MA
Media and Communications
MA
Media and Communications

Key Information


Campus

Brayford Pool

Start Date

September 2025

Typical Offer

See More

Duration

1 year

Part-time

2 years

Validation Status

Subject to Revalidation

Campus

Brayford Pool

Start Date

September 2024

Typical Offer

See More

Duration

1 year

Part-time

2 years

Academic Year

Course Overview

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.

Course Overview

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.

Why Choose Lincoln

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 student sat working

How You Study

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.

How You Study

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.

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 and the specific media skills that are required to work in the field of communications.

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.

Modules


† 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.

Advanced Research Methods 2025-26PBR9015MLevel 72025-26This module focuses on the research process for the MA final project/dissertation, culminating in the writing of a dissertation proposal. The strand helps students identify and focus their interests, write the proposal and select relevant quantitative and/or qualitative research methods to undertake and report on their own research project.CoreDigital Communications 2025-26PBR3018MLevel 62025-26Students have the opportunity look at the history of the internet and at some of the underlying technology and web page design. Furthermore, they can potentially explore content-management systems, SEO, data journalism and database driven websites. Consideration is given to the strategic use of websites and how these can link with blogs, social media and current digital communications tools as part of a long term integrated PR strategy. Image optimisation will be covered involving the use and understanding of software such as Photoshop to ensure efficient and correct use of image data.CoreIndependent Study - Dissertation (PG PR) 2025-26PBR9008MLevel 72025-26The Final Project module is where students write a dissertation. Students are expected to spend the final term during the summer on self-directed learning. Students are allocated their own tutor for support and guidance. This final project provides an opportunity to research and make an in-depth study of their chosen study area.CoreIssues in PR 2025-26PBR9009MLevel 72025-26PR activities are conducted within a context of social issues. In this relationship the media plays a vital part. This module aims to consider the possible genesis of some of the important issues and the conduct of PR as a social activity within which PR may be considered in terms of the ethical values it embodies, how it regards truth and its attitude towards corporate social responsibility. These dimensions of PR practice may be considered by examining how PR practitioners managed particular issues such as a crisis, government relations, or corporate change. The module consists of two inter-related parts. In the first the broader social issues are examined and a number of conceptual analytical tools developed. In the second part a number of cases, UK and international, are analysed using those conceptual tools. An important underlying theme of this module is the relationship between PR and the media, particularly in the post-Leveson environment of regulation and oversight.CoreMedia Ethics, Law and Regulation 2025-26MED9009MLevel 72025-26This module is designed to provide the opportunity to develop an understanding of the ethical context of media production, media law and regulation in the UK (EU) and the USA. The module will be organised around discussion and examination of: ethics of media production, rights of free expression, common law of libel, ECHR and HRA, current UK and US communications acts, journalists’ codes of practice and content regulatory codes.CoreMedia Relations 2025-26PBR9011MLevel 72025-26The fundamental purpose of this module is to provide the opportunity to develop the analytical and practical tools required for media placement of PR material to the best effect and within the context of a designed campaign. It aims to familiarise students with the variety of media available and seeks to enable students to make the best selection for their efforts as a PR practitioner, and then to establish the appropriate relationships leading to successful publication in line with the organisation’s defined PR objectives. Constraints on the process will be explored and metrics for evaluating success examined.CorePR Principles 2025-26PBR9016Level 72025-26The module will equip the student with knowledge to understand the history of PR and with skills to analyse PR activities either in-house or for a consultancy. Other topics include Companies/Corporate Considerations; NGOs/Charities; PR/Media Releases; Ethics/Codes of Practice; CSR/Corporate Citizenship; PR/Challenges of Activism; Financial PR; PR Measuring/Evaluation.CoreGender, Media and Culture in a Global Context 2025-26MED9039MLevel 72025-26This module examines the multi-directional and variable relationship between gender, media and culture. We will interrogate the category of gender as a tool of cultural analysis and its relation to media and popular culture. Gender will be presented as central to media and cultural formations, while media, mediation and culture will be presented as central to gender formations. Key concepts to be examined in relation to gender will include body, class, power, sexual difference, masculinity/femininity race/ethnicity, identity/non-identity and subjectivity. These concepts will be introduced and examined in relation to case studies, media practices and texts from a variety of historical and geo-political contexts.OptionalMedia Ecologies 1 2025-26MED9028MLevel 72025-26This module is designed to tackle critically the current disintegration between discrete media forms. It recognises that long established boundaries between modes, practices and conventions of media have become diffuse. Where, in the past, individual media forms were comfortably self-contained and distinctive, today these forms are experienced as a type of informational content that we access on multiple devices and in multiple contexts. The module understands contemporary media to be a complex, entangled ‘ecology’, a dynamic system in which any one product, device or image is always multiply connected, and in which our use of such media is necessarily informed by such connections. It insists that media activity is informed by a pattern of relations between individuals, political and economic institutions, commercial brands, and technologies.OptionalMedia Skills 2025-26PBR9012MLevel 72025-26This module aims to develop multiplatform media skills for the PR practitioner. Students will have the opportunity to write news releases and news stories and articles for corporate and consumer newsletters. Students have the chance to be introduced to the editorial and production skills required for multi-platform production in the increasingly converged media environment. The focus will be on organisational story telling and output production for broadcast (radio, TV and online) and print media. During the module, students will have the chance to work in a production workshop environment with all tasks performed under appropriate time constraints.OptionalOnline Communications 2025-26PBR9013MLevel 72025-26Optional

Modules


† 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.

