Politics and the Mass Media University of Liverpool

By studying this MA in Politics and the Mass Media you will develop an advanced understanding of the relationship between the media and politics in contemporary societies. This is a fantastic opportunity for postgraduate students from across the world to engage with current debates about the constantly evolving role of media in national and international political life. The programme uncovers the ways in which journalists and politicians attempt to set the political agenda or influence public opinion and also explores the ways in which the audiences, as public and as citizens, are involved in media as consumers and producers. Throughout the programme students will develop skills that directly enhance employability, including applying critical reviewing skills, giving presentations, plus data management, problem-solving, team-working and research design and implementation.

The programme is built around core modules which focus on the theories and debates surrounding:-

• the relationship between the mass media, politics and society
• the role and function of the media in a democracy
• the impact of mass media on global political processes
• research methods used in political communication research.

You'll able to pursue your own specific research/study interest in political communication via a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation and by choosing two further modules from a range of other M-level modules provided by the department or wider school.

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Entry requirements

The department offers taught postgraduate degrees and has specific policies towards international students and those wishing to study part time. The department fully embraces the University’s Equal Opportunities strategy and works closely with the Student Welfare and Disability Team, the International Office and the English Language Support Unit, to provide appropriate facilities for students with additional needs including English language support and adaptive and assistive technologies. Candidates wishing to be considered for registration onto our Masters degree should possess a good Honours degree (2:1 or equivalent). International qualifications Applications from international students are encouraged and international qualifications will be evaluated in line with the National Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) guidelines. English language qualifications All applicants must have reached a minimum required standard of English language, and are required to provide evidence of this. Qualifications accepted by the University include GCSE English; GCE O level English; AS Level English; A Level English Language; IELTS; TOEFL; Cambridge Proficiency etc. Please see www.liv.ac.uk/international. If you meet our other academic requirements but do not achieve the required level of English, it is possible to come and study at Liverpool on the University’s summer academic English programmes. If you need to increase your IELTS score by a grade of 0.5 (eg you need to improve from 6.0 to 6.5) you should attend the six week course. If you need to increase your IELTS score by a grade of 1.0 (eg you need to improve from 5.5 to 6.5) you should attend the ten week course. If you need to increase your IELTS score by a band of 1.5 (eg you need to improve from 4.5 to 6.0) you should attend the 19 week course. If you need to increase your IELTS score by a band of 2.0 (eg you need to improve from 4.5 to 6.5) you should attend the 29 week course. If you need to increase your IELTS score by a band of 2.0 or 2.5 (eg you need to improve from 4.0 to 6.0 or 4.0 to 6.5) you should attend the 40 week course. If you require additional English language training during your study, the University is able to provide tuition and arrange IELTS tests through its English Language Centre, details of which are available at www.liverpool.ac.uk/english-language-centre. IELTS 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each component) TOEFL iBT 88 or above with minimum scores in components as follows: Listening and Writing 21, Reading 22, Speaking 23. International Baccalaureate Standard Level (Grade 5) Hong Kong use of English AS level C INDIA Standard XII 70% or above from Central and Metro State Boards WAEC C4-6