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MSc Communication and Media

MSc (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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The MSc in Communication & Media is designed for students who wish to explore a wide range of contemporary issues in media and communication studies in depth. It offers a broad interdisciplinary foundation in theory and practices in relation to communication content and audience reception, processes of mediation and influence, regulation and power, political economy, ethics, digital platforms and human-computer interaction.

What is communication and why are media important? What is the relationship between communication, media and power? How does the content, interface design and choice of technology impact on communication experiences? What can we learn from digital communication history and what is the future for our relationship with media and the world?


This Communication & Media programme offers students the chance to explore this area from an information perspective. Core modules on theory, evaluation and reception of interpersonal and mass communication are combined with optional modules from across the university where students can focus on an area of choice such as Design & Culture, Ethics & Policy and Data Journalism.

About This Course

Students on this MSc in Communication & Media will learn how to:

  1. Understand the theoretical foundations of communication and media studies
  2. Cultivate deep knowledge and research on interpersonal, mediated and mass communication in both theory and practice
  3. Analyse the interactions and relationships between communication, media, people and power
  4. Assess the principles of creation, exchange, management, meaning and impact of information through digitally mediated communications
  5. Apply this learning to specific fields of communication and media (e.g. health, public data, human-computer interaction, culture etc.) or technological domains (mobile technology, speech interfaces, data visualisation etc.)
  6. Critique past, current and future structures, platforms and paradigms for communication and digital media
  7. Comparatively evaluate international communication and media conten, structures and policy
  8. Develop high quality research projects with the potential for further academic or industry career progression in communication and media

This MSc degree aims to produce future professionals with a deep understanding of the communication and media landscape. On graduating, our students will be able to embark on a variety of careers in Ireland and abroad, whether in the digital media industries, in communication regulation and policy or in media design, management and research, both in the public and private sectors. This programme will also provide an ideal foundation for applicants with an interest in pursuing further postgraduate research towards a PhD at UCD School of Information & Communication Studies or at another location.

The programme's structure across different suggested tracks will allow students to develop specialised knowledge in communication and media studies for a specific setting. All tracks include 60 credits of core modules that cover basic knowledge and skills (with a thesis or media project option), with a further 30 credits of elective modules according to track choice. Students will gain an international perspective from lectures and seminars as well as guest talks, combining professional industry and research experience with strong theoretical foundations.  

