Degree of Master of Social Science (120 credits) with a major in Media and Communication Science

The master's programme Sustainable Communication (Two Years) provides specialised education in the field of media and communication for students already holding a bachelor's degree. The master’s programme prepares students for the possibilities to apply for further education on third cycle, i.e. doctoral programmes.

One academic year consists of 40 study weeks, divided in two semesters. This is equivalent to 60 credits (60 hp). Each study week consists of 1.5 credits (1,5 hp) that correspond to 40 hours of study.

The programme has a special focus on sustainability in relation to media and communication. Different forms of communication - interpersonal, public, mediated, - have an important impact for the achievement of environmental, social and economic sustainability. Closely related to this approach, are also perspectives that focus on media and communication in relation to globalization and development. The programme approaches this focus from a theoretical, methodological and practice-based perspectives. The master's programme prepares the students for the possibilities to apply for further education on second and third cycles.

The programme offers theoretical courses in a total of 67.5 credits, aiming to deepening the student’s knowledge on media and communication in relation to sustainability, globalization and development, two 7.5-credit courses in research methods with the aim of fostering a reflective scientific approach, a 7.5-credit work placement course aiming to develop students’ professional communication skills, and one 30-credit thesis in which students work independently with a research project supported by a supervisor. The theses projects in media and communication should cover a topic that is closely related to sustainable communication. Each course has its own syllabus with specific prerequisites. The organisation of the courses follows a logic progression.


All courses are taught in English.

General aims
Second cycle education shall essentially build on the knowledge students acquire in first cycle education or corresponding knowledge. Second cycle education shall involve a deepening of knowledge, skills and abilities relative to first cycle education and, in addition to what applies to first cycle education, shall;

- further develop the students’ ability to independently integrate and use knowledge
- develop the students’ ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations
- develop the students’ potential for professional activities that demand considerable independence or for research and development work

Programme specific learning goals
Specific learning goals for the programme are the following: to deepen the student’s understanding about the role that media and communication play in the processes to achieve environmental, social and economic sustainability, and gender equality, to be able to apply this knowledge as a communication professional or in future doctoral studies.

In accordance with the learning outcomes stated in the Higher Education Ordinance (SFS) No. 2014:1096, students shall demonstrate the following:

Knowledge and Understanding
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding in sustainable communication, including both broad knowledge of the field, and specialized knowledge about media and communication in the contexts of sustainability, globalization and development, as well as insights into current research and development work, and
- demonstrate specialised methodological knowledge in media and communication

Skills and abilities
- demonstrate the ability to identify, and to critically and systematically integrate knowledge needed for understanding communicative processes and expectations through perspectives related to sustainability, and to analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations in this context, even with limited information
- demonstrate the ability to critically and independently use theories and methods to analyse and assess complex phenomena regarding, media and communication in a sustainability context
- demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues concerning media and communication and sustainability critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan, and using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
- demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to clearly report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
- demonstrate required skills for participation in work concerning research and development or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity

Judgement and Approach
- demonstrate the ability to make assessments in media and communication informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical issues and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
- demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
- identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning

Please note that the program table below is not a set program structure but an overview of the approximate time a course is given.

There may be some rearrangement and revision of courses. However, a course can only be moved or revised if the move or revision does not affect the content of the programme or the way its courses build on each other.

Course Name	Credits	Main field of study	Specialised in	Course Code
Communication for Development and Social Change	7.5	Media and Communication Science	A1F	LCDS20
Global Crisis Communication	7.5	Media and Communication Science	A1F	LGCS20
Global Cultural Studies	7.5	Media and Communication Science	A1F	LGSS20
Globalization and Media	7.5	Media and Communication Science	A1F	LGLS22
Individual Literature Course	7.5	Media and Communication Science	A1F	LILS21
Introduction to Sustainable Communication: Communicative Aspects of Sustainability	2.5	Media and Communication Science	A1N	LIAR22
Master Thesis in Media and Communication	30	Media and Communication Science	A2E	LMMV23
Media in the Digital Age – Participation, Power and (In)Equality	7.5	Media and Communication Science	A1N	LMDR20
Research Methods 1 SusCom	7.5	Media and Communication Science	A1F	LRSS20
Research Methods 2 SusCom	7.5	Media and Communication Science	A1F	LRS221
Social Sciences of Sustainability	5	Media and Communication Science	A1N	LSTR22
Sustainability and Communication	7.5	Media and Communication Science	A1N	LSSR22
Transmedia Storytelling and Design	7.5	Media and Communication Science	A1N	LTSR20
Work Placement in Sustainable Communication	7.5	Media and Communication Science	A1F	LWSS20