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Postgraduate degree

Global Media Industries MA

Map of the world showing technical connections

Please note the course details apply to 2025 entry. Details for 2026 entry for our postgraduate courses will be published from mid-October 2025.

Key information

Delivery mode:
In person
Study mode:
Full time
Part time
Duration:
One year full-time, September to September, two years part-time
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent):
UK 180/ ECTS 90
Application status:
Open
Start date:
September 2025
Apply

This Global Media Industries MA will equip you with skills needed for a career in the media. You’ll enhance your theoretical and sector-based knowledge, build practical experience and develop desirable and transferable skills. You will graduate from this global media industries master’s equipped with applied knowledge, real-world insights, a critical grounding, and a conceptual understanding of this field. This will help you not only understand the media but be empowered to reimagine the future of the global media industries.

Key benefits

  • Study at one of the UK's market-leading universities for degrees in this field, located at the heart of London's media industries.
  • Gain knowledge of the media industries across national and international contexts, focusing uniquely on London.
  • Choose from a range of specialist modules (e.g. Children, Media Industries and Culture, Entertainment Industries, Games Industries and Cultures, Immersive Media and Extended Realities, Media Industries and the City)
  • Take advantage of our strong links with London and International media organisations providing up-to-date knowledge of current debates and trends.
  • Join a vibrant Culture, Media & Creative Industries Department that specialises in this field
  • Prepare yourself for a career in the media, cultural or creative industries.

During this Global Media Industries MA, you will discover how cultural, social, economic, or political conditions shape media industries, learning from various local, regional, and transnational examples. You will also develop your proficiency in project management, research methods, communication, and collaboration, which are desirable for careers in the media industry. You’ll begin this global media industries master’s with a broad critical introduction to the main perspectives and approaches related to the study of the (global) media industries. This is when you’ll consider the reach and integration within the industry; the production, distribution, and consumption of media; the role nations play in a globalised media industry; what it means for labour, and more. You will then get a chance to apply your knowledge with a collaborative project that addresses a genuine challenge faced by global media industries. Weekly workshop sessions will guide you through all stages of the project. Not only will you put into practice what you’ve been learning, but you’ll also start building a range of desirable skills and produce something you can include in your professional portfolio. The rest of the Global Media Industries MA modules will be chosen by you. You could study the relationship between children, the media, and culture, learn more about the entertainment industries, or examine how the media and the city connect. Alternatively, you could choose to explore immersive media and extended realities, discover what it’s like for people working in the cultural industries, or consider the aesthetic economy and aesthetic markets. This master’s culminates in a dissertation project. You will have the option to work on a traditional dissertation or to use a creative practice to produce your own arts-based research project. You could also find an external arts, media, and heritage organisation to collaborate with on a live brief and produce your unique research to inform your dissertation. Previous Global Media Industries MA students have partnered with organisations like Battersea Arts Centre, Black Live Theatre, Arts Council England, Dash Arts, King’s Cultural Institute, Live Cinema, Glyndebourne, Mahogany Opera Group, Lambeth Archives, OnRoad Media, Royal Society, Arts Cabinet, Iconem, and Greater London Authority.

Base campus

The Quad - Strand campus
Strand Campus

Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.

Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.

Regulating bodies

King's is regulated by the Office for Students

UK applicants

Standard requirements

A minimum high 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree with a final mark of at least 65% or above

If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).

Programme-Specific Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with high 2:1 honours (i.e. overall average of at least 65% across all years of study) in any discipline. For those returning to study, evidence of appropriate experience will be required.

In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum high 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 65% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 65% or above in the UK marking scheme.

Please note: Meeting the minimum requirements for your application to be considered does not guarantee an offer as applications for this programme are very competitive.

International applicants

Equivalent International qualifications

English language requirements

English language band:
B

To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.

Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.

For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.

Selection process

Applications must be made online using King’s Apply, the Admissions Portal. A non-refundable application fee of £130 applies.

Due to the large volume of applications, this programme operates a partial “gathered-field” approach to decision making for applicants who meet our advertised academic entry requirements. This means that for some of these applicants, a decision may not be reached until after February and where possible, will be made by May. You will be informed via King’s Apply if your application has been assessed and being held as part of this process.

