Course summary
This unique programme introduces you to the variety of ways in which brands are developed and used, and helps you to understand how the growth of branding – in business, but also in politics, government, sport and culture – has changed the societies we live in. Why study MA Brands, Communication and Culture at Goldsmiths
- This MA is not a conventional branding or marketing degree – it offers a unique, theory-based approach to the study of brands, reflected in topics taught on our compulsory modules such as gender, colonial history and branding, social media and open source cultures, and geodemographics and new forms of social classification.
- You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the history and development of brands and branding, and their relationship to contemporary forms of communication and culture. You'll also ask what happens when the state uses branding techniques to communicate with its citizens.
- You’ll also gain in-depth knowledge of the social, political and economic backdrop against which branding has become so important, and an understanding of the key themes and debates surrounding its development and use, including the relationship between brands and intellectual property, and the extent to which branding promotes or inhibits openness and transparency within organisations.
- You’ll improve your ability to think critically and creatively about contemporary communications and cultural practices. When you have completed the programme you will be able to analyse contemporary communications, make judgments about their significance, and be able to thoughtfully contribute to contemporary communications.
- You’ll benefit from being taught in the Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies and the Department of Sociology. Our research interests are diverse, and you’ll be able to customise your degree by choosing from a range of optional modules to explore your own interests and broaden your perspectives.
- You’ll be part of a group of students who have a range of experiences and interests in communication, management, politics, design and the cultural industries.
- The Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies has been ranked 2nd in the UK for 'world-leading or internationally excellent' research (Research Excellence Framework, 2021) and 12th in the world (2nd in the UK) in the 2022 QS World Rankings for communication and media studies.
Modules
The programme is made up of two compulsory modules (60 credits in total), between two and four options modules (60 credits in total), and a dissertation (60 credits). The department offers a range of theory-based options as well as some practice-based options in areas such as media futures, online journalism, campaign skills and processes for innovation. Compulsory modules Branding I: History, Contexts and Practice 30 credits Branding II: Key themes and debates 30 credits Option modules In addition to the compulsory modules, you can take up to 60 credits chosen from the Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies and the Department of Sociology. Examples of recent Sociology modules can be seen below. Sample Sociology option modules What is Culture - Key Theoretical Interventions 30 credits Introduction to Feminism and Cultural Theory 30 credits Navigating Urban Life 30 credits Through The Lens Part A: Imaging the City 15 credits Empirical Visual Research 15 credits Sensory Sociology: Imagining Digital Social Research 30 credits Data Made Flesh 30 credits Theories and Debates in Visual Research Sociology 15 credits Consumer Citizenship and Visual Media 30 credits Globalising Human Rights 30 credits Gender Affect and the Body 30 credits Politics and Difference 30 credits Urban Field Encounters 30 credits Through the Lens B: Urban Identities 15 credits Urban Photographers 15 credits Digital Social Research Methods 15 credits (offered jointly by Sociology) Social Research for Public Engagement 30 credits Bodies in Pain: Subjectivity, Health and Medicine 30 credits Mapping Capitalism 30 credits Cultural Policy and City Branding 30 credits Dissertation You will also complete a dissertation (60 credits) on the topic of your choice. Recent dissertation topics have included: Branded Good? An analysis of socially conscious branding and new-imperialist narratives Branded Cosmopolitanism: A study of music festivals in China Virtual Intimacy: Fantasies of authenticity in the branding strategies of VR adult studios An uncertain community: an in-depth investigation into the subscribers and followers of a YouTube brand Subtle Branding: An investigation into the branding value of ‘nothing’ Branding post-capitalism? An investigation of crowdfunding platforms Trespassed city: mapping London’s privately owned public spaces The rise of co-working spaces Craft entrepreneurs: an inquiry into the rise of artisanal production in post-industrial cities Hashtags in photo sharing social media apps Sustainable brand strategies – good for the environment or just a selling strategy? Fashion bloggers, influencers and cultural capital Medical tourism and branded healthcare Intellectual property in the fashion industry Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.
Assessment method
Depending on the options chosen assessment consists of coursework, extended essays, presentations, practice-based projects or essays/logs, group projects and/or reflective essays.
Entry requirements
You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in a relevant/related subject. You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level. 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.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Unless otherwise stated the annual fee for part-time students is half the full time fee quoted.
Provider information
Goldsmiths, University of London
New Cross
Lewisham
SE14 6NW