Overview
This multi-faceted course examines the development of structures of power, control and ownership of the media, and how media can be mobilised in activism, resistance and in social justice movements. Drawing on leading international academics and media professionals from across London, Communication and Media Studies at Brunel University London can be studied through two pathways, a theoretical pathway or a media practice pathway.
Our academics and media professionals will offer you the latest knowledge and draw on cutting edge debates to analyse how the media shapes culture and society, how digital media shapes social and power relations, and how media can be used for social activism.
On the theoretical media and communications route, students develop a detailed and meaningful understanding of the wide discipline of media and communications. They will engage with media and communications theory and research techniques, and develop skills that will allow them to critique media and communications in a sophisticated fashion. Students also have the opportunity to meet professionals working in the broadcast, advertising and marketing industries and to take part in course‑related field trips.
The course is designed to meet the needs of advanced students with backgrounds in media, sociology and other relevant disciplines and is also perfectly suited for professionals in the communications/broadcast industry seeking to gain a more sociologically informed understanding of those industries. The courses offer a distinctive focus on media activism and politics.
The degree offers the opportunity to study London’s media industry including a mixture of industry visits, guest lectures, mentoring and practical skills development to accommodate different student needs, with a strong emphasis on student engagement with entrepreneurship and professional development. Our graduates typically progress to further advanced academic research or pursue careers in the media industries. Destinations will include independent media production companies, public and private institutions (BBC, Channel 4, ITV) and an increasing number of media activist organisations.
"The course was immensely stimulating, allowing me indulge some of my existing interests and introducing me to plenty of new topics and ideas" - Paul Solman
"The course was immensely stimulating, allowing me indulge some of my existing interests and introducing me to plenty of new topics and ideas" - Paul Solman
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
This course offers a global and interdisciplinary approach to how contemporary digital media technologies shape cultures and societies. Drawing on critical media studies, digital media and media production it challenges assumptions about the media’s impact on individuals, institutions and power relations in social and political contexts.
The traditional theoretical pathway teaches viewing media not just as entertainment but through critique and as a lens for social and political engagement.
Throughout the course you can combine critical theoretical and empirical study of the media including issues of media audiences together with the study of developments in information and communication technologies. You will be required to do a dissertation on any aspect of Media and Communications study. Typical modules on the programme include Digital Audiences and Identities, Digital Media Career Development and Media as Power (see below for more modules).
Compulsory
- CO5xxA - Digital Media, Social Movements and Change
The module aims to provide students with an in-depth and critical understanding of how social movements occur, succeed, or fail in bringing social and/or political change. By focusing on empirical cases, students will study the use of old and new media tools, the role of leaders and collective identity formation during the social movements, as well as governmental and international response to these developments. The students will develop strategic thinking through critically analysing the organisation, mobilisation and coordination of the old and contemporary movements in the digital age.
- CO5601 Media as Power
- PP5619 - Researching Social & Political Sciences
This module aims to promote critical understanding of different approaches to the conduct of research in the social and political sciences. It will provide a critical overview of some key methods appropriate to the field of researching social and political sciences that are suitable for student dissertations, engage students in practical experience in the design and conduct of research projects using different research methods, provide a critical grounding in qualitative methods relevant to research in diverse areas of social and political research, and equip students with the necessary background to read and critically evaluate research in these fields and to carry out their own research.
- CO5606 - 21st Century Media-Bodies
This module provides students with a sophisticated, critical knowledge and understanding of the relationships between media, bodies and culture. These relationships are explored in relation to their institutional, historical and social contexts and their material and textual emergence. The module explores the relationship between bodies and media in a broad range of contexts (e.g. through a consideration of identity, lived experience, representation, participation and audiences). The module educates students in the application of diverse theories and methods and equips them with appropriate knowledge, understanding and analytical skills needed to examine the relationships between media, bodies and culture. The module provides students with the tools to analyse the role of power relations in shaping media bodes and modes of resistance to these.