Personal statement and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

Personal Statement Yes

Please provide a personal statement of around 500 words, answering the following questions:

Briefly explain why you are applying for this specific programme and how it fits with your future plans? (max 250 words)

How does your experience and education make you a suitable candidate for this programme? (max 250 words)

Please write these questions as separate answers, with a clear title for your answer to each question. Documents where your answers are not clearly titled and separated will not be accepted.

Previous Academic Study Yes A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
References Yes One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. In some cases, we may request an additional reference from you.
Writing Sample Yes Please see details below.
Other Optional Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application.

The piece of writing you should submit should be a new 1,000 words in length maximum and address the following topic:

What is the most important issue facing global media industries today? Why?

Your essay will demonstrate your ability to:

- Investigate the topic/question

- Source apposite material

- Undertake original research

- Construct a coherent argument

Use appropriate evidence and source material to support your arguments, such as textbooks, journal articles, newspaper articles and internet sources. Please include AT LEAST five sources. Ensure that you cite these using the Harvard referencing system and provide a full bibliography at the end of your essay.

Teaching methods - what to expect

Teaching

This is a one-year full-time course (two years part-time) comprising modules totalling 180 credits. Core modules provide the foundation for the programme. These are accompanied by a diverse range of option modules, appealing to a wide range of subjects, giving you the opportunity to discover new areas of study.

Each week in semesters one and two, alongside taught lectures, seminars and workshops, you will be expected to undertake additional hours of independently managed self-study. In semester three, you will be expected to devote approximately 600 hours of independent study to the final dissertation, collaborative, or creative research project, for which supervision guidance is provided.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

    Your performance will be assessed through coursework. Forms of assessment typically include essays, industry reports, presentations, group work, portfolio of evidence, and a dissertation, collaborative or creative research project. Coursework contributes 100% to your final mark.

    The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.

    Structure

    Required modules

    Your course is divided into modules. To fulfil the award of MA, you will normally take modules totalling 180 credits. You are required to take the following modules:

    You are also required to take:

    Research Approaches and Dissertation (60 credits) choosing from the following:

    • i)    Traditional Dissertation
    • ii)    Collaborative Dissertation with Cultural Partner
    • iii)    Creative Research Project

    Optional modules

    In addition, you are required to take 60 credits from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:

    You may choose a maximum of 30 credits of modules from other courses within the Faculty of Arts & Humanities and the King’s Language Centre, or, exceptionally, from a range of modules offered by the Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy (notably the Department of Education and Professional Studies, and Department of Management), or the School of Law, subject to approvals.

     

    If you are a part-time student, in year one you’ll take the two core modules, Global Media Industries: Perspectives and Approaches, and Media Industries: Collaborative Project, together with one or two (15-30 credits) option modules. In year two, you take the core module Research Approaches and Dissertation, alongside two to three (30-45 credits) optional modules. A total of four options (60 credits) are to be taken over the two years of study.

    King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

    Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

    Employability

    Global Media Industries MA Graduates have used the skills and knowledge developed with us to pursue careers in a range of creative, entrepreneurial, or business roles within the global media industries. Others have continued their studies with further research.

    Tuition Fees

    UK:

    Full time: £13,500 per year (2025/26)

    Part time: £6,750 per year (2025/26)

    International:

    Full time: £30,000 per year (2025/26)

    Part time: £15,000 per year (2025/26)

    These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

    Deposit

    If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.

    The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.

    • If you receive an offer before January, payment is due within two months of receiving the offer.
    • If you receive an offer between 1 January and 20 May, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
    • If you receive an offer between 21 May and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
    • If you receive an offer between 16 July and 10 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
    • If you receive an offer from 11 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.

    If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

    Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.

    King’s Bridge Scholarship

    King’s College London offers King’s Bridge Scholarships, covering full-time or part-time tuition fees for selected Arts & Humanities master’s programmes. Open to home students from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds. Learn more.

    Additional Costs

    In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

    • books if you choose to buy your own copies
    • clothing for optional course related events and competitions
    • graduation costs
    • library fees and fines
    • personal photocopies
    • printing course handouts
    • society membership fees
    • stationery
    • travel costs around London and between campuses

    Funding

    To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.

