PGCert
Race, Media & Social Justice
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Why study Race, Media & Social Justice at Goldsmiths
The Postgraduate Certificate in Race, Media and Social Justice offers a rigorous and academic approach to deepen your understanding of contemporary issues regarding race and ethnicity, in order to form your own interventions that can contribute to social justice and equality.
- Learn via a systematic exploration of research and scholarship into race and ethnicity across the overlapping fields of sociology, media and cultural studies.
- An interdisciplinary approach is used to provide you with the analytical tools and skills needed to enable you to explain and critique why contemporary understandings and representations of race take the shape that they do.
- The programme is broadly framed in terms of issues of social justice, specifically the social ideals of equality, valuing diversity, and the right to live in dignity, and how this relates to the formation of racial and ethnic identities.
- The Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies has been ranked second in the UK for 'world-leading or internationally excellent' research (Research Excellence Framework, 2021) and 16th in the world (third in the UK) in the 2024 QS World Rankings for communication and media studies.
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Akanksha Mehta.
Length
Three academic terms (September-June) equivalent to part-time study
Entry requirements
Applicants will normally have, or expect to gain a first degree of at least upper second class standard (or equivalent).
Department
Aims of the programme
- Demonstrate an informed understanding of the complexities of race, social justice, activism and research
- Understand the formation of ethnic and racial identities in relation to social justice specifically the social ideals of equality, valuing diversity, and the right to live in dignity
- Understand how modern understandings of race and ethnicity are shaped by history and the legacies of empire and colonialism, as well as contemporary forces of commercialism and global capital
- Develop a systematic understanding of key theoretical approaches to race and ethnicity and media apply them to critically examine current debates on race, ethnicity and racism
- Recognise the media as a key site where understandings of race and ethnicity are simultaneously reinforced and challenged
- Develop the critical and analytical skills to identify, explain and evaluate discourses of race and ethnicity, particularly in the media
- Develop knowledge and/or skills that can be applied in a practical work context
What you'll study
The PGCert consists of two main components:
Conceptual understanding
The first component is designed to give you a foundation in sociological and critical cultural approaches to race and ethnicity, offering a strong conceptual basis for understanding matters of race and racialisation historically and with regard to contemporary contexts and debates. This includes a critical analysis of the social/political theory of the liberal/ multicultural/postcolonial/cosmopolitan settlements of ‘race’. The aim is to deepen your understanding of the formation of ethnic and racial identities, racism and multiculturalism in relation to issues of social justice.
Contextual knowledge
The second component situates the study of race and racism more explicitly within the context of the media, looking at issues of representation and the persistence of historical constructions of Otherness. The unique intervention of the PGCert is in drawing attention to the context of production, exploring the experience of people of colour working in the cultural industries. This component will be enhanced by a series of industry talks from BAME practitioners working in the creative, cultural and communication industries, which will give you practical insight into the experience of race in the media.
You will study the following compulsory modules:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Race Critical Theory and Social Justice | 30 credits |
| Race, Empire and Nation | 30 credits |
Teaching and learning
Taught sessions and lectures provide overviews of themes, which students are encouraged to complement with intensive reading for presentation and discussion with peers at seminars.
Support for learning and wellbeing is provided in a number of ways by departments and College support services who work collaboratively to ensure students get the right help to reach their best potential both academically and personally.
Entry requirements
Applicants will normally have, or expect to gain a first degree of at least upper second class standard (or equivalent).
International qualifications
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.
If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.
How to apply
Apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system.
Find out more about applying for a postgraduate qualification at Goldsmiths.
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees
These are the PG fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year.
If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.
It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.
If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.
Funding opportunities
Explore the Goldsmiths scholarships finder to find out what funding you may be eligible for.
Paying your fees
Find out about paying your tuition fees.
If you are a UK student you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan.
Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.
There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.
Careers
Professional development
The PG Certificate in Race, Media and Social Justice has a strong emphasis on professional development. The programme will teach graduates the ability to recognise and account for sensitive ethical issues relating to research and representation.
It teaches important transferrable skills (such as critical analysis, communication, development of verbal and written work, independent thought etc.) Consequently, these skills will be suited for any career that is related to issues of race, social justice, diversity and equality whether in government and public administration, NGOs/charities/grassroots organisations, media and cultural industries, academia, policy or business.
More broadly, while on this programme you will develop skills in critical thinking, teamwork and project design and implementation. These are transferable skills that are desirable across the public, private and third sectors.
Where this programme can take you
Many industries require communications professionals who have the ability to speak to diverse audiences, which are roles that will be particularly suited to graduates from this degree.
With its in-depth analysis of media/cultural production this programme is also perfectly suited for those interested in working in the cultural and creative industries and who want to work with issues around race and ethnicity. It is also well suited to those who want to work in local, national, and international social justice and policy organisations, particularly those tackling issues around racism.
Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.
