Media Industries MA

Course overview

The media play an important role in entertaining and informing the public, but they also make up a global industry that employs millions of people. This course will give you an insight into both aspects of the media industries, as you critically analyse their cultural and economic dimensions.

You'll explore the full range of media production, from individual bloggers to independent production companies to huge corporations. Taking an international approach, informed by cutting-edge theories, you’ll study the development of contemporary media to understand current trends such as platformisation, influencer culture, content streaming and social media.

It’s an interdisciplinary course, drawing on communication and cultural studies, economics, sociology, anthropology, business and management studies, human geography, politics, law, literature, and music.

Guided by internationally renowned and active researchers in the field, many of whom are involved in our Media Industries and Cultural Production Research Centre, you’ll gain an insight into how television, film, music, online media, newspapers, magazines and advertising are produced, and what it’s like to work in each industry.

Please refer to the application deadlines.

Staff at the School of Media and Communication Leeds are experts in media industries research and are involved in many national and international research projects. This gives you the chance to learn from some of the top global researchers in this field of study. Leeds itself is a dynamic and evolving ‘media city’, with thriving media and digital production clusters in regenerated areas like Holbeck as well as recently becoming the new home for the national public service broadcaster Channel 4.

Course details

You’ll develop your knowledge of the full range of media industries through core modules that run in each semester.

You’ll be introduced to issues and debates in media studies as well as the impacts of developments such as digitalisation and marketisation. Then you’ll explore the organisational dynamics of industries such as television, film, music, digital media, newspapers, magazines and advertising to consider what it’s like to work in them.

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.

Alongside the compulsory modules, you’ll be able to tailor the course to suit your own interests and career aspirations. You'll select from a range of optional modules on topics such as television narrative, identity and media, political communication, cultural policy, international film industries and public relations, among others.

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.

For more information and a list of typical modules available on this course, please read MA Media Industries (Full-Time) in the course catalogue.

For more information and a list of typical modules available on this course, please read MA Media Industries (Part-Time) in the course catalogue.

Year 1 compulsory modules

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

We use different methods to assess your progress, depending on the modules you choose. These are likely to include essays, video or photography work, presentations or project work and reports.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (Hons) in one of the following: a (theory focused) media-related course, communication studies, cultural industry studies/management, cultural studies, history, literature, or sociology.

Relevant professional experience may also be considered from an applicant with an undergraduate degree in a preferred subject. 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

• If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide evidence of your English language qualifications.

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: £12,000 (Total)

International: £27,250 (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 course is designed to give you a wide range of knowledge and advanced skills in research, critical analysis and communication that will serve you well in a variety of careers in the management and production of media content, both in the UK and worldwide. Our graduates have gone on to work in strategy, communications and creative roles in broader contexts such the British Council and embassies, as well as roles in media management, PR, social media, cultural policy, web video production, journalism and TV production.

In addition to these career opportunities, you’ll also be well placed to pursue research at PhD level or an academic career. With this course under your belt, you’ll have the skills and knowledge to make a real impact in the world of media content management and production. You’ll also gain the strategic insights and methodological ability to undertake complex research in this field.

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.