MSc Political Communications & Public Affairs
Master
In Edinburgh
Description
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Type
Master
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Location
Edinburgh (Scotland)
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Duration
1 Year
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Start date
September 2026
other dates
This unique MSc in Political Communication and Public Affairs is for those already working in communication or PR or those who wish to move into the area and will enable you to enter careers in public affairs, policy communication, campaigning, or advocacy.
The course offers highly relevant theoretical knowledge and strong vocational skills development. It focuses on the intersection of communication, media, and politics as the area of knowledge fundamental for communicators working across public, private and third-sector organisations as well as across a range of economic, social or cultural sectors.
The course is delivered full time or part time and offers a placement opportunity.
Facilities
Location
Start date
Start date
About this course
Communication, media, and culture not only shape people’s lives but are also pivotal to the way in which politics and policymaking work. Companies and brands have recognised this for some time now in their lobbying, advocacy, and social responsibility work. In this age of activism, so have ordinary people when they mobilise to advocate for ways - laws and policies - to change how governments and companies go about their business. There is politics (and policy) in the food we eat, in the education we get, in how we travel, how we build homes, in who makes our clothes and what happens to them when we no longer use them. And this is what this course is about.
We recognise the growing importance of specialist skills that combine communication with strategic management and an understanding of public affairs. Many organisations, from huge corporations to grassroots organisations, rely on public affairs specialists to be able to conduct their activities, to look after their reputation and, most importantly, to have a say in how the world is shaped by what governments and legislators do.
On this course, you will develop communication expertise that combines strategic communication with an understanding of policy communication in the contemporary media landscape.
As you will learn, not all people who do these jobs think of themselves as public affairs specialists. Some may be called policy officers or public engagement managers, but whatever the job title, there are core competencies that you need and that you will start developing with our help.
Unique focus: This course is unique in its focus on policy from a communication professional's point of view. Our location in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland with the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government, enhances students’ learning experience.
Tailor your learning to your future career: You will develop knowledge, skills and learning in a rich and diverse environment.
Placement opportunity: Many of our students find that this is a very valuable option that helps expand their learning and build personal connections.
Staff expertise and access to practitioners: Our academic team includes internationally published researchers and practitioners with years of professional experience, and in several modules students learn alongside and network with practitioners working in communication and public relations roles.
Our reputation: QMU has a track record in delivering specialist communication courses recognised by professional bodies (Chartered Institute of Public Relations and Public Relations and Communications Association).
Convenient delivery: This course is delivered in a manner that is ideal for people in full-time work or with caring responsibilities.
Reviews
Subjects
- Politics
- Public Affairs
- Communications
- Public Relations
- Media
Teachers and trainers (1)
Admissions Queen Margaret University
Admissions@qmu.ac.uk
Course programme
To obtain a PgCert, you will complete:
- Contemporary Issues in Political Communication (20 credits): The aim of this module is to enable you 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 you 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 you 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 you 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 your ability to engage critically with media campaigning and public communication; enable you to apply your theoretical knowledge to media/public campaigning, both analytically and practically; and enable you to reflect on the ethics of professionalised/expert media and communication practice.
- Non-fiction Film Production (20 credits): This module will: provide you with a practical understanding of the principal skills, techniques, and practices necessary to manage and create 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.
- Or a different choice from the catalogue of business and arts management modules.
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.
Additional information
Home/RUK/ROI - £7,525
International - £18,455
MSc Political Communications & Public Affairs