Immerse yourself in the worlds of media, communication, and international development, and study the complex relationship between them. 

Discover the ways charities and other development organisations communicate about famine, poverty, and developing countries, and how they affect public attitudes. Explore why some humanitarian crises make it onto our TV screens and others don’t, and ask what effect this has on government policy. 

You’ll also ask: how important is press freedom and freedom of speech in promoting democracy and economic growth? What is the impact of social media in developing countries – do Facebook and Twitter facilitate citizens' engagement with politics or do they undermine genuine political participation? 

These are just some of the key questions and problems you’ll explore on this fascinating course. 

ABOUT

You’ll study both media and international development on this innovative course, and the relationship between them. The media are important to all aspects of international development, from promoting mass mobilisation and political participation to facilitating the flow of information. At the same time, the media is central to encouraging charitable donations, promoting democracy and human rights, and delivering public health messages during emergencies. 

This course will enable you to bring an international outlook to a career in media. You’ll also be able to bring an in depth understanding of media to a career in international development. You’ll graduate well prepared for careers in NGO communications, development journalism, humanitarian communication and media development. 

This degree is unique in the UK in combining media and international development studies side by side. In both fields you’ll be taught by academic staff whose research is internationally renowned. We’re actively involved in research across the globe, working with many national and international development agencies. 

PLACEMENT YEAR AND STUDY ABROAD

In your third year, you will spend 9-12 months in a full-time development placement, before returning to your studies in the final year. This placement will allow you to gain invaluable working experience and employability skills in a relevant area of your choice. ​ 

​You are expected to source your placement yourself, but support is available from the School staff and the Careers Service. Please note we cannot guarantee any student a work placement as this decision rests with potential employers. If you have not successfully secured a work placement by the end of your second year you will be transferred onto one of the three-year programmes. 

AFTER THE COURSE

You’ll graduate with knowledge and skills valued by a vast range of organisations related to international development. These include government agencies the United Nations, private sector companies, consultancy firms, and the many hundreds of large and small non-government organisations that focus on development and humanitarian work. 

Many of our alumni have also gone to work in the media. Recent graduates have become freelance film-makers, photographers and travel writers and even set up their own production companies. 

Our alumni include the director of Bend It Like Beckham (2002) and Bride and Prejudice (2004), the CEO of the Public Media Alliance, the Founding Director of the Rockhopper TV and the Senior Strategic Partner Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at Google. 

You could pursue numerous career paths combining both media and international development such as NGO communications, development journalism, humanitarian communication and media development. 

Or you could use the academic and transferable skills gained from our degrees for careers in business, the voluntary and public sector, education, and academia. 

CAREER DESTINATIONS

Career destinations related to your degree include: 

• NGO communications 

• Development journalism 

• Humanitarian communication 

• Film maker 

• Photographer 

• Travel writer