Media and Communication MA
- Language and media
- Postgraduate
At Kingston School of Art, we see the future of media as something to be designed and strategically directed. Kingston University's Media and Communication MA prepares you to lead the next phase of media innovation through advanced media theory, visual literacy, creative strategy, and future focused research.
Predict, design and lead future trends
In a landscape shaped by AI, machine learning, and large language models (LLMs), you will explore not only emerging tools but the cultural, ethical, and conceptual systems that drive them.
Our MA in Media and Communication will shift your design thinking from the technical know how of the media professional to the strategic know why of the media creative – a distinctive approach that empowers graduates to define, rather than follow, emerging media cultures.
You will investigate how human and machine intelligence co-create meaning, how audiences navigate complex digital spaces, and how creative direction, communication strategy and cultural insight can reshape media for the decade ahead. This curriculum integrates future shaping ideas with rigorous critical frameworks, enabling you to imagine and prototype new media environments with confidence and clarity.
Designed for students who want to lead conversations about media futures, this programme develops the conceptual and creative capabilities needed for emerging roles across creative industries, cultural strategy, communications, and design led innovation.
This is a course for people who want to create the future of media – not simply adapt to it.
I originally planned to stay in Liverpool… however Kingston won me over with its warm welcome! I studied dance for my BA, and when I applied to do my MA in Media, I thought I would feel like a fish out of water, but the course content is so interesting and thought provoking… it sparked a new interest for me. I have used what I learned to take on new challenges
Why choose this course
Kingston University is rated Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), and this MA is delivered by Kingston School of Art – an internationally recognised centre for creative and critical practice. Our programme meets the UK Quality Code for Higher Education and international standards for Master’s level study in media and communication.
Our teaching combines academic depth with real world relevance. Students work with leading academics and industry practitioners who create a collaborative, forward thinking learning environment. External examiners consistently praise the course for the strength of its assessments, the quality of student media work, and the high standard of reflective practice produced on the dissertation.
Our MA equips you with the conceptual, creative and strategic capabilities needed for senior roles across communication, creative industries and cultural sectors.
Studying in Kingston places you within London’s creative ecosystem, with fast access to world class cultural institutions. Field visits – from the BFI Mediatheque to Tate Modern, the V&A and specialist archives – support your learning by connecting theory with the material history of media and contemporary communication practice.
Our MA course could become your global passport for senior creative and leadership roles.
All modules had an impressive array of assessments that allowed students to explore the overlaps between theory and real-life applications. I really appreciated the dissertation as a capstone project. Pieces of media produced by students were strong, and at a higher standard than many other institutions I have seen. The reflective work that emerged from them is a credit to the course and the university.
The Art School Experience
As part of Kingston School of Art, students benefit from joining a creative community where we encourage collaborative working and critical practice.
Our workshops and labs are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.
Course content
You will take three compulsory modules, including a practice-based or written dissertation. These three core modules are worth 120 credits. Then, you will choose two optional modules worth 30 credits each. In total your MA degree is worth 180 credits.
Please note: Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Modules
The three core modules and two optional modules are designed to build your capability step by step, from critical foundations to advanced creative practice. You’ll examine media ethics, audience engagement and the role of archives in contemporary media cultures. Your final dissertation or practice based project becomes a key portfolio asset, showing your ability to research, develop and deliver an original piece of work.
Core modules
Optional modules
Optional placement year
You can transfer to the Professional Placement mode of study following completion of 120 credits.
It provides students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in an appropriate working environment, and to develop and enhance key employability skills and subject specific professional skills in their chosen subject.
Career opportunities
After you graduate
You could take on an internship or progress straight to a full time role. Previous graduates have gone on to work in the media and cultural industries. Others have roles in government, PR, publishing, radio and journalism, or social media content creation.
Links with business and industry
We organise and host international conferences on a wide range of subjects. Previous events have included the E-Poetry Conference, Black Metal conference, Hegel and world history conference, and BTS: A Global Interdisciplinary Conference Project in 2020.
Research with impact
Many of our staff are active in research, which means they bring the latest thinking and best practice to your studies. Their portfolio of academic works, digital art exhibitions and practical projects covers disciplinary areas including video production, digital art, electronic literature, globalisation theories and the music industry.
Teaching and assessment
Essays, reports, position papers, presentations, research projects, practice-based projects, and dissertation (either written or practice-based).
Fees and funding
Fees for future course years
Part time
If you start your second year straight after Year 1, you will pay the same fee for both years.
If you take a break before starting your second year, or if you repeat modules from Year 1 in Year 2, the fee for your second year may increase.
Funding support for postgraduate students
If you are a UK student living in England and under 60, you can apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree. Find out more through the government's website.
Scholarships and bursaries
Interested in studying Media and Communication MA at Kingston? The following funding support is available:
I enrolled in this course after I graduated from the American University in Beirut, Lebanon with a degree in drama and performing arts. Kingston is a great place for international students, for its social activities and the friendly atmosphere of its campuses. The course nurtured my passion for photography. I now work as a social media manager for luxury jewellery brands while exploring new opportunities with sustainability-focused NGOs in the MENA region.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
How to apply
Before you apply
Please read the entry criteria carefully to make sure you meet all requirements before applying.
How to apply online
Use the course selector drop-down at the top of this page to choose your preferred course, start date and mode, then click 'Apply now'. You will be taken to our Online Student Information System (OSIS) where you will complete your application.
If you’re starting a new application, you’ll need to select ‘new user’ and set up a username and password. This will allow you to save and return to your application.
Application deadlines
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close when the course is full.
After you apply
If the admission tutor wants to see your portfolio, we will email asking you to upload your zipped portfolio to the OSIS portal within three weeks. If we need more information or want to invite you for an interview, we will be in touch directly. After that you will then hear whether your application has been successful.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
