Media, Power and Public Affairs MSc

Royal Holloway, University of London

The course

The digital age has brought about tumultuous change in how world events are reported, accessed, interacted with and, ultimately, influenced. This course examines the profound effect digital technology is having on the way public affairs are conducted and communicated and how today’s networked societies are using it to force rapid and far-reaching social and political change.

In the New Political Communication Unit at Royal Holloway, we believe the key to making sense of these often chaotic developments is the idea of power - how it is generated, how it is used, and how it shapes the diverse information and communication flows that affect all our lives.

The MSc in Media, Power and Public Affairs is perfect for those who wish to build a career in the growing range of professions that require a deep, critical appreciation of the relationship between the media, politics and public communication.

This unique MSc is only available from Royal Holloway and is ideal for critically-minded and curious individuals who are looking to pursue careers in campaign management, political communication consultancy, journalism, government communication and policy analysis, amongst others. From government communications and election campaigning to the construction of political news, spin, propaganda and agenda setting to media regulation, government surveillance and rights of privacy, you will complete this course having wrestled with the key issues and implications of living and communicating in a new media age.

The curriculum integrates rigorous study of the very best academic research with an emphasis on making sense of political communication as it is practiced in the real world, in both "old" and "new" media settings. You will study a mixture of core and elective units, including a generous choice of free options, and write a supervised dissertation over the summer. Teaching is conducted primarily in small group seminars that meet weekly for two hours, supplemented by individual tuition for the dissertation.

This course is also offered at Postgraduate Diploma level for those who do not have the academic background necessary to begin an advanced Masters degree. The structure of the Diploma is identical except that you will not write a dissertation. If you are successful on the Diploma you may transfer to the MSc, subject to academic approval.

Teaching & assessment

Assessment is carried out by coursework and an individually-supervised dissertation.

Your future career

Graduates of political degrees have much to offer potential employers having developed a range of transferable skills, both practical and theoretical, whilst studying with us. With up to 90% of our most recent graduates now working or in further study, according to the Complete University Guide 2015, it’s true to say our graduates are highly employable.

The methodological nature of a politics degree provides graduates with valuable analytical and research skills in preparation for careers in government, political consultancy, NGOs and research organisations.

In recent years, departmental graduates have secured jobs in a wide range of professions, such as the law, the civil service, accountancy, management, journalism, broadcasting, teaching, international development and diplomacy. In fact, six-months after graduation, 90% of our most recent graduates are enhancing their skills with further study or forging careers in companies and institutions such as:

• Bloomberg
• The Church of England
• Citigroup
• The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative
• The Conservative Party