MSc Politics and Communication

The programme aims to give you an advanced understanding of theoretical and applied knowledge in the intersecting fields of politics and communication research. It provides you with the flexibility to pursue particular topics of interest in the fields of media, politics and communication, culminating in an independent research project in politics and communications. The programme is ideal preparation for research work and employment in media, politics, communication and related fields.

You'll study compulsory courses in Political Communication, Theories and Concepts in Media and Communications, Methods of Research in Media and Communications and Democracy and the Media, and optional courses to the value of one unit. You'll also have the opportunity to take courses taught in the Department of Government, in addition to those within your department.

We attract students from a diverse range of backgrounds, often including those with professional experience of working in media and communications-related fields, offering the opportunity to network and exchange ideas.

Here are 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.

Don't feel you have to read everything on the list - the intention is simply to give you an idea of the level and range of material covered.

Some of the books are expensive: we don't expect you to buy them but you may find them in your library.

• Allan, Stuart (2005) (ed) Journalism: Critical Issues, Berkshire: Open University Press
• Bennett, Lance and R. Entman (2001) Mediated Politics. CUP
• Cammaerts, B. and Carpentier, N. (eds.) (2007) Reclaiming the Media: Communication Rights and Democratic Media Roles. Bristol: Intellect
• Coleman, S. and J. Blumer (2009). The Internet and Democratic Citizenship: Theory, Practice and Policy. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
• Curran, James and Gurevitch, Michael (ed) (2005) Mass media and society, London: Arnold
• Esser, Frank and Pfetsch, Barbara (2004) Comparing Political Communications, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
• Gunther, Richard and Anthony Mughan (2000) Democracy and the Media: A comparative perspective. CUP
• Hallin, D. and P. Mancini (2003) Comparing Media Systems. CUP
• Louw, Eric (2005) The Media and the Political Process, Sage
• Matos, Carolina (2008) Journalism and Political Democracy in Brazil, Lanham, New York and Plymouth, Lexington Books
• McNair, Brian (2007) An Introduction to Political Communications, London: Routledge
• Norris, Pippa (2000) A virtuous circle: political communications in postindustrial societies, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
• Scammell, M. and Semetko (eds.) (2000) Media, Journalism and Democracy. Ashgate
• Shirky, C. (2008). Here Come Everybody: the Power of Organizing Without Organizations. London, Penguin Press.
• Swanson,D. and P. Mancini (1996) Politics, Media and Modern Democracy. Praeger.
• Voltmer, Katrin (2006) Mass Media and Political Communication in New Democracies. Routledge
• Waisbord, Silvio (2000) Watchdog Journalism in South America: News, Accountability and Democracy, New York: Columbia

You take one course on media and communications theories and concepts, a course in research methods, and a modern campaigning politics course. You'll then choose courses from a range of options within the department and across other relevant departments, such as law and management. In addition, you'll submit a dissertation of 12,000 words.

The Department of Media and Communications is a world-leading centre for education and research in the field. Our department is ranked number 1 in the UK and number 2 globally for communication and media studies (2024 QS World University Rankings).

We offer students a wide selection of programmes, including master’s degrees, doctoral research training and short courses. At any one time, we have around 270 master’s students and 30 PhD students from around the world – all varying in age, professional experience and backgrounds.

Within the department, our research is organised around four key themes: media culture and identities, media participation and politics, communication histories and futures, and communication technology, rights and justice. The outputs from our research are shared with organisations such as the BBC, Facebook, Google, UNICEF, Ofcom and the UK/EU governments.

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.

Graduates from our programmes progress to interesting roles in broadcasting, journalism, advertising, new media industries, political marketing, market research, regulation and policy, media management and research in the public and private sectors.

Department of Media and Communications

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.

We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form, such as your:

• academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
• statement of academic purpose
• two academic references
• CV.

See further information on supporting documents.

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.

Applications for this programme are considered on a rolling basis. This means that applications will close once the programme is full.

There is no fixed deadline. However, if you’d like to be considered for any funding opportunities, you must submit your application (and all supporting documents) by the funding deadline. See the fees and funding section below for more details.

For this programme, all students pay the same tuition fees, regardless of their fee status.

For this programme, all students pay the same tuition fees, regardless of their fee status.

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 assessed by written examinations, research assignments, essays and the dissertation, which must be submitted in August. 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 dissertation, supported by staff supervision.

An indication of the formative coursework and summative assessment for each course can be found in the relevant course guide.

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.

Further information on graduate destinations for this programme

From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.

Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.

See LSE Careers for further details.