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Master in Communication degrees are available under various qualification titles, including MA (Master of Arts) and MSc (Master of Science), as well as the less common MComm. This will already give you an idea of how programs vary – an MA in Communication is likely to be related to artsier side of fields such as media and journalism, while an MSc is typically more focused on the theoretical and research aspects of modern communication.
However, while courses will vary in emphasis, all general Master of Communication degrees are likely to cover key aspects of communication theory, research methodology and practice. Students should receive a comprehensive grounding in the subject, develop their own communication skills, and explore different contexts for communication – such as culture, multimedia and business.
Every course structure will vary, but you are likely to study such topics as communication theory and research methods, cognitive processes, creative expressions, statistics, and media and culture. Courses may last one or two years, depending on the country in which you study, and whether you choose to study full- or part-time.
Your final module in an MA is likely to be either a dissertation or a portfolio, allowing you to combine the skills and knowledge you’ve gained so far and possibly produce work which could help you impress potential employers when applying for careers in communications. In an MSc you may complete a research project or thesis.
Entry requirements
While a bachelor’s degree in communication would be beneficial, this is not essential to gain entry to a Masters in Communication course. Lots of universities are happy to consider graduates from any degree discipline, while others might specify that they would prefer you to have previously studied a similar or relevant subject – such as media, journalism, information technology or film studies.
Communication is a broad subject, with plenty of scope for specialization. If you know where you’re headed, you may choose to enroll in a program dedicated to that area of communication – such as a Masters in Advertising, Masters in Marketing, Masters in Public Relations (PR), Masters in Journalism, or Masters in Corporate Communications. Likewise, there are many dedicated programs available in specific media, such as radio, film, TV, online or print media.
Below are some of the most popular specializations you may be interested in, either as a dedicated degree or as part of a course module within a general Masters in Communication:
Journalism
Although a Masters in Communication and Journalism will not give you a professional journalism qualification, it will equip you with a thorough knowledge, often on a global scale, of how to become an innovative communicator in the evolving media industry. These courses are also likely to include practical learning opportunities, such as internships, giving you a chance to build up a strong portfolio.
Political communication
If you are interested in acquiring an in-depth understanding of the role of communication in political aspects of life, then this specialization could be for you. You’ll examine how changes in the media and technology sectors are impacting on political communications, develop relevant research skills, and consider communication strategies across a variety of political groups – from governments and political parties, to campaign groups and NGOs.
Public relations (PR)
This specialization is often paired with corporate communications, as the two are closely interlinked, but is also available as a separate course module or entire degree program. This is your chance to develop the wide range of communication skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage the reputation of a company, brand, product or individual. You’ll learn about media relations, campaign planning, cultural contexts and contemporary issues, and the growing range of tools and platforms available to spread your message.
Corporate communication
In this specialization, you will learn about communication from a strategic, managerial and critical approach. You'll study best practices when communicating with employees and company stakeholders, as well as clients and other external audiences. You may cover the specific challenges involved in global corporate communications, and gain a strong understanding of the technologies and tools available to plan, implement and assess communications.
Advertising and marketing
Accounting for another major segment of careers in communications, the fields of advertising and marketing are often studied alongside one another. You’ll learn about marketing strategy and campaign planning; how to analyze and segment target markets; how to assess brand reach and buyer behavior; and how to create and track effective campaigns for specific products and audiences.
A Masters in Communication will equip you for a variety of specialized careers in communications, and strong communication skills are also highly valued across a wide range of professional roles. Here are some careers in communications you might consider as a Master of Communication graduate:
Journalism
Journalism is an exciting yet competitive career sector, which will allow you to use the strong communication skills gained during your course to write entertaining and engaging content for newspapers, magazines or, increasingly, online media. A specific qualification in journalism is not essential, but may be beneficial. If you choose to specialize in journalism within your communication course, then you will likely be encouraged to build your experience by writing a blog, writing for websites or other publishers, and undertaking a work experience placement.
Marketing/advertising copywriter
If you’ve got a knack for writing persuasively, you may be headed for a career in marketing and advertising, perhaps as a copywriter. Advertising copywriters work closely with other creative professionals to develop advertising campaigns for a specific product or service, with the copywriter’s role being to focus on the linguistic content. As with careers in journalism, you should try and gain as much relevant experience as possible before graduation, building up a strong portfolio to present to prospective employers.
Media planner
Media planners ascertain which media platforms would best advertise a client’s brand or product. They work within advertising agencies or media planning and buying agencies, using a variety of media to maximize their impact. In this role, you’d mix your creative thinking with the factual analysis skills gained during your degree to develop strategies to ensure campaigns reach their target audiences as effectively as possible.
Public relations officer
As a public relations (PR) officer you would need to apply what you have learned about the multimedia industry to successfully maintain and strengthen your client’s positive reputation. PR officers use a wide range of media and communication channels to maintain understanding and goodwill between the organization and its target audience. This may well include social media, which has grown in importance in recent years, and you may have had the opportunity to specialize in social media communications during your course.
Digital marketing careers
This exciting and fast-moving sector involves using multiple communication strategies, which you are likely to have studied during your degree. This can range from mobile marketing, to search engine optimization (SEO), pay per click (PPC) advertising, and social media. If you’re addicted to online communications, there are now many careers out there which would enable you to get paid to tweet! This ties in closely to PR, as companies are anxious to retain a positive reputation through the way they interact with their customers in the digital world.
If you’re considering choosing the UK as your study abroad destination, the city of Newcastle is one of the top UK cities for students according to the latest QS Best Student Cities ranking, thanks to being an affordable alternative to London while still being able to offer a high-quality educational experience.
