Science Communication MSc

Western Bank, Sheffield,, United Kingdom

Shortlist

# 51-100QS Subject Rankings

12 monthsProgram duration

27,670 GBPTuition Fee/year

YesScholarships

Program overview

Main Subject

Communication and Media Studies

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

We believe that science holds the key to making the world a better place, and that when science is misunderstood, the consequences can be dire. Science communicators are essential, and we want to train you to do it well.

This course will help you to develop the skills to communicate science effectively to a wide range of audiences. It's designed around developing you as a science communicator, rather than being a marketing course, and is taught by leading scientific researchers, professional science broadcasters, and experts from the School of Journalism, Media and Communication.

Through hands-on training, you’ll learn how to engage, educate and entertain people without the same specialist knowledge, covering the latest topics in science. You’ll target a range of different audiences, from science policy and business sectors, to the general public from all ages and backgrounds, giving you an insight into the breadth of potential science communication careers you could pursue.
Training can cover:

Audio: receive storytelling training ready to create your own short podcast. You’ll do the scripting, interview subjects, pitch your story, and gain the technical skills to record and edit your episode in the industry standard Adobe Audition.
Video: we’ll show you how to create video content suitable for various platforms. You’ll receive training in how to operate a camera, lighting and sound, and use the Adobe Creative Suite including Premiere Pro to edit your footage and create slick clips.
Photography: you’ll learn how to use specialist cameras, and Adobe Photoshop, to create and edit images to take your digital science communication to the next level.
Public engagement: you’ll work with your course mates to run an event for schools and deliver this as part of a science fair.
Journalism: understand the nature of social science research and the agendas that drive science communication by studying research methods.
Data journalism: learn how to seek out stories within datasets, and bring those stories to the public via news media.
Communicating with the media: learn how to get your story out there, and run a strategic media campaign.
Ethics: discover the relationship between science, the media, and the wider public, and the role that science communication plays in society. You’ll cover journalism ethical standards expected by the British Association of Journalists.

By completing these activities you’ll develop a range of skills and experience to include on your CV, whilst also building a portfolio of high quality science communication work that you can take to interviews.

Your final project dissertation will allow you to put the skills you’ve learnt into practice and can be based around a print, broadcast or digital portfolio, an event you've organised or a work placement you've completed. Previous students have based their dissertation around work they've completed at organisations ranging from National Geographic, to the CERN research institute in Switzerland.

This is your opportunity to showcase your skills and independence, and gain additional experience to launch yourself into the next stage of your career.

Example past research projects include:

An analysis of language and framing in cancer related news coverage
What is the future of the Yorkshire Fossil Festival? Gaining perspectives from exhibitors, organisers, and visitors at the festival's 10th anniversary
Let them lead the way: engaging children in climate policy
The role of social media in the dissemination of public health messaging
Writing women into the history of science; challenging the gender gap in STEM

No matter what your science background is, if you have a passion for science communication, this course is for you! Our students have studied undergraduate engineering, maths, physics, biology, chemistry, psychology, and everything in between. At Sheffield, you’ll be embedded in a diverse and supportive group of peers as you take your first steps towards your science communication career.

Program overview

Main Subject

Communication and Media Studies

Degree

MSc

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

On Campus

Audio: receive storytelling training ready to create your own short podcast. You’ll do the scripting, interview subjects, pitch your story, and gain the technical skills to record and edit your episode in the industry standard Adobe Audition.
Video: we’ll show you how to create video content suitable for various platforms. You’ll receive training in how to operate a camera, lighting and sound, and use the Adobe Creative Suite including Premiere Pro to edit your footage and create slick clips.
Photography: you’ll learn how to use specialist cameras, and Adobe Photoshop, to create and edit images to take your digital science communication to the next level.
Public engagement: you’ll work with your course mates to run an event for schools and deliver this as part of a science fair.
Journalism: understand the nature of social science research and the agendas that drive science communication by studying research methods.
Data journalism: learn how to seek out stories within datasets, and bring those stories to the public via news media.
Communicating with the media: learn how to get your story out there, and run a strategic media campaign.
Ethics: discover the relationship between science, the media, and the wider public, and the role that science communication plays in society. You’ll cover journalism ethical standards expected by the British Association of Journalists.

An analysis of language and framing in cancer related news coverage
What is the future of the Yorkshire Fossil Festival? Gaining perspectives from exhibitors, organisers, and visitors at the festival's 10th anniversary
Let them lead the way: engaging children in climate policy
The role of social media in the dissemination of public health messaging
Writing women into the history of science; challenging the gender gap in STEM

Cambridge CAE Advanced

185+

PTE Academic

67+

IELTS

TOEFL

95+

Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in a relevant subject.

Program Duration

1 Year

Starting Month(s)

Sep

Tuition fee and scholarships

Tuition Fee
Scholarships

Domestic Students

Tuition Fee/year

12,310 GBP

Tuition Fee (Out of State)

International Students

Tuition Fee/year

27,670 GBP

Other Expenses

One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.

In this guide you will find:

Where to look for scholarship opportunities

How to apply to scholarships relevant to you

A list of available scholarships around the world

A scholarship application checklist

Download Scholarship Guide

More programs from the university

The University of Sheffield offers undergraduate courses in a range of subject areas including arts and humanities, business, engineering, law, medicine, dentistry and health, science and social sciences.

Whatever subjects’ students choose to study at the university, they will be taught and supervised by world-leading teachers, researchers and practitioners. Academic staff at the university are experts in their fields, and in the latest Research Excellence Framework 92% percent of Sheffield’s research was rated as internationally recognised, excellent or world-leading. As a Russell Group university, teaching is driven by our research expertise Sheffield is ranked:

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A degree from Sheffield will be recognised and valued by employers all over the world. Academic staff at the university are experts in their fields, and in the latest Research Excellence Framework, 92% percent of Sheffield’s research was rated as internationally recognised, excellent or world-leading. As a Russell Group university, teaching is driven by our research expertise and Sheffield is ranked:

Top university in the Russell Group for student experience and student support and joint 10th in the UK for best university in the Daily Mail University Guide 2025.
Top 20 in the UK in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.
Top 20 in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2025.

We offer postgraduate taught courses in a range of disciplines including arts and humanities, business, engineering, law, medicine, dentistry and health, science and social sciences. The university works closely with business, industry, the arts, government and non-governmental organisations to make sure you develop the skills you need.

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Western Bank, Sheffield,, United Kingdom

# 51-100QS Subject Rankings

12 monthsProgram duration

27,670 GBPTuition Fee/year

YesScholarships

Program overview

Main Subject

Degree

Study Level

Study Mode

Program overview

Main Subject

Degree

Study Level

Study Mode

Admission requirements

Exam Scores

Important Dates

Tuition fee and scholarships

Tuition Fee

Scholarships

Domestic Students

International Students

In this guide you will find:

QS WUR Ranking By Subject

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