MA Media and Development (Part Time)

• 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” optional module) that involves video‑cameras, sound and editing. 

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

• 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 studying communications policy in the Global South, global media’s impact on development, and how digital platforms shape media and society — giving you critical insight into worldwide media contexts. 

• Opportunities to produce socially relevant media: Optional modules such as documentary production and “Media, Activism and Politics” allow you to explore media’s role in social justice, activism, and global development — letting you build a media‑for‑impact portfolio. 

• Global‑oriented perspective & network: As you study media not just in the UK but in developing economies and global contexts, you interact with peers and academics with global outlooks. The school’s connections to organisations like UNESCO, NGOs, international media houses widen your potential professional network. 

• Skills for communication, research, and advocacy: You’ll develop not only media‑production skills (audio, video, editing) but also analytical skills, policy understanding, communication for development, and campaign planning. This multi‑skill set can prepare you for a varied range of careers — from NGO communications to media strategy, advocacy, or research. 

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.

After completing the MA Media and Development at Westminster, you’ll be well prepared for a variety of meaningful and international‑facing roles — from public‑policy communications, NGO and development work, to media strategy, research, or journalism. Graduates have moved into positions such as communications officer or manager at development agencies, digital‑media strategist, NGO / international organisations media specialist, journalist or information‑officer focused on development issues, or researcher / academic. The blend of media knowledge, development insight and practical skills gives you real flexibility and impact

Here’s how the MA supports that outcome:

• University Services & Industry Links

  • The course is anchored in Westminster’s renowned research centre, Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI), giving access to academic expertise and global networks in media and development. You’ll have opportunities to engage with guest speakers from major media and development organisations — including global broadcasters and international NGOs — which helps build a professional network.

  • The programme combines theoretical and practical learning — including digital‑media production, development policy, digital campaigning, and media‑for‑development strategies — so you graduate with both conceptual understanding and hands‑on skills. 

• Career Outcomes & Typical Roles

  • Potential roles include: NGO media manager / communication specialist, policy‑communication officer, digital communications strategist for development organisations, journalist or media‑in‑development correspondent, academic researcher in media & development, or campaign communications manager. 

  • Some specific graduate paths listed include: “Communications Business Advisor, Rwanda Development Board”; “Programme Officer, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (London)”; “Media and Development Specialist, UNESCO”; “Multimedia Journalist, BBC News Arabic”; “Planning Coordinator, NBC News”; “Communications Manager, Chain of Hope”; and “UN Visual Communication Specialist.”

  • Because the course deals with global media and development, there’s scope for work in international organisations, advocacy groups, NGOs, development agencies, media houses, or even government / regulatory bodies — giving you a wide and global career landscape. 

• Long-Term Value & Skillset

  • The MA offers insight into global development theory, media policy, digital media production, media‑for‑social‑change — a powerful combination especially if you aim to work in development communication, global media, or social advocacy. 

  • Your training in media ethics, global media dynamics, campaign communications, research methods, and digital communication tools gives you a well‑rounded portfolio — useful both for practical employment and (if you choose) further academic or policy‑oriented work. 

• Networking & Global Reach

  • Through the associated professional network, Communication for Development Network (C4D), you gain access to a global community of media and development professionals — a huge asset if you plan to work internationally or engage in global‑scale media/development work. 

  • The university’s location (Harrow campus, 20 minutes from Central London) puts you close to major media organisations, broadcasters, NGOs and international bodies — which can help with internships, placements or freelance opportunities. 

Further Academic Progression:

If you want to continue studying after the MA Media and Development, you could:

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

• Pursue specialist postgraduate certificates or short courses in areas such as development communication, humanitarian media, digital campaigning, media policy or international journalism.

• Combine media‑development expertise with other domains — such as public policy, international relations, human rights, sustainable development — if you want to work in governance, advocacy or global development agencies.