Autumn 2025 - Semester 1
- Media and Communication Studies: Key Themes in Media and Communication Studies (KK640B), 15 credits
- Media and Communication Studies: Research Methods & Methodology (KK650A), 15 credits
Media and Communication Studies: Culture, Collaborative Media, and Creative Industries, Master's programme (One-Year)
About the education
Over the last decade, changes in the media landscape have fundamentally altered the roles of consumers, creators, and distributors. Today, digital media fosters participation and cooperation – reflecting a dynamic ethos of collaboration.
The one-year master's programme in Media and Communication Studies offers advanced understanding of digital media from multiple perspectives. The programme combines theoretical and practical learning methods. You will learn to evaluate media from a critical perspective, while gaining practical skills useful for the creative industries.
The one-year master’s programme in Media and Communication Studies: Culture, Collaborative Media, and Creative Industries equips you with advanced knowledge of digital media. You will work creatively and in an explorative way with different types of media while you learn to approach them using theoretical frameworks.
During the programme, you will develop three primary skill sets:
- the ability to analyse and strategically approach media and its impact on society
- the capability to work with media and communication, both methodologically and systematically
- the knowledge required to produce media texts, both individually and collaboratively.
Compared to a bachelor's level degree, this master’s programme has a focus on the development of strategic expertise. These skills are crucial for those intending to pursue a professional career in media and communication. During the year, you will also obtain an in-depth knowledge of the workings of creative industries.
This programme starts with new students every autumn. The first semester focuses on examining key themes in communication studies and learning different methodological approaches. During the second semester, you will learn more about how today’s creative industries operate. The year ends with a master's thesis, (one-year, 15 credits).
The programme is hybrid and full-time, which makes the education globally available to students and offers a unique blend of distance and campus-based learning. This approach makes it possible for international students to enroll in the programme without having to relocate. You will study alongside students from many different countries. The international focus will facilitate both a rigorous understanding of the media and creative industries, and help you develop a diverse network of colleagues.
The programme is hosted on an online platform through which communication between students and lecturers takes place, and where student projects are uploaded.
The programme was developed in collaboration with Media Evolution, a dynamic media hub based in Malmö. This has resulted in a curriculum attentive to the crossover between academic and professional worlds; you will develop skills in both these areas throughout your studies. As a student, you will have the chance to meet a number of guest lecturers from universities and organisations around the world.
You will develop skill sets and knowledge essential to fast-growing industries that are increasingly dependent on communication and digital media to meet their goals. These include creative and cultural organisations, government agencies, NGOs, and media companies.
This programme will benefit those who want to take an active role in media development, and those who wish to pursue further post-graduate studies.
Malmö University offers a two-year version of the programme. The two-year version provides you with a deeper understanding of the field of media and communication studies. As part of the second-year curriculum, you will have the opportunity to do an internship.
Students who are admitted to the one-year programme and wish to continue on to the second year can apply for admission to a later part of the programme if they meet the entry requirements.
Courses within the programme
Entry requirements and selection
Here you can find the entry requirements, as well as how the available study places are distributed between applicants in the selection.
If you have any questions about general admission, you are welcome to contact us.
Entry requirements
Bachelor's degree (180 credits) or equivalent in social sciences, humanities, arts or design studies. Examples of subject background relevant to the programme include, but are not limited to: Media and Communication, Cultural Studies, Film Studies, Literature, Graphic Design, Visual Communication, Stage Production, Media Production, or Fine Arts.
The equivalent of Swedish higher secondary school English 6.
Selection
Supporting documents 100%. Applicants are selected in order according to precedence from letter of intent, experience document and work samples.
Apply with supporting documents
Please note that you are recommended to submit supporting documents with your application to this programme. If you fulfil the entry requirements but do not submit the supporting documents, you can only be admitted if space allows. The selection is based only on the supporting documents.
To complete your application, follow these steps:
- Create an account and apply to the programme no later than 15 January via universityadmissions.se.
- Submit documented proof of your Bachelor’s degree and proficiency in English. Upload the documentation as a PDF at universityadmissions.se, or send it by post. You can apply if you are in your final year and will receive your Bachelor’s degree before the programme starts, by following specific instructions.
- Submit your supporting documents via the form on this webpage. When you have completed the form and pressed “send”, you have submitted your supporting documents. Please make sure to do this after you have completed step one and two. If you apply in multiple admission rounds, you must upload supporting documents for each round.
Supporting documents deadline
Submit the supporting documents no later than 3 February 23.59 Central European Time (GMT +1), when applying in the international admission round, 15 October–15 January.
Submit the supporting documents no later than 3 May 23.59 Central European Time (GMT +1), when applying in the national admission round, 15 March – 15 April.
Supporting documents submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. Only supporting documents submitted via the form will be reviewed.