    During this Global Media Industries MA, you will discover how cultural, social, economic, or political conditions shape media industries, learning from various local, regional, and transnational examples. You will also develop your proficiency in project management, research methods, communication, and collaboration, which are desirable for careers in the media industry. You’ll begin this global media industries master’s with a broad critical introduction to the main perspectives and approaches related to the study of the (global) media industries. This is when you’ll consider the reach and integration within the industry; the production, distribution, and consumption of media; the role nations play in a globalised media industry; what it means for labour, and more. You will then get a chance to apply your knowledge with a collaborative project that addresses a genuine challenge faced by global media industries. Weekly workshop sessions will guide you through all stages of the project. Not only will you put into practice what you’ve been learning, but you’ll also start building a range of desirable skills and produce something you can include in your professional portfolio. The rest of the Global Media Industries MA modules will be chosen by you. You could study the relationship between children, the media, and culture, learn more about the entertainment industries, or examine how the media and the city connect. Alternatively, you could choose to explore immersive media and extended realities, discover what it’s like for people working in the cultural industries, or consider the aesthetic economy and aesthetic markets. This master’s culminates in a dissertation project. You will have the option to work on a traditional dissertation or to use a creative practice to produce your own arts-based research project. You could also find an external arts, media, and heritage organisation to collaborate with on a live brief and produce your unique research to inform your dissertation. Previous Global Media Industries MA students have partnered with organisations like Battersea Arts Centre, Black Live Theatre, Arts Council England, Dash Arts, King’s Cultural Institute, Live Cinema, Glyndebourne, Mahogany Opera Group, Lambeth Archives, OnRoad Media, Royal Society, Arts Cabinet, Iconem, and Greater London Authority.

    Base campus

    The Quad - Strand campus
    Strand Campus

    Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.

    Please note that locations are determined by where each module is taught and may vary depending on the modules you study.

    Regulating bodies

    King's is regulated by the Office for Students

    UK applicants

    Standard requirements

    A minimum high 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree with a final mark of at least 65% or above

    If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).

    Programme-Specific Requirements

    Bachelor’s degree with high 2:1 honours (i.e. overall average of at least 65% across all years of study) in any discipline. For those returning to study, evidence of appropriate experience will be required.

    In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum high 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 65% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 65% or above in the UK marking scheme.

    Please note: Meeting the minimum requirements for your application to be considered does not guarantee an offer as applications for this programme are very competitive.

    International applicants

    Equivalent International qualifications

    English language requirements

    English language band:
    B

    To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.

    Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.

    For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.

    Selection process

    Applications must be made online using King’s Apply, the Admissions Portal. A non-refundable application fee of £130 applies.

    Due to the large volume of applications, this programme operates a partial “gathered-field” approach to decision making for applicants who meet our advertised academic entry requirements. This means that for some of these applicants, a decision may not be reached until after February and where possible, will be made by May. You will be informed via King’s Apply if your application has been assessed and being held as part of this process.

    Personal statement and supporting information

    You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

    Personal Statement Yes

    Please provide a personal statement of around 500 words, answering the following questions:

    Briefly explain why you are applying for this specific programme and how it fits with your future plans? (max 250 words)

    How does your experience and education make you a suitable candidate for this programme? (max 250 words)

    Please write these questions as separate answers, with a clear title for your answer to each question. Documents where your answers are not clearly titled and separated will not be accepted.

    Previous Academic Study Yes A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
    References Yes One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. In some cases, we may request an additional reference from you.
    Writing Sample Yes Please see details below.
    Other Optional Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application.

    The piece of writing you should submit should be a new 1,000 words in length maximum and address the following topic:

    What is the most important issue facing global media industries today? Why?

    Your essay will demonstrate your ability to:

    - Investigate the topic/question

    - Source apposite material

    - Undertake original research

    - Construct a coherent argument

    Use appropriate evidence and source material to support your arguments, such as textbooks, journal articles, newspaper articles and internet sources. Please include AT LEAST five sources. Ensure that you cite these using the Harvard referencing system and provide a full bibliography at the end of your essay.

