Overview
The Media, Society, and Cultural Studies (Research) MA is a research master’s course. This means it’s primarily designed to support your exploration of a chosen research area.
The programme is built around your individual research project. This is bolstered by dedicated research modules and a selection of modules in media, social, and cultural studies.
Whether you intend to pursue a PhD or enhance your professional qualifications in a specific area, this master’s program is for you.
As a taught master’s in research, you’ll have a timetable that encourages independent work within a structured framework. Monthly meetings with course leaders allow you to refine your project, and you’ll engage in modules that will equip you to design and complete a master’s-level research project.
Additionally, the program provides a selection of optional modules to complement your research.
You’ll undertake advanced master’s-level training in research skills, learning the most effective ways to explore and understand media, society and culture. You will complement your research expertise by developing your ability to be critical and analyse. The culmination of your learning will be for you to develop a potentially publishable piece of research.
Upon completing the MA programme, you’ll have the skills needed to move onto a PhD programme or undertake sophisticated and nuanced research projects. By the program’s conclusion, you will have achieved the following:
- Developed comprehensive knowledge of diverse research practices, methods, and paradigms.
- Gained awareness of a broad range of critical, cultural, and societal theories that inform media, social, and cultural studies.
- Attained expertise in a specific area of media, social, and cultural studies that meets your own needs.
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you’ll learn
During the MA you’ll undertake advanced master’s-level training in media, society, and culture research. You’ll complete a combination of specialist media-based modules plus a range of research-focused modules.
After completing your MA, you’ll have all the skills required to move into PhD research. On the completion of the course you’ll:
- understand the role of media and communication systems in shaping meaning
- develop knowledge of the range of research practices, methods and paradigms
- have awareness of a broad range of critical, cultural and societal theory that inform the field of media, social and cultural studies
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
Media, Society and Cultural Studies (Research) MA modules
How you’ll learn
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Computer assessment
- Dissertation
- Essay
- Report
- Written exercise
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 125 for Social Sciences – Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2025
- Top 200 for Communication and Media Studies – QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024Â
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
As a postgraduate research student in media, society and cultural studies you’ll benefit from dedicated research suites within the School of Arts and Cultures.Â
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a related subject, such as:
- cultural studies
- media studies
- communication studies
- sociology
- gender studies
- related humanities and social sciences subjects
