2026/27 Taught Postgraduate Programme Catalogue

MA Political Communication

Programme overview

Programme code
MA-COMM/PC
UCAS code
Duration
12 Months
Method of Attendance
Full Time
Programme manager
Lone Sorensen
Contact address
L.N.Sorensen@leeds.ac.uk
Total credits
180
School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme
School of Media and Communication
Examination board through which the programme will be considered

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements are available on the Course Search entry

Programme specification

The MA in Political Communication pursues an interdisciplinary and comparative approach, including not only the experience of established democracies like Britain, Western Europe and the US, but also the particular problems of political communication in emerging democracies and the developing world. Particular attention is paid to innovatory forms of political communication and students will be expected to apply these in the design of a political campaign.

The MA in Political Communication provides cutting-edge competencies for a career in political public relations, political journalism and related fields. It is also an ideal foundation course for students who want to pursue an academic career in political communication and related subjects.

Year 1

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable

Compulsory Modules

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
COMM5051MTheories and Concepts in Political Communication30Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)PFP
COMM5052MPolitical Communication Strategies and Campaigns30Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)PFP
COMM5600MDissertation and Research Methods601 Oct to 30 Sep (12mth)PFP

Optional Modules

Candidates will be required to study 30 credits from the following optional modules:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
COMM5005MContemporary Debates in Media and Communication30Semester 1 (Sep to Jan), Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
COMM5250MFeminism, Identity and Media30Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
COMM5260MUnderstanding the Audience30Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
COMM5606MMedia and Civil Resistance30Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
COMM5705MIdentity and Culture30Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
COMM5785MPlatforms and Society30Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
COMM5801MUrban Narratives30Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Candidates will be required to study 30 credits from the following optional modules or may take a 30 credit discovery module if it can be timetabled:

CodeTitleCreditsSemesterPass for Progression
COMM5120MGender and Media Histories: Feminist Methods30Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
COMM5160MCritical Studies in Visual Communication30Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
COMM5550MPopular Music and Society30Not running in 202627
COMM5630MCommunication and Public Opinion30Not running in 202627
COMM5796MClimate Communication30Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)
COMM5866MGlobal migration, ‘race’ and media30Semester 1 (Sep to Jan)
COMM5935MWar and Media30Semester 2 (Jan to Jun)

Please note that optional modules run subject to enrolments. An optional module may not run if only a low number of students choose it.

Elective Modules

Last updated: 01/07/2026 16:25:05

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team