Political Communication MA
Year of entry 2025
- Start date
- September 2025
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 12 months full time
- 24 months part time
- Entry requirements
- A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons)
Full entry requirements - English language requirements
- IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component
- UK fees
- £12,500 (Total)
- International fees
- £29,000 (Total)
- Contact
- mediapg@leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
Modern democracies are increasingly shaped by the relationships between politicians, mass media and citizens. This interdisciplinary course applies ideas from a range of approaches to give you an insight into the context and production of political journalism and communication.
Core modules will introduce you to political communication in established and emerging democracies worldwide, critically exploring the ethics and power dynamics at play. You’ll ask questions around media freedom, the responsibilities of journalists, the impact of emerging technologies and whether elections really are decided on TV.
You can tailor the course to suit your personal and career interests, choosing from optional modules on topics such as digital media, climate communication or arts activism. Content of the course modules is informed by the research interests and practice of academic staff who teach them.
Please refer to the application deadlines.
Facilities
You'll also have access to Helix, the University's learning innovation hub for students, staff, and the local community. Located in the heart of campus, Helix offers cutting-edge digital provision, including immersive technologies, multimedia production studios, as well as a physical makerspace. You'll be able to bring your own initiatives and ideas to life through collaboration, creation and innovation.
Course details
You’ll study two core modules that cover the foundations of the course, exploring the role of communications in contemporary politics.
You’ll look at different models of contemporary democracy and critically examine the relations between political actors, the media and citizens. From there you’ll move on to recent innovations sparked by cultural, technological and political change. With this in mind, you’ll then design a political campaign that incorporates some of these developments.
On top of this, you’ll build specialist knowledge through your choice of optional modules. These can include topics such as communication and public opinion, digital platforms, global migration, rhetoric, and identity. The optional modules allow you to focus on topics that suit your own interests or perhaps reflect your career plans.
Throughout the course, you’ll also be preparing for your dissertation through the Dissertation and Research Methods module. Your dissertation is a major independent research project on a topic of your choice, which you submit at the end of the course.
If you choose to study part-time, you’ll complete the course over two years, instead of one, taking fewer modules each year.
Have a look at some student work produced on this course.
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Most courses consist of compulsory and optional modules. There may be some optional modules omitted below. This is because they are currently being refreshed to make sure students have the best possible experience. Before you enter each year, full details of all modules for that year will be provided.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Dissertation and Research Methods | 60 |
| Innovations in Political Communication | 30 |
| Keywords in Political Communication | 30 |
Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Contemporary Debates in Media and Communication | 30 |
| Gender and Media Histories: Feminist Methods | 30 |
| Critical Studies in Visual Communication | 30 |
| Feminism, Identity and Media | 30 |
| Understanding the Audience | 30 |
| The Reporting of Politics | 30 |
| Popular Music and Society | 30 |
| Communication and Public Opinion | 30 |
| Identity and Culture | 30 |
| Climate Communication | 30 |
| Urban Narratives | 30 |
| Global migration, ‘race’ and media | 30 |
Learning and teaching
We use a range of teaching and learning methods including lectures, group learning and project work, seminars, tutorials and workshops.
Independent study is crucial to this degree, as an opportunity to deepen your knowledge of the subjects introduced in lectures and seminars, and to develop your skills in analysis and research. You can anticipate spending at least 20 hours per week on independent study associated with your modules.
You'll be taught by active researchers in the field of communication and media. The research interests and practice of your tutors inform the content of the course.
On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Assessments also take different forms so you can develop diverse skills. These are likely to include essays and exams, group presentations, projects and reports, as well as campaign analyses and case studies.
Applying
Entry requirements
A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (Hons) in one of the following: a (theory focused) media-related course, communication studies, politics or sociology. Applications from those with degrees in other subjects may be considered on an individual basis.
Relevant professional experience will also be considered. We may request additional documentation to inform our decision.
International qualifications
To see equivalent entry requirements for your country, check our international entry requirement directory.
For more information contact the School of Media and Communication admissions team.
Applying from China
Due to the large numbers of applications we receive, we’re only able to offer places to applicants who have attended selected Chinese institutions. With regret, any applications we receive from applicants awarded a qualification in China from an institution that isn’t on this list will be rejected.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Communication and Society (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Communication and Society (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Documents and information you need:
your degree certificate and transcripts, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying
your most recent CV
evidence of your English language qualifications, If English is not your first language.
We do not require a personal statement from you, unless the School sends you a request for this information.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025
This course is taught by
School of Media and Communication
Contact us
Postgraduate Admissions Team
Email: mediapg@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Fees
UK: £12,500 (Total)
International: £29,000 (Total)
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Head of School Masters Scholarships
We offer scholarships to applicants holding an offer to study a Masters at the School of Media and Communication in the form of tuition fee waivers.
To find out how to apply and to see all funding opportunities, visit our scholarship and funding opportunities page.
Career opportunities
This isn’t a practical training course; it will give you an in-depth understanding of the role and importance of political communication – a sector which is constantly growing.
Our graduates have entered a wide range of related careers in political journalism, government communications, communications analysis and advisory roles for political parties. Others have gone on to work for international organisations and pressure groups.
You’ll also be equipped to continue with further research at PhD level and pursue an academic career.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.