MA Media and Global Development
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Course Overview
Immerse yourself in the worlds of media, communication, and global development, and explore the dynamic and complex relationships between them.
On this dynamic MA in Media and Global Development, you’ll study key topics including behaviour change communication, participatory communication, media freedom, NGO fundraising and representations of development.
In recent years, we’ve had an impressive line-up of seminars, lectures and workshops from organisations including Save the Children, FCDO and WaterAid. You’ll also have the chance to attend professional skills courses such as Participatory Photography and Mobile Filmmaking and get involved with UEA societies such as UEATV, Concrete Magazine and Live Wire.
You’ll find this course relevant if you’ve recently completed undergraduate study and have an interest in the relationship between media and development, or if you’ve already worked in the media or in the field of global development. This core content is taught by specialist staff with expertise in media and development across a range of thematic areas including refugees and communication, humanitarian journalism, charity campaigns and more.
Past graduates have gone on to work in a range of exciting fields including humanitarian communication, NGO communications, development journalism, media development, charity marketing and communications, journalism, and academia.
Study and Modules
Structure
Over the course of this Master’s programme you’ll learn how the media can be used to promote global development and humanitarian assistance. When and how can the media influence aid policy, for example? How are the media used for fundraising, advocacy, and campaigning by international organisations? The media can also help to deliver public health messages during emergencies, promote human rights, and facilitate collective action - but what is the most effective way of helping it to do so? You’ll address these and other key questions as part of critical introductions to the fields of communication for development, humanitarian communication, and media development.
You’ll have the opportunity to gain practical experience by working on a live project that uses the media in the pursuit of social change. You’ll critically reflect on the issues and processes involved in project design, development, and delivery. Recent project partners include Action Aid, Amref Africa, Anti-Slavery International, British Red Cross, BBC Radio Norfolk, Girl Effect, Public Media Alliance, Save the Children International, WaterAid.
You’ll also learn about the role of the media in sustaining and undermining democracy, how communication helps to determine where power lies in society, and how to carry out your own critical analysis of media content. Finally, you’ll learn about the particular role of the media in migration and social movements. Throughout this course you’ll be encouraged to think critically about evidence, methods, theories and your own experiences of the media.
You’ll be given the opportunity to either write a dissertation in the summer term or take a work-placement module giving you the kind of experience that sets you apart. In the past, students have secured internships and work placements at various organisations including the UN, Inter Press Service, UNESCO, UNRISD, the BBC, the Overseas Development Institute, BBC Media Action, Code Your Future, Girls Not Brides, Save the Children, The Leprosy Mission, British Red Cross, WaterAid and the Refugee Council.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 20)Optional C Modules
(Credits: 40)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
Teaching
Teaching methods include mainly lectures and seminars. Your lectures go beyond the customary ‘chalk-and-talk’ approach and include a range of interactive tasks and activities. The use of technology is also widespread.
Through seminar group work and presentations, you’ll be able to develop transferable skills such as articulating an argument both orally and in writing and presenting academic information in a clear and cogent manner.
Independent study
You’ll read suggested academic articles and books, submitting assignments as specified for each module. Your independent study will give you the chance to prepare for in-class sessions and assignments, and to concentrate on the areas that interest you the most.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed using a variety of methods, including presentations, essays, and an optional dissertation. Further assessment methods will differ depending on the optional modules you choose.
You’ll receive oral feedback on your arguments and ideas during seminars, which helps you develop skills in articulating an argument verbally.
You’ll also be encouraged to prepare essay plans or outlines in advance of essay deadlines, and to discuss these with the relevant lecturer during their office hours or by email. In addition, you’ll typically receive oral and/or written feedback on an initial coursework assignment well in advance of your deadline for the main coursework assignment.
Finally, the dissertation enables you to develop specific research skills such as conducting research using primary and secondary data, researching specific topics and questions, thinking critically, and linking theoretical concepts to practical issues.
If you have additional needs due to disabilities such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties such as dyslexia, please talk to our Student Support Services about how we can help.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Social Sciences, preferably Media, Politics or Development
- Additional Entry Requirements
Relevant work experience is desirable.
Applicants should normally have a good undergraduate degree from a recognised higher education institution. The University will also take into account the employment experience of applicants where relevant.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Social Sciences, preferably Media, Politics or Development
- Additional Entry Requirements
Relevant work experience is desirable.
Applicants should normally have a good undergraduate degree from a recognised higher education institution. The University will also take into account the employment experience of applicants where relevant.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.0 overall with minimum 6.0 in Writing & Speaking and 5.5 in Listening & Reading
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
-
- INTO UEA
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study the International Pre-Masters programme offered by our partner INTO UEA. This programme guarantees progression to selected Master's degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details, please click here:
International Pre-Masters in Business, Economics and Social Sciences
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
-
UK Students: £10,850
-
International Students: £22,700
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of additional course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Employability
After the Course
Upon completing your MA you’ll be equipped with a range of transferable skills, which means you can pursue a variety of exciting careers both in and beyond global development.
Graduates have gone on to work in a range of fields including humanitarian communication, NGO and charity communications and marketing, development journalism, media development, journalism and academia.
You’ll also be well qualified to enter a PhD programme with a view to continuing to an academic career both in the UK and overseas.
Careers
Example of careers that you could enter include:
- Media or communications team leader for an international charity or NGO
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- British Council
- News editor or journalist
Discover more on our Careers webpages.