Brayford Pool
September 2025
1 year
2 years
In today's competitive marketplace, good communications and a solid reputation are key to a business's survival and success. Lincoln's MA in Media and Communications is designed to explore the role of this fast-growing employment area, by recognising the rapid changes taking place in the communications environment and enabling students to develop the media skills needed to work internationally across multimedia and digital platforms. There is an emphasis on the ability to critically assess contemporary issues in communications in both commercial and not-for-profit organisations.
The programme examines PR agencies and corporate bodies operating within a global remit. Students can research and critique developments in communications practice, with a focus on an ethical approach. Developing eloquence and confidence is explored on the course, along with the key skills required to become a flexible communications professional.
Explore the fast-growing media and communications sector
Develop the media skills to work across multimedia and digital platforms
A focus on the ability to critically assess contemporary issues
Gain practical experience through our student-run communications company
A wide range of approaches to teaching and learning are used on the programme to reflect the ever-changing nature of the subject, spanning a range of genres, media, and audiences. Current approaches include a blend of lectures, seminars, workshops, and independent study.
The communications-based modules aim to employ flexible and varied means of teaching, learning, and assessment tailored to the Master's experience and grounded in collaborative research-engaged learning. Media modules deal with the landscape of the media industry, the specific media skills that are required to work in the field of communications, and crucial theoretical concepts for making sense of a digitally mediated world.
Students will have the chance to work as individuals and in groups, to produce solo and group presentations, reports, essays, projects, literature reviews, and a dissertation.
As well as the traditional skills of research, essay writing, speaking, and debating, students will be able to develop a range of writing and production skills associated with work in the discipline.
The composition and delivery for the course breaks down differently for each module and may include lectures, seminars, workshops, independent study, practicals, research, and one-to-one learning.
Weekly contact hours on this programme vary depending on the module being delivered and the stage of study. Postgraduate-level study involves a significant proportion of independent study, exploring the material covered in lectures and seminars. As a general guide, for every hour spent in class, students are expected to spend at least two to three hours in independent study.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, contact hours, and our return to face-to-face teaching.
This programme uses a full range of assessment and feedback tools which may include written exams, written assignments, reports, a dissertation, portfolios, projects, oral assessments and presentations, practical skills assessments, and set exercises.
Postgraduate Application Support
Applying for a postgraduate programme at Lincoln is easy. Find out more about the application process and what you'll need to complete on our How to Apply page. Here, you'll also be able to find out more about the entry requirements we accept and how to contact us for dedicated support during the process.
First or second class honours degree.
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/
Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page.
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.
You will need to have funding in place for your studies before you arrive at the University. Our fees vary depending on the course, mode of study, and whether you are a UK or international student. You can view the breakdown of fees for this programme below.
The University offers a range of merit-based, subject-specific, and country-focused scholarships for UK and international students. To help support students from outside of the UK, we offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.
Postgraduate Funding Options
Find out more about the optional available to support your postgraduate study, from Master's Loans to scholarship opportunities. You can also find out more about how to pay your fees and access support from our helpful advisors.
In our digitally connected world, there is an abundance of information readily available to audiences worldwide, meaning that companies are more vulnerable than ever to misinformation about their brand. Good communications and media relations are a key management function in any business and can be used as an essential strategy to manage reputation while establishing trust among the public, increasing news media and social media presence, and maintaining a consistent voice. Roles within the sector include publicist, copywriter, PR specialist, and social media manager, and can be based in-house or in an agency. This programme aims to equip graduates with the eloquence and confidence needed for a variety of career in media and communications.
If you have any questions about this course, you can get in touch with the Programme Lead.
Professor Jason Whittaker
jWhittaker@lincoln.ac.uk
To get a real feel for what it is like to study at the University of Lincoln, we hold a number of dedicated postgraduate events and activities throughout the year for you to take part in.
