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    MA
    2025 start September 

    International Public and Political Communication

    School of Journalism, Media and Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences

    Become an expert in media relations, political marketing and persuasive communication. You'll take part in debates on mis and disinformation, learn how organisations shape their messages to persuade, inform or mislead, and put your knowledge to the test by designing a campaign of your own.
    A group of three young people speaking and laughing together.

    Course description

    We are continually surrounded by differing viewpoints and messages. This content is shaped in different ways, advocating viewpoints and constructing campaigns to influence public opinion, audiences and policymakers.

    Our course teaches you to be an expert in both the analysis and development of messages from groups such as political parties, public and governmental institutions, pressure groups, charities and NGOs. 

    You'll learn about media relations, political marketing and the scope and significance of political communication. You'll also develop skills in persuasive communication, including communicating with the media, media training, and using different media outlets to promote ideas through advocacy and lobbying.

    Our teaching provides a thorough, critical understanding of key debates around the intersection of the media and international public and political communication.

    Modules

    The information on this page gives you an idea of the areas we expect the course to cover. This is not an exhaustive or fixed list as we are in the process of developing new topics to include. More information on the finalised modules will be available later in 2023.

    From May of the year of entry, formal programme regulations will be available in our Programme Regulations Finder.

    Core modules:

    Visual political communication

    This module will introduce students to key conceptual/methodological debates concerning the role, function and impact of images and visual representations within contemporary forms of political communication. Focusing on a variety of communication, media and journalism-based media and contexts (i.e. photojournalistic coverage of war/conflict/terrorism, the role of images within political campaigns, political cartoons, visual representations of minority groups, etc.), and actors (e.g. politicians, NGOs, marketing and PR professionals, terrorist organisations, protest movements, etc), the module will to equip students with the critical and analytical skills for interrogating dominant modes and methods of visual political communication.

    15 credits
    Media, Society and International Crises

    This module examines the relationship between media, political bodies, NGOs, and wider societal actors at the outbreak of international crises. It looks into particular cases of recent international crises and early reportage, questions the emerging media and political representations, and evaluates them in light of theories of perception, identity, and reactions to uncertainty. In this module students will conduct a research project into the early media coverage of a crises, interview journalists, participate in a modelling exercise of political, public and media reactions to an international crisis and relate early coverage to later narratives found in media and film.

    15 credits
    Research Methods

    This module is designed as an introduction to social scientific research methods as applied in the communications, media and journalism fields. The module provides an overview of key research methods, and the different ways in which research can be conducted. Topics covered include surveys, questionnaire design, focus groups, interviewing, ethnography, content analysis, discourse analysis and different aspects of information search, reserach design, project management and research presentation. The module is designed to make students aware of basic skills in these social science research methods and to equip them to conduct small scale projects on their own, or in groups.

    15 credits
    Introduction to Political Communication

    The module seeks to explore a range of ideas and issues within the very broad area of political communication. It starts with a basic introduction to the field and then moves on to look at key issues that feature in the discussion of politics, journalism and communication, and the intersection of these three fields of study. The module will also seek to explore how we should look at the field of political communication at a time when traditional media (newspapers) are in relative decline and different forms of communication (Twitter, Facebook, WeChat) exist in abundance. The discussion will take in comparative, global and historical contexts.

    15 credits
    Communicating with the Media

    This module will provide students with knowledge and skills necessary to communicate messages through the media. Case studies and practical workshops will allow students to learn about the practice of media communication. They will learn how the media operates and how to communicate messages through interviews, press conferences and news releases. Topics covered in the module will include the development of communication strategies, the understanding of news values and news cycles and strategies for successful and ethical communication.

    15 credits
    Dissertation (International Public and Political Communication)

    This module will require students to conduct their own research project utilising some of the methods they will have learnt in JNL6210 Research Methods which runs in the autumn semester and is compulsory for all students. Students will be asked to analyse a public or political communication campaign of their choice. Such analysis includes all elements of a campaign including the political marketing material. Students are required to submit a dissertation of not less than 12,000 words and not more than 15,000 words in length.

    60 credits

    Optional modules

    You will choose three of the following:

    Soft Power and Public Diplomacy

    This module offers a comprehensive review of public diplomacy and its broader field of soft power statecraft. As such, it provides students at post-graduate level with a compilation of approaches to, and studies of varying perspectives on the practice of public diplomacy. The module provides insights into international debates, draws on an emerging body of knowledge as well as societal trends impacting the field and the practice of public diplomacy. Focusing on the meta-theoretical, philosophical, and applied aspects of public diplomacy, the module will cover: conceptual foundations of public diplomacy; institutional and organisational dimensions of public diplomacy; implementation of public diplomacy; domains of practice in public diplomacy.

    30 credits
    Transnational Feminist Approaches to the Media

    Drawing on examples from across the globe, this module will critically evaluate how transnational feminist issues are constructed and communicated in a variety of media including social media, podcasts, magazines, and newspapers. This includes the examination of both images and texts that represent political issues that impact women, feminist activism, and gender norms. With a focus on the political nature of mediated communication, students will analyse sources from a feminist, intersectional, and decolonial perspective. This analysis will be informed by transnational feminist scholarship, postcolonial studies, and queer theories. Students will consider the role of the media in both perpetuating, but also challenging, normative ideas about gender and feminism. They will also learn how to communicate effectively about diverse feminist issues using strategies such as agenda setting, framing, field analysis, and audience targeting. Topics include intersectionality, neocolonialism, social movements, NGOs, LGBTQ+ identity, and the body.

