PGDip
Political Communications
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Why study PGDip Political Communications at Goldsmiths
The Postgraduate Diploma in Political Communications combines theory with practical, applied elements, and draws on a range of research and contemporary examples. It offers teaching that is critical, innovative and diverse.
- You will cover political communication, from the national and international to the local and personal - from governments and parties, to NGOs and local activist groups.
- The programme engages with cultural, alternative and digital, interactive communication as well as traditional mass media.
- 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.
Learn to ask the difficult questions
- This dynamic programme, first and foremost, offers critical engagement. It asks difficult questions about politics, economic policy, society and the media.
- Taking this programme will not just give you an understanding of the forms and impacts of political communications, it will also help you contextualise that knowledge in relation to the structures, institutions and actors that are at the heart of politics and media.
Experience varied teaching
- While broadly conceptual in focus, this programme also offers several practical applied options and skills-based components.
- You will undertake a research skills module as well as being supervised through a dissertation with a research component.
- Some optional modules, such as Campaign Skills, are entirely practice-based and taught by professionals in the field. You can also take advantage of the speaker series running each year with guests from the worlds of politics, journalism, business and campaigning coming to talk.
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Jacob Mukherjee.
Length
1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
Entry requirements
Applicants will normally have, or expect to gain a first degree of at least upper second class standard (or equivalent).
Fees
Home - full-time: £6910
Home - part-time: £3455
International - full-time: £13640
Department
What you'll study
The Postgraduate Certificate in Political Communications aims to provide you with a systematic understanding of the interactions between political actors, communication industries and the public in contemporary societies.
Specifically, the programme will equip you with in-depth knowledge of the importance of communication in the political process and of how, in a democratic polity, political institutions and others seek to communicate with the public and vice-versa.
For the main part, this will lead to a concentration on the role of the mass media but other forms of political communication - including the techniques of marketing, polling, face-face interaction and internet campaigning - will also be studied. However, the knowledge and skills acquired in such a study will have far broader applications.
Students completing this programme will gain a range of tools that will enable them to analyse social and communicative interactions in the public sphere and to make judgements about future modules of action based on this understanding.
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| The Structure of Contemporary Political Communications | 30 credits |
| Critical Perspectives on Political Communications | 30 credits |
Optional modules
You will also take optional modules equal to the value of 60 credits, chosen from an approved list published annually.
Note about optional modules (if available): The above is indicative of the typical modules offered, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. The module content and availability is subject to change.
How you'll be assessed
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. Assessments build on lectures and seminars so students are expected to attend all taught sessions to build knowledge and their own understanding of their chosen discipline.
All assessed work is accompanied by some form of feedback to ensure that students’ work is on the right track. It may come in a variety of forms ranging from written comments on a marked essay to oral and written feedback on developing projects and practice as they attend workshops.
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.
- Home - full-time: £6910
- Home - part-time: £3455
- International - full-time: £13640
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
The Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies has a strong record of employment prospects for its alumni. Graduates have won numerous awards for their practice work and have gone on to a wide variety of jobs: some in the media industries, some in professional fields only distantly related to the media, and - consistently - a small group from each annual intake go on to do further academic research.
Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.
Skills and knowledge
The programme will provide you with:
- Knowledge of the history and development of political communications with a international emphasis;
- An understanding of the theoretical debates that have informed the study of political communications;
- An awareness of both dominant and alternative models of interaction between political actors, communicators and the public;
- An overview and insight into current debates - both academic and professional - within the field
In addition, the programme will provide students with practical skills and insights that will enable them to:
- Undertake a range of tasks in relation to the planning and commissioning of political communications work from within various public and private bodies;
- Commission political communications work from within public and private sector bodies or on behalf of clients;
- Analyse political communications activity from and academic and journalistic perspectives.
