MSc Global Media and Communications (LSE and Fudan)

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 Fudan University, at a top journalism faculty with close links to Shanghai's media industry.

The programme combines theory, independent research and practical media skills, as well as training in Mandarin language. It'll 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, with a particular focus on China. The first year at LSE will offer you a solid theoretical foundation, upon which you'll continue to build in the second year at Fudan University, during which you'll also gain invaluable knowledge and experience of China, including an internship at a relevant media or cultural organisation.

The MSc Global Media and Communications (LSE-Fudan) has run since 2007. In this time, it has produced nearly 150 outstanding graduates from over 30 countries and regions. Alumni of the programme have gone on to work and excel in a wide range of sectors and organisations, including international development organisations, media, government agencies, multinational corporations and academia. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Bloomberg, Agence France-Press (AFP), The Economist, Estée Lauder, Mastercard, and McKinsey are just some of the places where alumni from the programme can be found.

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.

It's not essential that you read everything on the list - the intention is simply to give you an idea of the level and range of material covered.

• 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.

First year, at LSE

The first year at LSE lays a 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. Please note that at LSE we don't provide practical training in journalism, production, campaigning or media management.

In addition to the courses below, as a student at LSE going on to a second year at Fudan University, you'll attend 40 hours of Mandarin language classes at the appropriate level in the LSE Language Centre or the LSE Confucius Institute for Business. Mandarin language assessment doesn't form part of the MSc assessment, but attendance is required for all students on this programme except those already completely fluent in Mandarin. There is no additional fee for the Mandarin classes.

Second year, at Fudan University

Fudan University, established in 1905 in Shanghai, is ranked 39th globally and fifth in Asia in the 2025 QS World University Rankings. The School of Journalism at Fudan University, founded in 1929, is China’s oldest journalism school and has trained tens of thousands of professionals in journalism and communication, contributing hundreds of media leaders and nearly a thousand academic experts to the industry, as well as dozens of deans of journalism and communication schools across the country.

The MSc Global Media and Communications (LSE-Fudan) programme is one of Fudan's most esteemed and long-standing double degree programmes, and has welcomed international students from around the world since 2007.

During your year at Fudan, you’ll immerse yourself in Chinese language, culture, and media through core and elective courses, gaining a deep understanding of China's media landscape from both theoretical and practical perspectives. You’ll also have internship opportunities in Shanghai, a global hub for media and multinational companies, with placements available at media outlets, internet firms, advertising agencies, and government offices.

For more details of the year at Fudan University, please refer to the latest admissions guide on the university’s website.

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).

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.

Applicants from mainland China

PRC citizens currently enrolled in undergraduate programmes at mainland Chinese universities must apply for the Global Media and Communications double master’s degree programme through the national postgraduate recommendation (免试推荐) scheme. Interested applicants should submit their application to the School of Journalism at Fudan University each year in September. Applicants must have, or be expected to have, a minimum GPA of 3.5 (or equivalent) and must meet the required language proficiency standards.

For details on timelines, eligibility criteria, and procedures, please refer to the official announcements updated annually on the School of Journalism’s website (Please note that the website content is primarily in Chinese - 人才培养-招生信息).

Applicants from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao

According to relevant regulations, applicants from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan are required to take the National Postgraduate Entrance Examination for Applicants from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan (港澳台研究生招生考试) and fulfill all related requirements. Only after meeting these conditions will applications be jointly reviewed by Fudan University and LSE.

Important notice

Applicants from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan who also hold a second nationality should consult with Fudan University before submitting an application, as nationality status will affect the eligibility and appropriate application route.

Contact information at Fudan University

Ms. Yanran Chen
Programme Coordinator, LSE-Fudan Double Degree

Email: sojinternational@fudan.edu.cn
Tel: +86-21-55664686

Data sharing

Double degrees and certain other degrees and scholarships require that LSE shares personal data with another university or partner. In our agreements we will use the School’s standard data sharing template for universities and partners in the EU and EEA and in an adequate country. Standard contract clauses will be used for any other country. If you have any questions about this or how your personal data will be treated by LSE, please contact the Data Protection Officer via glpd.info.rights@lse.ac.uk or check our Student Privacy Notice.

Please note: The applications, intake and ratio values below include the MSc Global Media and Communications, LSE and USC, and LSE and UCT.

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.

Year 1 (at LSE, 2025/26):

Home students: £28,900

Year 2 (at Fudan, 2026/27):

Home students (ie, non-Chinese nationals): to be confirmed, but for reference in 2024/25 students paid CNY 120,000 (provisional)

Please note that all students are also expected to pay an application fee of approximately CNY 800 (provisional) in the second year of the programme.

Year 1 (at LSE, 2025/26):

Overseas students: £28,900

Year 2 (at Fudan, 2026/27):

Overseas students (ie, non-Chinese nationals): to be confirmed, but for reference in 2024/25 students paid CNY 120,000 (provisional)
Chinese nationals, second year (2025/26 at Fudan) - fee set by Chinese Ministry of Education (Contact Fudan for further details)

Please note that all students are also expected to pay an application fee of approximately CNY 800 (provisional) in the second year of the programme.

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.

Teaching and assessment in the second year will vary according to each institution.

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.

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.