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Graduate (Taught)
Application code:P4UN
Department of Media and Communications

Double Master’s Degree in Media, Culture and Global Cities (LSE and NYU)

Study global media in London and New York in two leading media capitals of the world.

Overview

Introduction

The MSc/MA in Media, Culture and Global Cities is a new double degree programme jointly offered by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and New York University (NYU). It allows students to study media and communications in top media capitals of the world —London and New York — while engaging with the academic cultures and resources of two leading institutions (2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject: Communication and Media Studies). The programme is particularly suited to students interested in understanding how media shape urban life and global society, with a thematic emphasis on mediation and digitalisation.

A core aim of the programme is to help students develop the ability to make original arguments and support them with empirical evidence. This is achieved through a combination of collaborative and individual learning methods, including seminar discussions, group work, and presentations. Students also gain transferable writing skills through essays and case studies. Essays encourage the development of a personal academic voice using academic language, while case studies invite students to collect original material from the city and produce creative, digital, and narrative outputs.

Students receive methodological training through practice-focused workshops that equip them to select and apply appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods in their own research. Small-group seminars foster in-depth disciplinary debate, and one-to-one supervision supports the development of an independent dissertation project within the field of media and communications. These learning strategies are enriched by the dual-institution structure, which offers students access to both LSE and NYU’s academic environments and intellectual communities.

What differentiates this programme from others is its structure: students earn two degrees over two years: an MSc in Media and Communications (Communication, Culture and Global Cities) from LSE and an MA in Media, Culture, and Communication from NYU. This dual qualification, combined with the opportunity to study in two major media capitals, sets the programme apart. Students benefit from NYU’s London base during their first year, located adjacent to LSE’s Department of Media and Communications, which facilitates early engagement with NYU faculty and smooths the transition to the second year in New York. The programme also offers opportunities to co-organise academic events and participate in the cultural and professional life of both cities.

Entry requirements

Upper second class honours (2:1) degree or equivalent in social science, or a degree in another field with professional experience in media and communications.

Please select your country from the dropdown list below to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

Overseas

English language requirements

The English language requirement for this programme is Higher. Read more about our English language requirements.

Competition for places at LSE is strong. So, even if you meet the minimum entry requirements, this doesn't guarantee you an offer of a place.

However, please don’t feel deterred from applying – we want to hear from all suitably qualified students. Think carefully about how you can put together the strongest possible application to help you stand out.

Programme content

Year 1

First year, at LSE

The first year at LSE lays solid theoretical and methodological foundation for future media and communications professionals to examine issues of media and communication within their political, social and cultural context. Please note that at LSE we don't provide practical training in journalism, production, campaigning or media management.

Why study with us

Discover more about our students and department.

Meet the department

The Department of Media and Communications is a world-leading centre for education and research in the field. Our department is ranked first in the UK and sixth globally for communication and media studies (2025 QS World University Rankings).

We offer students a wide selection of programmes, including master’s degrees, doctoral research training and short courses. At any one time, we have around 270 master’s students and 30 PhD students from around the world – all varying in age, professional experience and backgrounds.

Within the department, our research is organised around four key themes: media culture and identities, media participation and politics, communication histories and futures, and communication technology, rights and justice. The outputs from our research are shared with organisations such as the BBC, Facebook, Google, UNICEF, Ofcom and the UK/EU governments.

LSE’s location at the heart of London, one of the world's media capitals, allows us to foster close links with media and communications industries and policymakers.

Graduates from our programmes progress to interesting roles in broadcasting, journalism, advertising, new media industries, political marketing, market research, regulation and policy, media management and research in the public and private sectors.

Your application

Overview

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified prospective students. At LSE, we want to recruit students with the best academic merit, potential and motivation, irrespective of background.

We carefully consider each application and take into account all the information included on your application form, such as your:

  • academic achievement (including predicted and achieved grades)
  • statement of academic purpose
  • two academic references
  • CV.

See further information on supporting documents.

You may need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency. See our English language requirements.

Applications are reviewed by both institutions.

Data sharing

Double degrees and certain other degrees and scholarships require that LSE shares personal data with another university or partner. In our agreements we will use the School’s standard data sharing template for universities and partners in the EU and EEA and in an adequate countryStandard contract clauses will be used for any other country. If you have any questions about this or how your personal data will be treated by LSE, please contact the Data Protection Officer via glpd.info.rights@lse.ac.uk or check our Student Privacy Notice.

Fees and funding

The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.

You're charged a fee for your programme. At LSE, your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.

Home

Year 1 (at LSE, 2026/27):

Home students: £28,900

Year 2 (at NYU, 2027/28):

Home students: Visit the NYU website

Learning and assessment

How you learn

Graduate destinations

Overview

On graduating, our students enter a variety of global careers including broadcasting, journalism, advertising, new media industries, political marketing, market research, regulation and policy, media management and research in both public and private sectors.

Further information on graduate destinations for master's students in our department

Top 5 sectors our students work in:

Advertising, Marketing, PR, Media, Entertainment, Publishing and Journalism
Government, Public Sector and Policy
Information, Digital Technology and Data
Health and Social Care
International Organisations
This data is drawn from the 2022/23 Graduate Outcomes Survey, conducted by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Where included, median salaries are based on respondents in full-time employment who were paid in UK pounds sterling. Graduates from 2022/23 were the sixth and final cohort to take part in the Graduate Outcomes Survey. For data aggregated across the past five years, please visit the LSE Careers website.

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