MSc Media and Communications (2025)

Overview

  • Introduction
  • Preliminary readings

Introduction

This programme offers an intensive, year-long exploration of a wide range of contemporary issues in media and communications.

It aims to provide a broad-based understanding of the development and forms of media and communications in relation to political economy, regulation and power, production and organisation, processes of mediation and influence, communication content and audience response. It offers an up-to-date engagement with diverse theoretical, conceptual and empirical developments in research on media and communications through a mix of compulsory and optional courses and an independent research project.

We attract students from a diverse range of backgrounds, often including professional experience working in media and communications-related fields. Indeed, the opportunity for cross-cultural meetings and exchange of ideas among the student body is a valuable feature of studying within the Department.

You may also be interested in the research track of this programme, which is particularly suited to students wishing to undertake MPhil/PhD degrees or pursue research-related careers.

Entry requirements

Either (a) Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in social science, or (b) Upper second class (2:1) degree or equivalent in another field with professional experience in the media and communications field.

Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

  • Overseas

Overseas

    English language requirements

    The English language requirement for this programme is Higher. Read more about our English language requirements.

    Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this does not guarantee you an offer of a place.

    However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out from other students.

    Programme content

    • Year 1

    Year 1

    You take two courses on media and communications theories and concepts and a course in research methods, and will choose courses from a range of options within the department and across other relevant departments, such as sociology, gender, law, and psychological and behavioural science. In addition, you'll submit a dissertation of 12,000 words.

    MC408

    Half unit

    Theories and Concepts in Media and Communications

    MC418

    Half unit

    Communication: Cultures and Approaches

    MC499

    One unit

    Dissertation: Media and Communications

    Courses to the value of one and a half units from a range of options

    Browse your options

    For the latest list of courses, please go to the relevant School Calendar page.

    A few important points you’ll need to know:

    We may need to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees due to unforeseen circumstances. We’ll always notify you as early as possible and recommend alternatives where we can.

    The School is not liable for changes to published information or for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside our control (including a lack of demand, industrial action, fire, flooding or other damage to premises).

    Places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements so we cannot therefore guarantee you a place.

    Changes to programmes and courses may be made after you’ve accepted your offer of a place – normally due to global developments in the discipline or student feedback. We may also make changes to course content, teaching formats or assessment methods but these are always made to improve the learning experience.

    Forfull details about the availability or content of courses and programmes,please take a look at the School’sCalendar, or contactthe relevant academic department.

    Somemajor changes to programmes/courses are posted on ourupdated graduate course and programme information page.

    Why study with us

    Discover more about our students and department.

    • Meet the department
    • Why LSE

    Meet the department

    The Department ofMedia and Communications is a world-leading centre for education and researchin the field. Our department is ranked number 1 in the UK and number 2 globallyfor communication and media studies (2024 QS World University Rankings).

    We offer studentsa wide selection of programmes, including master’s degrees, doctoralresearch training and short courses. At any one time, we have around 270master’s students and 30 PhD students from around the world – all varying inage, professional experience and backgrounds.

    Within the department, our research is organised around four key themes: media culture and identities, media participation and politics, communication histories and futures, and communication technology, rights and justice. The outputs from our research are shared with organisations such as the BBC, Facebook, Google, UNICEF, Ofcom and the UK/EU governments.

    LSE’s location at the heart of London, one of the world's media capitals, allows us to foster close links with media and communications industries and policymakers.

    Graduates from our programmes progress to interesting roles in broadcasting, journalism, advertising, new media industries, political marketing, market research, regulation and policy, media management and research in the public and private sectors.

    Department of Media and Communications

    MSc Media and Communications (1)

    Your application

    • Overview
    • When to apply

    Overview

    We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students. At LSE, we want to recruit students with the best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of background.

    We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form, such as your:

    • academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
    • statement of academic purpose
    • two academic references
    • CV.

    See further information on supporting documents.

    You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.

    Please note: The applications, intake and ratio values below includes the MSc Media and Communications (Data and Society), MSc Media and Communications (Research) and MSc Media and Communications (Media and Communication Governance).

    1162

    Applications

    145

    Intake

    8:1

    2023

    Ratio

    Fees and funding

    Thetable of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.

    You're charged a fee for your programme. At LSE, your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

    • Home
    • Overseas

    Home

    £28,900

    Home student fee (2025/26)

    For this programme, all students pay the same tuition fees, regardless of their fee status.

    At LSE, your tuition fees, and eligibility for any financial support, will depend on whether you’re classified as a home or overseas student (known as your fee status). We assess your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department for Education.

    Further information about fee status classification.

    Fee reduction

    Students who completed undergraduate study at LSE and are beginning taught graduate study at the School are eligible for afee reductionof around 10 per cent of the fee.

