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
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 or build a digital portfolio to enhance your professional aspirations . 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 half-day 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
90 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 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 )/ Digital Content Creation for Campaigns ( 20 credits ).
To obtain a PgDip , you will also complete : Digital Communications ( 20 credits ), plus two 20-credit electives such as the Industry-based Learning Module , 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 ( November 2021 ) 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 .