MA Media and Global Development

Key details

MA MEDIA AND GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

Start Year

2023

Attendance

Full Time

Award

Degree of Master of Arts

Duration (years)

Key topics addressed in this course include behaviour change communication, participatory communication, press freedom, NGO fundraising and representations of development.

In recent years, we’ve had an impressive line-up of seminars, lectures and workshops from organisations including Save the Children, FCDO and WaterAid.

In addition, students can attend professional skills courses such as Participatory Photography and Introduction to Fundraising and get involved with UEA societies such as UEATV, Concrete Magazine and Live Wire.

You’ll find this course relevant if you’ve recently completed undergraduate study with an interest in the relationship between media and development, or if you’ve already worked in the media or in the field of development.

Please note we are changing our name to the School of Global Development from 1 August 2023, as we mark our 50th Anniversary.

About

Get to grips with a fascinating subject on this innovative programme. You’ll address current theories, practice and research surrounding the relationship between media and development, and you’ll have the freedom to choose from a wide range of specialist optional modules and training courses.

This Masters programme has three specialist modules: Media, Communication and Development , Media and Development in Practice and Media, Democracy and Social Change.

This core content is taught by specialist staff with expertise in media and development across a range of thematic areas including refugees and communication, humanitarian journalism, charity campaigns and more.

Past graduates have gone on to work in a range of fields including humanitarian communication, NGO communications, development journalism, media development, journalism and academia.

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.

After the Course

Upon completing your MA you’ll be equipped with a range of transferable skills, which means you can pursue a variety of exciting careers both in and beyond international development.

Graduates have gone on to work in a range of fields including humanitarian communication, NGO and charity communications, development journalism, media development, journalism and academia.

You’ll also be well qualified to enter a PhD programme with a view to continuing to an academic career both in the UK and overseas.

Career destinations

A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.

Examples of careers you could enter include:

Media team leader for international charity
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
British Council
News editor or journalist
PhD programmes

September 2023 opportunities. Discover more

Why Does Media Matter for Development?

Enrol on our free online course.

FIND OUT MORE >

Ask an Academic

Find out what life at our university is really like by chatting to our academics.

ASK US ON UNIBUDDY >

New Research

Aid recipients call for more dignity and diversity in aid campaigns.

CRISIS COVERAGE

Ongoing research investigating how the news report on humanitarian crises, what shapes their coverage and what effects it has.

Why Does Media Matter for Development?

Enrol on our free online course.

FIND OUT MORE >

Water Security Research Centre

LEARN MORE >

Water Wars

Take a look at the first video in our Thinking Without Borders campaign, looking at Mark Zeitoun's work on water.

WATCH >

Scholarship Finder

Explore our generous range of scholarships to support your study.

FIND OUT MORE >

Will a Master's help my career?

Discover why further study can have a positive career benefit.

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Course Reference Number: 7325150

Assessment for Year 1

You’ll be assessed using a variety of methods, including presentations, essays, and an optional dissertation. Further assessment methods will differ depending on the optional modules you choose.

You’ll receive oral feedback on your arguments and ideas during seminars, which helps you develop skills in articulating an argument verbally.

You’ll also be encouraged to prepare essay plans or outlines in advance of essay deadlines, and to discuss these with the relevant lecturer during their office hours or by email. In addition, you’ll typically receive oral and/or written feedback on an initial coursework assignment well in advance of your deadline for the main coursework assignment.

Finally, the dissertation enables you to develop specific research skills such as conducting research using primary and secondary data, researching specific topics and questions, thinking critically, and linking theoretical concepts to practical issues.

If you have additional needs due to disabilities such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties such as dyslexia, please talk to our Student Support Services about how we can help.

Structure

At the heart of this Master’s programme are three unique modules. Media, Communication and Development helps students understand how the media can be used to promote global development and humanitarian assistance. When and how can the media influence aid policy, for example? How are the media used for fundraising, advocacy, and campaigning by international organisations? The media can also help to deliver public health messages during emergencies, promote human rights, and facilitate collective action - but what is the most effective way of helping it to do so? Students on this module will address these and other key questions as part of critical introductions to the fields of communication for development, humanitarian communication, and media development. This is one of the most popular modules in the School.

Media and Development in Practice provides students the opportunity to gain practical experience by working on a live project that uses media in the pursuit of social change. Students will also critically reflect on the issues and processes involved in project design, development, and delivery. Recent project partners include Future Radio, the Public Media Alliance, British Red Cross, Action Aid, BBC Voices, Girl Effect and WaterAid.

The module Media, Democracy and Social Change will teach you about the role of the media in sustaining, and undermining, democracy. Students on this module will learn about how communication helps to determine where power lies in society – and how to carry out their own critical analysis of media content. Finally, students will learn about the particular role of the media in migration and social movements. Throughout, students will be encouraged to think critically about evidence, methods, theories – and their own experiences of the media.

