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Communication Studies: New Media and Society in Europe – (M.Sc.)
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
Faculty of Arts and Philosophy
- Programme information
- University website
- Municipality website
- Student Experiences from Belgium - STeXX.eu
| Application Deadline: | 1st March non EU; 1st June EU | ||
| Annual Tuition Fee: | ≈ € 578 ≈ € 1,666 (non-EEA) | ||
| Location: | Brussels / Belgium / View location on map ▾ Hide location on map ▴ | ||
| Duration: | 12 months | Start Date: | September |
| Educational Form: |
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| Education Variants: |
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| Credits (ECTS): | 60 | ||
| Languages: | English | ||
Location of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)
The Master of Communication Studies is a one-year (60 ECTS) academic master with a focus on New Media and Society in Europe. This English language programme focuses on the rapidly changing field of media and communication in a European context. The programme takes an interdisciplinary approach and allows students to concentrate on business, policy and/or user aspects of new media.
This Master offers
- A high-level education by leading scholars in the field of information and communication technologies, new media and European media
- An integrated programme and interdisciplinary approach to new media and society in Europe
- Teaching in small groups using interactive teaching methods, stimulating individual participation
- A wide variety of specialised courses
- Excellent guidance in writing your master thesis by leading scholars in a variety of subject fields
- The possibility of writing your thesis in one of the following four languages: English,
Dutch, French or German (the last three only on approval) - Close collaboration with researchers from the centre for Studies on Media, Information and Telecommunication (SMIT) and the Institute for European Studies (IES)
Contents
Erasmus exchange: University of Exeter - United Kingdom, University of Helsinki - Finland
Internship: 12 ECTS optional - in selected institutions and companies related to the subject area
The programme consists of two semesters and is completed in one academic year. It comprises one set of compulsory courses and one set of optional courses. The optional courses allow students to focus on three specific fields: business and markets, policy and governance, user aspects of new media and society in Europe. Instead of choosing from the optional courses, students can decide to do an internship.
Media economics, European media markets and mechanisms
Digitisation of media, the emergence of the Internet and the mobile revolution have fundamentally altered the media industry. Formerly separate markets are merging. Old and new players are forging new business models. This master provides you with an in depth understanding of media economics, European media markets and mechanisms.
European policy and policy-making in the field of media
The European Union plays a crucial role in media and communication policies. It has tried to foster a single European market in media and services. Through several large programmes it has stimulated innovation and the emergence of a European Information Society. The European Commission’s current Digital Agenda for Europe sets the framework for the coming years. In this master programme, you will gain an understanding of European policy and policy-making in the field of media, innovation, and the Internet.
Interdisciplinary user research in the field of new media
People as users of new media and communication technologies are central stakeholders in the European information society. The interplay between changes in new media and in the adoption of these new media in everyday life is important to understand social change in Europe. This master provides you with a deeper understanding of interdisciplinary user research in the field of new media.
Work in the emerging European communication space
This MA programme will equip you with the necessary analytical skills and subject-specific knowledge to work in the emerging European communication space. Being taught in the capital of Europe, it will acquaint you with the European institutions and media players. For that purpose, the programme schedules a yearly lecture series with representatives of European industry and institutions, organizes site visits and offers the possibility of an internship.
Strong focus on current trends
The Master has a strong focus on current trends and is supported by state of the art research from two partnering research institutes of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel: the centre for Studies on Media, Information and Telecommunication (SMIT) and the Institute for European Studies (IES).
Compulsory Courses (48 ECTS)
- Master Thesis in Communication Studies
- Advanced Methods for Communication Studies
- Information Society and Globalisation: Advanced Theoretical Debates
- EU Media and Communication Policy
- Lecture Series on European Information Society
Optional Courses (12 ECTS)
- European Media & Communication Markets
- Critical Issues in Media Economics
- European Innovation Policy
- Current Case Studies: Global and Regional Governance
- Global and Regional Internet Governance
- Comparative Communication Research
- Media, Culture and Globalisation Theory
- Users and Innovation in New Media
- Business and Consumer Ethics
You are normally required to take an English Proficiency Test if you come from a non-English speaking country.
Most European Universities recognise the IELTS test.
More informationRequirements
Direct admission
Direct access is granted for students with a Belgian Bachelor´s degree in Communication Studies.
Application based admission:
An Admission Board will evaluate the applications on an individual basis. The Board can decide to oblige the applicant to complete an individual preparatory programme of up to 24 ECTS for students with an Academic BA in the Human and Social Sciences or up to 30 ECTS for students with an Academic BA in another discipline. This preparatory programme can be followed while starting the Master.
Language Requirements:
Proficiency in English is essential. The Language Requirements of the Master of Communication Studies are in line with those stipulated by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
Additional Requirements
| Minimal degree required: | Bachelor's degree |
| Minimal amount of work experience | Not specified |
Language Proficiency
| IELTS Band: | 6.5 |
| TOEFL Paper-based: | 550 |
| TOEFL Computer-based: | 213 |
| TOEFL Internet-based: | 80 |
Accreditation
NVAO accredited programme
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