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Masters in Communication
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Master in Communication degrees are available under various qualification titles, including MA (Master of Arts) and MSc (Master of Science), as well as the less common MComm. This will already give you an idea of how programs vary – an MA in Communication is likely to be related to artsier side of fields such as media and journalism, while an MSc is typically more focused on the theoretical and research aspects of modern communication.
However, while courses will vary in emphasis, all general Master of Communication degrees are likely to cover key aspects of communication theory, research methodology and practice. Students should receive a comprehensive grounding in the subject, develop their own communication skills, and explore different contexts for communication – such as culture, multimedia and business.
Every course structure will vary, but you are likely to study such topics as communication theory and research methods, cognitive processes, creative expressions, statistics, and media and culture. Courses may last one or two years, depending on the country in which you study, and whether you choose to study full- or part-time.
Your final module in an MA is likely to be either a dissertation or a portfolio, allowing you to combine the skills and knowledge you’ve gained so far and possibly produce work which could help you impress potential employers when applying for careers in communications. In an MSc you may complete a research project or thesis.
Entry requirements
While a bachelor’s degree in communication would be beneficial, this is not essential to gain entry to a Masters in Communication course. Lots of universities are happy to consider graduates from any degree discipline, while others might specify that they would prefer you to have previously studied a similar or relevant subject – such as media, journalism, information technology or film studies.
Communication is a broad subject, with plenty of scope for specialization. If you know where you’re headed, you may choose to enroll in a program dedicated to that area of communication – such as a Masters in Advertising, Masters in Marketing, Masters in Public Relations (PR), Masters in Journalism, or Masters in Corporate Communications. Likewise, there are many dedicated programs available in specific media, such as radio, film, TV, online or print media.
Below are some of the most popular specializations you may be interested in, either as a dedicated degree or as part of a course module within a general Masters in Communication:
Journalism
Although a Masters in Communication and Journalism will not give you a professional journalism qualification, it will equip you with a thorough knowledge, often on a global scale, of how to become an innovative communicator in the evolving media industry. These courses are also likely to include practical learning opportunities, such as internships, giving you a chance to build up a strong portfolio.
Political communication
If you are interested in acquiring an in-depth understanding of the role of communication in political aspects of life, then this specialization could be for you. You’ll examine how changes in the media and technology sectors are impacting on political communications, develop relevant research skills, and consider communication strategies across a variety of political groups – from governments and political parties, to campaign groups and NGOs.
Public relations (PR)
This specialization is often paired with corporate communications, as the two are closely interlinked, but is also available as a separate course module or entire degree program. This is your chance to develop the wide range of communication skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage the reputation of a company, brand, product or individual. You’ll learn about media relations, campaign planning, cultural contexts and contemporary issues, and the growing range of tools and platforms available to spread your message.
Corporate communication
In this specialization, you will learn about communication from a strategic, managerial and critical approach. You'll study best practices when communicating with employees and company stakeholders, as well as clients and other external audiences. You may cover the specific challenges involved in global corporate communications, and gain a strong understanding of the technologies and tools available to plan, implement and assess communications.
Advertising and marketing
Accounting for another major segment of careers in communications, the fields of advertising and marketing are often studied alongside one another. You’ll learn about marketing strategy and campaign planning; how to analyze and segment target markets; how to assess brand reach and buyer behavior; and how to create and track effective campaigns for specific products and audiences.
A Masters in Communication will equip you for a variety of specialized careers in communications, and strong communication skills are also highly valued across a wide range of professional roles. Here are some careers in communications you might consider as a Master of Communication graduate:
Journalism
Journalism is an exciting yet competitive career sector, which will allow you to use the strong communication skills gained during your course to write entertaining and engaging content for newspapers, magazines or, increasingly, online media. A specific qualification in journalism is not essential, but may be beneficial. If you choose to specialize in journalism within your communication course, then you will likely be encouraged to build your experience by writing a blog, writing for websites or other publishers, and undertaking a work experience placement.
Marketing/advertising copywriter
If you’ve got a knack for writing persuasively, you may be headed for a career in marketing and advertising, perhaps as a copywriter. Advertising copywriters work closely with other creative professionals to develop advertising campaigns for a specific product or service, with the copywriter’s role being to focus on the linguistic content. As with careers in journalism, you should try and gain as much relevant experience as possible before graduation, building up a strong portfolio to present to prospective employers.
Media planner
Media planners ascertain which media platforms would best advertise a client’s brand or product. They work within advertising agencies or media planning and buying agencies, using a variety of media to maximize their impact. In this role, you’d mix your creative thinking with the factual analysis skills gained during your degree to develop strategies to ensure campaigns reach their target audiences as effectively as possible.
Public relations officer
As a public relations (PR) officer you would need to apply what you have learned about the multimedia industry to successfully maintain and strengthen your client’s positive reputation. PR officers use a wide range of media and communication channels to maintain understanding and goodwill between the organization and its target audience. This may well include social media, which has grown in importance in recent years, and you may have had the opportunity to specialize in social media communications during your course.
Digital marketing careers
This exciting and fast-moving sector involves using multiple communication strategies, which you are likely to have studied during your degree. This can range from mobile marketing, to search engine optimization (SEO), pay per click (PPC) advertising, and social media. If you’re addicted to online communications, there are now many careers out there which would enable you to get paid to tweet! This ties in closely to PR, as companies are anxious to retain a positive reputation through the way they interact with their customers in the digital world.
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