You’ll be given the opportunity to either write a dissertation in the summer term or take a work-placement module giving you the kind of experience that sets you apart. In the past, students have secured internships and work placements at various organisations including the UN, Inter Press Service, UNESCO, UNRISD, the BBC, the Overseas Development Institute, BBC Media Action, Girls Not Brides, Save the Children, British Red Cross, Refugee Council and Video Volunteers.

Teaching and Learning

Teaching methods include mainly lectures and seminars. Your lectures go beyond the customary ‘chalk-and-talk’ approach, and include a range of interactive tasks and activities. The use of technology is also widespread.

Through seminar group work and presentations, you’ll be able to develop transferable skills such as articulating an argument both orally and in writing and presenting academic information in a clear and cogent manner.

Independent study

You’ll read suggested academic articles and books, submitting assignments as specified for each module. Your independent study gives you the chance to prepare for in-class sessions and assignments, and to concentrate on the areas that interest you the most.

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Open Days

Students must select 180 credits in total, with a minimum of 160 credits from DEV modules (up to 20 credits can be selected from modules from other schools, included in the option ranges below).

Assessment for Year 1

You’ll be assessed using a variety of methods, including presentations, essays, and an optional dissertation. Further assessment methods will differ depending on the optional modules you choose.

You’ll receive oral feedback on your arguments and ideas during seminars, which helps you develop skills in articulating an argument verbally.

If you have additional needs due to disabilities such as sensory impairment or learning difficulties such as dyslexia, please talk to our Student Support Services about how we can help.

Compulsory Modules

MEDIA, COMMUNICATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-7062A

Credits 20

How are media and communications used to promote global development and humanitarian assistance? When and how can the media influence aid policy, for example? How are the media used for fundraising, advocacy, and campaigning by international organisations? The media can also help to deliver public health messages during emergencies, promote human rights, and facilitate collective action - but what is the most effective way of helping it to do so? Students on this module will address these and other key questions as part of critical introductions to the fields of communication for development, humanitarian communication, and media development. This module is accessible to students who have not studied the media before and to students with no previous experience of studying global development.

MEDIA AND DEVELOPMENT IN PRACTICE

Code DEV-7039B

Credits 20

You will be working in the university and in the local community to design, implement and evaluate your own ‘live’ media and development project. The aim of this module is not only to provide you with the opportunity to gain experience of media and development in practice but also to provide the opportunity to reflect on that experience. Past projects have involved content production, audience research, social media strategy, project design and capacity building. This module is not taught through conventional lectures and seminars. Instead, there are opportunities to talk, listen and reflect on our work and the issues and processes encountered. An important element of this process is peer review.

Optional A Modules

(60 credits)

DISSERTATION

Code DEV-7056X

Credits 60

Production of a short (8000-12000 words) dissertation on an approved topic.

DEVELOPMENT WORK PLACEMENT

Code DEV-7057X

Credits 60

This module gives you an opportunity to identify, apply for and do an internship or work placement, worth 60 credits, as an integral part of your Masters programme. You would take this module in the summer semester as an alternative to the Dissertation module, and it is open to most MA /MSc programmes. The placements are for a period of 8-10 weeks between May and, preferably, the end of July. In recent years, students have done placements across a range of United Nations institutions, in specialist consultancy and research Organisations, and non-governmental organisations both in the UK and across the world. You are responsible for finding a suitable placement but will be given a range of support from International Development which includes giving the students access to the International Development internship host data base compiled over nearly a decade; advice on identifying appropriate placements; advice on CV design, fund-raising (where necessary), health and safety, ethical considerations etc.; facilitate communication between student and potential host, in some cases acting as a mediator. Whilst we cannot guarantee a placement we are confident that most students who take this module and apply themselves to identifying an internship, will be successful. The module is assessed by the production of an Analytical Report based on the internship which allows you to reflect both on the content of the placement, and the personal expense of undertaking this work.

Optional B Modules

(20 credits)

DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES

Code DEV-7001A

Credits 20

You will explore different theoretical ideas and debates about development, and place these in their historical and political contexts. You will critically assess the various ways in which development has been conceptualised, from the end of the Second World War to the present day. You will cover topics including modernisation theory; dependency theory; the role of the state; neo-liberalism and the Washington Consensus, neo-institutionalism and the post-Washington Consensus; poverty and basic needs; human development and capabilities; equity and justice; rights and empowerment; and sustainable development. A key point of the module is to show how ideas in development emerge and how they shape policies and practice in development in the present day.

