Program Overview

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MA in Media Studies (MAMS)

Available: Full-time/Part-time
NFQ Level: 9
Duration: 1 yr FT / 2 yrs PT
Location: MIC Limerick
Delivery Mode: Face-to-face
Assessment: 50% by thesis or film script and 50% by successful completion of 6 modules mostly assessed by essay.

Programme Overview

The Master's in Media Studies (MAMS) at Mary Immaculate College (MIC) is an innovative programme that offers students the opportunity to study a wide range of contemporary media topics at an advanced level. Areas of focus include Film Studies, Audio Studies, and Cultural Studies. The courses are taught by internationally acclaimed researchers with practical knowledge of the media industry, fostering collaborative learning and providing a robust foundation for original research and career development.

Key Features

• The programme is interdisciplinary, integrating theories and applications from various academic fields, including sociology, history, cultural studies, audio studies, film studies, gender studies, digital media theory, literary theory, and linguistics.
• Analysis of historical, social, and cultural contexts of media production.
• Examination of how meaning is generated through the interplay of image, word, and sound in media texts, as well as the impact of media on audiences.

Teaching occurs on the MIC campus, with module offerings being dependent on student choices and lecturer availability. The programme can be completed in one year over three semesters or on a part-time basis over two years.

The curriculum familiarizes students with contemporary issues and developments in both Irish and international mass media, situating analyses within post-Independence Irish society, culture, and identity. Students will develop analytical skills regarding media structures, trends, and methodologies for research on media production, texts, and consumption.

Career Opportunities & Further Study

Graduates of the programme will be equipped with knowledge and skills to pursue doctoral studies and will find enhanced career opportunities in various sectors such as film, television, radio, podcasting, and creative media. Students will complete six taught modules and focus on a dissertation during the summer semester, which comprises 15,000-20,000 words on an approved topic.

While primarily theory-driven, some modules focus on practical skills, such as producing a radio documentary or writing a film script, providing valuable experience particularly for those with an industry background. Teaching and learning methods include lectures, seminars, guest lectures, consultations with faculty, guided reading, and written assignments.

Programme Content

Assessment is divided evenly between a dissertation (20,000 words) and the successful completion of six modules from a comprehensive selection.

Core Modules:

• MC5001: Critical Issues in Media Theory
  • Focuses on key conceptual issues and contemporary media theory, exploring the cultural politics of representation and audience engagement.
• MC5002: Radio - The Invisible Medium
  • Investigates audio storytelling through radio and podcasting, emphasizing the skills necessary for successful audio production.
• MC5022: Ireland and Film
  • Covers developments in Irish Film history, emphasizing the negotiation between global and local cultural forces.
• MC5092: Sound, Media & Society
  • Introduces debates surrounding sound as a medium, exploring its social, technological, and aesthetic dimensions.
• MC5011: Mass Media Research Methods
  • Familiarizes students with specific methods in mass media research and prepares them for their dissertation work.
• MC5072: Writing for the Screen - Craft and Context
  • Provides insights into professional screenwriting, covering industry standards and the development of narratives for screen media.
• MC5094: Documentary Film-Making
  • Equips students with practical documentary production skills and knowledge of the industry's best practices.
• MC5071: Popular Music Studies
  • Explores the academic study of popular music, focusing on identity formation and community engagement through music.
• MC5012: Television Drama - Industry, Form & Audience
  • Evaluates television drama through critical debates about its production and societal meanings.
• MC5041: Media, Sport and Popular Culture
  • Examines the interdependence of sport and media and their cultural implications.

Other Modules Offered Occasionally:

• News and News Media
• Researching Irish Media Audiences
• Sociolinguistics of Irish Media
• Women and Ageing in Popular Culture
• Community Media Engagement
• The Development of Irish Media: A Theoretical Overview

Entry Requirements

Applicants should possess a 2.2 in a relevant degree or have media industry experience. Some flexibility regarding class scheduling may be possible for students working full-time.

How to Apply

• EU Applicants: Complete an application form and pay a €50 non-refundable application fee. Provide university transcripts, and if required, an English Language Competency Certificate.
• Non-EU Applicants: Contact the MIC International Office for specific entry requirements and procedures ahead of applying. Include similar documentation as required for EU applicants.

The closing date for applications is 4pm on Friday, 7 August 2026.

Fees

Further details regarding postgraduate fees can be acquired from the relevant section of the institution's resources.