Program Overview

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Overview

The Cross-Cultural Communication and International Relations MA offers theory, research, and practical training in international and intercultural communication, as well as approaches to understanding contemporary international politics and society.

What You'll Learn

• Language and communication: Applied linguistics academic staff from the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences deliver this strand, which comprises one compulsory module and a number of optional modules available to all cross-cultural and communication students.
• International relations pathway-specific modules: Academic staff in politics from the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology deliver the international relations strand of taught modules.

Modules

You will study modules on this course, including:

• Research Portfolio
• Introduction to Intercultural Communication
• Optional modules such as:
  • The Social Psychology of Communication
  • Sociolinguistics
  • Professional Communication in Intercultural Settings
  • English in the World
  • Language and Social Interaction
  • Multimodal Communication
  • Multilingualism
  • European Union: Policy and Politics
  • Theories and Theorists of International Political Economy
  • Theories of International Relations
  • Global Justice and Human Rights
  • Development, Environment and International Politics
  • Critical Geopolitics
  • World Politics and Popular Culture

How You'll Learn

Delivery and teaching methods include:

• In-person lectures
• In-person small group teaching
• In-person small group workshops
• Online lecture videos and activities
• Online interactive lessons

Assessment Methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Case study
• Essay
• Oral presentation
• Reflective log
• Research proposal
• Research paper

Your Development

The programme is designed to support your development over the course of the year, with semester 1 modules providing foundational knowledge and semester 2 modules allowing you to build on this and select specialist topics suited to your interests and future goals.

Your Future

This Master's is relevant if you wish to study communication, language, and culture in contexts of international relations, preparing you for work in international and intercultural environments.

Intercultural Communication and International Relations Careers

Communication is an essential aspect of the work in roles such as:

• Communications and public affairs consultants
• Governmental civil servants
• NGO staff
• Intergovernmental advisors
• Human resources advisors
• International recruitment managers
• Digital communications managers

Quality and Ranking

• 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
• Global Top 140 University – QS World University Rankings 2026
• Global Top 160 University - Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
• Top 125 for Social Sciences – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• Top 150 for Communication and Media Studies - QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
• Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

Facilities

As a student in the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences, you'll have access to facilities and a growing collection of online resources, including:

• A well-stocked Education Resource Centre
• A language analysis lab
• A phonetics lab
• An audio-video lab
• A recording studio

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees for 2026 Entry (per year)

• Qualification: MA Full time: £11,400 (Home students), £25,900 (International students)
• Qualification: MA Part time: £5,700 (Home students)

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships.

Entry Requirements

Academic Entry Requirements

A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in relevant disciplines such as Anthropology, Communication, Ethnography, Intercultural Communication, International Relations, Linguistics, Philosophy, Psychology, Politics, Social Anthropology, Social Psychology, Sociology, TESOL, or Modern Foreign Languages.

English Language Requirements

Select your qualification: IELTS, Pearson, Duolingo English Test, TOEFL, or Other.

How to Apply

Before You Start

• Start Dates: The course starts in September.
• Closing Dates: There is no application closing date for this course.
• Deposit: If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you must pay a deposit of £1,500 or submit an official letter of sponsorship.

Programme Codes

• Qualification: MA Full time: 4054F
• Qualification: MA Part time: 4054P

Using the Application Portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application, telling you what documents you need and how to upload them.