    15 credits
    Radio and NGO Communication in conflict-affected areas

    Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other such organisations are valuable information sources, mediators and actors in conflict-affected zones and use local media, particularly radio, to amplify their messages, programmes and advocacy. This module focuses on, and engages with, the public and political communication used, and sometimes misused, and even abused, by radio and NGOs, internationally and historically, during times of conflict and the challenges they encounter culturally, politically, economically, legally and institutionally. In this case, 'internationally' means from the perspective of the Global South.

    15 credits
    Critical Incidents in International Journalism

    In this module students will explore and analyse international critical incidents (for example, in the UK, US, Asia and Africa) and the efforts to ensure high-quality journalism that follow them. Students will engage in the critical analysis of media reform history, theories and perspectives related to critical incidents in journalism. Additionally, students will have an opportunity to develop their own media reform project and/or participate in an existing one.

    15 credits

    The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we'll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

    Open days

    An open day gives you the best opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and staff about our courses.
    Open days and campus tours

    Duration

    1 year full-time

    Teaching

    We teach through lectures, seminars, workshops and research exercises.

    Assessment

    You’re assessed by essays, examinations and a dissertation.

    Your career

    Within 15 months of graduation, our students launch straight into roles such as:

    • Marketing officer
    • Communications professional
    • PR officer
    • Teaching assistant
    • Policy maker

    Many of them find work in local government, education and the third sector. Workplace destinations include:

    • Leeds City Council
    • Natwest Group
    • The Liberal Democrats party
    • Fosun Foundation
    • Hebei University

    Find out more about our graduates and where they go on to work.

    School

    School of Journalism, Media and Communication

    Here at the School of Journalism, Media and Communication, we've been training extraordinary journalists and conducting pioneering research since 1994, when our department was launched by Observer Editor Donald Trelford at our first home in Minalloy House.

    After 30 years in the industry, we've learnt a thing or two about networking. Study with us, and you'll have exclusive access to our unrivalled contacts and alumni network, situated in newsrooms across the world.

    We’ll also provide you with award-winning employability support in the form of one-to-one support sessions, weekly masterclasses and an array of placement opportunities to help you get your foot in the door. 

    You’ll learn to ace the basics on our practical courses, including how to spot big stories and make them shine; edit engaging audio, video and podcasts in our state-of-the-art facilities; become an expert in social media; and even ace those shorthand exams. We’re the only Russell Group University to be accredited by the NCTJ, BJTC and PPA, so you know you’re learning from the best of the best.

    For those with an eye for Journalism’s bigger picture, our research-led programmes will help you piece together the epic social narratives of global journalism, mass media and political communication. You’ll be rubbing shoulders with experts in media law, mis/disinformation, propaganda and freedom of the media - taking full advantage of the research excellence we have to offer as a Russell Group institution.

    Our graduates go on to achieve great things and remain part of our legacy forever. They change the world through the power of storytelling - be they journalists, documentarians, PR experts, novelists, or teachers.

    Thanaselan Rajendran portrait

    I find myself constantly drawing on the theories, thought-provoking discussions and debates I engaged in at this leading journalism school in the UK

    Thanaselan Rajendran MA International Public and Political Communication

    Thanaselan Rajendran completed the IPPC course in Sheffield, before moving back to Malaysia to head up a variety of businesses and social projects. He tells us a bit about how he got there.

    Portrait of Christine Kelsey

    Studying in Sheffield supported me to change careers, giving me the confidence to try something new

    Christine Kelsey MA International Public and Political Communication

    Christine works as a policy advisor for the Department of Education. She explains how her masters at Sheffield helped her to change her career.

    Entry requirements

    Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in any subject.

    We also consider a wide range of international qualifications:

    Entry requirements for international students

    We assess each application on the basis of the applicant’s preparation and achievement as a whole. We may accept applicants whose qualifications don’t meet the published entry criteria but have other experience relevant to the course.

    The lists of required degree subjects and modules are indicative only.  Sometimes we may accept subjects or modules that aren’t listed, and sometimes we may not accept subjects or modules that are listed, depending on the content studied.

    English language requirements

    IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent

    Pathway programme for international students

    If you're an international student who does not meet the entry requirements for this course, you have the opportunity to apply for a pre-masters programme in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Sheffield International College. This course is designed to develop your English language and academic skills. Upon successful completion, you can progress to degree level study at the University of Sheffield.

    If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school/department.

    Fees and funding

    There are a number of bursaries and scholarships available, including the Dan Walker scholarship, the Scott Trust (owner of The Guardian), Journalism Diversity Fund, The Aziz Foundation Scholarship and others.

    Funding opportunities for MA degrees in journalism

    Apply

    You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.

    The school running this course will change its name before September 2025. On the online application form, please select Faculty of Social Sciences and School of Information, Journalism and Communication when applying for this course.

    Apply now

    Contact

    journalism-admissions@sheffield.ac.uk
    +44 114 222 2500

    Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.

    Our student protection plan

    Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read information from the UK government and the EU Regulated Professions Database.