PGDip in Media and Communications

Program Overview

PGDip Media & Communications

Overview

The Postgraduate Diploma in Media and Communications offers a broad look at many aspects of the media – sociological, economic and cultural. It invites you to think critically about the larger, global media worlds of the present age, and about your own place in society.

Programme Aims

• This programme aims to provide comprehensive insight into the field of Media and Communications.
• You will explore the subject from an interdisciplinary approach, combining the two dominant perspectives that organise the field of inquiry.
• On the one hand, you'll discover the sociological or political-economy discussion of media institutions, with its characteristic emphasis on the social power of media organisations.
• On the other, the domains of subjective identities in mediated societies, which draws more from the intellectual traditions of cultural studies.
• This will borrow from a range of different academic disciplines: sociology, anthropology, geography, psychology, literature and history.

Departmental Ranking

• The Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies has been ranked second in the UK for 'world-leading or internationally excellent' research (Research Excellence Framework, 2021).
• 16th in the world (third in the UK) in the 2024 QS World Rankings for communication and media studies.

Skill Set

• You will gather the required specific skills and knowledge relating to studying media.
• The programme also allows you to engage more widely in critical thought, providing a broad and applicable skill set.
• The skills you'll gain will not only be appropriate for future employment within media industries but will also be applicable to many other areas of employment.

Learning Opportunities

• The Postgraduate Diploma offers a range of teaching styles to aid your learning.
• You'll be guided to work independently from the outset, and encouraged to think through intellectual issues for yourself.
• To ensure your progress is carefully monitored throughout the course you'll be offered a range of seminars and different types of tutorials (with personal tutors and module leaders).
• This progression supervision includes an early, non-assessed essay to help to indicate your progress, and identify any ongoing problems.

Support for Your Career

• The Postgraduate Diploma is primarily aimed at students who want to develop their skills or retrain.
• The Careers Service provides central support for skills enhancement, running The Gold Award scheme and other co-curricular activities that are accredited via the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR).
• The Department has strong industry links and hosts a range of events that bring together industry experts, academics and students.

Programme Details

Length

• 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time

Entry Requirements

• Applicants will normally have, or expect to gain a first degree of at least upper second class standard (or equivalent).

Department

• Media, Communications and Cultural Studies

What You'll Study

Overview

• You will study the following compulsory module:
  • Introduction to Media and Communications Theory (30 credits)

Full-time

• The remaining 90 credits will be taken from the Media and Communications department's approved list of modules, which is published annually.

Part-time

• Those studying part-time will take the same compulsory module and optional module/s worth 30 credits in Year 1.
• They will take optional modules worth 60 credits in Year 2.

Assessment

• Taught sessions and lectures provide overviews of themes, which students are encouraged to complement with intensive reading for presentation and discussion with peers at seminars.
• Assessments build on lectures and seminars so students are expected to attend all taught sessions to build knowledge and their own understanding of their chosen discipline.
• All assessed work is accompanied by some form of feedback to ensure that students’ work is on the right track.

Entry Requirements

• Applicants will normally have or expect to gain a first degree of at least upper second class standard (or equivalent).

International Qualifications

• We accept a wide range of international qualifications.
• Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

English Language Requirements

• 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 2025/2026 academic year.

Funding Opportunities

• Explore the Goldsmiths scholarships finder to find out what funding you may be eligible for.

Paying Your Fees

• Find out about paying your tuition fees.
• 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.