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 IS40820 Research Theory and Practice Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 IS40880 Communication Theory Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 IS41810 Cultures of Digital Media Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 IS40860 Media & Society Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Students must choose one of the following programme structures:Option A: Research Methods (IS40640) or Digital Research Methods (IS41820) + Media and Communication Thesis(Please register for Research Methods initially. If your supervisor or academic advisor later advises Digital Research Methods based on your dissertation topic, you can switch before the Spring trimester.)Option B: Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project(A practice-based route focused on applied media industry experience.)
 IS40640 Research Methods Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Students must choose one of the following programme structures:Option A: Research Methods (IS40640) or Digital Research Methods (IS41820) + Media and Communication Thesis(Please register for Research Methods initially. If your supervisor or academic advisor later advises Digital Research Methods based on your dissertation topic, you can switch before the Spring trimester.)Option B: Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project(A practice-based route focused on applied media industry experience.)
 IS40950 Media Production Cultures Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Students must choose one of the following programme structures:Option A: Research Methods (IS40640) or Digital Research Methods (IS41820) + Media and Communication Thesis(Please register for Research Methods initially. If your supervisor or academic advisor later advises Digital Research Methods based on your dissertation topic, you can switch before the Spring trimester.)Option B: Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project(A practice-based route focused on applied media industry experience.)
 IS41820 Digital Methods Research Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Students must choose one of the following programme structures:Option A: Research Methods (IS40640) or Digital Research Methods (IS41820) + Media and Communication Thesis(Please register for Research Methods initially. If your supervisor or academic advisor later advises Digital Research Methods based on your dissertation topic, you can switch before the Spring trimester.)Option B: Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project(A practice-based route focused on applied media industry experience.)
 IS41170 Media Management Project Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Students must choose one of the following programme structures:Option A: Research Methods (IS40640) or Digital Research Methods (IS41820) + Media and Communication Thesis(Please register for Research Methods initially. If your supervisor or academic advisor later advises Digital Research Methods based on your dissertation topic, you can switch before the Spring trimester.)Option B: Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project(A practice-based route focused on applied media industry experience.)
 IS41300 Media & Communication Thesis Summer  30
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 15CR:
Module Selection Guidance:If you have chosen Option A (Research Methods/Digital Research Methods + Thesis), please select 20 credits from the list below.If you have chosen Option B (Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project), please select 15 credits from the list below.
IS40730 Quantitative Data Analysis Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 15CR:
Module Selection Guidance:If you have chosen Option A (Research Methods/Digital Research Methods + Thesis), please select 20 credits from the list below.If you have chosen Option B (Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project), please select 15 credits from the list below.
IS40910 Digital Policy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 15CR:
Module Selection Guidance:If you have chosen Option A (Research Methods/Digital Research Methods + Thesis), please select 20 credits from the list below.If you have chosen Option B (Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project), please select 15 credits from the list below.
IS41230 Creative & Interactive Media Autumn  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 15CR:
Module Selection Guidance:If you have chosen Option A (Research Methods/Digital Research Methods + Thesis), please select 20 credits from the list below.If you have chosen Option B (Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project), please select 15 credits from the list below.
IS41520 UXD: User-Centered Design Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 15CR:
Module Selection Guidance:If you have chosen Option A (Research Methods/Digital Research Methods + Thesis), please select 20 credits from the list below.If you have chosen Option B (Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project), please select 15 credits from the list below.
IS41770 Future Tech: Speculation and Information Technology Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 15CR:
Module Selection Guidance:If you have chosen Option A (Research Methods/Digital Research Methods + Thesis), please select 20 credits from the list below.If you have chosen Option B (Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project), please select 15 credits from the list below.
IS40630 Digital Curation:Core Concepts Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 15CR:
Module Selection Guidance:If you have chosen Option A (Research Methods/Digital Research Methods + Thesis), please select 20 credits from the list below.If you have chosen Option B (Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project), please select 15 credits from the list below.
IS40870 Topics in Digital Media & Comm Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 15CR:
Module Selection Guidance:If you have chosen Option A (Research Methods/Digital Research Methods + Thesis), please select 20 credits from the list below.If you have chosen Option B (Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project), please select 15 credits from the list below.
IS40890 Project Management Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 15CR:
Module Selection Guidance:If you have chosen Option A (Research Methods/Digital Research Methods + Thesis), please select 20 credits from the list below.If you have chosen Option B (Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project), please select 15 credits from the list below.
IS40960 Digital Policy II Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 15CR:
Module Selection Guidance:If you have chosen Option A (Research Methods/Digital Research Methods + Thesis), please select 20 credits from the list below.If you have chosen Option B (Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project), please select 15 credits from the list below.
IS40970 AI & Ethics Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 15CR:
Module Selection Guidance:If you have chosen Option A (Research Methods/Digital Research Methods + Thesis), please select 20 credits from the list below.If you have chosen Option B (Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project), please select 15 credits from the list below.
IS41020 Information Ethics Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 15CR:
Module Selection Guidance:If you have chosen Option A (Research Methods/Digital Research Methods + Thesis), please select 20 credits from the list below.If you have chosen Option B (Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project), please select 15 credits from the list below.
IS41050 Platform Governance Spring  5
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 15CR:
Module Selection Guidance:If you have chosen Option A (Research Methods/Digital Research Methods + Thesis), please select 20 credits from the list below.If you have chosen Option B (Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project), please select 15 credits from the list below.
IS41190 Regulation and Emerging Technology Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 15CR:
Module Selection Guidance:If you have chosen Option A (Research Methods/Digital Research Methods + Thesis), please select 20 credits from the list below.If you have chosen Option B (Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project), please select 15 credits from the list below.
IS41510 Social Networks Online and Off Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - C) Min 15CR:
Module Selection Guidance:If you have chosen Option A (Research Methods/Digital Research Methods + Thesis), please select 20 credits from the list below.If you have chosen Option B (Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project), please select 15 credits from the list below.
IS41550 Digital Media Literacy Spring  5

