MSc Digital Campaigning and Content Creation
Digital content has radically changed from a desirable extra to become the beating creative heart of modern communications practice . Equip yourself with in-demand skills in this field on one of the most forward-looking postgraduate courses in the UK .
How can you stand out in a digital world where a million minutes of video are shared every second ?* How do you create content that can ’ t be ignored and find your own visual voice ? If you ’ re a current communications professional or recent graduate looking to set yourself apart in the job market , this course will give you practical understanding of content creation and campaigning , and deep knowledge of digital strategic planning .
First-rate digital content has one primary quality ; it makes us pause and want to look , to hear the message , to discover what happens next . Can the creation of such compelling material be a happy blend of good fortune and good timing . No it ’ s not : there is a method , and it can be mastered using skills learned on this practically focused course . By understanding the language of film you will learn how to improve content . Along with campaign strategy , you will learn engaging visual storytelling techniques ( such as mise-en-scene , continuity and montage ) that are essential for effective short documentaries , adverts or dramas . You will also learn key news-media production skills ( such as interviewing , managing , producing , directing , shooting and editing short newsworthy film and other digital content ).
Drawing on QMU ’ s existing portfolio of courses in PR , film and media , this new course has been inspired by the professional experiences of our academic staff . Our media production lecturers have won a host of international awards for their short films and are highly successful on social media . Our PR and communications lecturers have professional and personal campaign experience and are involved with a range of campaigning organisations . This experience is at the centre of our teaching approach and we always engage students in producing real strategies and content for real clients . This results in campaigns where video and digital content have had a profound effect on audiences and have been crucial in achieving strategic aims and objectives .
Structure
To obtain a specific postgraduate award at QMU you must complete a number of credit-bearing modules . You can opt to study for the full MSc , a PgDip or a PgCert . You can also register as an associate student to complete a single module for CPD . On completion of a single module , you may wish to complete further modules and progress your studies to a named award .
Teaching , learning and assessment
Our teaching enables you to produce a portfolio of material suitable for satisfying existing or impressing future employers . You will work in groups during workshops to develop and test your knowledge and work on an individual basis to produce assessments that will include campaign strategies , case studies , a variety of short films and other content . You will work for an extended period , supervised by a QMU lecturer , to create strategic communication material for a client or organisation of your choice . You can also chose to undertake an industry placement and we are particularly proud of our strong links with organisations that agree to be placement hosts or live clients for our students .
Teaching hours and attendance
We teach most of our modules in day-long blocks so that we can facilitate practical and group work as well as more formal lectures . We find that students enjoy this approach and lecturers can be more creative and involved in the learning experience . We also timetable most teaching to take place on Fridays and Saturdays to enable people in full-time work or with caring responsibilities to take part . Your specific timetable will depend on the electives you choose and whether you study full-time or part-time . Each 20-credit core module will typically involve four or five Fridays or Saturdays each semester . The two taught semesters run from September to December and mid-January to mid-April .
Industry links , accreditation and professional registration
QMU is an accredited teaching centre of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations ( CIPR ) and a partner institution of the Public Relations Consultants ’ Association ( PRCA ).
Modules
To obtain a PgCert , you will complete : Strategic Communication and Digital Practice ( 20 credits )/ Visual Storytelling for Media Campaigns ( 20 credits )/ News – based Media Content Creation ( 20 credits ).
To obtain a PgDip , you will also complete : Digital Communications ( 20 credits ), plus two 20-credit electives such as the Industry Placement , Fundraising , Development and Finance , Public Affairs or International Marketing
For an MSc you will also complete a Master ’ s Communication Project ( 60 credits ).
The modules listed are correct at time of publication ( September 2020 ) but are subject to change . In the event that modules change , QMU will seek to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that there is no detrimental impact on students .
Placements
This is an ideal course for building on the theory you learn with some practical experience . You can choose to undertake a 20-day placement to
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