MA Digital Political Communications
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Why study MA Digital Political Communications at Goldsmiths
Engage with real-world issues on this dynamic Master’s programme. You will develop not just an understanding of the forms and impacts of political communications. You will also contextualise that knowledge in relation to the structures, institutions and actors that are at the heart of politics and media today.
- This programme, first and foremost, offers critical engagement. It asks difficult questions about politics, economic policy, society and the media.
- Your teaching will be critical, innovative and diverse. Your studies will combine theory with practical, applied elements and draw on a range of research and contemporary examples. These come from current work in politics, political science and media studies, as well as from political sociology, cultural theory and journalism.
- The programme is theory-driven but grounded in practice. You will engage with cultural, alternative and digital interactive communication, as well as traditional mass media.
- This programme aims to equip you with the conceptual tools, and the cognitive and practical skills, to:
- assess the significance of, and consider the role of, digital media in the context of prevailing economic, political and cultural trends.
- explore the relationship between political-economic power, the architecture and ownership of digital media, and the political cultures and strategies of electoral and non-electoral political forces.
- discuss the implications of this for questions of democracy, collective agency, and the capacity of humanity — and the different groups within it — to address the multiple crises afflicting our world today. - The curriculum covers political communication, from the national and international to the local and personal, and from governments and parties to NGOs and local activist groups.
- You will have the opportunity to engage with actors in political and media spheres today. There are several speaker series running each year with guests from the worlds of politics, journalism, business and campaigning.
- You will be based in the School of Media and Communications and Cultural Studies, which has been ranked second in the UK for “world-leading or internationally excellent” research (Research Excellence Framework, 2021) and 16th in the world (third in the UK) in the 2024 QS World Rankings.
Contact
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Dr Jacob Mukherjee , Natalie Fenton or Gholam Khiabany .
Length
1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
Study mode
In-person
Entry requirements
You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least 2:2 standard in a relevant/related subject. You might also be considered if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but you have relevant experience and can show you can work at postgraduate level.
Fees
Home - full-time: £11800
International - full-time: £23000
School
Media, Communications and Cultural Studies
We are an Adobe Creative Campus. During your studies, you will be able to use Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Illustrator and more for free on your own devices.
What you'll study
This programme is theory-driven, but grounded in practice. Your studies will be broadly conceptual in focus, but you will also have the opportunity to explore several practical, applied options as well as skills-based components.
Compulsory modules
All students take a research skills module and are supervised through a dissertation with a research component. Your dissertation will be an opportunity to apply theory to actual empirical problems.
You will study the following compulsory modules:
- Political Comms in the Digital Age (30 credits)
- Media Power & Politics (30 credits)
- Dissertation (60 credits)
Note about optional modules (if available): The above is indicative of the typical modules offered, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. The module content and availability is subject to change.
How you'll be assessed
Teaching will be via a range of formats to be as relevant as possible to the topic and learning outcomes.
This may be through workshops, practical labs, lectures and seminars. It may have a mix of in-person and online activities, designed to give you the best learning experience and to make the most out of your learning experience.
How you'll be assessed
The MA is assessed primarily through coursework essays and written projects. Practical modules may require audiovisual elements to be submitted.
Students also complete a personal dissertation research project of 12-15,000 words.
Entry requirements
You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in a relevant/related subject.
You might also be considered for the programme if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but you have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.
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.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees
These are the PG fees for students starting their programme in the 2026/2027 academic year.
- Home - full-time: £11800
- International - full-time: £23000
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 under a student visa. 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.
If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.
Funding opportunities
Explore the Goldsmiths scholarships finder to find out what funding you may be eligible for.
Paying your fees
Find out about how to make a payment.
If you are a UK student you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan.
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.
There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.
Careers
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.
Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.
How to apply
Apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system
You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system.
Before submitting your application you’ll need to have:
- Details of your academic qualifications
- The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively a copy of your academic reference
- Copies of your educational transcripts or certificates
- A personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online. Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement
You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.
When to apply
We accept applications from 1 October for students wanting to start the following September.
We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you haven't finished your current programme of study. It's very common to be offered a place that is conditional on you achieving a particular qualification.
Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available.
If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an earlier application deadline.
Selection process
Final admission to many programmes is by interview, unless you live outside the UK. Occasionally, we'll make candidates an offer of a place on the basis of their application and qualifications alone.
Find out more about applying.
Research
Be taught by professionals and industry experts
Teaching draws on the professional and research expertise of the school’s highly regarded staff. Research generates global interest with 80% of staff producing research classified as ‘world leading’ or ‘recognised internationally’.
The course also takes advantage of the diverse set of teaching, research and practical resources available to the School of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies at Goldsmiths. This large school offers a wide range of theoretical subjects and perspectives.