MSc Communication & Media Testimonials

Matt Ross, United States
MSc Communication & Media, 2020/2021
Fact-Checker, Logically

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I came to the programme as a non-traditional American mature student looking to make a midlife career change. The problem was that I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do! Communication is a diverse field, so the course offerings allowed me to tailor the programme toward my interests as they developed. The modules I chose were balanced between the theoretical and practical and gave me the chance to do more than just write essays. My interest in online disinformation and propaganda became a sub-focus of my studies, but I had the opportunity to learn about and write about other interests, from politics to podcasting. I was also exposed to practical training in statistics, data visualisation, and research methods.

A significant component of the course was the Media Management Project. Over the summer, I worked with Media Literacy Ireland, which is devoted to helping people get access to good information, and this provided me with mentorship and hands-on experience. For someone like me who was motivated by future job prospects, the Media Management Project was a godsend.

Today, I work for Logically, a company that uses AI and human expertise to tackle online mis- and disinformation. I am part of an international team of fact-checkers, reporters, investigators, and data scientists working to help improve the information environment. 

The MSc Communication & Media is for anyone interested in understanding and working in the modern information environment. The experience and knowledge I gained at UCD is what enabled me to find a job in an exciting field and I use what I learned there in the work that I do every day.

Justine Moynat, France
MSc Communication & Media, 2019/2020
Press Officer, Council of European Municipalities and Regions

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I was a student in the MSc Communication and Media during 2019 – 2020. My year at UCD was super interesting because of both the academic content and the teaching methods. The MSc also gave me the keys to choosing my future career direction. As such, I was enrolled in the Media Management Project module. My intern site was UN Women France. I contributed to the communication strategy of a festival aiming to promote gender equality initiatives led by civil society actors. The experience was a great success and, by the end of the module, they offered me a one-year contract! Following my UN Women experience, I furthered developed my communication and media skills at the Media Services Unit of the European Parliament in Brussels. Currently, I am employed as Social Media and Press Officer at the Council of European Municipalities and Regions, which is a European lobby specialised on local governance and city democracy. My position includes working on digital communication, press strategy and newsletters. My deep understanding of contemporary issues in media and communication studies, acquired thorough the masters, helped me kickstart my career!

Noemi Chimisso, Italy
MSc Communication & Media, 2020/2021
ICT & Communications Officer, Environmental Protection Agency 

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Following a BA in Translation Studies and an MA in Applied Linguistics, I realised that I wanted to pursue a career in communications. Compared to similar courses, I chose the MSc in Communication and Media offered by UCD because the modules perfectly blended theory and practice. Apart from all the exciting assignments such as developing an episode of a podcast, students can choose to carry out a Media Management Project with a non-profit organisation as opposed to a dissertation. It’s not an exaggeration when I say that attending this master’s degree was one of the best decisions of my life. I found all modules stimulating, the professors extremely competent and supportive, and the classroom atmosphere positive, and productive. The course always had something pragmatic to offer and was always giving you key skills from its modules. I started this course with the hope of working in the charity sector or for an environmental organisation, and I truly appreciated the flexibility of tailoring assignments around my interests and career goals. Moreover, I had the fantastic opportunity to carry out a social media campaign for the UK-based charity Give a Book for my Media Management Project. Shortly after completing my degree, I had a number of job interviews: potential employers were very impressed with my portfolio developed as part of the course. Thanks to this degree, I now work as an ICT and Communications Officer for the Environmental Protection Agency, where I deal with both external and internal digital communications.