INTRODUCTION TO EDUCATION FOR DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-7002A

Credits 20

The aim of the module is for you to gain an understanding of current debates on the principles and theories linking education to development in a range of social contexts. The module will introduce you to theories of education and development including international and comparative education. These are examined in relation to the broader challenges of development. Topics in the module may include: theories of human development and capabilities, human capital and rights based approaches, theories of equity, social justice and inclusive education. You will examine schooling in contexts of chronic poverty, models of schooling and de-schooling, formal and non-formal education, the challenges of linguistic and cultural diversity, inclusive education and disability, gender inequalities, and the education of nomads and other migratory groups.

RESEARCH TECHNIQUES AND ANALYSIS

Code DEV-7005A

Credits 20

The course lectures and seminars will include the following topics: • Development research & research ethics • Research design and method; sampling, questionnaire design, interviews • The role of qualitative methods in quantitative research and mixed methods • Participatory and action research • Design and implementation of household surveys on various topics, e.g. income, consumption, employment, health, nutrition, education, etc. Basic data processing and statistical analysis and presentation are shown based on tools such as Excel, SPSS and STATA.

GOVERNANCE, DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-7023A

Credits 20

“Good governance” and durable democracy are key items on the international development agenda. However, despite their prominence in the development discourse, it remains contested not only how to achieve these political development goals, but also how to define them in the first place. The aim of Governance, Democracy and Development is to critically assess the possible definitions, contested causes and arguable consequences of “good governance” and democracy. Key topics to be discussed in the module include how to define and measure democracy and “good governance”, explanations for the emergence of democracy, theories on the survival of democracy and dictatorship, local forms of governance and democracy, aid and governance, trust and cooperation, the effects of democracy and dictatorship on prospects of economic development, and key challenges to democracy in the 21st century. Throughout the module, you will be expected to assess the strengths and limitations of central concepts and theories from the academic debate by applying them to relevant empirical evidence, such as political regime trends in Turkey or the economic effects of recent elections in Kenya.

GENDER PERSPECTIVES IN GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-7060A

Credits 20

The aim of this unit is to provide you with a solid grounding in gender analysis of development, and to enable you to understand the link between gender and key debates within development studies such as poverty, violence, religion and the role of men in gender and development. The module introduces and explains the range of ideas, debates and tools, which are the foundations of gender analysis, within a discussion of key issues in gender analysis of development: the nature of the household and kinship, gender roles, power and empowerment, and environmental change. The unit stands alone as a foundation for gender analysis of development, it also builds the necessary basis for the more applied units which follow in the spring semester, and for dissertations based on gender topics. If you are writing your dissertation on a gender topic you will need to have completed this module.

UNDERSTANDING DIGITAL MEDIA

Code PPLM7000A

Credits 20

Digital technologies are often hyped as revolutionising society. You will be introduced to the ways in which the internet and other digital technologies are (and are not) affecting society from theoretical and empirical perspectives. The module is divided into three blocks: the first introduces the theoretical debates surrounding digital media; the second discusses how our everyday interpersonal relations are affected by digital media; the third addresses the impact of digital technology on media and politics. Topics covered include: the network society; social networking and virtual communities, surveillance, digital journalism and online activism.

Optional C Modules

(40 credits)

ANALYSING HOLLYWOOD CINEMA

Code AMAM7011B

Credits 20

'Hollywood' as an industry, cultural institution and maker of films has dominated the global cinematic imagination for decades. On this module, we investigate the history, production cultures and texts made by the US film industry from its classic period to contemporary filmmaking. This will include analysing Hollywood from a range of perspectives, which may include things like studio filmmaking, independent filmmaking, genre filmmaking and the blockbuster. In doing so we will discover the multiplicity of cinemas at work within the concept of Hollywood.

CONTEMPORARY WORLD DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-7000B

Credits 20

The objective of Contemporary World Development is to examine key debates around development objectives, processes and agencies. While issues discussed here are of contemporary significance, references will be made to the historical contexts in which these debates have arisen. Concerns central to development policy making will be reviewed through theoretically grounded critical perspectives. Topics covered include the Millennium Development Goals, donors and aid politics, state and NGOs, and poverty.

EDUCATIONAL POLICY AND PRACTICE FOR DEVELOPMENT

Code DEV-7011B

Credits 20

The aim of this module is to help you understand and critically examine, policy-making processes and specific policies for educational development. You will discover the relationships between policy and practice in a range of international, national and local development contexts. Through this module you will explore different approaches to policy development and familiarise yourself with dominant global policy agendas in education - asking who makes or influences policy, and considering policies as socially situated documents, practices and processes. The module introduces you to educational policy-making to address a range of development challenges and how related strategies are enacted in practice; drawing on policy theory and ethnographic and school-based research, as well as practical sessions to critique policy-related writing, examine models of educational quality and curricula, and explore issues of school-related gender based violence.

