Introduction
Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time
The MA Global Media and Communication is unique in that it offers a critical appraisal and critique of Western Media and Communication theories and approaches through focusing on the complex specificities of Asia, Africa and the Middle East and their diasporas. Drawing on the grounded expertise of staff, it offers a specialised study of the global media environment in relation to Asian, African and Middle Eastern societies and cultures, together with rigorous training in and questioning of contemporary media and communication theory.
We ask what concerns and hopes the people of the regions we study have; how should we address comparatively the global role of mass and digital media in contemporary politics and conflict, as well as processes of exclusion, inequalities, development, participation and empowerment. By considering how, where and by whom media is produced, consumed and used, students develop advanced knowledge and understanding of the theoretical, methodological and empirical issues involved in the analysis of non-western media and communications within historical and contemporary contexts. Students will address alternative ways to situate mediated articulations of agency and subjectivity in non-Western contexts through engaging with various texts challenging the hegemonic claims of mainstream Western media theory that insists the rest of the world subscribe to a narrow exclusive vision of the world.
The SOAS MA Global Media and Communication will appeal to students with a variety of backgrounds and objectives:
those coming from a media or journalist background who wish to engage more deeply with global media and communication theory in relation to regional specialisation, especially, but not exclusively, the societies of Asia, Africa and the Middle East;
those coming from Asian, African or Middle Eastern Studies who wish to incorporate the study of global media and communication into their own areas of expertise; and
those having previously trained in other disciplines, such as anthropology, politics, international relations, Religious Studies, History, etc.
those wishing to pursue further study through doctoral research.
Please note that not all optional modules are available every year.
Employment
A postgraduate degree in Media from SOAS gives students expertise in media, communications and film production within a global framework. It is a valuable experience that provides students with a body of work and a diverse range of skills that they can use to market themselves with when they graduate. Media and Film Studies students develop a portfolio of transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and creative capacities including communication skills, interpersonal skills, teamwork, flexibility and dedication. Department graduates have gone into a wide range of careers and to complete research degrees.
Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:
Associated Press
Breakthrough Breast Cancer
British Film Institute
Comic Relief
Cordoba African Film Festival
Discovery Communications
European Commission
Hackney Film Festival
Institute of Ismaili Studies
International Channel Shanghai
Merlin
Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
Royal College of Art
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers
United Nations
Zanan TV
Types of roles that graduates have gone on to do include:
Research & Communications Manager
Senior Publicist
Teacher
Events Manager
Advisor
Designer
Journalist
International Program Coordinator
Creative Assistant
Consultant
Communications Officer
Policy Advisor
e-Learning Co-ordinator
Director of Academic Studies
Staff Writer
Online Editor
Public Information Officer
Video Journalist
Product Manager
Structure
Students must take 180 credits comprised of 120 taught credits (including core, compulsory and option modules) and a 60 credit, 10,000-word dissertation. All students must take the core modules in addition to Qualitative Research Methods in Media and Communication.
Further options include a wide range of media and media-related courses from a comprehensive list offered by the Centre for Global Media and Communication and other constituent units in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies. All courses are assessed via written assignments.
Modern Film from Taiwan and the Chinese Diaspora (PG)
Dissertation
Dissertation in Media Studies
Taught Component
Core Modules
All students will take the following core modules:
Topics in Global Media and Communication
Theoretical Issues in Global Media and Communication
Compulsory Module
All students will take the following compulsory module:
Qualitative Research Methods
Guided Options
All students will take modules to the value of 30 credits from List 3 below
and
Modules to the value of 45 credits from List 4
List of modules (subject to availability)
List 3
Media Studies
International Political Communication
Mediated Culture in the Middle East: Politics and Communications
Studies in Global Digital Cultures
Studies in Media, Information Communication Technologies and Development
Theoretical Approaches to International Journalisms
Transnational Communities and Diasporic Media: Networking, Connectivity, Identity
Podcasting
Prejudice, Conspiracy and Misinformation: Understanding Media in a Post-Truth Environment
List 4
Cinemas of Asia and Africa
Japanese Post-War Film Genres and the Avant-Garde
Genders and Sexualities in South East Asian Film
Indian Cinema: Its History and Social Context
Indian Cinema: Key Issues
Modern Chinese Film and Theatre (PG)
(Post) Colonialism and Otherness in South East Asia on Screen
Censoring Japan: A Socio-Cultural History of Japanese Television
The Story of African Film: Narrative Screen Media in Africa
Modern Film from Taiwan and the Chinese Diaspora (PG)
Social Anthropology
Culture and Society of China
Culture and Society of East Africa
Culture and Society of Japan
Culture and Society of South Asia
Culture and Society of South East Asia
Culture and Society of West Africa
Culture and Society of Near and Middle East
Anthropology of Development
Perspectives On Development
Development Studies
Civil society, social movements and the development process
EconomicsPlease check with the module convenors about prerequisites.
Politics
Government and politics of modern South Asia
Government and politics of modern South-East Asia
Religions and Philosophies
Jewishness on Screen
History of Art and Archaeology
Important notice
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session.
Admissions and Applications
You can apply for this course via the online application form.
We aim to assess a complete application and provide a decision within a 5-week time frame. Overseas students who require a Tier 4 visa and wish to join SOAS should bear in mind visa applications can take several weeks, so you should apply as soon as possible.
Consideration of Application
The whole application, including transcript and references, is considered before a decision is reached. You are therefore advised to submit a complete application including references and transcript (where required). An incomplete application will add considerable delays to the decision-making process.
Students will receive an acknowledgement of their application. Each application is carefully considered and although we try and respond as quickly as possible, we do ask that students should expect to receive a response within five weeks of receipt.
Candidates who are available in the United Kingdom may be called for an interview. The absence of academic members of staff (or instance on study leave) may affect the timing of decisions.
Entry Requirements
Minimum upper second class (2.1) or above honours degree (or equivalent).
English Language Entry Requirements
You must be able to show that your English is of a high enough standard to successfully engage with and complete your course at SOAS. Please note that we take our English language requirements seriously and failure to meet them exactly may well result in your application to SOAS being rejected. It is not possible to negotiate if your scores are below our required levels, with the expectation that because they are 'close enough' they will be accepted. It is important that you plan appropriately, well in advance, so that your English language test comes in good time and so that you have time to retake the test if necessary. We do not accept reasons of inconvenience or financial hardship for not submitting or retaking an English test.
Minimum upper second class (2.1) or above honours degree (or equivalent)
International students
For EU and International students who need a visa, if unconditional entry scores are achieved we accept qualifications from several countries, as well as a range of international qualifications and tests.
If a Tier 4 entry visa is required then a SELT, such as UKVI IELTS may be needed. For this reason, we recommend all Tier 4 visa students to choose the UKVI IELTS Academic test as the test of first resort.
