MSc in Media and Communication Studies Lund University

Programme overview

The focus of this international Master’s programme is to offer a critical approach to contemporary social, political and cultural issues in media and communications. We provide up-to-date engagement with key issues, theories and problems in media engagement, democracy and cultural citizenship, media industries and creativity, gender, health and society, audiences, popular culture and everyday life. Courses tackle contemporary debates about knowledge, power and social relations in national and transnational media environments.

Our teaching is based on international expertise in a high-ranking, research-led department (top 100, QS World University Rankings by subject 2020). We emphasise theorising and researching media, society and culture using real-world case studies that are tailor-made for our students who are taught diverse theoretical, conceptual and empirical tools for research through a mix of courses and independent research projects. Courses are taught in Lund and connect with collaborative partnerships with NGOs and cultural organisations in the region.

Students on our programme come from a diverse range of backgrounds and professional experiences, including media and cultural industries, NGOs and charity sectors, and develop a critical understanding of media and communication during two years of cross-cultural meetings and exchange of ideas. Students participate in a lively research environment, where we run regular international conferences, seminars and events, on topics such as media freedom, and our postgraduate students organise and participate in an annual symposium and book series MSc Excellent Dissertations. Our community of international students and alumni help prepare you for further research and professional life, and our graduates go on to work in the media and communications field and pursue research track careers in public and commercial spheres.

Programme structure

Our programme includes a range of dedicated theory and methods courses and optional courses. The portfolio of courses includes:

• Media and Political Engagement (15 credits)
• Media Audiences (15 credits)
• Media, Health and Society (15 credits)
• Media and Diversity (15 credits)
• Popular Culture (15 credits)
• Media and Communication Methodology (15 credits)
• Digital Media Research (7.5 credits)
• Digital Ethnography (7.5 credits)
• Research Methods (7.5 credits)
• Other optional courses, study abroad (30 credits)
• Internship (15 and 30 credits)
• Master’s degree thesis (30 credits)

Up to 7.5 credits of the second term and 30 credits of the third term can be replaced by elective courses.

Career prospects

Students graduating from this programme will be prepared for professional opportunities in research-led careers, education, academic careers, media and cultural industries, national and international policy and production sectors, commercial and public service organisations, and NGOs. Above all, graduates will have the critical skills necessary to evaluate and understand media in a range of professional and private spheres.