MSc Political Communications & Public Affairs

• Contemporary Issues in Political Communication (20 credits): The aim of this module is to enable students to develop a sound understanding of political communication understood as a range of professional and institutional communication practices operating in contemporary democratic systems of government.
• Public Affairs (20 credits): The aim of this module is to enable students to: develop knowledge of public affairs as a strategic organizational function focused on political environment; develop a sound conceptual framework for professional public affairs practice, combining fields of policy analysis and communication (with special attention to aspects of political communication)
  ; develop a number of strategic planning and public affairs competencies (research and problem definition, argumentation, campaign planning); and to reflect on public affairs as a professional practice (ethics and regulation).
• Research Methods (20 credits): The module aims to provide students with a deep understanding of the way that research is designed, conducted, and communicated and to use this to develop a viable proposal for future research.

To then obtain a PgDip, you will select three further 20 credit options, which may include one of the following popular choices:

• Industry-based Learning and Professional Development (20 credits): The module aims to provide students with a deep understanding of the way that research is designed, conducted, and communicated and to use this to develop a viable proposal for future research. It includes a placement.
• Strategic Communication and Digital Practice (20 credits): This modules aims to develop: a critical understanding of the role of strategic communication within wider contexts including business and organisations, agencies, campaign groups and NGOs; a critical understanding of ethics, social responsibility and social justice and how strategic communication can impact on society; and the ability to apply theory to create creative PR campaigns including a range of communication activities and digital tactics.
• Media Theory and Campaigning (20 credits): This modules aims to: provide solid disciplinary orientation to key problems and theories in the field of mass communication and media studies in a historical perspective; introduce persuasion and theories of learning to contribute to students’ ability to engage critically with media campaigning and public communication; enable students to apply their theoretical knowledge to media /public campaigning, both analytically and practically; and enable students to reflect on the ethics of professionalised/expert media and communication practice.
• News-based Media Content Creation (20 credits): This module will: provide students with a practical understanding of the principal skills, techniques, and practices necessary to manage & create and a digital project; and facilitate critical understanding of the impact of communication practice and the importance of ethical and social responsible objectives through researching, identifying, planning, and implementing a campaign film / photography project.
• Visual Storytelling for Media Campaigns (20 credits): This module aims to: enable students to plan, manage and produce campaign films, appropriate for submission to an organisation, client, or broadcaster; and facilitate critical understanding of narrative techniques.

If undertaking the MSc, you will also complete a Dissertation (60 credits).

Specified module exemptions may be awarded to applicants who already hold CIPR Specialist Public Affairs Diploma and those who join the course from an established pathway.

NB The modules listed are correct at time of posting (October 2023) but are subject to change. In the event that modules change, QMU will seek to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that there is no detrimental impact on students.