MA Strategic Communications

The MA in Political and Strategic Communication plays a key role in today’s increasingly turbulent world. The first decades of the 21st century witnessed an unprecedented pace of change across many domains, including within politics, society, economics and technology. Communication lies at the core of this escalating complexity – and can be seen as one of the key drivers of change, including the role it can play in fuelling conflict. This programme is designed to teach you the skills and knowledge to navigate the complex world of political and strategic communication. The curriculum is tailored to the evolving demands of the digital age and its repercussions for governments, institutions, international corporations and, above all, citizens. The MA in Political and Strategic Communication helps you develop a critical understanding of political and strategic communication while always connecting this to practical application. Through a blend of coursework, case studies and project work, in the compulsory modules you will explore broader notions of communication and its societal and political implications, particularly within the contexts of war, conflict and crisis.Key benefitsDevelop skills for in-depth analytical and critical thinking about political communication and international politics.Engage with cutting-edge research in the field of political and strategic communications – and adjacent disciplines, such as International Relations.Engage with, and contribute to, our vibrant research community, which comprises of world- renowned staff and international students from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds.Work with some of the world's best academics in the field on your research projects. Our staff publish world-leading research and offer outstanding research-led teaching and training.Develop the media and audio-visual production skills necessary to present your research in an Audio Visual format.Reflect on your own communication practice to be able to communicate ethically.Grow your networks with employers, think-tanks, organisations, policymaking bodies in the UK and globally.Enjoy living and studying right in the heart of London beside the River Thames.EmployabilityAfter completing the MA programme, students have joined the UK Cabinet Office as Strategic Communicators, or have been employed by communications companies. Students have also been employed in Communication teams at museums, NGOs, and other civilian and military governmental agencies.This MA equips you to think conceptually about Political and Strategic Communications in the dynamic world of global affairs, as well as how to apply particular practices and techniques to working in the field. The practical dimension of the programme provides you with coveted technological, digital and visual proficiency in conducting and recording interviews, as well as in planning, recording and editing of other digital products. You will also gain familiarity with the composition and manipulation of photographic and cinematic imagery. The programme fosters a disposition towards unconventional information sources, encouraging you to apply your analytical faculties beyond traditional bounds. This is a quality that is indispensable for both autonomous scholarship and professional engagement in the contemporary job market.