    Teaching methods - what to expect

    Teaching

    This is a one-year full-time course (two years part-time) comprising modules totalling 180 credits. Core modules provide the foundation for the programme. These are accompanied by a diverse range of option modules, appealing to a wide range of subjects, giving you the opportunity to discover new areas of study.

    Each week in semesters one and two, alongside taught lectures, seminars and workshops, you will be expected to undertake additional hours of independently managed self-study. In semester three, you will be expected to devote approximately 600 hours of independent study to the final dissertation, collaborative, or creative research project, for which supervision guidance is provided.

    Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

    Assessment

      Your performance will be assessed through coursework. Forms of assessment typically include essays, industry reports, presentations, group work, portfolio of evidence, and a dissertation, collaborative or creative research project. Coursework contributes 100% to your final mark.

      The study time and assessment methods detailed above are typical and give you a good indication of what to expect. However, they are subject to change.

      Structure

      Required modules

      Your course is divided into modules. To fulfil the award of MA, you will normally take modules totalling 180 credits. You are required to take the following modules:

      You are also required to take:

      Research Approaches and Dissertation (60 credits) choosing from the following:

      • i)    Traditional Dissertation
      • ii)    Collaborative Dissertation with Cultural Partner
      • iii)    Creative Research Project

      Optional modules

      In addition, you are required to take 60 credits from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:

      You may choose a maximum of 30 credits of modules from other courses within the Faculty of Arts & Humanities and the King’s Language Centre, or, exceptionally, from a range of modules offered by the Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy (notably the Department of Education and Professional Studies, and Department of Management), or the School of Law, subject to approvals.

       

      If you are a part-time student, in year one you’ll take the two core modules, Global Media Industries: Perspectives and Approaches, and Media Industries: Collaborative Project, together with one or two (15-30 credits) option modules. In year two, you take the core module Research Approaches and Dissertation, alongside two to three (30-45 credits) optional modules. A total of four options (60 credits) are to be taken over the two years of study.

      King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

      Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

      Employability

      Global Media Industries MA Graduates have used the skills and knowledge developed with us to pursue careers in a range of creative, entrepreneurial, or business roles within the global media industries. Others have continued their studies with further research.

      Tuition Fees

      UK:

      Full time: £13,500 per year (2025/26)

      Part time: £6,750 per year (2025/26)

      International:

      Full time: £30,000 per year (2025/26)

      Part time: £15,000 per year (2025/26)

      These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

      Deposit

      If you receive an offer for this programme, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. Deposit payments are credited towards the total tuition fee payment.

      The Home deposit is £500. The International deposit is £2000.

      • If you receive an offer before January, payment is due within two months of receiving the offer.
      • If you receive an offer between 1 January and 20 May, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
      • If you receive an offer between 21 May and 15 July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
      • If you receive an offer between 16 July and 10 August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
      • If you receive an offer from 11 August onwards, payment is due within three days of receiving the offer.

      If you are a current undergraduate King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary this academic year, you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

      Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.

      King’s Bridge Scholarship

      King’s College London offers King’s Bridge Scholarships, covering full-time or part-time tuition fees for selected Arts & Humanities master’s programmes. Open to home students from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds. Learn more.

      Additional Costs

      In addition to your tuition costs, you can also expect to pay for:

      • books if you choose to buy your own copies
      • clothing for optional course related events and competitions
      • graduation costs
      • library fees and fines
      • personal photocopies
      • printing course handouts
      • society membership fees
      • stationery
      • travel costs around London and between campuses

      Funding

      To find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans, and other financial help available at King's please visit the Fees and Funding section.

      Application closing date guidance

      We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed and we may need to request further information from you during the application process.

      The final application deadlines for this programme are:

      · Overseas (international) fee status: 25 July 2025 (23:59 UK time)

      · Home fee status: 25 August 2025 (23:59 UK time)

      If the programme becomes full before the final application deadlines stated above, we will close the programme to further applications. Please note, you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if we are unable to process further offers because places are filled and we close the course before the final application deadline.

      Key information

      Delivery mode:
      In person
      Study mode:
      Full time
      Part time
      Duration:
      One year full-time, September to September, two years part-time
      Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent):
      UK 180/ ECTS 90
      Application status:
      Open
      Start date:
      September 2025
      Apply

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