Course summary

This innovative Master's degree aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge and strategic approach to develop and analyse social change campaigns and activism, with a particular focus on the role of communications and the media. This is the only postgraduate programme of its kind and has a flexible delivery to suit both full-time and part-time students. The course builds on our close links with leading campaigners and communicators in London's vibrant social change sector. An advisory panel, with representatives from Amnesty UK, Friends of the Earth, Save the Children, Advocacy Hub, Tearfund, FairSay and The National Council of Voluntary Organisations among others, will ensure we always reflect the skill sets in demand and deliver an exciting learning experience. A limited number of work placements and internships will be available. The course is aimed at those with some experience or interest in social change, the media, and communications or campaigns within not for profit organisations. The course will help you improve your practical skills, develop a deep understanding of the theories and frameworks that underpin and shape campaign communications, and enjoy the space to reflect critically on current and past practice. It is designed to help you start, or progress, a career in charity, pressure group or public sector campaign communications. It may also be of interest to those working in corporate social responsibility. Alumni work in a range of senior campaign and communications roles in charities, NGOs, agencies, think tanks and government departments. The course team has extensive experience both in developing social change campaigns and in academic research into the connections between media, protest and social change. The course is jointly led by Michaela O’Brien and Dr Anastasia Kavada, with additional teaching by practitioners and members of our internationally renowned Communication and Media Research Institute. It is taught at our campuses in the West End of London, and also at the Harrow campus. The course offers a number of delivery modes to suit the different needs of students and can be taken as either part-time or full-time. In addition to the Media, Campaigning and Social Change MA, we offer a Media, Campaigning and Social Change Postgraduate Diploma and a Media, Campaigning and Social Change Postgraduate Certificate, which comprises fewer modules than the full MA and so can be completed in a shorter period of time. To study for the Postgraduate Certificate, you'll be required to take the three core 20-credit modules listed in the Course Structure. The Postgraduate Certificate usually takes one year to complete part-time. Apply for the Postgraduate Certificate now via the Westminster online application form. To study for the Postgraduate Diploma, you'll be required to take the three core 20-credit modules listed in the Course Structure and also choose an additional three 20-credit modules from the Option modules list. The Postgraduate Diploma usually takes one year to complete full-time or two years to complete part-time. Apply for the Postgraduate Diploma full-time or for the Postgraduate Diploma part-time now via the Westminster online application form. Westminster is a leading provider in this academic discipline and is ranked top 15 among UK institutions for Communication and Media Studies in the QS World University Rankings 2022. The University is also ranked 4th in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2022 for Research Quality in Communication and Media Studies.