Global Media and Communication (MA)

Course Overview

This programme aims to prepare graduates to work as professionals in the global media and communications industries with a specialism in a chosen area. It will focus on fostering a critical understanding of the changing global media environment and on preparing graduates who will have an insight into the role of the media and how society exchanges information through communication in democratic societies, as placed within historical and theoretically-grounded contexts. With platform convergence, and a dissolving of the walls between information and entertainment media, the study of media and communication—in particular with a focus on international issues such as globalisation; populism; sustainability; digital literacy; verification and mis-information—has resonance with graduates interested in postgraduate study. Graduates will be trained with professional communication and production skills to work as professionals in the industry, across multiple platforms. Students will take a dual approach to their studies, being exposed to academic knowledge and understanding as well as practical skills and reflective practice. Students will have an opportunity to further specialise and develop a niche in a subject area of particular interest via a choice of elective streams as follows:

• Social Media and Data Analytics (from 2020–21)
• International Business and Financial Journalism and Communication (from 2021–22)
• Climate Action, Sustainability and STEM Communication (from 2022–23)
• International Journalism, Human Rights and Democracy (from 2022–23) 

Aims and objectives of the programme

• To equip graduates with transferable communications and critical thinking skills that will poise them for future success in the labour market
• To prepare graduates to work in the highly specialised media, wider communication and creative industries with a specialism in a chosen stream, affording them an opportunity to develop an appropriate set of skills during the programme
• To develop students’ research skills to a level commensurate with postgraduate study and afford them an appropriate grounding for further postgraduate research opportunities nationally and internationally
• To develop ethical, articulate and socially responsible graduates who will contribute to the strengthening of democracy in Ireland and internationally through their professional practice
• To encourage the personal academic development of postgraduate students through a coordinated series of modules that incorporate small group research-led teaching and learning experiences

Applications and Selections

Application is online via the online application system. To apply, you should complete the application form and submit together with the following documents: 

• An up-to-date CV
• A 700-word personal statement outlining your interested in, and suitability for, the programme. You should indicate which stream you intend to choose and why (from 2021–22).
• A sample of your writing OR other media. This can be an academic essay; a short video or podcast, an article in student media; or a published piece of media. We welcome innovative and non-traditional samples of creativity.
• Your university transcript.
• A copy of the picture page of your passport as proof of ID (the original will be checked on registering).
• In cases where English is not your first language you will need to provide an IELTS test. 

Shortlisted applications will be invited for interview.

 

Who Teaches this Course

• Fiona McGarry, Lecturer, Discipline of Journalism and Communication
• An Dr Uinsionn Mac Dubhghaill, Lecturer, Discipline of Journalism and Communication
• Bernadette O’Sullivan, Lecturer, Discipline of Journalism and Communication

Adjunct Professors:
Sean O’Rourke, RTÉ journalist and radio presenter
Conor Brady, former The Irish Times editor

Mr Tom Felle

BSc, MA

Head of Discipline
Discipline of Journalism and Communication, Arts Millennium Building
NUI Galway
University Road
Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
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Requirements and Assessment

Assessment on the programme is 100% course work. This includes a variety of assessment methods such as term papers, project work, production of media, and individual and team-based projects.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Additional Requirements

Course Outline

Students will be offered a diet of taught core and elective modules across three semesters including both academic learning and practically-focused teaching and independent learning. Students will be offered 30 credits of modules per semester in semesters one and two, including core subjects, and a choice of elective options from media and communications and related subjects. Students will choose their stream with a pre-determined module structure. In their third semester students will undertake either a final practice-based project under supervision and a work internship, or an academic dissertation also under supervision. 

These carefully planned modules and streams blend to create a programme that will allow students the opportunity to build core communication capacities such as writing, reporting, production and storytelling across multiple platforms as well as providing students with a grounding in theoretical approaches to media and communication. This will allow students to develop their critical thinking capacities as well as acquiring advanced knowledge about norms and practices in global media – and how to challenge these. The suite of modules available offers students an opportunity to engage with real-world challenges and opportunities through a range of visiting speakers and innovative project-based assessment. Students are also given the opportunity to apply and synthesise the skills and knowledge developed over the programme within the final project or individual dissertation that are developed and produced in their final semester. 

Module diet (social media and data stream)

Semester one: Taught modules (30 ECTS)
DJ6132 Digital Sandbox (10cr)
DJ6127 Global Media and Society (10cr) 
DJ6129 Social Media and Digital Production (10cr)

Semester two: Taught modules (30 ECTS)
DJ6131 Global Media Innovation (10cr)
DJ6133 Data Journalism and Visualisation (10cr)

Choose one of:
DJ6134 Business and Financial Journalism
DJ6100 Features Journalism
DJ6125 Investigating Miscarriages of Justice

Semester 3: (30 ECTS)
DJ6123 Dissertation (30 cr)
OR
DJ6124 Final Project and workplace learning (30 cr)

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

Fees: Tuition

Fees: Student levy

Fees: Non EU

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