MA Media & Communication

• Key Concepts & Methods: Users and Producers: This unit explores the key concepts and methods associated with analysing and understanding audiences and producers following a project-based learning approach. It introduces the academic study of media and communication, focusing on concepts and methods used to research users and producers. 
• Key Concepts & Methods: Texts and Artefacts: This unit explores the key concepts and methods associated with analysing and understanding texts/artefacts following a project-based learning approach. It provides an introduction to the academic study of media and communication, particularly emphasising the role of media and communication research and its relationship with society and culture. 
• Communicating Ideas in the Digital Age: This unit explores the ways in which research, and ideas more generally, can be expressed and communicated via alternatives to the book, the article and the lecture. It examines, for example, the communicative power of video, audio, performance, social media, and games in order to consider how knowledge is mediated in different forms. Students will develop skills as producers, curators and experts as they devise methods and artefacts which translate complex research ideas into forms which are comprehensible by particular audiences. 
• Media Diversity & Cross-cultural Communication: This unit aims to support students in developing the knowledge and skills to critically evaluate cross-cultural contexts and to reflect on key themes in the area of media and diversity. The unit will analyse how social and cultural diversity is constructed, represented and understood by the media. 
• Major Project: The Major Project is the programme’s capstone unit comprising of a dissertation and exhibition. The dissertation aims to provide students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their critical, analytical and research skills by undertaking a significant piece of academic work as the culmination of their programme. The aim of the exhibition is to provide students with the experience of translating their academic work into a media artefact and practice-based presentation, synthesising and furthering their skills in communicating ideas, translating research into media artefacts and targeting audiences.

Choose one of the following option units each semester:

• Contemporary Perspectives in Media and Communication: This unit focuses on contemporary perspectives in the field, exploring cutting-edge topics, new methods of research, and emergent areas of scholarship. To develop a critical understanding of how academic fields, and associated professional practice develops, the unit examines the role that perspective plays in debates around innovation, industry dynamics, media environments, policies and practices.   
• Media & Global Challenges: This unit explores the function and role of the media in the context of shared global challenges, and specifically those defined by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Agenda. It will also examine the role of media and journalism to empower communities to respond to and reduce the risks posed by the challenges defined in the SDGs 
• New Media Innovation: In this unit you’ll engage with key issues and debates facing a networked media landscape, where audiences as passive consumers make way for collaborative reporting and crowdsourcing. Ways new media can complement and improve existing journalistic processes will be at the forefront, including data journalism, increased transparency and accountability, mobile news applications and augmented reality. You'll gain an understanding of how to undertake developing online civic media projects for journalistic purposes. 
• Brands & Branding: This unit aims to consolidate your understanding of why a brand is a strategic asset for an organisation; how the asset is realised, protected and valued not as a cost but as a source of revenue/ value. You will also be encouraged to critically reflect upon the role and impact of brands and branding in today’s contemporary society and appreciate how branding and brand communications need to evolve in the world of 24/7/always on connected audiences. You will also be exposed to new and emerging forms of brand communication such as branded content, branded entertainment and transmedia storytelling. 
• Consumer Insights: Through applied work, you will gain a critical appreciation of the role of theory in generating commercially consumer viable insights and in marketing communications practice. Throughout, the importance of understanding consumer culture and behaviour for the effective development and implementation of marketing communications is explored and analysed.

Please note that option units require minimum numbers in order to run and may only be available on a semester by semester basis. They may also change from year to year.

You have the option to undertake a 30-week placement during the course, providing an opportunity to apply your acquired knowledge and skills in the workplace. You are required to find your own placement; however, our Careers & Employability Service and your faculty placements office are on hand to support you.

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the University's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry. If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

Please see our website for the application deadlines. You should apply as early as possible to be considered for your course of choice. If you require a student visa, apply for the visa as soon as you have an unconditional offer and receive your CAS. There may be delays in visa processing in your country and you need to be in Bournemouth ready to study for the start of term.

December and January is one of our busiest application periods and therefore it may take us a little longer to process incoming applications. For courses with a January start date, we recommend submitting your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Click the green ‘Apply now’ button to submit your application free of charge online through myHub, our application portal. You will create your own myHub account so that you can track the progress of your application. Don’t forget to save your application as you go; you can return to it at as many times as you want before you submit it. For more information visit our How to apply section.

• Communication Officer
• Marketing and Communications Assistant
• Editorial Assistant
• Copywriter

We will provide a great deal of help and support to ensure you achieve a rewarding and satisfying placement as we are dedicated to giving you the best possible start in your future career.

