MA Mass Communications
- Entry year:
- 2025/26
- Start date:
- September
- Study mode:
- Full-time
- Course duration:
- 12 months
- Campus:
- Mount Pleasant
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 to stand out from the crowd and I decided to study Mass Communications as it seemed a good way of covering all aspects of media.
One of the great things about my Masters is the small class size. There are just eight of us on the programme so lecturers can focus on our individual interests. One session we can be talking about gaming or music and the next we will be looking at fashion blogging. I am particularly enjoying doing the research for my dissertation. I have been able to concentrate on my interests and so the research doesn't seem like work at all.
Initially Masters study was a little harder than I imagined but I think that was because I was studying a completely new subject. It is certainly manageable though - as long as you are able to work independently.
From being young I have always been drawn to LJMU as it seems a much more modern and creative university than many others. It has a lovely relaxed atmosphere but you always know that the help is there when you need it. The fact that the Faculties are in different areas of the city is also good as our tutors encourage us to mix with other disciplines and that really helps to develop your networking skills.
In terms of the city itself I really love Liverpool and would happily move here to work.
Masters study for me has been a much better option than going straight into work. It has given me the opportunity to really think about what I want to do. I now know I want to get into digital writing and eventually work freelance. The experience has taught me how to work independently and given me more of a professional work ethic.
If you are worried about the cost of a Masters remember that you can work part-time and pay your fees in instalments. Postgraduate study has certainly been the right decision for me."
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Professional accreditation
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.
Your Learning Experience
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.
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.
Where you will study
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.
Course tutors
Dr Nedim Hassan
- Programme leader
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.
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.
Ned's research interests include the roles of music in everyday domestic life, 1980s rock and metal music culture, as well as contemporary metal music cultures. He has conducted extensive ethnographic research that has examined domestic musical practice, community music-making and metal music culture. Previous published work focuses upon domestic and public musical performing as a resource for social interaction and the articulation of self-identity, the politics of leisure for adults with learning disabilities and the representation of hard rock and metal music of the 1980s. He is currently engaged in an ethnographic project that examines rock and metal music scenes in Merseyside, UK.
Career paths
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.
Tuition fees and funding
- Home full-time per year:
- £8,390
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
Financial Support
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. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
How to apply
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
Your university life
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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.