Luzie Nissing, Germany
MSc Communication & Media, 2019/2020
Global Onboarding Experiences Manager, Gorillas

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The MSc Communication & Media programme was the best combination of theoretical studying and practical implementation. The programme enabled me to understand theories of communication not only on an academic level but also to detect the methods of communication within the media around me. The real-life examples that were incorporated in the lectures still help me in my career every day. The openness of the university and all its members made it so easy to feel right at home. Throughout the programme, lecturers applied a teaching style that is both thought-provoking and engaging. The lectures allowed me to learn from both my peers and the teachers through assignments and class discussions. The programme really prepared me for my future and was key in landing my first role in the field of Internal Communications. Now having developed to a global role in Employee Experience I still make use of my amazing experiences this programme offered.

Emer Healy,
MSc Communication & Media, 2020/2021
Internal Communications Executive, Virgin Media

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Following on from my BAInt (French & Spanish) degree at UCD, I realised my career ambitions lay within the communications landscape. Having researched multiple masters programmes, I decided to study the MSc Communication and Media course at UCD because it allowed me to explore theoretical modules alongside more practical ones. For example, the Media Production Cultures module gave me the opportunity to create a podcast, interview media specialists and produce a video essay. I subsequently used these video and audio editing skills in my Media Management Project with the non-profit, Mother Tongues, and continue to use these, alongside interviewing skills, in my current role as Internal Communications Executive at Virgin Media. Moreover, the research methods modules on the MSc course gave me a solid understanding of analytical research, which I currently use to measure and analyse our Virgin Media communications strategy.

A key benefit of the MSc course was the flexibility to shape assignment topics around our own interests. Gaining experience with a not-for-profit organisation (instead of writing a dissertation) introduced me to the world of work and facilitated making lasting relationships with individuals working in the comms and media sphere. Importantly, I found all my MSc classes engaging and the curriculum extremely relevant and stimulating. The constant support from my lecturers and their genuine interest in my academic progress and wellbeing was second to none. Without studying this course, I would not have had the necessary skillset to get to where I am today, so I am forever grateful to the coordinators. It really is a great course!

Srushti Deotale, India
MSc Communication & Media, 2019/2020
Digital Program Analyst, SSE Airtricity

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I am extremely grateful to University College Dublin for enabling me, to take the first step towards the career my dreams. I am currently working at SSE Airtricity as a Digital Program Analyst in their Graduate Program and the MSc Communication and Media was central for me in getting where I am today. The modules were carefully curated to help students find suitable options for their respective career choices and develop their own pathways in learning. I also appreciated the choice between writing a thesis or working on a real-life project for our final trimester at the University. Since I wanted to gain some practical experience, I decided to choose a media management project which proved extremely beneficial in terms of developing practical skills for my future career. The degree is the perfect mix of practical and theoretical.

MSc Communication and Media (W440) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 9330
nonEU    fee per year - € 22600

MSc Communication & Media (W441) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 6020
nonEU    fee per year - € 11300

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

Applicants are required to have an upper second-class honours degree (NFQ Level 8) or international equivalent. Those whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0 in each element) or equivalent.

This programme is intended for applicants with an undergraduate degree in any discipline and with an interest in pursuing postgraduate studies in communication and media. The MSc in Communication & Media is designed to complement and expand existing programmes and research expertise at the School of Information & Communication studies. It is the first postgraduate degree in this field in Ireland to be offered from an Information school perspective.

These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes 

 

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No


This programme is intended for applicants with an undergraduate degree in any discipline and with an interest in pursuing postgraduate studies in communication and media. The MSc in Communication & Media is designed to complement and expand existing programmes and research expertise at the School of Information & Communication studies. It is the first postgraduate degree in this field in Ireland to be offered from an Information school perspective.



Applicants are required to have an upper second-class honours or international equivalent. Those whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0 in each element) or equivalent.

 


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to MSc Communication and Media:

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