Media & Communication students benefit from strong links between BU and leading companies in corporate communications, journalism, animation and media production.

Examples of some of the roles our placement students have previously completed include:

• Online Sales Executive at Viet Guys (Vietnam)
• Assistant Producer at TalkSport Ltd.
• Social Media Manager at Guanghua Media UK Ltd.                    
• Research Assistant at Bournemouth University.

A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:2, or equivalent

If you lack the formal academic qualifications needed to enter a postgraduate or post-experience degree, there are several alternative routes to follow - some based on experience. Contact the Future Students Enquiry team for more information.

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry:

• India: Bachelor’s degree (three years) from a recognised HE institution with a minimum overall result of 55%  
• Nigeria: Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution with a minimum classification of 2:4  
• China: Chinese Bachelor's (Honours) degree from a recognised higher education institution with 65% or above  
• Turkey: Bachelor’s degree (Lisans Diplomasi - four years) with a minimum overall GPA of 2.3/4.0  
• Ghana: Bachelor's degrees from University of Ghana or Legon with a grade of 2.00 or above, or from Cape Coast with a grade 2.5 or above  
• USA: US Bachelor’s degree (four years), with a 2.5 GPA or above  

All applications will be subject to a minimum grade and your degree may need to be in a relevant subject area.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

• IELTS (Academic) 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component or equivalent.

View further information about our English language requirements.

Bournemouth University International College offers a number of pre-sessional English and preparatory programmes to prepare international students for postgraduate study at BU. Admission to the degree is guaranteed on successful completion of your course to the required level.

As a Media & Communication graduate, you will be prepared to undertake roles such as*:

• Journalism
• Advertising
• Public relations
• Publishing
• Management

*All information shown has been taken from Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) or BU institutional data unless otherwise stated.

If you want to continue your studies after achieving your Master's, you can look into our range of doctoral programmes.

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

• Our fees commitment means your tuition fees are fixed at the price quoted.
• Materials for laboratory and mandatory field-based teaching activity.
• Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement if this is part of your course of study.
• A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service.
• The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces.
• Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, integrated social media and advanced video features.
• IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow.
• Free software download to your personal device of Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus while you are studying, as well as access to applications provided on AppsAnywhere, subject to licensing and compatibility restrictions.
• Disability and additional learning support, according to individual circumstances.
• The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills.
• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, visit our website for information regarding hardship funds.
• ​Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of text books and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shop stocks a wide range of stationery supplies. 
• Accommodation and living costs. Please visit our website for more information.
• ​Travel costs for optional field trips, outdoor wear and footwear for mandatory and optional field trips (if applicable).
• Travel costs to and from the University campus. An annual bus pass can be purchased alongside your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchased separately.
• ​Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas) if this is part of your course of study. Placement year funding information can be found on our website.
• You will need to meet the cost of any Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if required by your placement setting, including any Post Office or Digital ID verification charges.
• Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement if this is part of your course of study. 
• SportBU membership.

While all aspects of the programme, including required field trips, are included in the fee, additional, optional or extra curricula activities may be available for which a student contribution is required.

If you need to repeat one or more units during the course of your studies (with or without attendance) the pricing will be pro-rata of the full time fee.

International (not Rep. of Ireland) students need to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure their place on a postgraduate course. For January 2025 entry, a £5,000 deposit is required. You will need to pay your deposit by the date stated in your offer letter. The remainder of your fee will be payable on registration/enrolment. There are two exceptions to the non-refundable rule on the deposit:

• You fail to meet the academic or English requirements of your offer
• You are refused a visa to enter the UK, provided the reason for the refusal is not a fraudulent application.

We offer a range of scholarships to students who are beginning their studies at BU. Our fees and funding pages also provide details on living costs, budgeting and paying your tuition fees.

Before returning to university to complete a PhD, Max worked for twelve years as a journalist, writer and researcher in Italy, Germany and Venezuela. In 2014, he was awarded a FIFA Research Scholarship to conduct a study on migrant youth, football and belonging, which led to the publication of the book “The Balotelli Generation. Issues of Inclusion and belonging in Italian football and society”. In 2019, he completed a follow up to his PhD ethnographic research carried out in Dublin, Ireland, and published the book “Youth sport, migration and culture. Two football teams and the changing face of Ireland”. His work has also been published in journals, including Media, Culture and Society, European Journal of Cultural Studies, Communication and Sport, Cultural Studies/Critical Methodologies, Sport in Society.