Advanced Research Methods 2024-25PBR9015MLevel 72024-25This module focuses on the research process for the MA final project/dissertation, culminating in the writing of a dissertation proposal. The strand helps students identify and focus their interests, write the proposal and select relevant quantitative and/or qualitative research methods to undertake and report on their own research project.CoreIndependent Study - Dissertation (PG PR) 2024-25PBR9008MLevel 72024-25The Final Project module is where students write a dissertation. Students are expected to spend the final term during the summer on self-directed learning. Students are allocated their own tutor for support and guidance. This final project provides an opportunity to research and make an in-depth study of their chosen study area.CoreIssues in PR 2024-25PBR9009MLevel 72024-25PR activities are conducted within a context of social issues. In this relationship the media plays a vital part. This module aims to consider the possible genesis of some of the important issues and the conduct of PR as a social activity within which PR may be considered in terms of the ethical values it embodies, how it regards truth and its attitude towards corporate social responsibility. These dimensions of PR practice may be considered by examining how PR practitioners managed particular issues such as a crisis, government relations, or corporate change. The module consists of two inter-related parts. In the first the broader social issues are examined and a number of conceptual analytical tools developed. In the second part a number of cases, UK and international, are analysed using those conceptual tools. An important underlying theme of this module is the relationship between PR and the media, particularly in the post-Leveson environment of regulation and oversight.CoreMedia Ethics, Law and Regulation 2024-25MED9009MLevel 72024-25This module is designed to provide the opportunity to develop an understanding of the ethical context of media production, media law and regulation in the UK (EU) and the USA. The module will be organised around discussion and examination of: ethics of media production, rights of free expression, common law of libel, ECHR and HRA, current UK and US communications acts, journalists’ codes of practice and content regulatory codes.CoreMedia Relations 2024-25PBR9011MLevel 72024-25The fundamental purpose of this module is to provide the opportunity to develop the analytical and practical tools required for media placement of PR material to the best effect and within the context of a designed campaign. It aims to familiarise students with the variety of media available and seeks to enable students to make the best selection for their efforts as a PR practitioner, and then to establish the appropriate relationships leading to successful publication in line with the organisation’s defined PR objectives. Constraints on the process will be explored and metrics for evaluating success examined.CorePR Principles 2024-25PBR9016Level 72024-25The module will equip the student with knowledge to understand the history of PR and with skills to analyse PR activities either in-house or for a consultancy. Other topics include Companies/Corporate Considerations; NGOs/Charities; PR/Media Releases; Ethics/Codes of Practice; CSR/Corporate Citizenship; PR/Challenges of Activism; Financial PR; PR Measuring/Evaluation.CoreGender, Media and Culture in a Global Context 2024-25MED9039MLevel 72024-25This module examines the multi-directional and variable relationship between gender, media and culture. We will interrogate the category of gender as a tool of cultural analysis and its relation to media and popular culture. Gender will be presented as central to media and cultural formations, while media, mediation and culture will be presented as central to gender formations. Key concepts to be examined in relation to gender will include body, class, power, sexual difference, masculinity/femininity race/ethnicity, identity/non-identity and subjectivity. These concepts will be introduced and examined in relation to case studies, media practices and texts from a variety of historical and geo-political contexts.OptionalMedia Ecologies 1 2024-25MED9028MLevel 72024-25This module is designed to tackle critically the current disintegration between discrete media forms. It recognises that long established boundaries between modes, practices and conventions of media have become diffuse. Where, in the past, individual media forms were comfortably self-contained and distinctive, today these forms are experienced as a type of informational content that we access on multiple devices and in multiple contexts. The module understands contemporary media to be a complex, entangled ‘ecology’, a dynamic system in which any one product, device or image is always multiply connected, and in which our use of such media is necessarily informed by such connections. It insists that media activity is informed by a pattern of relations between individuals, political and economic institutions, commercial brands, and technologies.OptionalMedia Skills 2024-25PBR9012MLevel 72024-25This module aims to develop multiplatform media skills for the PR practitioner. Students will have the opportunity to write news releases and news stories and articles for corporate and consumer newsletters. Students have the chance to be introduced to the editorial and production skills required for multi-platform production in the increasingly converged media environment. The focus will be on organisational story telling and output production for broadcast (radio, TV and online) and print media. During the module, students will have the chance to work in a production workshop environment with all tasks performed under appropriate time constraints.OptionalOnline Communications 2024-25PBR9013MLevel 72024-25Optional

What You Need to Know

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.

What You Need to Know

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.

How you are assessed

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.

How you are assessed

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.

How to Apply

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.

How to Apply
A student listening in a seminar

Entry Requirements 2025-26

Entry Requirements

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.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/

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.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/

Entry Requirements 2024-25

Entry Requirements

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.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/

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.

https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/pre-sessionalenglishandacademicstudyskills/

Course Fees

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.

Course Fees

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.

Course Fees

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.

Course Fees

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.

Funding Your Study

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.

Explore Funding Options
Two students working on a laptop in a study space

Career Development

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.

Academic Contact

If you have any questions about this course, you can get in touch with the Programme Lead.

Dr Thomas Sutherland
TSutherland@lincoln.ac.uk

Postgraduate Events

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.

Upcoming Postgraduate Events
A group of students sat around a table, working together on a project
The University intends to provide its courses as outlined in these pages, although the University may make changes in accordance with the Student Admissions Terms and Conditions.