MSc Strategic Communications

at London School of Economics

You take one course on media and communications theories and concepts, a course in research methods, and a specialist strategic communications course. You will also select further courses from a range within the Department and across other relevant departments, such as management and social psychology. In addition, you will submit a dissertation of 12,000 words.

(* denotes half unit) 

Theories and Concepts in Media and Communications I (Key concepts and interdisciplinary approaches)*
Addresses key theoretical and conceptual issues in the study of media and communications, within a broadly interdisciplinary social science perspective.

Either
Methods of Research in Media and Communications (including Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis)*
Provides a general training in research methods and techniques.

Or
Methods of Research in Media and Communications (including Qualitative Analysis & Applied Regression Analysis)*
Provides students with a general training in research methods and techniques, including research design, the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, and enables students to evaluate critically their own research and that of professional researchers.

Critical Approaches to Strategic Communications* 
Provides an advanced understanding of theoretical knowledge in the field of media and communication as this relates to strategic communications.

Dissertation: Media and Communications
An independent research project of 12,000 words on an approved topic of your choice.

Courses to the value of one and a half units from a range of options 

Minimum requirements to be considered for a place on the course are as follows:
 

• A good first degree of a least at 2.1 or a GPA of 3.5 or above from an accredited university
• At least 4 years of professional experience but preferably 10
• If English is not your first language, you should possess an English language qualification such as IELTS or TOEFL. English tests must be less than two years old by 1 October in the year you intend to start your programme.Minimum scores required are: IELTS - overall score of 7.0 (6.0 in speaking and writing and 6.5 in listening and reading), or TOEFL - overall score of 107 (23 in reading and listening, 22 in writing and 20 in speaking. Note: if English is the language of instruction of your previous degree, you might be exempt from this requirement.

Every graduate student is charged a fee for their programme.

The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2022/23 for MSc Strategic Communications
Home students: £24,456
Overseas students £24,456

Quick Careers Facts for the Department of Media & Communications
Median salary of our PG students six months after graduating: £30,000 

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

• Advertising and market research
• Management consultancy activities
• Computer programming and consultancy
• Video, television and music production and publishing
• Education

The data was collected as part of the Graduate Outcomes survey, which is administered by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Graduates from 2017-18 were the first group to be asked to respond to Graduate Outcomes. Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling.

On graduating, our students enter a variety of careers in the UK and abroad, including broadcasting, journalism, advertising, new media industries, political marketing, market research, regulation and policy, media management and research in both the public and private sectors.