MA Media and Development

• Blend of theory and hands‑on media work: While you study media policy, communication theory and global development history, you’ll also do practical media work — for example producing documentaries or media interventions about social change (like in the “Introduction to Documentary for Social Change” module).

• Access to professional‑grade facilities: The course is based at Westminster’s creative Harrow Campus — which comes with studios, post‑production facilities, creative labs and media‑making equipment. 

• Research & project‑based learning: You’ll carry out an independent dissertation or project — with guidance and supervision — where you can combine your research interests with media and development themes. 

• Modules that connect media and international development: Core teaching includes how communications impact development, global media policy, and the political economy of media — giving you critical understanding of media’s role worldwide. 

• Opportunities to produce socially relevant media: Optional modules such as documentary & social-change media let you produce content about real issues — helping you build a media‑for‑impact portfolio. 

• Global network & career‑oriented links: The programme is connected to global organisations and has links with large international bodies (media, NGOs, development agencies) — opening path for work in media, communications for development, NGOs, international organisations. 

• Preparation for varied roles: Graduates go on to many different paths — journalism, media‑for‑development, NGO communications, policy, research, digital communications and more. 

• Diverse cohort & global perspectives: Because the course deals with media across the global South and developing economies, you’ll engage with peers from different backgrounds — preparing you for international media/development work. 

• Critical and analytical training alongside media practice: You’ll learn to examine how media shapes development, the role of policy, digital platforms, media access — with academic rigour and real‑world awareness. 

🎯 What this could do for you — if you go for it

• You’ll graduate with real media output + critical understanding — a strong combination if you aim for roles in NGOs, international development, media activism, documentary making, or communications in global organisations.

• You’ll build a portfolio and network connected to global media and development — not just theory, but actual media‑for‑change work you can show.

• You’ll gain versatile skills — research, media production, policy analysis, communication strategy — valuable in many sectors.

• You get to combine academic depth with practical creativity — so you understand the “why” behind media and development, and have tools to act on it.

By graduating with MA Media and Development from Westminster, you’ll be equipped to work at the intersection of media, communication and global development — opening up roles such as media & development consultant / manager, digital communication strategist, NGO communications officer, journalist / information officer focused on development issues, or media policy researcher / academic. The course’s mix of critical‑theoretical knowledge, digital media skills and global perspective sets you up to make a real impact in public, private or non‑profit sectors.

Here’s how the MA supports and boosts your career progression:

• University Services & Institutional Strengths

  • The course is anchored in the university’s strong legacy of media research via the Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI), giving you access to top‑tier academic expertise and research networks in global media and development.

  • You’ll benefit from the university’s employer network via the upcoming enterprise hub (Zone29), which connects students to 3,000+ employers — particularly helpful if you aim for internships, placements, or freelance/entrepreneurial media work. 

  • The course blends theory and practice: you’ll get hands‑on digital media skills (e.g. content production, digital‑media platform work) alongside training in policy, media theory and global development — so you leave with both analytical and technical competence. 

• Employment Outcomes & Career Paths

  • Alumni have moved into roles in NGOs, international organisations (e.g. UNICEF or UNESCO), media and broadcast companies, or development‑communications roles — combining media skills with social impact work.

  • The degree also prepares you for work in media regulation, public sector communications, advocacy, social campaigns, or digital content roles for organisations working in developing contexts — thanks to modules on communications policy, global media, activism, and media production. 

  • If you’re interested in media research or academia, the course’s strong emphasis on research (including a dissertation / independent project) provides a solid academic foundation. 

• Industry & Global Development Exposure

  • Through links with international media and development organisations (e.g. NGOs, media outlets, global agencies), the programme connects you to global networks — useful if you aim to work internationally or on global‑south development issues. 

  • You gain understanding and skills in both media production and communications policy/strategy — a combination that is increasingly valued in international development, public‑policy agencies, media NGOs, and socially aware media enterprises.

• Long‑Term Value & Versatility

  • Because the MA combines critical theory, policy analysis, media production and global‑development knowledge, you graduate with a versatile profile: you can pivot into media, public policy, NGO work, advocacy, academia, or a mixture of these.

  • The skills you gain — digital media production, policy thinking, global media awareness — remain relevant as media, technology, and international development evolve.

  • For those interested in impact‑driven work, this degree gives you the tools to use media effectively for social change, communication campaigns, development awareness or global outreach.

• Graduate Impact & Career Flexibility

  • Recent graduates reportedly hold roles such as “Communications Business Advisor (Rwanda Development Board)”, “Programme Officer (global foundation)”, “Media & Development Specialist (UN agency)”, “Multimedia Journalist (international news network)”, “Communications Manager (global NGO)” — showing the breadth and real-world relevance of outcomes. 

  • Whether you aim to work globally or locally — in NGOs, media, public institutions, or private sector communications — the MA gives you the credentials and the skills to adapt.

Further Academic Progression:
If after finishing the MA you want to go deeper academically or specialize further, you could:

• Apply for a PhD / MPhil in Media and Development, Global Media, or Communication Studies, building on your dissertation and research methods training at Westminster.

• Pursue specialist postgraduate certificates or short courses focusing on media in development, humanitarian communications, policy & advocacy, or international journalism.

• Combine your media‑development expertise with other disciplines — for example public policy, international relations, social work, human rights — depending on what social impact path you want to follow.