Political Communications and Public Affairs MSc

This unique MSc in Political Communication and Public Affairs is for those already working in communication or PR, or those who wish to move into the area, and will enable you to enter careers in public affairs, policy communication, campaigning, or advocacy.

The course offers highly relevant theoretical knowledge and strong development of vocational skills. It focuses on the intersection of communication, media, and politics as the area of knowledge fundamental to communicators working across public, private, and third-sector organisations, as well as across a range of economic, social, or cultural sectors.

Communication, media, and culture not only shape people’s lives but are also pivotal to the way in which politics and policymaking work. Companies and brands have recognised this for some time now in their lobbying, advocacy, and social responsibility work. In this age of activism, so have ordinary people when they mobilise to advocate for ways - laws and policies - to change how governments and companies go about their business. There is politics (and policy) in the food we eat, in the education we get, in how we travel, in how we build homes, in who makes our clothes, and in what happens to them when we no longer use them. And this is what this course is about.

We recognise the growing importance of specialist skills that combine communication with strategic management and an understanding of public affairs. Many organisations, from huge corporations to grassroots organisations, rely on public affairs specialists to conduct their activities, look after their reputations and, most importantly, have a say in how the world is shaped by what governments and legislators do.

On this course, you will develop communication expertise that combines strategic communication with an understanding of policy communication in the contemporary media landscape.

As you will learn, not all people who do these jobs think of themselves as public affairs specialists. Some may be called policy officers or public engagement managers, but whatever the job title, there are core competencies that you need and that you will start developing with our help.