Political Communication (MSc/PgDip)

Background

The MSc in Political Communication was founded in 2006. Our programme is currently the only one in this subject in Scotland and one of very few in the UK based in Politics.

Although not a vocational course, the programme gives students key knowledge and analytical tools relevant to a career in organisations involved in political communication, such as government agencies, international organisations, political consultancies, media, and NGOs, or for further academic research in a PhD programme.

Moreover, through the Political Communication Seminar, the programme enables students to discuss key issues in the field with top practitioners. In recent years, guest speakers have included Andrew Baird (Head of Communications for the Scottish Government), Peter Barron (Google’s Director of Communications for the UK, Ireland and the Benelux countries), Dorothy Byrne (Channel 4 Head of News and Current Affairs), Steven Lawther (former Head of Communications for the Scottish Labour Party), David Muir (Glasgow alumni and former Director of Political Strategy for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown) and Kirsty Wark (highly-regarded BBC presenter).

We actively promote student-centred teaching and guarantee individual dissertation supervision. Our students benefit from intensive teaching by political scientists with strong publishing profiles and international reputations in their areas of expertise. Our instructors include Dr Ana Langer and Professor Andrew Hoskins. Dr Langer, who recently published a book on the personalisation of politics in the United Kingdom, focuses on the relationship between media and politics, and on how this affects the conduct and nature of the democratic process. Prof Hoskins focuses on the theoretical and empirical investigation of today's 'new media ecology' and the nature of/challenges for security as well as individual, social and cultural memory in this environment. 

You will also benefit from being taught by staff from one of the UK's leading institutions for political studies. No other University in Scotland produces as much world class research as Politics in Glasgow (as indicated in the latest Research Assessment Exercise).

The student body is very cosmopolitan with a mix of students from all over the world including the UK, Germany, Spain, the US, Canada, China and Malaysia. You will also share classes with students from other programmes. This adds to the liveliness and breadth of experience in classes and it enriches the student experience for all.

Graduates have found the MSc in Political Communication an excellent preparation for a range of careers, including the United Nations civic literacy programme, public communication for Greenpeace, media relations for Members of Parliament, journalism and lobbying.