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Postgraduate Programs in Media Studies
Media studies involves the study of mass media. Think about Bill Turnbull, Richard and David Attenborough, Reeta Chakrabati, Luc Besson and Roman Polanski – what do they all have in common? They are all famous names in the European media industry.
There is a large amount of people who want to become journalists, TV presenters, directors and broadcasters in Europe, and all these professions are within the mass media. So, if you want to get yourself on the forefront of these jobs, a postgraduate course in media studies is the best route for you to take, and with a huge selection of different media and cultures, Europe is the place to be.
Here we give you a roundup of some of the more popular fields of study within Media Studies, including some example of some of the best media studies postgraduate programs that are available in the UK and Europe. Remember, this is simply a small selection of the courses available, and there are thousands of media postgraduate courses in Europe.
Use our A-Z search facility and work out what is the right one for you!
Find postgraduate programs in MEDIA STUDIESMedia and communication masters degrees
Media and communication involve the history and most recent development of the media, giving an insight into the theory as to how media developed, as well as how it has grown across the globe. A masters in media and communication will provide a deeper understanding into this subject area and will also give you experience about how to work in the media.
Where can you study media and communications?
The London School of Economics in the UK is a renowned institution and has an acclaimed Msc Media and Communications program – this course subject involves a lot of theory and is limited to practical work. Suzie Blaszkiewicz, graduated from LSE with a masters degree in Media & Communications, she says, “It’s interesting to be in a city like London studying media because it has a very rich history of media and a very strong relationship with the government, which I think is important when studying this subject.”
Goldsmiths College also in London, offers an MA program in Media and Communications that looks at all aspects of the media, including sociological, economical and cultural theories of the media. Jennifer Izaakson, who studied media studies at Goldsmiths explains, “The teaching was fantastic the degree makes you realise the role media plays in wider society.”
Bournemouth University is located in the southwest of the UK and is renowned for its beautiful beaches; it’s a great tourist destination. Bournemouth University is well known for arts and its Department of Media Production is the UK’s largest centre for professional media in higher education. This is ideal for helping students to learn about media and gives them the skills to work in the industry such as radio or TV presenting skills.
Alternatively, the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands offers a Research Media Studies Masters. This course is a multi-disciplinary course that is both theoretical and practical. The masters degree explore the effects of technology, society, and institutions within media in contemporary culture. It also analyses the historical context of media studies. The practical side of this MA encompasses the use of film, television and digital media to give students the all-round knowledge needed to explore this industry further.
Entry requirements for postgraduate programs in media studies
To pursue postgrad studies within the UK, you will be required to have done an undergraduate degree, in which you have obtained 2:1. Some places may not require a 2:1 but generally for postgrad study it is the norm. If you are an international student you will also need to have taken an English fluency course such as IELTS or TOEFL. You should email the course administrator at the institution you are interested in to enquire further.
For postgraduate study in the rest of Europe, you will also be required to have taken English fluency tests such as IELTS, the International English Language Testing System and achieve a certain score to study a masters degree. Please go to the university website for further details on this.
For some postgraduate courses, such as an MA in Journalism, a portfolio of your journalistic work will need to be provided along with proof of journalistic work experience.
Find postgraduate programs in COMMUNICATIONS STUDIESMedia-related masters degree subjects
There are several other subjects that are related to media studies and will often be studied as part of a media studies masters course. They can also be studied as standalone postgraduate programs if you wish to specialise further.
Journalism masters degrees
Journalism in its many forms is a really popular career path and studying it at postgrad level gives students the necessary skills to go out and find news stories, as well as how to write and present them.
City St George’s University London is renowned for its journalism masters programs and provides students with all the necessary practical skills they will require to be a journalist. It’s a hands-on course in which the students are treated as journalists being given the task of finding a news story or a feature article topic in a certain number of hours. And let’s not forget, as the university is based in London, it is surrounded by many of the UK’s news and media headquarters making it a great place to study.
Cardiff University in Wales also has a prominent reputation for postgraduate journalism courses. Its approach is similar to that of City St George’s University, as it also throws students into the deep end of journalism, encouraging them to write on a regular basis. Cardiff is a popular city for students to study and live in, and the university also has a wide range of social activities to do and clubs to join.
Film studies masters degrees
Ever wanted to be the next James Cameron, Martin Scorsese or Greta Gerwig? If so, then a postgraduate program in film studies is the way to go as this study option will teach you all about becoming a director or screenwriter.
King's College London has a Film Studies MA that analyses both the film industry and the film culture globally. This course is more theoretical than practical but does allow students to study the making of a film and what it incorporates, which is useful for any Baz Luhrmann wannabes.
Public relations masters degrees
Many people often get confused as to what Public Relations (PR) is – so here’s our explanation! PR involves managing information for a client or brand to the public. It’s an area that can lead into many different industries such as entertainment, technology, and education. PR is a great postgraduate course and career choice for those who have the gift of the gab.
The University of Westminster in London has an established Public Relations MA/MSc that will challenge your ideas and thoughts on PR. It involves a mixture of both practical and academic study to give students a deeper understanding into the media industry and how important PR is for various brands and companies.
Career prospects in media studies
Here’s a summary of some of just a few career paths you may be able to follow after doing a postgraduate program in media studies.
PR officer – to become a PR officer a masters degree will be a huge benefit and proof of work experience placements done in this area. PR officers work with a list of their company’s clients, who they represent in terms of public interaction. Work will include creating press releases of any new products or services being offered and organising events to launch these products.
Film/TV director – directors are the main people who direct and lead actors and the production team in the making of films, TV programs, plays, musicals or music videos. Being a director involves deciding how the shot should be filmed and how the actors should act. It’s a job that needs creativity and tenacity.
Media analyst – this involves analysing current trends in the industry on both an international and national scale. Media analysts also forecast any future trends, which may appear. The role will entail examining the interaction between organisations and the media.
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