Global Media and Communication MA

Overview

Understand the rich landscape of global media, discover the diverse ways cultures communicate, and contribute to discourse and theory around both.

The Global Media and Communication MA focuses on how stories are made, and how we can communicate them effectively for diverse global audiences. From the start, you’ll look at media from all angles: researching, critiquing, developing and producing written, visual, and audio content for a broad range of digital platforms and audiences.

In your second semester, you’ll tailor the course based on your interests. Choose from exclusive modules on an array of exciting topics. For example, you might study influencer culture, true crime, or the link between sport and nationalism. You might learn how to become a freelancer, or about misinformation, propaganda and populism. There are also options to broaden your practical skills, such as podcasting or video production, on top of the course’s core skill-building modules.

Whatever you choose, you’ll use research to develop a deep understanding of different global media networks and the cultural, political and social frameworks that shape them. We also incorporate essential aspects of media law and professional ethics throughout your study, and you’ll connect your own cultural experiences to media and communications.

Our academic team have diverse research interests, and many of these interests underpin our curriculum. Current interests include:

• global media strategy, including creator and influencer cultures, NGOs and government policies
• global responses to true crime
• propaganda in different political and social systems
• communication (political, content and strategy)
• cultural studies as research and as a practice, working with a range of partner organisations
• misinformation, disinformation and social control.

Why study at Newcastle?

• Become an expert communicator: Discover the right way to deliver your message to audiences across the globe. You’ll develop skills in research, content production, campaigning and media management
• Develop your practical skills: You’ll use equipment and software favoured by creatives across the globe
• Get ready for industry - leave with a professional portfolio: Spend your final semester writing a journal article focused on your chosen field or creating a portfolio in the medium of your choice

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation review and recognition of professional qualifications in Europe

Professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by professional bodies to ensure they meet the latest industry practices and regulatory standards. This keeps your degree rigorous, relevant, and highly valued by employers, providing a clear pathway into your chosen career.

If you are studying an accredited degree and considering a career in Europe after graduation, it is important to stay informed about international standards. The best resource for current information is the UK Government's guidance on recognition of UK professional qualifications in EU member states.

This official resource provides essential details on:

• whether your profession is regulated in another country.
• the specific steps you need to take to practice abroad.
• which organisations you should contact to begin the process.

What you'll learn

Building your practical skills 

You’ll produce engaging content for a variety of digital platforms. You’ll take communications projects from conception to realisation and, once they’ve reached their audience, evaluate the outcomes. 

We’ll train you in the production tools, platforms, and analytics technology you’ll use in your career. 

Expanding your critical thinking  

Our course is shaped by what’s happening in the world of research. You’ll develop critical understanding of global media systems and their political, cultural and technological contexts. You’ll map relevant theory and research to global communication challenges.  

Modules

The module information on our course pages is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Global Media and Communication MA modules

Module information for 2027 entry

The modules listed reflect our planned curriculum for 2027 entry. Some modules are currently listed as inactive. These modules will be active for students starting the programme in September 2027.

You'll take the following modules:

 

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Communications and Content Production 1: Audio, Image and Text	20
Global Media, Culture and Stories that Shape Us	20
Big Concepts, Changing Worlds: Media, Journalism and Communication Innovations and Creative Projects	20
Communications and Content Production 2: Video, Audiences, Data and Platforms	20

 

You'll take one of the following modules:

 

Modules	Credits
Communications and Cultural Industries Project: Research and Professional Development	60
Media and Communications Final Project: Production, Portfolio and Professional Practice	60

 

You'll also take two of the following modules:

 

Modules	Credits
Freelancing, Enterprise and Employability	20
Global Approaches to Strategic Communication	20
Global Media Law	20
Digital Politics, Communication and AI	20
Crisis, Conflict and Climate	20
Popular Culture, Persona and Politics	20

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

The course is designed to be an inclusive and intercultural learning environment, drawing on global examples and diverse perspectives. Our students come from all over the world, and we value the breadth of interests and expertise they bring to the course.

At each stage, we set applied tasks to give you professional-level experiences. You'll pitch, develop content strategy and work on live industry-standard or industry-set briefs.

Experiences as diverse as your career options

You will work on industry standard work, producing content, creating strategies and analysing the global communication and media industries. Our assessment is as dynamic and varied as the world you will work on including live projects, course work, independent research projects and critical analysis of your practice.

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Coursework
• Essay
• Group work
• Portfolio
• Presentations
• Reflective log
• Seminar tasks/exercises

Additional assessment information

Your final project:

Your final project allows you to integrate and apply the knowledge, skills and attributes you’ve developed. You can choose how you’re assessed, taking either a research-led or practice-led route to reflect your ambitions and strengths.

Communications and cultural industries project: research and professional development

Generate new insight into an aspect of global media. You’ll write a journal article-length study using appropriate theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches on the subject of your choice. 

Media and communications final project: production, portfolio and professional practice

If you choose this route, you’ll create a professional portfolio. You’ll combine your choice of production method with sustained analysis of audience, platform, context and impact.

Student support

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• academic staff
• academic advisers and research supervisors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives
• peers

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your academic adviser throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

 

Your development

The Global Media and Communication MA gives you a wide range of transferable skills, including: 

Professional skills

• evidence-gathering
• interviewing
• verification for a range of platforms and purposes
• writing
• understanding ethical and legal frameworks

Practical and technical skills

• advanced content creation and production
• production and editing skills
• distributing content
• editorial and commercial strategies
• industry standard project development
• research
• critical analysis

Read more about the skills and attributes you can expect to build at Newcastle.

Pre-Master’s and English Language courses

Need an alternative route to study this course? Our International Study Centre offers Pre-Master’s degrees and English language courses to prepare you for study. 

Explore these courses

 

Your future

You’ll leave the course primed for a career in all sorts of fields, from creative content production to strategy for NGOs and international organisations, to the business, tech and culture sectors. Employers will be impressed by your writing and production abilities, critical thinking skills, and deep knowledge of cultural nuance. The course also offers a robust entry into the world of further research, if you decide you’d like to pursue a PhD. 

Our Careers Service

Our expert Careers Service is here to help you take the next steps in your professional life. We will support you while you’re studying with us and for up to three years after you graduate.

You will have access to expert one-to-one advice and guidance through our campus careers centre and online, along with digital resources, workshops, networking opportunities, and careers and recruitment events.

We’ve been awarded 5 QS Stars for Student Employability (2025). Many of our degrees are shaped by strong links with national and international businesses. We are committed to helping you access real-world experience opportunities and develop key skills through paid work placements and internships.

Visit our Careers Service website

Facilities

Work with world-class equipment 

As part of the Media department, you’ll be able to use our hire facility, the Hatch, where you can borrow our state-of-the-art equipment to bring your creative visions to life. We have: 

• industry-standard audiovisual equipment, such as Rode Wireless microphones and Manfrotto tripods 
• professional podcasting facilities  
• editing software – our team can train you to use Adobe Premier Pro and Adobe Audition. 

You’ll also be able to use the full suite of Adobe software, so you can build skills in Photoshop, InDesign and After Effects, depending on where your interests lie. 

Find inspiration on campus 

With its host of galleries, theatres, museums and music venues, Newcastle is an inspiring place to study Media and Communication. Our vibrant campus contributes to the city’s cultural mosaic, too. Explore the Hatton, our university gallery, watch a play at Northern Stage, our on-campus theatre, and discover our two museums, the Farrell Centre and Great North Museum: Hancock.  

Fees, Funding and Scholarships

Tuition fees for 2027 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

Search for funding and scholarships

Find funding available for your course

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What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

How to apply

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