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Graduate (Taught)
Application code:P3U5
Department of Media and Communications

MSc Strategic Communications and Society

Study different forms of strategic communication across markets, civil society and politics in the context of digitalisation and globalisation changes.

Overview

Introduction

The MSc Strategic Communications and Society moves beyond a purely vocational approach to the making of messages to offer you 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.

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.

You'll reflect on the role of digital technologies in strategic communications, the links between discourse and power, and how these relate to the way public discourse and symbolic resources are unevenly distributed and controlled through strategic communications practices. Overall, you'll develop an understanding of the power of strategic communications as an organisational, but also a social practice that privileges certain institutions and ideologies as it contributes to the evolution of society.

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.

Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Overseas

English language requirements

The English language requirement for this programme is Higher. Read more about our English language requirements.

Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this does not guarantee you an offer of a place.

However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out from other students.

Programme content

Year 1

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.

Meet the department

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.

Your application

Overview

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.

381
Applications
40
Intake
10:1
2023 Ratio

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.

Home

£28,900

Home student fee (2025/26)

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

Learning and assessment

How you learn

Graduate destinations

Overview

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

Median salary of our postgraduate students 15 months after graduating:

£35,500

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

Advertising, Marketing, PR, Media, Entertainment, Publishing and Journalism
Government, Public Sector and Policy
Education, Teaching and Research
Consultancy
Information, Digital Technology and Data
This data is drawn from the 2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey, run by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Median salaries are calculated for respondents who are paid in UK pounds sterling and in full-time employment.

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