Program Overview

MSc Strategic Communications and Society

The MSc Strategic Communications and Society moves beyond a purely vocational approach to the making of messages to offer an understanding of strategic communication that reflects: the changing means of communication, image making and storytelling in the organisational environment today; the expanding strategic ends of selling not only products and ideas/ideals but also places and experiences in an increasingly mediated and networked world; and the increasingly complex consequences for all types of organisation of the interaction of these changes.

Introduction

The programme will focus on the study of different forms of strategic communication across markets, civil society and in politics, especially in the context of changes associated with digitalisation and globalisation. You'll examine the ways organisations, informal groups and individuals communicate strategically, and how communication contributes to shaping discourses and practices within organisations and more widely across society.

Preliminary Readings

The programme includes preliminary readings on various topics, including:

• What is strategic communication and how does it relate to PR, propaganda, persuasion and power?
• What is the strategic communication/PR industry, how is it defined and how has it evolved?
• What is promotional culture and how does it link to strategic communication, celebrity and image stereotyping?
• What is the impact of strategic communications on the public sphere and deliberative democracy?
• Power and discourse – politics and strategic communication.
• How can strategic communication influence public opinion and behaviour?
• New media and the global reach of strategic communications: business, activism and NGOs.
• How do ‘special interests’ use strategic communication to influence policy agendas (lobbying)?

Entry Requirements

Either (a) upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in social science, or (b) upper second class (2:1) degree or equivalent in another field with professional experience in the media and communications field.

English Language Requirements

The English language requirement for this programme is Higher.

Programme Content

You take one course on media and communications theories and concepts, a course in research methods, and a specialist strategic communications course. You'll also select further courses from a range within the department and across other relevant departments, such as management and social psychology. In addition, you'll submit a dissertation of 12,000 words.

Why Study with Us

Discover more about our students and department. 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.

Your Application

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students. At LSE, we want to recruit students with the best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of background.

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.

Learning and Assessment

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.

Graduate Destinations

On graduating, our students enter a variety of careers in the UK and abroad, including broadcasting, journalism, advertising, new media industries, political marketing, market research, regulation and policy, media management and research in both the public and private sectors.

Related Programmes

• MSc Media and Communications
• MSc Media, Communication and Development
• MSc Social and Public Communication
• MSc Media and Communications (Data and Society)
• MSc Politics and Communication
• MSc Marketing
• MSc Gender, Media and Culture

About LSE

The London School of Economics and Political Science is a world-leading centre for education and research in the social sciences. Our 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.

Contact

For more information about the programme, please visit the LSE website.