Xin is a Lecturer (Academic) in Communication and Journalism at the Faculty of Media and Communication. Xin is the Programme Leader of MA Media and Communication. Research lies in the intersections of media, international communication, and political communication, particularly interested in topics such as media representation of the notion of national responsibility, media and environmental justice, digital citizenship, and journalism in China’s mediated international communication. Xin has published in journals including Journalism, Asian Journal of Communication, and Media and Communication. Before joining Bournemouth University, Xin taught at Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College as an Assistant Professor in Public Relations and Advertising and at Swansea University as a Tutor in Media and Communications. Before joining academia, Xin worked as an intern journalist in several Chinese news institutions, including Xinhua News Agency, China Science Daily, and China Youth Daily.

Anna is an Associate Professor in Digital Storytelling. Before joining the department of Journalism, English and Communication, Anna was a Lecturer in Media and Politics at BU from 2013-2015. Prior to this, she taught at Richmond, the American University in London and held fellow positions at the Rutgers University Center for Historical Analysis, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and the Institute for Historical Research at the University of London. Anna graduated from McGill University in 2008 with a PhD in Communication Studies. Anna's doctoral research is on communication and creativity at women's peace camps was supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada and the Beaverbrook Fund at McGill.

Since 2001, Janice has been researching and publishing in the areas of digital virtual consumption and consumer/marketing research. Janice received a PhD in Management from the University of Exeter. Anna has award-winning work which has been published in journals, including European Journal of Marketing, Journal of Marketing Management, Journal of Consumer Culture, Journal of Macromarketing, Journal of Consumer Culture, Consumption, Markets & Culture and the Journal of Consumer Behaviour. Papers on digital virtual consumption and consumer power have topped most cited league tables. In 2011, Consumption, Markets & Culture awarded Janice's paper on Digital Virtual Consumption a Best Paper prize.

Dr. Antje Glück is a Lecturer in Multimedia Journalism at Bournemouth University. She teaches on the BA(Hons) and MA courses for Journalism and Digital Media. She holds a PhD from the University of Leeds and a double MA in Journalism and Arabic Studies from the University of Leipzig in Germany. Her studies led her to spend time abroad in Egypt, Spain and France. Parallel, she was working as a freelance journalist since 1998 for various print, radio and television media in Germany, France, Egypt and India.

Jamie Matthews is Principal Academic in Communication and Media. His research interests include international communication, journalism studies, with a particular interest in disaster journalism, media framing of crises and conflict and its intersection with public opinion dynamics. Some of his recent work on media and disaster communication, terrorism and the role of media in democratic transition has been published in journals including International Communication Gazette, Asian Journal of Communication and Critical Studies on Terrorism.

Jamie’s research is international in its scope and he has recently completed a funded research project in Japan on the contribution of local media to disaster response and recovery following the 3/11 disaster. He is currently co-editing a book for Palgrave Macmillan on Media and Disaster Communities and leading a knowledge exchange project with partner institutions in Japan that evaluates how community and citizen-orientated media may support communities that are at risk to prepare for disaster.

Tauheed's research interests are currently orientated around three main areas: (1) corporate brand communications (2) online brand communities (3) responsible consumption practices. My PhD dissertation explored corporate (charity) brand relationships within a non-profit context. As a ‘fused’ academic, Tauheed also assists various types of organisations in solving brand-related issues through the understanding and application of relevant theoretical concepts and frameworks.

Prior to joining academia, Tauheed worked for two years within the United Nations where he contributed to raising the online communications profile of the UNDP Country Office (Mauritius). He also spent several years within the advertising/public relations industry holding various positions such as Client Service Executive, Strategic Planner, and Head of Advertising & Creative Services.

Brad Gyori is a Senior Lecturer in Digital Storytelling at Bournemouth University. He is the Programme Leader for the MA in Creative Writing and Publishing and an HEA Senior Fellow. He holds a PhD in Rhetoric and Composition from Arizona State University and has taught both media theory and production at ASU and the Tribeca Academy in downtown Chicago. He is a practice-led researcher, playwright, web designer, screenwriter, director, journalist, songwriter and novelist. As a television writer-producer, he has worked for such networks as MTV, VH1, FX, E! and HBO online. For ten years, he was the Head Writer of the Emmy award winning Talk Soup. He has been nominated for five Emmys. His articles have appeared in The Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, Journalism and Mass Communication Educator, Interactive Storytelling, Journalism Education, The Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-based Learning and Flow. In 2014, his play Desolation Angels was presented as a staged reading at Chicago's Steppenwolf theatre...