Supporting documents Media and Communication Studies (One-Year)
Assessment matrix
Alternative selection Media and Communication Studies: Culture, Collaborative Media, and Creative Industries (60 credits).
Description and assessment matrix for alternative selection (PDF)
“I always tell my coworkers that I'm learning so much in this programme. It’s so useful for my work with social media.”
Sarah Patsalidou is a master’s student living in Cyprus, with a background in music and musical theatre production. Currently, she is pursuing her master’s degree while working with social media at a ticketing company. The online form allows her to continue working and apply her knowledge in her...
“I always tell my coworkers that I'm learning so much in this programme. It’s so useful for my work with social media.”
Sarah Patsalidou is a master’s student living in Cyprus, with a background in music and musical theatre production. Currently, she is pursuing her master’s degree while working with social media at a ticketing company. The online form allows her to continue working and apply her knowledge in her work.
What were you doing before you enrolled in Media and Communication at Malmö University?
I did my undergraduate studies in music in Southampton, and then a postgraduate degree in musical theatre production at Goldsmiths, University of London. I learned how to put on a show and to produce a performing arts festival from scratch. But during my studies, I didn't learn how to advertise or market my work, so that’s what I was missing. When I returned to Cyprus, my home country, I started working in social media for Sold Out Tickets – one of the biggest event ticketing companies in Cyprus. I loved what I was doing, but I was obviously lacking professional academic training in media and communication. That’s when I started looking for distance learning courses in Europe to deepen my knowledge and put it to use in my work.
Why did you choose to study a master's in Media and Communication studies?
I always say that I've never experienced a richer university programme. It focuses on creative industries and culture, which aligns with my background as a musician and producer. In today's competitive professional landscape, I believe a master's degree is an asset. Completing a master's enhances my expertise and opens opportunities in this highly competitive field. I saw the chance to reskill in a growing area, aligning with my interest in media and communication. The programme offers a diverse range of courses, covering social theories, key theories of media and communication, creative industries and research methods.
How do you like the distance learning form?
Choosing distance learning was a practical decision because it allows me to continue working in Cyprus while advancing my education. I work and study full-time and find that I can apply what I learn during my studies into my work in social media and event ticketing. For example, the course ‘Understanding how the creative industries work’ have been very useful.
I really enjoy the distance learning form. The use of online tools, cameras and microphones during lectures ensures a good experience and an effective learning environment. We have interactive seminars, open discussions and regular one-on-one and group sessions, which have contributed to a close community. Both my teachers and peers are helpful and supportive. It’s cool how you meet other students online and become friends with them because you basically see them every day. I actually met a few people in person while I was travelling.
What would you want to do after your graduation?
In the future, I want to travel in Europe and work with musicals as a production manager or coordinator. My knowledge in media will strengthen my skills as a producer. That is why I chose this programme – to get a package of skills and background to contribute to as many aspects as possible in the role as a production manager and work at big theatres.
An ideal way to learn online
Hannah Lemoine is a one-year master’s programme student living in Copenhagen, Denmark with her two children. After she finished her bachelor’s degree in media and communication at Malmö University, she has been waiting patiently to start the master’s programme and is now among the first group of...
An ideal way to learn online
Hannah Lemoine is a one-year master’s programme student living in Copenhagen, Denmark with her two children. After she finished her bachelor’s degree in media and communication at Malmö University, she has been waiting patiently to start the master’s programme and is now among the first group of students.
Hannah has already completed two bachelor's degrees at Malmö University, one in media and communication studies and one in gender studies. She wanted to extend her studies in the media field and when she heard about the master’s in communication studies, she did not hesitate to apply.
“Except for the practical reasons that the university is just across the Öresund and that the programme is held online, I really like the professors at Malmö University and they are exceptionally good at what they do. That was really a stamp of quality for me, and one of the crucial factors towards applying,” Hannah explains.
“I have studied at different universities through the years but Malmö University is the one I keep coming back to. The professors are quick to respond to students’ questions, they listen to our feedback and really make time to ensure the students excel and progress.” Hannah aims for a career within academia and her next step will be pursuing a doctorate.
Combines working life and student life
In her earlier career she worked as a freelance graphic designer, an illustrator and a web designer.
During the past years she worked as a communication consultant with focus to assure that equality was integrated within a company’s written and image content.
“As of right now, I have been trying to cut down on working so I can focus more on my studies. When I applied online, I was not really considering how great of an asset online classes would be. I have been able to choose between going to classes on campus and attending them online. This gives me the freedom to work when I want to.”
In love with Malmö
Aside from the cost of commuting from Denmark to Sweden, which is a 30 minute train ride, Hannah loves the southern Swedish city.
“The city has a vibrant atmosphere and I love the diversity among the people living here. One of the things I like most about the programme is the inclusive intersectional perspective that has been constant through the different courses. It feels like the atmosphere from the city is reflected in the programme.”
