches your ambitions and to develop advanced research and project‑delivery skills, with one‑to‑one academic supervision.

The course is taught by leading scholars and practitioners in media and development, with particular expertise in the Global South, who bring their research, consultancy and policy experience directly into the classroom.

You’ll also hear from high‑level guests from NGOs, international organisations and media industries, gaining insider insight into how state and non‑state actors use communication to shape development agendas.

Our graduates go on to influential roles in organisations such as UNICEF, UNESCO, NBC, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the BBC, and you’ll plug into the international Communication and Development Network (C4D) – a vibrant global community of professionals working in communication for social and environmental justice.

Information for international students

If your first language is not English you should have an IELTS 6.5 with 5.5 in writing and speaking.

Fees and funding

This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page. As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.