2025/26 entry

MA Mass Communications

Start date(s):
September
Study mode:
Full-time
Course duration:
12 months

Tuition fees

Home full-time per year
£8,390
International full-time per year
£17,750
General enquiries:
0151 231 5090
courses@ljmu.ac.uk
International admissions
international@ljmu.ac.uk

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About this course

LJMU's Mass Communications MA investigates the significance of media forms, the systems within which they operate and the challenges they face.

  • Develop exceptional transferable skills such as presentation, communication and interpersonal skills, skills in creative and analytical writing, organisation and time management
  • Study a course designed for students from a wide range of academic or vocational backgrounds, including those working within the media, cultural and communication industries
  • Follow a curriculum delivered by academic staff with a proven record in research and teaching
  • Join the cultural workforce with an understanding of how changes in policy and the politics of culture effect communication

Media industries and their content are often subject to scrutiny and debates concerning their communicative power and influence, professional practice, ethics and law. This MA will enable you to join the cultural workforce with an understanding of how changes in policy and the politics of culture impact communication. You will examine how communications, institutions and media systems connect with contemporary audience experience and participation.

The MA is delivered by academic staff with a proven record in research and teaching mass communications. It considers forms of communication in a range of contexts to highlight their historical development and explore their continued relevance within a contemporary digital media environment.

The knowledge you will gain on this course will strengthen your ability to create different kinds of communication for specific audiences, enabling you to understand how cultures are influenced and affected by such forms. You will be able to make ethical, relevant decisions with regards to journalism, academia, TV and radio broadcasting, PR and internet broadcasting and writing for the web.

 

  • Robyn's story

    Robyn Evans studied for her undergraduate degree in English Literature at LJMU before moving on to a Masters in Mass Communications.

    "These days I think you need a postgraduate qualification...

    Read more..

Professional body recognition

The Liverpool Screen School is a BAFTA albert Education Partner and proud to be working with albert to arm students with the sustainability knowledge they’ll need when joining the screen industries. BAFTA albert is the leading screen industry organisation for environmental sustainability.

Fees and funding

There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students

Fees

The fees quoted at the top of this page cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:

  • library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
  • access to programme-appropriate software
  • library and student IT support
  • free on-campus wifi via eduroam

Additional costs

Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:

  • accommodation and living expenditure
  • books (should you wish to have your own copies)
  • printing, photocopying and stationery
  • PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
  • mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
  • field trips (travel and activity costs)
  • placements (travel expenses and living costs)
  • student visas (international students only)
  • study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
  • academic conferences (travel costs)
  • professional-body membership
  • graduation (gown hire etc)

Funding

There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.

Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.

Employability

Further your career prospects

LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.

Engagement with this vibrant and innovative programme of study will provide you with a portfolio of skills that will be valuable for working in a range of media industries. The postgraduate research training that is integral to this course will also enable you to pursue further study at doctoral level.

Former students who have studied Mass Communications at LJMU have gone on to work in advertising, marketing, public relations, arts administration, publishing, industry, retail, leisure, charitable organisation management, educational administration, accountancy, the social services, teaching and the Civil Service.

You may also pursue a career in broadcasting (radio or television), digital media and public relations.

 

The student experience

Discover life as a postgraduate student at LJMU.

Course modules

Discover the building blocks of your programme

Your programme is made up of a number of core modules which are part of the course framework. Some programmes also have optional modules that can be selected to enhance your learning in certain areas and many feature a dissertation, extended report or research project to demonstrate your advanced learning.

Core modules

Theories, Concepts and Debates in Mass Communications
30 credits

This module aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of key theoretical frameworks relevant to Mass Communications. It enables you to establish a critical awareness of the field. It introduces a variety of ways in which the relationship between the mass media and society is theorised by academics and the issues currently debated in the field.The module explores media industries and content on a global scale to ensure students have a wide understanding of the contemporary field of media and communications studies.

