Media Studies, MA by Research

Start dates: 1st October, 1st January, 1st April & 1st July. An MA by Research in Media and Communication at Swansea enables you to undertake a substantial media project, led by your own passions and interests. It represents a highly respected qualification which can present a pathway to a career in academia or widen your scope for employment in fields such as education, government or the private sector. Your project will take one year full-time or two years part-time. It is suitable if you want to undertake a first research degree as an isolated culmination of taught studies, or if you are considering further research but are unsure about committing to a full PhD. You will submit a thesis of up to 40,000 words, demonstrating original research. This is followed by an oral examination of the thesis (a viva voce examination, or viva). Your project is agreed in consultation with supervisors and we recommend these discussions are started before applying, to help draw up an initial proposal. Our staff are members of the research group, Centre on Digital Arts and Humanities (CODAH) and our expertise includes: Film studies, in particular European cinema and Hollywood Global media, journalism and international communication Digital media and social activism Migration and communication Digital media and the history and philosophy of technology You are closely supervised by two experienced academics with relevant expertise throughout the course of your project. This involves fortnightly meetings in your first term and meetings at regular agreed intervals beyond. You will develop and hone research skills needed for high-level work in the field of media and communication, while skills and training programmes available on campus provide further support. You will have the opportunity to deliver presentations to research students and staff at departmental seminars, and at the School of Culture and Communication Postgraduate conference.

As well as academic qualifications, Admissions decisions may be based on other factors, including (but not limited to): the standard of the research synopsis/proposal, performance at interview, intensity of competition for limited places, and relevant professional experience. As standard, one reference is required before we can progress applications to the Faculty research programme, academic Admissions Tutor for consideration. Please note that any protracted delay in receiving the outstanding reference may result in the need to defer your application to a later potential start point/entry month, than what you initially listed as your preferred start option. You may wish to consider contacting your referee to assist in the process of obtaining the outstanding reference or alternatively, hold submission of application until a reference is sourced. Please note that it is not the responsibility of the University Admissions Office to obtain missing reference after our initial email is sent to your nominated referee, requesting a reference on your behalf. The reference can take the form of a letter on official headed paper, or via the University’s standard reference form. Click this link to download the university reference form. Alternatively, referees can email a reference from their employment email account, please note that references received via private email accounts, (i.e. Hotmail, Yahoo, Gmail) cannot be accepted. References can be submitted to pgradmissions@swansea.ac.uk.

If English is not your first language you will need an acceptable pass in an approved English Language qualification to make sure you get the full benefit from studying at Swansea. We consider a wide range of qualifications, including the Swansea University English Test, the British Council IELTS test (with a score of at least 6.5 and 6.5 in each component). A full list of acceptable English Language tests can be found here.

International students: £17,650 per year

UK students: £5,006 per year

UK/Home: £5,006 per year

International: £17,650 per year

Apr or Jul 2026

Rolling admissions – apply as early as possible

• Singleton Park Campus, United Kingdom