Communication & Media

The MSc in Communication & Media is designed for students who wish to explore a wide range of contemporary issues in media and communication studies in depth. It offers a broad interdisciplinary foundation in theory and practices in relation to communication content and audience reception, processes of mediation and influence, regulation and power, political economy, ethics, digital platforms and human-computer interaction.



What is communication and why are media important? What is the relationship between communication, media and power? How does the content, interface design and choice of technology impact on communication experiences? What can we learn from digital communication history and what is the future for our relationship with media and the world?



This Communication & Media programme offers students the chance to explore this area from an information perspective. Core modules on theory, evaluation and reception of interpersonal and mass communication are combined with optional modules from across the university where students can focus on an area of choice such as Design & Culture, Ethics & Policy and Data Journalism.

Module Trimester Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

IS40820 Research Theory and Practice Autumn 5

IS40880 Communication Theory Autumn 10

IS40860 Media & Society Spring 10



Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:

Students can choose either a) Research Methods + Thesis or b) Media Production Cultures + Media Management Project.

IS40640 Research Methods Spring 5

IS40950 Media Production Cultures Spring 10

IS41170 Media Management Project Summer 30

IS41300 Media & Communication Thesis Summer 30



Stage 1 Options - C) Min 25CR:

If students have chosen A above please select 30 credits from the below options.

If students have chosen B above please select 25 credits from the below options.

IS40730 Quantitative Data Analysis Autumn 5

IS40840 Data & Society Autumn 10

IS40910 Digital Policy Autumn 10

IS41230 Creative & Interactive Media Autumn 5

IS41520 UXD: User-Centered Design Autumn 10

IS40630 Digital Curation:Core Concepts Spring 10

IS40870 Topics in Digital Media & Comm Spring 10

IS40890 Project Management Spring 5

IS40960 Digital Policy II Spring 10

IS40970 AI & Ethics Spring 5

IS41020 Information Ethics Spring 5

IS41050 Platform Governance Spring 5

IS41190 Regulation and Emerging Technology Spring 10

IS41510 Social Networks Online and Off Spring 10

IS41550 Digital Media Literacy Spring 5

Applicants are required to have an upper second-class honours degree (NFQ Level 8) or international equivalent. Those whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (with no band less than 6.0 in each element) or equivalent.



This new programme is intended for applicants with an undergraduate degree in any discipline and with an interest in pursuing postgraduate studies in communication and media. The MSc in Communication & Media is designed to complement and expand existing programmes and research expertise at the School of Information & Communication studies. It is the first postgraduate degree in this field in Ireland to be offered from an Information school perspective.



These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage. https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax

90

1 Year Full-Time, 2 Years Part-Time.

MSc Communication & Media (W440) Full Time

EU fee per year - € 7920

nonEU fee per year - € 19900


MSc Communication & Media (W441) Part Time

nonEU fee per year - € 9950


***Fees are subject to change


Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.

Commencing September 2025

Career & Graduate Study Opportunity

This new MSc degree aims to produce future professionals with a deep understanding of the communication and media landscape. On graduating, our students will be able to embark on a variety of careers in Ireland and abroad, whether in the digital media industries, in communication regulation and policy or in media design, management and research, both in the public and private sectors. This programme will also provide an ideal foundation for applicants with an interest in pursuing further postgraduate research towards a PhD at UCD School of Information & Communication Studies or at another location.



The programme's structure across different suggested tracks will allow students to develop specialised knowledge in communication and media studies for a specific setting. All tracks include 60 credits of core modules that cover basic knowledge and skills (with a thesis or media project option), with a further 30 credits of elective modules according to track choice. Students will gain an international perspective from lectures and seminars as well as guest talks, combining professional industry and research experience with strong theoretical foundations.