Political Communications
Goldsmiths, University of LondonPostgraduate MA Full-time 1 Year Digital media, production, and technologyMedia studiesPR and communicationsPolitics
About this course
Interrogate the status quo with leading academics who don’t just talk and write about politics, but actively campaign to create change in the worldAll around us governments are in crisis, protests are on the increase, dissent and mobilisation is widespread and relayed across the world instantaneously on a screen. Communication is at the very heart of the structures, institutions and actors that give meaning to politics in governments, in parties and on the street. How has the rise of social media changed the way we participate in politics? Who holds the power to influence political decisions that structure our lives? How might democracy be done better? Is “fake news” really that new, or has news always been prone to distortion? Can grassroots political campaigners ever be as successful as wealthy corporate lobbyists, and if so - how? We take an expansive view of political communications. You’ll learn about politics and communications at the level of governments and parties, campaign groups, social movements and activists, old and new media organisations, and everyday citizens. The MA takes in debates from how to understand the current global crisis of democracy, to the role of emotion, feeling and “affect” in politics; and from whether “populism” can ever be a force for good to how the news industry might adapt to the rise of social media. We’re active, not passive, so this course isn’t just about having our heads in books, it’s about applying ideas to the real world. We’ll expect you to be reading the news every day because we want you to engage with what’s happening and unravel it. The MA is run by academics who are also experienced campaigners and political strategists. As one recent student said: “You can be sure that every page of theory presented in MA Political Communications is strongly grounded in years of political practice”. There are also opportunities to interact with industry experts, get involved in live campaigns and collaborate with people coming from all over the world. We pride ourselves on fostering a supportive environment and offering an open door throughout your time with us. At Goldsmiths the conversations are always just starting. The Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies has been ranked second in the UK for 'world-leading or internationally excellent' research (Research Excellence Framework, 2021) and 16th in the world (third in the UK) in the 2024 QS World Rankings for communication and media studies.
The questions we ask
The approach we take
Study Options
This course is available in 2 study options:
Full-time Shown above
Duration: 1 Year
Qualification: MA
Location: London
Part-time
Duration: 2 Years
Qualification: MA
Location: London
Career Prospects
Graduates from this course typically go into the following occupations:
1133 Public relations and communications directors
3417 Photographers, audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators
3416 Arts officers, producers and directors
2435 Professional/Chartered company secretaries
2431 Management consultants and business analysts
3531 Brokers
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Course Details
- Qualification
- MA
- Study Mode
- Full-time
- Duration
- 1 Year
- Start Date
- 2025
- Academic Year
- 2025
- Campus / Location
- London
- Scheme
- Postgraduate
- Subjects
- Digital media, production, and technology, Media studies, PR and communications, Politics