MRes in Faculty of Media and Communication

18 Months On Campus Masters Program

Bournemouth University

Program Overview

The MRes in the Faculty of Media & Communication at BU is a research‑oriented master’s degree that lets you design and pursue an independent research project in media, communication, digital media, animation, journalism or related fields — under supervision and with access to BU’s facilities. It suits students who want to explore in depth a film/media question, prepare for further academic research (e.g. a PhD), or build a strong foundation for media‑industry roles that value research, analysis and media theory + practice.

Curriculum structure

Since this is a research-based degree rather than a taught coursework programme, the structure is different:

Main component – Independent Research Project & Thesis
You will define your own research question (with supervisor guidance), carry out detailed research — which may include literature review, empirical or theoretical work, or media-based analysis/production depending on your topic — and write a thesis of around 15,000 to 30,000 words.
Researcher Development & Methodology Training
Although most of your time goes into individual research, you also benefit from BU’s researcher development training (through the Doctoral College), workshops and access to technical & library resources — helping you build skills in research methods, critical analysis, media production (if relevant), and academic writing.
Flexibility & Duration
If you study full‑time, you can complete the MRes in 12 months (with up to 18 months allowed). For part‑time students, the window is 24–36 months.

Focus areas

Communication & Journalism; Media Production; Digital Media; Computer Animation; Media law and policy; Social justice, conflict and media; Digital archiving; Media and cultural studies — essentially any topic covered by the faculty’s broad research themes.

Learning outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

frame and carry out an independent, original research project on media/communication;
apply advanced research methods and critical analysis to media‑related topics;
produce a substantial thesis (or media‑practice based research output) demonstrating deep understanding of theory, context, and methodology;
(if relevant) engage with media production or creative components — combining practical skills with research;
prepare for further academic research (PhD) or research‑intensive roles in media, policy, digital media, production, media institutions or related sectors.

Professional alignment & Academic Value

The MRes is well‑suited to students aiming for academic careers (e.g. PhD), research roles (in media, communication, cultural policy, new media), or media‑industry roles requiring strong analytical, research and conceptual skills (e.g. media research, policy analysis, digital archiving, content strategy). BU’s faculty spans several research centres — including animation, media practice, intellectual property, social justice and more — offering interdisciplinary supervision and resources.

Key facts / Entry & Structure

Duration: 12‑18 months full time, or 24‑36 months part time.
Entry requirements: An honours degree (2:1) in any subject. For non-native English speakers: IELTS (Academic) 6.5 (or equivalent) is required.
Flexibility: Start dates offered at multiple points (January, April, September).
Output: A thesis (15,000–30,000 words), sometimes accompanied by a practical/media component if relevant.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

When you join BU’s MRes in Media & Communication, you’re not locked into just lectures — you get access to real media‑production facilities, support from active researchers, and the flexibility to shape a project around your interest. The degree combines academic depth (research, theory, critical analysis) with the possibility of creative or media‑production output, using BU’s technical and information infrastructure.

Here’s what your experiential learning would involve:

Access to BU’s professional-level media production facilities: As an MRes student, you get access to BU’s on‑campus media production resources — including 4K multi‑camera TV studios, a film studio, sound‑stage, and editing/sound‑production suites. These facilities are the same used by media‑production students, so you can potentially use them for media‑oriented research or creative‑research projects.
Freedom to tailor your research project (theory + creative practice or production): The MRes allows you to explore a specific research question of your choice, under supervision. You could choose traditional academic research (e.g. media theory, communication, journalism, digital media) — or combine theory with media production or creative practice (film, documentary, immersive media, screenwriting, photography, etc.), depending on your interests and supervisors.
Support from experienced researchers and access to research-community & training: You’ll be supervised by leading academics in fields such as journalism, communication, media production, animation, digital archiving and more — meaning you benefit from expertise across different media disciplines.
Flexibility in scheduling & study format: The MRes can be done full‑time (12–18 months) or part‑time (24–36 months), giving you flexibility to balance independent research or media work, perhaps alongside professional commitments or creative projects. Structured research‑methods training + academic rigor: Even though MRes isn’t a taught master’s in the traditional sense, you are required to engage with a research development programme — including training in research methods, critical analysis, literature review, hypothesis testing/experimental or creative‑practice work (if relevant), evaluation and thesis writing. Interdisciplinary environment and access to wide research themes: The Faculty covers a broad range of subjects — from media production and computer animation to communication, journalism, law, digital archiving, media education, creative industries, and more. That makes it possible to situate your research in a cross‑disciplinary context, or work with supervisors from different specialties.
Good infrastructure for research and creative‑media output: The university’s campus (e.g. Talbot Campus) hosts the technical infrastructure (studios, labs, production/editing suites), as well as academic resources — libraries, computing labs, and the support of the university’s Doctoral College for training, workshops and academic‑career support.
A stepping stone for PhD or professional research/media career: Because MRes is research‑oriented, if you choose, you could continue to a PhD, or use your thesis/creative project as a portfolio or proof-of-concept for a career in media research, digital media production, communications, animation or related fields.

Progression & Future Opportunities

After completing BU’s MRes you’ll be well-equipped to produce high‑quality, original research in media, communication, digital culture, animation or related fields — making you eligible for doctoral studies or research‑oriented roles. Many graduates progress into academia (PhD), research departments, or specialist roles in media/communication strategy, policy, or content analysis.

Potential typical roles include: academic researcher / PhD candidate / media‑studies lecturer; research analyst in media organisations or cultural institutions; media policy or communications consultant; digital‑media strategist or creative/media researcher for agencies, NGOs, or industry.

What BU gives you — and why this sets you up well

Access to strong research environment & expert supervision: MRes students at BU work under supervision of leading academics in the Faculty of Media & Communication, with access to technical facilities, libraries, and a broad network of research centres — giving you resources and mentorship to produce impactful research.
Flexibility to pursue your own research interests within media/communication/animation/cultural studies: You define your research question and can work across specialisms such as journalism, media production, computer animation, law/policy, social justice, media education — depending on what you want to focus on.
Training in research methods and advanced analytical skills: The course is designed to build strong critical analysis, academic writing, hypothesis‑testing or creative research (depending on discipline), and independent project management — all of which are valued in academia and many analytical or strategic roles beyond it.
Strong foundation for PhD or other advanced academic or professional pathways: The MRes is widely recognised as a precursor to doctoral research. If you decide you want to pursue a PhD — in media studies, digital culture, policy, animation, or related fields — this degree gives you the preparation, credentials and academic maturity to do so.
Transferable and versatile skill‑set — useful beyond academia: Even if you don’t go into a PhD or straight into academic research, the skills you gain (critical thinking, research, media‑analysis, project planning, communication) are relevant for roles in media strategy, content creation/research, consultancy, cultural institutions, media policy, or digital‑media companies.

Further Academic Progression:
After the MRes, many choose to continue into a doctoral degree (PhD) — focusing on advanced research in media studies, digital culture, animation, media policy/communication, or related fields. Because you’ll already have developed a strong independent research project, methodology training, and academic supervision experience, you’d be well‑placed to succeed in a PhD and potentially move into academia (lecturer / researcher).

Alternatively — if you decide not to go the academic route — the MRes can still serve as a platform to move into more senior research‑oriented roles in media organisations, policy think‑tanks, cultural institutions, or digital‑media agencies.