MA Media, Communications and Critical Practice

Content

This unique Masters programme explores contemporary media and communications alongside the creative and professional practices that are central to the cultural industries. MA Media, Communications and Critical Practice blends academic rigour with the opportunity to gain professional experience and to develop and enhance creative practice-based skills.

The course has been designed for postgraduate students considering a career in media, creative industry or the cultural sector, as well as those who want to work in research and education. It will enable you to develop the intellectual abilities and gain the practical experience you need for employment within the rapidly changing media and creative industries.

MA Media, Communications and Critical Practice will provide you with a systematic understanding of major theories of media and communications. You will explore contemporary approaches to the media and creative industries and their social and economic contexts. You will investigate how global and international perspectives, issues of diversity, equality and identity, and emergent environmental and ethical challenges relate to contemporary media production, circulation and consumption.

During the course you will visit galleries, exhibitions and cultural events, taking advantage of the College’s central London location. You will also benefit from an Industry Speakers Series, with opportunities for networking with industry professionals and creative.

Work-based learning is a central element of this course, with previous students gaining internships at London institutions such as the Tate Modern, Arts Catalyst, the British Council, Film London and the BBC. Alumni have gone on to work for BBC factual programming, the British Council, television production companies, branding consultancies, and to PhD study.

This course is taught within the Media School.

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24 September 2018

Course units

Each course is divided into units, which are credit-rated. The minimum unit size is 20 credits. The MA course structure involves six units, totalling 180 credits.

This course is taught in both full-time and part-time modes.

Units summary:

• Media, Culture and Economy (20 credits)
• Analysing Contemporary Media (20 credits)

In the first week, there will be an induction programme, in which you will:

• Become familiar with the course structure and be introduced to effective strategies for studying at postgraduate level.
• Meet the teaching team and fellow students.
• Meet representatives from student and academic bodies including representatives of the Student Union, Student Services and Learning Resources.
• Become familiar with the geography and structure of the College with tours of the library and facilities.

You will then begin two theory-focused units of study, which together provide a framework for subsequent activities and help you to initiate the independent learning crucial to Masters level study. Alongside these units you will participate in a series of media practice workshops taught by specialist staff.

Units summary:

• Media, Mobility and Culture (40 credits)
• Collaborative Unit (20 credits)
• Professional Industry Practice (20 credits)

In the Spring Term you will commence Media, Mobility and Culture which involves the development of a practice-based project.

In Professional Industry Practice you will undertake some form of industry-based experience or develop a research project with work-based applications.

You will also engage in the student-driven Collaborative Unit, working with students from either another UAL Masters course or with an external partner. Alongside these units you’ll benefit from a series of talks by industry practitioners such as creative producers, journalists, business advisors and curators.

Units summary:

• Media, Mobility and Culture (continued)
• Professional Industry Practice (continued)
• Major Project (60 credits)

In the Summer Term, you will also begin a programme of research skills training workshops and tutorials, and continue with dedicated practitioner-led sessions embedded into the Visual Culture unit.

We will support you in finding a placement or internship, and you will write a critical, reflective report based on this experience. Alternatively, you can choose to develop a research project with work-based applications. Research Methods workshops will enable you to begin working on your Major Project.

Units summary:

• Major Project (continued)

Building on the work you completed during the Research Methods Workshops, you will continue to develop your Major Project. In this project you will consolidate the knowledge and skills you have acquired, applying them to a topic of your choice, either through theoretical or practice-based research.

The content of the units in the part-time mode is the same as those described above in the full-time version of the course.

Units summary:

• Media, Culture and Economy (20 credits)

Units summary:

• Collaborative Unit (20 credits)
• Professional Industry Practice (20 credits)

Units summary:

• Professional Industry Practice (continued)

Units summary:

• Analysing Contemporary Media (20 credits)

Units summary:

• Media, Mobility and Culture (40 credits)

Units summary:

• Media, Mobility and Culture (continued)
• Major Project (60 credits)

Units summary:

• Major Project (continued)

If you are unable to continue or decide to exit the course, there are two possible exit awards. A Postgraduate Certificate will be awarded on successful completion of the first 60 credits and a Postgraduate Diploma will be awarded on successful completion of the first 120 credits.

MA Media Communications and Critical Practice Programme Specification 2017/18 (PDF - 234KB)

Staff Course Leader

Dr Rebecca Bramall

Adrian Crookes

Dr. Jonathan Wright, Thomas Giagkoglou