Program Overview

MSc Global Media and Communications (LSE and UCT)

The unique MSc double degree in Global Media and Communications enables you to study for one year at LSE in London, the UK's media capital, and one year at the Centre for Film and Media Studies, University of Cape Town, where students will benefit from a range of courses that equip graduates with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to embark on a career in the film and media industry.

Key Information

• Study mode: Home full-time students (24 months) Closed, Overseas full-time students (24 months) Closed
• Academic year: 2025/26
• Start date: 29 September 2025
• Location: Cape Town, Houghton Street, London
• Application deadline: None – rolling admissions. However, please note the funding deadlines

Overview

Introduction

The programme will provide you with a critical exploration of mediation in the global context, examining processes of globalisation in relation to organisation, production, consumption and representation in media and communications. In our ever increasingly globalised world, international experience gained on one of our global programmes is invaluable and provides an excellent knowledge and experience base to work from.

Preliminary Readings

Set out below, you'll find some suggested readings that will prove helpful to you in preparing for your arrival at LSE, and for finding out about courses you may be interested in taking.

• Appadurai, A. (1996). Modernity at Large: Cultural Dimensions of Globalization. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.
• Flew, T. (2007) Understanding Global Media. Basingstoke, New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
• Kraidy, M. (2005) Hybridity, Or, The Cultural Logic of Globalization. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
• Maxwell, R.(ed.) (2001) Culture Works: Essays on the Political Economy of Culture. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
• Miller, T. (et al.) (2005) Global Hollywood 2. London: BFI Publishing.
• Orgad, S. (2012). Media Representation and the Global Imagination. Cambridge: Polity Press.
• Pickering, M. (2001) Stereotyping: The Politics of Representation. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
• Rantanen, T. (2004) The Media and Globalization. London: Sage.
• Silverstone, R. (2007). Media and Morality. Cambridge: Polity Press.
• Tomlinson, J. (1999) Globalisation and Culture. Cambridge: Polity Press.
• Thussu, D. (2006) Media on the Move: Global Flow and Contra-Flow. London and New York: Routledge.
• Silverstone, R. (2007)_ Media and Morality_. Cambridge: Polity Press.

Entry Requirements

• Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in social science, or a degree in another field with professional experience in media and communications.
• You only need to apply to LSE but you must meet both the LSE and UCT entry requirements.
• English language requirements: The English language requirement for this programme is Higher.

Programme Content

Year 1

• First year, at LSE
  • The first year at LSE lays solid theoretical and methodological foundation for future media and communications professionals to examine issues of media and communication within their political, social and cultural context.
  • Courses:
    • MC408: Theories and Concepts in Media and Communications
    • MC411: Media and Globalisation
    • MC499: Dissertation: Media and Communications
    • One of the following half unit courses:
      • MC4M1: Methods of Research in Media & Communications (including Qualitative & Quantitative Analysis)
      • MC4M7: Methods of Research in Media & Communications (including Qualitative Analysis & Applied Regression Analysis)
    • Courses to the value of one of a half units

Year 2

• Second year, at University of Cape Town
  • During the second year at the University of Cape Town, you'll examine global media and communications from an African vantage point.
  • You'll do an internship in Cape Town and take a core course in Advanced Media Methodology.
  • You can choose to write a dissertation or to complete a creative media production.
  • In addition, you'll select two courses from a range of theoretical and practice-oriented options offered by the Centre for Film and Media Studies (CFMS), or by other departments at UCT (with a maximum of one optional course from outside CFMS).

Why Study with Us

• The Department of Media and Communications is a world-leading centre for education and research in the field.
• Our department is ranked first in the UK and sixth globally for communication and media studies (2025 QS World University Rankings).
• LSE’s location at the heart of London, one of the world's media capitals, allows us to foster close links with media and communications industries and policymakers.

Your Application

• We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students.
• We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form.
• You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency.
• Data sharing: Double degrees and certain other degrees and scholarships require that LSE shares personal data with another university or partner.

Fees and Funding

• The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.
• You're charged a fee for your programme.
• At LSE, your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union.
• It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.
• Year 1 (at LSE, 2025/26):
  • Home students: £28,900
  • Overseas students: £28,900
• Year 2 (at UCT, 2026/27):
  • Home students: Visit the University of Cape Town website
  • Overseas students: Visit the University of Cape Town website

Learning and Assessment

How You Learn

• At LSE you'll take a number of courses, often including half unit courses and full unit courses.
• In half unit courses, on average, you can expect 20-30 contact hours in total and for full unit courses, on average, you can expect 40-60 contact hours in total.
• This includes sessions such as lectures, classes, seminars or workshops.
• Hours vary according to courses and you can view indicative details in the Calendar within the Teaching section of each course guide.
• You're also expected to complete independent study outside of class time.

How You're Assessed

• Formal classroom teaching is usually completed by the end of the Winter Term.
• Coursework is usually submitted in January and May, and examinations are generally held in May and June.
• The remaining months are set aside for you to complete the dissertations, supported by staff supervision.
• All taught courses are required to include formative coursework which is unassessed.
• It's designed to help prepare you for summative assessment which counts towards the course mark and to the degree award.
• LSE uses a range of formative assessment, such as essays, problem sets, case studies, reports, quizzes, mock exams and many others.
• You'll be summatively assessed by written examinations (seen and unseen), research assignments, essays and the dissertation, which must be submitted in August.

Graduate Destinations

• On graduating, our students enter a variety of global careers including broadcasting, journalism, advertising, new media industries, political marketing, market research, regulation and policy, media management and research in both public and private sectors.
• Top 5 sectors our students work in:
  • Advertising, Marketing, PR, Media, Entertainment, Publishing and Journalism
  • Government, Public Sector and Policy
  • Information, Digital Technology and Data
  • Health and Social Care
  • International Organisations

Related Programmes

• MSc Media and Communications
• MSc Media, Communication and Development
• MSc Strategic Communications and Society
• MSc Media and Communications (Research)
• MSc Sociology
• MSc Social and Public Communication