MA in Promotional Media in Public Relations Advertising and Marketing

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Goldsmiths University of London

Program Overview

The MA Promotional Media at Goldsmiths is all about understanding how public relations, advertising, and marketing operate in today’s fast-changing media landscape. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to explore not just how to promote a brand or message, but why certain strategies work, how audiences respond, and how media shapes culture and society. You’ll blend theory and practice, learning to think critically while gaining hands-on experience in campaign design and media strategy.

Curriculum Structure

This one-year full-time (or two-year part-time) programme is designed to take you from theory to real-world application:

Foundations: In Promotional Media I: Changing Fields & Contexts, you’ll dive into how advertising, PR, and marketing are evolving. You’ll examine them not just as business tools, but as cultural practices shaped by media, technology, and society — giving you the analytical skills to understand the bigger picture.
Practical Skills: Next, in Promotional Media II: Campaign Skills & Techniques, you’ll put theory into practice. You’ll work on group projects and campaigns, learning how to craft messaging, target audiences, and execute media strategies just like professionals do in the industry.
Specialisation & Dissertation: You’ll then pick optional modules that fit your interests — from social media and consumer behaviour to media law and design methods. Finally, you’ll complete a 12,000-word dissertation, allowing you to research in depth a topic at the intersection of media, marketing, and culture that truly excites you.

Focus Areas

Public relations, advertising, marketing communications, digital media, campaign design & execution, media and society, cultural/media studies perspectives on marketing.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, you’ll be confident designing and evaluating campaigns, critically analysing how media interacts with society, and blending theoretical insight with practical marketing and PR skills.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

While this MA isn’t a traditional business-school marketing degree, it’s embedded in Goldsmiths’ highly respected media department, offering the academic rigour and cultural-literacy skills valued by employers in media, communications, and creative industries.

Reputation (Employability & Academic Ranking)

Goldsmiths’ media and communications department is ranked 16th in the world (third in the UK) in the 2024 QS World Rankings by Subject.
Graduates go on to careers in content marketing, social media, corporate communications, media planning, campaign management, and more.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

On this MA at Goldsmiths, you’ll do much more than just study theory — you’ll be creating campaigns, designing media strategies, and collaborating with your peers on projects that feel just like real agency or marketing work. You’ll also get insights from industry professionals through guest lectures and workshops, helping you understand how the media, advertising, and PR industries operate in the real world. By the end of the course, you’ll not only have strong academic knowledge, but also practical experience and a portfolio to show for it.

Here’s how that experience comes to life:

Group campaigns and projects: In Promotional Media II: Campaign Skills & Techniques, you’ll work in teams to design and deliver promotional campaigns, learning how to craft messaging, target audiences, and plan media strategies just like a real PR or marketing team.
Practical optional modules: Tailor your learning with hands-on modules like Social Media Practices, Marketing Strategy, Film Producing Fundamentals, or Design Methods and Processes, depending on your interests.
Internship and placement opportunities: You’ll have the chance to take internships or work placements in media, advertising, PR, or marketing, gaining valuable real-world experience.
Career and academic support: The Careers Service, Gold Award programme, and subject librarians help you develop professional skills, refine your CV, and prepare for the industry or further study.
Industry connections and guest workshops: Regular sessions with professionals keep you up to date on current trends and practices, while helping you start building your network even before you graduate.

By the time you finish the MA, you’ll have a portfolio of real projects, hands-on experience, and industry contacts — giving you a strong head start in your career.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MA Promotional Media go on to exciting careers that combine creativity, strategy, and communication. Many find roles as content marketers, social media managers, corporate communicators, media planners, or copywriters, while others take on positions in advertising agencies, digital startups, or even freelance media work. With the practical skills, portfolio projects, and industry insights you gain at Goldsmiths, you’ll be ready to step confidently into the professional world:

Career support tailored to you: Goldsmiths’ Careers Service provides one-to-one guidance, CV and portfolio advice, interview preparation, and helps you explore internships, traineeships, or entry-level roles in media, marketing, or communications.
Strong employability outcomes: Many postgraduate students from the media and communications departments secure highly skilled roles within 15 months of graduation.
Diverse career paths: Alumni work in roles like account executives, social media/community managers, SEO analysts, programme advertising executives, product or event managers, and more — giving you a wide range of opportunities.
Flexible, long-term value: Combining media studies, marketing communications, digital culture, and practical campaign work, this degree equips you for a variety of sectors — from corporate communications and agencies to creative freelancing or entrepreneurial ventures.
Entrepreneurship guidance: If you’re interested in freelancing or launching your own media project, the Careers Service can guide you through starting your own venture and building your professional brand.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’re interested in research or academia, the MA provides a strong foundation for pursuing a PhD or other research-focused postgraduate programmes in media studies, communications, or cultural studies — opening doors to academic, research, or high-level consultancy careers.