MA Global Intercultural Communication
Course
options
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Course Overview
How do we successfully communicate with people from different cultures or those who don’t share our language? How can global companies effectively manage their diverse workforce?
In today's interconnected world, effective communication across cultures and languages is more important than ever. Our dynamic MA in Global Intercultural Communication is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to help companies and organisations navigate these challenges.
You’ll explore how the linguistic forms and patterns within a language influence cultural worldviews, sociocultural norms and values. You’ll approach linguistic communication as a cultural practice, used to both create and sustain our sense of personal, cultural and national identities. And you’ll use a variety of different analytic approaches, such as discourse analysis and cross-cultural pragmatics to explore these issues from different perspectives. You’ll also study digital technologies which increasingly mediate international human communication and constitute one of the key infrastructures for enabling global cultural interchange.
Our students also come from across the globe, and from a range of academic and vocational backgrounds. This makes our seminars particularly engaging. You’ll take part in fascinating cross-cultural exchanges both with your peers and your tutors. You’ll also learn from invited practitioners who’ll introduce you to how intercultural communication operates in specific organisations. Whatever your background, as a graduate of this course you'll bring significant added value to your chosen profession.
In a world where most people work in professions that operate across linguistic and cultural barriers, our MA in Global Intercultural Communication will enable you to take on a wide range of key roles in a host of professions where an understanding of intercultural communication is critical.
Study and Modules
Structure
This is a one-year full-time course, but you can also take it part-time over two years. You’ll take a combination of compulsory and optional modules, giving you a solid foundation in the discipline, with room to specialise in areas that particularly interest you.
You’ll build a strong base of disciplinary knowledge with modules that explore core concepts, theories and issues in language and culture, and the role of digital media in society. You’ll also examine different ways of thinking about effective intercultural communication in a variety of work-based environments. You’ll specialise by selecting modules from a range of options, helping you build your skills and experience. Topics typically include: language issues in a global multilingual context; conflict and conflict resolution in global communication; language, society and power in the digital age; and global intercultural leadership.
Your studies will culminate with a dissertation on a subject of your choice. You’ll choose a topic to follow your own interests or career plans in consultation with members of our academic team. You'll begin work on this at the end of the spring semester. In previous years students have written dissertations on topics such as pre-marriage arrangements: the intercultural view, the power of language and the language of power in international environment statements, and the impact of Sino-British cultural differences on Chinese graduates’ job interview performance in the UK.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Min Credits: 40, Max Credits: 60)Optional B Modules
(Min Credits: 0, Max Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
The Department of Language and Communication Studies at UEA is small enough that you'll receive personal contact with staff and individual academic support, whilst also benefiting from the buzz of the larger, interdisciplinary School of Media, Language and Communication Studies. We’re at the cutting edge of research, ensuring that when you graduate, you’re well informed and highly employable.
You’ll learn from experts in intercultural communication, sociolinguistics, media studies, intercultural pragmatics, and (critical) discourse analysis. We also have specialist knowledge in translation, including technological tools, audiovisual translation, and sport translation.
You’ll participate in a year-long Key Digital and Research Skills in Media and Communications programme, helping you make the most of your studies and preparing you for your subsequent career. This programme also provides a great foundation for further postgraduate studies at PhD level.
As well as seminar work, you’ll benefit from numerous events and talks to support you in your learning as you work towards your career goals. These include a series of regular talks from visiting professionals and academics, addressing translation, intercultural communication, and language and culture-related topics of global, cultural and social significance. You can also attend a wealth of talks, screenings and exhibitions across the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and we’re affiliated to the prestigious British Centre for Literary Translation.
Assessment
In this one-year course, you’ll be formally assessed through your coursework, which will involve case studies, oral and written presentations, commentaries, essays and a dissertation.
You’ll receive regular feedback on your practice assignments from your tutors, as a platform for improving your work before your formal or ‘summative’ assessment, and we encourage you to discuss this feedback with your tutors.
Employability
After the Course
You’ll graduate with excellent employment prospects, boosted by our strong links with our past graduates and valuable contacts in the language and communication professions.
You could go on to work in communication, language consultancy, PR, mediation and training, publishing, teaching, administration for government organisations, diplomatic services, marketing, human resources, quality control, language consultancy, translation and localisation project management, or information services.
International and national organisations from around the world regularly approach us with employment opportunities. As a postgraduate student, you'll also benefit from a variety of workshops and sessions focused on improving your career development.
Careers
Example of careers that you could enter include:
- Intercultural brand management
- Human resources
- Project management in international finance
- Mediation
- Education
- Translation and localisation
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors (Hons) degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
Any subject area
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors (Hons) degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
Any subject area
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in Listening & Reading, and a minimum of 6.0 in Writing & Speaking)
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- INTO UEA
[Only Applicable to certain courses - check protocols. If not applicable turn toggles off]
If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study the International Pre-Masters programme offered by our partner INTO UEA. This programme guarantees progression to selected Master's degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details, please click here:
International Pre-Masters in Business, Economics and Social Sciences
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
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UK Students: £10,675
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International Students: £22,700
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.