How is the MA Global Media Studies different from the MA International Journalism?

The MA International Journalism is practitioner-focused — foreign correspondence, cross-border investigations, hostile-environment safety. The MA Global Media Studies is research-focused — comparative media systems, transnational platforms, global media policy. Many graduates of the latter move into research, policy or academic-track roles.

Does the MA Global Media Studies cover platform regulation?

Yes — extensively. The global media policy module covers the EU Digital Services Act, US Section 230 debates, UK Online Safety Act provisions and emerging frameworks across major reporting and platform destinations.

Can I do the MA Global Media Studies part-time?

Yes. The MA can be taken over 24 months part-time. Online and distance routes are available, including for the dissertation. The course is designed to fit alongside working international journalism, research or platform-policy roles.

What kind of dissertation do students write on the MA Global Media Studies?

Original research, 12,000–15,000 words, on a topic of international media significance. Recent dissertations have covered diaspora podcast networks, cross-border investigations collaboration models, comparative content moderation outcomes and broadcaster bureau cuts across major regions.

Is the MA Global Media Studies recognised by international employers?

Yes. It is a UK-recognised master's degree taught in London — a major base for international media, wire services and platform-policy bodies — and meets entry requirements for PhD programmes at UK and international universities.

MA Global Media Studies in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA Global Media Studies at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK postgraduate degree for journalists, researchers and policy professionals studying transnational media. You will analyse comparative media systems, transnational platforms and global media-policy frameworks, and produce a 12,000-to-15,000 word dissertation on a topic of international media significance supervised by an active researcher.

Media now operates across borders in ways that older national-media frameworks no longer fully describe. The MA Global Media Studies takes that seriously — combining comparative research method with current platform and policy analysis. By the end you can read a transnational media phenomenon with discipline, situate it inside current scholarly conversation, and write research that contributes credibly to the field.

Key Features

Comparative media systems core — Hallin and Mancini and contemporary comparative frameworks across global regions.
Transnational platform analysis — global platforms, content moderation, algorithmic distribution, cross-border information flows.
Global media policy module — current regulatory frameworks across the EU, US, UK and emerging economies.
Industry-led masterclasses from international correspondents, platform-policy specialists and academic media scholars.
12,000–15,000 word dissertation supervised by an active researcher in comparative or global media.
September and January intakes with full-time and part-time routes.

What You Will Learn

The MA Global Media Studies is structured around the analytical work of a global-media researcher or international-affairs media specialist. You graduate able to analyse media systems comparatively, read transnational platform dynamics critically, and contribute credibly to scholarly and policy conversation.

Comparative media systems — Hallin and Mancini, current comparative frameworks.
Political economy of global media — ownership, platforms, intermediaries, advertising flows.
Transnational platforms — global moderation, algorithmic distribution, cross-border information flows.
Global media policy — EU Digital Services Act, US Section 230 debates, UK Online Safety Act, emerging frameworks.
International journalism — foreign correspondence, wire services, cross-border investigations.
Audience studies in transnational contexts — diaspora media, global publics, audience research methods.
Research methods — comparative method, qualitative international research, digital methods.
Dissertation methodology — design, ethics, write-up at MA standard.

Who This MA Is For

Working international journalists wanting research-track credentialing.
Bachelor's graduates in media, journalism or international relations specialising in global media.
Platform-policy and content-moderation professionals wanting structured academic grounding.
Future academics preparing for PhD work in comparative or global media studies.

Career Pathways

Graduates of the MA Global Media Studies move into senior international research, journalism and platform-policy roles. Typical post-MA destinations include:

Foreign Correspondent (international wire service, UK national title)
International Reporter (broadcaster international desk, specialist title)
Wire Bureau Journalist (Reuters, AFP, AP regional bureaus)
Global News Editor (international desk, digital-native publisher)
International Producer (broadcaster current affairs, longform documentary)
Platform Policy Researcher (regulator, platform trust and safety, academic centre)

The MA also serves as a launchpad for doctoral research in global media studies and for senior platform-policy roles in industry and government.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:2 honours degree (or international equivalent) in a related subject, OR a 2:2 in any subject with two years of relevant professional experience.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement (max 1 page) outlining your motivation, relevant experience and intended specialism.
Two academic or professional references.
Applicants without a related undergraduate degree may be considered with significant industry experience and a written sample.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.