MA Political Communications

at Goldsmiths University of London

The programme’s core curriculum will address a range of contemporary issues, debates and theory in political communication, including work on:

• comparative media systems
• theories of communication and democratisation
• global media, international governance and transnational communication
• economic, financial and industrial policy
• digital media and online politics
• media sociology and news production
• political parties, party ideologies and party-member dynamics
• public relations, political marketing and spin
• government communication systems and media management
• media audiences, effects and agenda-setting
• public opinion and public sphere debates
• interest groups, social movements and alternative media
• advocacy, civil society and public affairs
• new technologies and the information society
• citizenship and public engagement
• the policy process and government decision-making
• politics and culture
• social theories of power, culture and communications

Theory is usually applied to a number of case study areas on, for example: conflict and war; elections; social and environmental debates; foreign affairs; the economy, finance and business; crime and disorder. Theory and discussion is always related to current events and debates.

You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in a relevant/related subject.

International qualifications
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2022/2023 academic year.

• Home - full-time: £9260
• International - full-time: £18290

If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time if you require a Student Visa, however this is currently being reviewed and will be confirmed in the new year. Please read our visa guidance in the interim for more information. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

We know that political organisations relish thinking graduates. It’s why we focus on delivering a programme that’s rooted in a critical perspective. By the time you leave we want you to feel transformed so that you can go forward and transform the world. 

Our graduates go on to work within government organisations, political parties,  NGOs and news media and across the public and private sectors - from the Houses of Parliament and BBC World Service to Google, Greenpeace and the UN.