Ψηφιακά Μέσα και Επικοινωνία

Profile of the Programme

The programme is designed to be completed in one calendar year (12 months), over a fall, a spring and a summer semester of 13 weeks. Working professionals have the part-time study option which may take longer. The programme consists of core courses, specialisation requirements and electives. Students are required to attend lectures and seminars and engage in individual as well as group-based learning activities.

Aims

What role does digital media, particularly social media, play in the economy, politics and everyday life? How has social media changed the practice of journalism, public relations and advertising? The MA in Digital media and Communications addresses these and similar questions that have emerged out of the rise of social media and its increasing domination of the media and communication professions. This programme offers a critical analysis of the operation, functions, use, embeddedness and ramifications of social media in a globalised, networked society. It is aimed at people who wish to acquire a critical understanding of social media and learn how to analyse and mobilise them strategically. The programme places emphasis on an evidence-based, scientific examination of current and emerging digital media practices and trends and on helping students develop their ability to successfully utilise social media in the practice of journalism, public relations, marketing and advertising.

Objectives

The objectives of the MA in Digital Media and Communications are to provide a critical understanding of current theories, key concepts and new research methods related to social media, investigate institutional, social and technical factors shaping social media practices, examine social media practices as utilised by a variety of actors, including journalists, businesses, politicians and public figures, and enable students to develop effective social media strategies in the practice of journalism, public relations, political lobbying, marketing and advertising.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the programme can be employed as online programme directors, social media strategists or public relations officers, reporters and producers in the mass media such as newspapers and magazines, public relations and advertising agencies and state and private radio and TV channels. This programme will also prepare students to embark on careers in political communication, research and consultancy.

Access to Further Studies

Upon completion of the programme, students have direct access to further studies. Admission to the Ph.D. programme in Media and Communication offered by the department. This will offer a valuable gateway into a career in academia.

Admission Criteria

The minimum general requirement for admission to the post-graduate degree programme is a Bachelor Degree from a recognised university.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants satisfy the English requirements if their first degree was taught in English. Otherwise, the minimum English-language qualifications for admission are:

• IELTS, 6.5 and above
• Anglia Examinations, Proficiency or Mastery
• Cambridge GCE AS Level English Language, C and above
• Cambridge GCE English A Levels, C and above
• Cambridge IGCSE or GCSE English as a First language, C and above
• Cambridge IGCSE or GCSE English as a Second language, B and above
• IB English A: Literature SL & HL, 4 and above
• IB English Standard Level (SL), 5 and above
• IB English High Level (HL), 4 and above
• Michigan Language Assessment (also known as Proficiency of Michigan), 750 and above
• Password Test, 6.5 and above
• TOEFL (IBT), 79 and above
• Cambridge Exams (First Certificate), 176 and above or Pass
• Cambridge Exams (Proficiency Certificate), 180 and above or Pass

Applicants who do not hold one of the listed qualifications, are required to take UNIC’s NEPTON English Placement Test and achieve a score at the ENGL-100 level, which can substitute for the standardized tests typically required for admission to postgraduate programs. The test is offered free of charge.

The University offers English courses at different levels to assist students in meeting the required standard for admission to a graduate programme.

Course assessment usually comprises of a comprehensive final exam and continuous assessment. Continuous assessment can include amongst others, mid-terms, projects, and class participation.

Letter grades are calculated based on the weight of the final exam and the continuous assessment and the actual numerical marks obtained in these two assessment components. Based on the course grades the student’s semester grade point average (GPA) and cumulative point average (CPA) are calculated.

The student must complete 90 ECTS and all programme requirements.

A minimum cumulative grade point average (CPA) of 2.0 is required. Thus, although a ‘D-‘ is a PASS grade, in order to achieve a CPA of 2.0 an average grade of ‘C’ is required.

On completion of the programme the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of mass communication processes
2. Demonstrate improved competence in dealing with media production and consumption
3. Comprehend media production and criticise media content in a constructive manner
4. Exhibit a specialty in particular areas, in order to prepare for careers in media research, public relations, journalism, media criticism, advertising, media management and media regulation
5. Pursue career development in the media and/or secure high-level employment in media-related professions
6. Further their theoretical and analytical research competencies by pursuing doctoral studies

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

The above semester breakdown is an indicative one. A few of the courses are electives and can be substituted by others. Students may contact their academic advisor and consult their academic pathway found on this website under “Schools & Programmes”.