General programme information
This new and innovative course combines media and cultural studies in an interdisciplinary way. Drawing on critical theoretical methodologies from the broad spectrum of the humanities, this masters course is distinct in its exploration of the relationship between media, culture and identity.
Key areas of study
- contemporary cultural and political issues – the politics of identity and mediatisation
- advanced theoretical and methodological developments in cultural and media studies
- cultural theories such as Marxism and post-Marxism, feminism, psychoanalysis and post-colonialism
- media and cultural industries such as TV, film, print media, indy media and the internet
- debates on the formation of social and cultural identity, emotion, visual culture, everyday life, public sphere and imagined communities.
Special features
You become a member of the Centre for Research in Film and Audiovisual Cultures (CRFAC), giving you access to a diverse programme of research seminars, symposia and special events organised in collaboration with institutions such as the British Film Institute. For international students, a dedicated pathway on the International Foundation Certificate feeds directly on to this course. Roehampton’s location in London is ideal for media and culture students. There is a multitude of relevant conferences and research seminars, and of course there is an abundance of cultural institutions and media companies in London, unrivalled by any other city in the UK.
Research areas
Media studies; cultural industries; cultural and critical theory; gender; race; ethnicity; cultural politics and policy; psychoanalysis; globalisation; television industry; television histories.
High-quality teaching staff
The teaching team has a strong research profile with publications in the area of cultural studies theory, culture and politics, tabloid culture, reality TV, the globalisation of media and culture, contemporary trends in the television industry, and travel writing.
- Dr Caroline Bainbridge
- Dr Anita Biressi
- Dr Ben Cocking
- Dr Karen Cross
- Dr Andrea Esser
- Dr Heather Nunn
- Dr Paul Rixon
What is a dissertation?
The dissertation or research project gives you the opportunity to deepen your research skills and knowledge about a topic of particular interest to you. The Researching Media and Culture module prepares you for the dissertation/research project work, enabling you to carry out original research and to contribute to a specific field of research. The dissertation provides a crucial avenue for you to develop your own ideas and research interests. It also constitutes the most significant contribution to the overall mark. Students who select the research project pathway are able to draw on the creative multimedia talents to contribute to the originality of their research ideas and further the links between theory and practice, which are increasingly significant in this field of study.
Learning environment
Each term there will be two or three weekly two-hour taught sessions for full-time students, conducted in an interactive lecture-workshop style. Key reading for each week is provided and you will have access to the lecture material on StudyZone, our virtual learning environment. Some modules require students to visit cultural events, libraries and archives as part of the learning requirements.
The programme adopts a broad range of learning and teaching strategies to ensure students’ diverse needs and talents are catered for: we use essays, projects and presentations for assessment; and students are supported in their learning in taught sessions and individual tutorials with their supervisors.
Research culture
Roehampton University also offers a range of extracurricular activities: the MA is embedded in the Centre for Research in Film and Audiovisual Culture (CRFAC) , which regularly invites national and international academics to present their work in seminars. Members of the teaching time are also active contributors to the Centre for Research in Sex, Gender and Sexuality (SeGS) .
CRFAC research seminars
The Department of Media, Culture and Language organises events to foster a postgraduate community across disciplines and Roehampton’s postgraduate students have successfully organised their own conference, giving postgraduate students from around the country the chance to present and discuss their research.
Roehampton’s location in London is well-placed to enhance a media and culture student’s learning experience. There is a multitude of media and cultural studies related conferences and research seminars, and of course there is an abundance of cultural institutions and media companies in London, unrivalled by any other city in the UK.
Career opportunities
A large number of our students choose to study the MA Media, Culture and Identity simply because they want an intellectual challenge and are interested in the exciting ideas and theories that the field offers. A growing number of our MA students enrol with the idea of doing a PhD afterwards.
Recent years have seen a marked shift in graduate employment towards new "media and cultural industries". Many students enrol because they want to deepen their knowledge of communication processes and trends in this sector in order to increase their career opportunities in this extremely competitive field.
Whatever the reasons, however, there is no doubt that an understanding of media culture, cultural sensitivity and political awareness are essential for the future in our increasingly complex and multicultural world.
The aim of this MA programme is to develop the skills and independent critical thinking required for the "knowledge worker" of the future.
This programme:
- prepares you to do a PhD
- improves your skills to access and utilise information of all kinds
- enhances your analytical and communication skills
- improves your planning and multitasking abilities
- equips you with the skills to organise your ideas and present them in front of others.
The skills offered by graduates of this programme are highly desirable in today’s information society.
How we support you
- We have a dedicated careers person who will help you with your CV and cover letter and with finding a work placement in the industry, should this be something you would like to add to your academic studies.
- The programme offers several "library" sessions throughout the year to make sure you get the most out of Roehampton's Library and its excellent facilities to search and access academic and journalistic literature online.
- Roehampton University offers excellent academic writing support for native as well as non-native speakers. This includes taught drop-in sessions as well as one-to-one tutorials.
- The campus atmosphere is notably friendly and inviting, creating a supportive learning environment. Student-led activities are wholeheartedly supported by staff.