- CO5600 Written Dissertation
Optional
- JR5xxA - AI for Journalists, Campaigners and Activists
Since 2022, the integration of AI generative and assistive into newsrooms, campaigns and activism has accelerated. The module aims to prepare students for the changing nature of news, campaigning and activism as professionals increasingly appropriate and adapt AI to the workplace. It does so through a mix of theory and practical workshops. Theoretical engagement seeks to develop students’ critical reflexivity about rapid changes, how AI systems are reconfiguring the human-machine relationship and the implications for working practices. The practical dimensions expose students to a series of case studies and to working with some of the key tools and techniques used to identify AI-generated images, check the veracity of outputs and identify gaps in news or campaigning materials.
- CO5607 Digital Media Career Development
- JR5617 - Multi-platform Storytelling
Through this module, you will develop advanced skills in researching, designing, and page layout, video, photography, audio, and scriptwriting for multimedia storytelling. By the end of the module, you will be able to construct visual stories in various contexts and audiences using photographs, audio podcasts, video clips, magazine design and page layout, and webcasting.
- PP5618 - Politics and Digital Cultures
The module, in exploring the relationship between politics and digital cultures, aims to develop students’ critical knowledge and understanding of the interplay between the two. It does so by interrogating how different political actors use digital cultures and how such cultures hold actors up to scrutiny, ridicule or praise. It also explores the ways in which digital cultures facilitate (or impede) new political visibilities and consumption of politics.
- PP5629 - Political and Strategic Communication
The module aims to develop students' ability to apply strategic thinking to campaign planning while providing a strong theoretical understanding of political and strategic communication across various contexts. Students will also learn to trace changes and continuities in communication technologies and practices over time.
- CO5608 Political Satire & Comedy
- JR5622 - Fake News, Images and Websites
The module is a mix of theory and practice. In the theory classes, you will learn about historical and contemporary approaches to understanding fake news, manipulated images, and conspiracy theories. The practical workshops teach you the techniques and tools for verifying or debunking claims, images, and videos. The assessment is a mix of theory and practice.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
The Media and Communications MSc is perfect if you’re interested in a career in the media or creative industries. You will gain the theoretical and practical skills you need for the fast‑paced media environment, network with media practitioners and gain an in-depth overview of both media and society. Career opportunities for our graduates typically include further advanced academic research or pursuing careers in the media industries such as Disney Channel, the BBC and Sky.
Whatever your career goals, this course will help you achieve them. We invite professionals who are working in the media and broadcast industry (advertising and marketing, television documentary and different PR organisations) to come and deliver talks and offer careers advice. You’ll benefit from bespoke workshops and lectures to enhance your employability skills, including media and communications careers advise and help on pitching yourself to employers.
Many of our students go on to advanced academic research or to pursue careers within the media industries. Typical job roles include Press and Communications Officer and Head of Information. Past students have worked in developing countries for HGO’s or as technology consultants.
UK entry requirements
- A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification, in a Media/Communications-related subject (Social Science, Business Studies, Arts and Humanities, Media, Communications, Sociology, Cultural Studies, Politics, History, Film Studies, Geography, Criminology).
- Applicants with other qualifications, or equivalent professional qualifications with considerable relevant work experience will be considered on an individual basis.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2026/27 entry
International
£20,400 full-time
£10,200 part-time
UK
£13,280 full-time
£6,640 part-time
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
You’ll have the opportunity to be assessed through a variety of traditional and new assessment types. Assessments can include traditional essays and reviews, contributing to online blogs and engage in critical analysis of visual media. You’ll be assessed through essays, report writing, blog entries and group work. You’ll also complete a written dissertation.
Under supervision, students will build up a portfolio of work to use as a calling card in the world of freelance employment, as well as in more structured career paths. The design of these portfolios will be informed by the industry contacts that students engage with on the course and will help graduates to be well-equipped to undertake a number of positions in the media.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.