Political Communication MA

Become an expert in analysing and crafting messages to persuade and inform, designing campaigns, data-driven problem solving, and conducting research projects.

Homed in the founding School of Political Communication, this flagship interdisciplinary course will give you a deep understanding of how politicians, the media and citizens interact to influence democratic processes across the globe.

Your expertise in political communication will be highly sought after by organisations in the public, private and NGO sectors that need professionals who understand the complex landscape of modern media and politics in today’s networked world.

#### Course description

The global media environment is shaped by a flurry of competing messages across multiple outlets and platforms. Our course teaches you to critically dissect which are successful and which benefit democracy. You’ll learn media relations in theory and practice and explore what role AI plays in elections and how populism has become so successful. You’ll put your knowledge to the test by designing your own campaign and practice shaping public opinion.

#### What you’ll learn:

You’ll explore the power of political communication in both established and emerging democracies. You’ll critically examine threats such as misinformation, online polarisation and the role of AI in politics. You’ll tackle big questions like: How can we harness technology for the democratic good? Are alternative media and online political influencers a benefit to democratic politics? What does responsible political leadership look like in today’s society? And you’ll develop practical skills in political campaigning and communicating with the media.

#### Career-focused flexibility:

Graduates of this course will be well placed to pursue impactful and exciting roles in journalism, political consultancy, digital media, public relations, government, advocacy or international governance. Designed to align with your personal passions and career goals, you can shape your degree with flexible options such as communication and public opinion, climate communication, visual communication or political reporting. You’ll learn from experts actively shaping the field and gain practical skills and insights that will set you apart in the competitive job market. With the ever-growing intersection of media and politics, your expertise in political communication will be highly sought after by organisations in the public, private and NGO sectors that need professionals who understand the complex landscape of modern media and politics. The course is also an excellent foundation for PhD study, and our graduates frequently go on to academic careers.

*Ready to make an impact on the future of politics and media? Join us, and start your journey towards becoming a leader in political communication.*

### Facilities

You’ll have access to our podcasting studio and professional television and radio studios and newsroom and to professional-grade broadcasting equipment should you wish to create your own project. You'll also have access to Helix, the University's learning innovation hub. Helix offers cutting-edge digital provision, including immersive technologies, multimedia production studios, as well as a physical makerspace.