    Scholarships and other funding

    We recognisethat thecost of living in Londonmaybe higher than in your home town/city or country and we provide generousscholarships tohelp both home and overseas students.

    We offer someneeds-based awards for this programme, including theGraduate Support Scheme,Master's Awards, andAnniversary Scholarships. Competitionfor these awards and scholarships is strong. To apply for an award, you musthave an offer of a place and submit a Graduate FinancialSupportapplication beforethe funding deadline.

    The funding deadline for needs-based awards from LSE: 24 April 2025.

    In addition toour needs-based awards, we offer scholarships for students from specific regions of the worldand awards for certain subjects.

    You can’t apply for a Graduate Support Scheme or LSE scholarship once you’ve joined the School.

    Please note: we do expect students who register for a programme to have sufficient funds for the duration.

    Government tuition fee loans and external funding

    The UK Government offers a postgraduate loan for eligible students studying for a first master’s programme. This is designed to help with fees and living costs. Some other governments and organisations also offer tuition fee loan schemes.

    Find out more about tuition fee loans.

    Further information

    Learn moreabout fees and funding opportunities.

    Learning and assessment

    • How you learn
    • How you're assessed

    How you learn

    Within your programme you'll take a number of courses, often including half unit courses and full unit courses. In half unit courses, on average, you can expect 20-30 contact hours in total and for full unit courses, on average, you can expect 40-60 contact hours in total. This includes sessions such as lectures, classes, seminars or workshops. Hours vary according to courses and you can view indicative details in the Calendar within the Teaching section of each course guide.

    You're also expected to complete independent study outside of class time. This varies depending on the programme, but requires you to manage the majority of your study time yourself, by engaging in activities such as reading, note-taking, thinking and research.

    Formal classroom teaching is usually completed by the end of the Winter Term. Coursework is usually submitted in January and May, and examinations are generally held in May and June. The remaining months are set aside for you to complete the dissertations supported by staff supervision.

    LSE is internationally recognised for its teaching and research and therefore employs a rich variety of teaching staff with a range of experience and status. Courses may be taught by individual members of faculty, such as lecturers, senior lecturers, readers, associate professors and professors. Many departments now also employ guest teachers and visiting members of staff, LSE teaching fellows and graduate teaching assistants who are usually doctoral research students and in the majority of cases, teach on undergraduate courses only. You can view indicative details for the teacher responsible for each course in the relevant course guide.

    Part-time students will normally take and be examined in courses to the value of two units in each year of study. In the first year, these two units, selected in discussion with your academic mentor, will usually include the compulsory theoretical course(s) and one or more option course(s). The methods course(s) and the dissertation are then usually taken in the second year, together with the remaining option course(s). You may be permitted to vary the courses to be taken in each year with the approval of your academic mentor.

    Academic mentor: you’ll meet with your academic mentor regularly to discuss your work. Your mentor can provide advice and guidance on academic issues and, where appropriate, personal concerns.

    Other academic support: at LSE, we offer lots of opportunities to extend your learning outside the classroom.

    LSE LIFE is a great place to get advice and practise the skills you’ll need during your studies and beyond.

    Through LSE LIFE, you can:

    • attend workshops on developing leadership skills, finding the right study/work/life balance and preparing for the world of work
    • develop your reading, academic writing and critical-thinking skills
    • gain experience of working in study groups and develop your cross-cultural communication and teamwork skills.

    Disability and Mental Health Service: we want all LSE students to achieve their full potential. Students can access free, confidential advice through our Disability and Mental Health Service. This is the first point of contact for students.

    Graduate destinations

    • Overview
    • Career support

    Overview

    On graduating, our students enter a variety of careers in the UK and abroad, including broadcasting, journalism, advertising, new media industries, political marketing, market research, regulation and policy, media management and research in both the public and private sectors.

    Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

    Median salary of our postgraduate students 15 months after graduating:

    £35,500

    Top 5 sectors our students work in:

    Advertising, Marketing, PR, Media, Entertainment, Publishing and Journalism

    Government, Public Sector and Policy

    Education, Teaching and Research

    Consultancy

    Information, Digital Technology and Data

    This data is drawn from the 2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey, run by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and in full-time employment.

    Find out more

    • Explore LSE

    Explore LSE

    Student life

    Discover our campus and student services

    MSc Media and Communications (2)

    Student support

    Find out more about our academic guidance, advice and pastoral care

    MSc Media and Communications (3)

    Accommodation

    Explore the accommodation services we offer to our students

    MSc Media and Communications (4)

    Meet, visit and discover LSE

    Attend our in-person events or explore LSE from home

    MSc Media and Communications (5)

    MSc Media and Communications (2025)
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