CONFLICT, CIVIL WARS AND PEACE

Code DEV-7015B

Credits 20

The number of violent intrastate conflicts has outweighed the number of violent interstate conflicts for more than five decades. Yet it was only with the end of the Cold War that academics and policy-makers started paying more attention to the possible causes and consequences of large-scale intrastate violence. Today, questions of effective conflict management, especially of large-scale civil wars, are among the top priorities of international development agencies. The aim of the Conflict, Civil Wars and Peace module is to critically assess the possible causes and consequences of violent intrastate conflicts as well as their implications for the wider development agenda. Key topics to be discussed in the module include causes, dynamics and consequences of different types of violent conflict, strategies and causes of terrorism, the role of gender during and after violent intrastate conflicts, the (contested) relationship(s) between natural resource wealth and civil wars, institutional approaches to conflict management, the rationale and possible effects of third-party intervention in civil wars, and post-conflict reconstruction efforts, including state- and peace-building as well as transitional justice. Throughout the module, you will be expected to assess the strengths and limitations of central concepts and theories from the academic debate by applying them to relevant empirical evidence, such as the role of gender during the Rwandan genocide in 1994 or the performance of Bosnia and Herzegovina's post-civil war power-sharing arrangement.

PROJECT DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT

Code DEV-7058B

Credits 20

This module will provide the environment for the student to gain a strong practical and grounding in the key tools and analytical techniques needed for the design and management of development projects. It does this by providing an intensive introduction to a number of key development tools, from the analysis of evidence and context to the design of a theory of change and results framework that reacts to complexity, to the design of the appropriate monitoring, evaluation and learning architecture, to the proper resourcing. Students are supported to engage with worked examples of these tools themselves and will be assessed through their preparation of a fully-developed project proposal that they will prepare in a team. The module also encourages student to think critically about development projects, the role that they play – and their own roles in the sector.

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. 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. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.

Entry Requirements

Degree classification

UK 2.1 or equivalent

Degree subject

Social Sciences, preferably media or development

Additional entry requirements

Applicants should normally have a good undergraduate degree from a recognised higher education institution. The University will also take into account the employment experience of applicants where relevant.

Relevant work experience is desirable.

If you do not meet the academic requirements for this course, you may be able to study one of the International Graduate Diploma programmes offered by our partner INTO UEA. These programmes guarantee progression to selected masters degrees if students achieve the appropriate grade. For more details please click here:

International Graduate Diploma in International Development

Students for whom english is a foreign language

We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English. To ensure such students benefit from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English. Our usual entry requirements are as follows:

IELTS: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in only two components with 6.0 in the others)
PTE (Pearson): 64 (minimum 59 in only two components with 64 in the others)

Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.

Other tests, including Cambridge English exams and the Trinity Integrated Skills in English are also accepted by the university. The full list of accepted tests can be found here: Accepted English Language Tests

INTO University of East Anglia

If you do not meet the English requirements for this course, our partner INTO UEA run pre-sessional English courses which can be taken prior to the start of your course. For further information and to see if you qualify please contact intopre-sessional@uea.ac.uk

Intakes

This course is open to UK, EU and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.

September 2023 opportunities. Discover more

Why Does Media Matter for Development?

Enrol on our free online course.

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Ask an Academic

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New Research

Aid recipients call for more dignity and diversity in aid campaigns.

CRISIS COVERAGE

Ongoing research investigating how the news report on humanitarian crises, what shapes their coverage and what effects it has.

Why Does Media Matter for Development?

Enrol on our free online course.

FIND OUT MORE >

Water Security Research Centre

LEARN MORE >

Water Wars

Take a look at the first video in our Thinking Without Borders campaign, looking at Mark Zeitoun's work on water.

WATCH >

Scholarship Finder

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Will a Master's help my career?

Discover why further study can have a positive career benefit.

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Course Reference Number: 7325150

Fees and Funding

Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2023/24 are:

UK Students: £9,650 (full time)
International Students: £19,800 (full time)

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 £1,023 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 additional course-related costs.

September 2023 opportunities. Discover more

Why Does Media Matter for Development?

Enrol on our free online course.

FIND OUT MORE >

Ask an Academic

Find out what life at our university is really like by chatting to our academics.

ASK US ON UNIBUDDY >

New Research

Aid recipients call for more dignity and diversity in aid campaigns.

CRISIS COVERAGE

Ongoing research investigating how the news report on humanitarian crises, what shapes their coverage and what effects it has.

Why Does Media Matter for Development?

Enrol on our free online course.

FIND OUT MORE >

Water Security Research Centre

LEARN MORE >

Water Wars

Take a look at the first video in our Thinking Without Borders campaign, looking at Mark Zeitoun's work on water.

WATCH >

Scholarship Finder

Explore our generous range of scholarships to support your study.

FIND OUT MORE >

Will a Master's help my career?

Discover why further study can have a positive career benefit.

FIND OUT MORE >

Course Reference Number: 7325150

MA MEDIA AND GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT