Master in Communication
Summary
Our programme stimulates independent, critical, and creative minds. Insights and perspectives from disciplines such as media and communication studies, linguistics, organisation and management research, and sociology allow you to develop a comprehensive understanding of communication as a vibrant field of research and practice. Through courses and student-driven activities, we bring together people from all over the world with diverse professional and educational backgrounds.
About
In recent years, society has become increasingly globalised, digitalised, and specialised. These trends pose a number of urgent and complex challenges, such as: listening and being heard in an arena of many competing voices; fostering inclusion, equality, and diversity in fast-changing work environments; and determining the accuracy of news in the face of increased user-generated content and information overload.
Communication is key in meeting challenges
Our master’s programme posits communication as a decisive field that will allow students to develop a holistic understanding of communication as a vibrant field of research and practice that addresses these and other societal challenges. Our programme empowers you to grow as an independent, critical researcher and skilled professional, able to navigate the intricate dimensions of organisational and digital communication.
One programme—two areas of specialisation
Insights and perspectives from disciplines such as media and communication studies, linguistics, organisation and management research, informatics, and sociology will foster your in-depth understanding of communication as a field of research and practice. With the support of our Advisory Industry Panel, we are committed to continuously improving the quality of the program and its ability to provide up-to-date communication skills and competences that are most needed in the current and future job market. You can choose an educational path that interests you after gaining advanced knowledge and skills in two areas of specialisation:
- Organisational communication focuses on issues, approaches to, and challenges of communication within organisations, and between organisations and external stakeholders, including related fields such as corporate communication, public relations, and strategic communication. The programme addresses the unique challenges that organisations face in communicating with different external and internal stakeholders. It will also enable students to effectively implement a variety of communication techniques used in professional settings.
- Digital communication examines the role of digital technologies in communication—how they shape communication and how we can use them to study communication. This area of specialisation deals with how the continued digitalisation of society affects communication, for example, how emerging practices like wikis and memes challenge long-held assumptions concerning authorship. Another topic of study is how digital technologies can be used to study communication, for example analysing big textual data for sentiment in online communities.
A multicultural learning environment committed to sustainability, equality and inclusion
We prioritise interactive forms of learning. Problem-based learning in an intercultural environment strengthens your ability to collaboratively analyse and solve complex challenges. Matters of sustainability, equality, and inclusion are integral parts of our courses.
Alumna interview
"Communication is an essential part of life"
"How to achieve a clear communication in the business"
PhD interview
Department and Faculty
The programme is offered by the Department of Applied Information Technology.
Programme structure and content
The first two semesters contain eight mandatory courses.
Sem. 1
Theories of Communication
Social Media and Society
Communication Techniques in the Workplace
Introduction to Organisational Communication
Sem. 2
Trends in Corporate Communication and Public Relations
Qualitative Research Methods in Communication
Quantitative Research Methods in Communication
Digital Communication and Strategy
Sem. 3
During the third semester, you can tailor your education to your interests, either with electives chosen inside or outside our programme, with a study-abroad programme, or through a semester-long internship. The electives are:
Technology and Embodied Interaction
Influence and Persuasion in the Digital Age
Critical Topics in Digital Discourse
Project Management for Strategic Communication
Sem. 4
The fourth semester is dedicated to your degree project.
Who should apply?
Are you interested in the application of rhetorical and argumentative strategies in organisational settings?
Do you wonder what role language, identity, power, and ethics play in communication? Do you want to dig deeper into particular schools of thought, theoretical approaches, and methods of empirical communication research?
While this programme is particularly suited for students with a social sciences or humanities background, we welcome applications from everyone motivated to explore dynamic complexities of human communication.
Prerequisites and selection
Requirements
A Bachelor's degree of 180 credits or corresponding. Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English 6/English B from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.
Selection
The selection is based on the submitted Statement of Intent. Please follow these instructions for the application to Master in Communication.
Statement of Intent shall be uploaded on the University Admissions website no later than February 1 (first admission round) and May 3 (second admission round).
After graduation
Graduates receive the degree Master of Science in Communication.
You will be prepared for a career in the private or public sector, non-profit organisations, and communication agencies in a variety of fields, including public relations, international sales and marketing, media and journalism, management consulting, human resources and mediation, and communication training. You may also pursue a career in academia through PhD studies.
Alumni work at places such as Volvo, Ericsson, AstraZeneca, Doctors Without Borders, and the United Nations, with the following job titles and descriptions, among others:
- public relations strategist
- HR consultant
- digital communication consultant
- social media content manager
- communication officer
- campaign strategist
- media relations manager
- marketing coordinator
- project manager consultant
Facilities
We are located at Campus Lindholmen, where well-established companies like Ericsson as well as smaller and “start-up” organisations are based, providing opportunities for networking and connecting academia to practice.
More information about facilities
Exchange opportunities
You have the opportunity to apply for exchange studies for at least an equivalent of 30 credits in Europe as well as other parts of the world. As an exchange student, you do not need to pay any semester fees. Since the study abroad is credited in your degree, no extra study time is added to your education.
More information about exchange opportunities
Internship
The semester-long internship is intended for students who are more focused on acquiring work-life skills. It will be your responsibility to independently identify a suitable organisation for your internship.