Digital Cultures
30 credits

This module aims to:

  • contextualise the evolution of digital media and its perceived social purpose
  • critically assess how popular cultural practices are informed by changes in the commercial use of digital media
  • critically assess how digital media forms are used within professional contexts
  • evaluate current research on digital cultures

Mass Communications Dissertation
60 credits

This module is supported by Mass Communication Research Methods. The dissertation is designed to allow you to demonstrate your competence in selecting a relevant subject for investigation and exercising appropriate judgement in the planning and design of the project. It enables you to:

  • produce a dissertation that demonstrates original and independent research on Mass Communications
  • exercise initiative and personal responsibility in the development of the research project
  • engage confidently in academic communication

Perspectives on Mass Communication Research Methods
30 credits

This module will introduce you to specific research methods commonly used when researching mass communications. It aims to enable you to critically evaluate current research and advanced scholarship. The module is also designed to enable you to consider what constitutes a viable research project at MA level and to devise a suitable dissertation proposal.

Communications Practice
30 credits

How do organisations communicate in the digitally-focused 21st century environment? The module combines theoretical and hands-on, career-orientated exploration of this central question. Building on the evaluative skills that they developed in Digital Cultures, students examine theories of organisational communication and critically analyse current debates about how organisations can - and should - communicate in the digital age with their various audiences or publics. Utilizing their understanding of concepts such as the public sphere from semester one, they also investigate these issues in the context of the field of mass communications by considering the digital environment and its potential to foster participatory culture, drawing on selected case studies from particular media, cultural and communications industries. The module offers students the opportunity to apply their acquired skills and knowledge to a real-world organisational communications challenge, with input from actual employers. Organisations will be varied and will not simply include media businesses but also those from the wider cultural, activist and charitable sector. Assessments require students to think creatively and critically, drawing on theoretical knowledge to evaluate existing practice and apply this in the production of professional standard communication materials.

Teaching

An insight into teaching on your course

Teaching hours

Students attend university for teaching on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, with the research methods module taught over the full academic year.

Teaching methods

The course offers a range of approaches to learning, including field trips, with peer and tutor feedback greatly encouraged. Workshop activities and tutor support facilitate formative feedback to enable you to work on your weaknesses and build on your strengths.

Assessment

How learning is monitored on your programme

To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.

You will engage in a range of assessments, from standard essays (both tutor directed and student directed), to presentations, critical reviews of websites, various blog entries and a dissertation.

Course tutors

Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning

I enjoy teaching and engaging with a range of different students. Helping students to develop their academic skills, critical thinking and confidence in their independent research is enormously satisfying. Working with internationally renowned cultural partners such as Tate Liverpool and seeing students benefit from such partnerships has also been highly rewarding.

School facilities

What you can expect from your School

Based within the John Foster Building in the Mount Pleasant Campus, the School of Humanities and Social Science has many outstanding facilities, including well-equipped IT Suites, a light-filled Student Common Room and dedicated postgraduate study areas. At the back of the John Foster Building is the Aldham Robarts Library, which gives access to an exceptional range of materials to support the study of humanities and social science.

Entry requirements

You will need:

Qualification requirements

Undergraduate degree

  • a minimum second class honours degree in a Humanities or Social Science related discipline

Alternative qualifications considered

  • industry experience in a relevant sector such as PR, marketing and journalism. 

Additional requirements

  • Relevant work experience

    • If you do not have a degree, a minimum of five years work experience in a relevant field such as public relations, journalism, information officers, librarians, marketers, social media managers, social scientists and civil servants will be considered

International requirements

  • IELTS

    • IELTS English language requirement: 6.0-6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each component)

Further information

  • Extra Requirements
  • RPL

    • RPL is accepted on this programme

Application and selection

Securing your place at LJMU

To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.

Applications are considered by the programme leader and at least two course tutors. They are assessed on your application form and references. You will need to:

  • demonstrate sufficient knowledge to embark on the programme
  • display the potential to develop high level research skills
  • demonstrate the ability and commitment to work at postgraduate level

The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.

Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.