MA Advertising, Branding and Communication
Program Overview
The Master's in Advertising, Branding, and Communication (ABC) combines the foundations of communication with practical expertise in advertising and branding. Through projects, industry visits, and mentorship, students develop strategic thinking, creative skills, and effective communication strategies for business. The program culminates in a Masters Project or Dissertation, showcasing students' research and development in the field.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Challenge your creativity, be inspired, and create meaningful campaigns that stand out from the crowd with this Masters in Advertising, Branding and Communication (ABC). It has all the benefits of a Masters in Communication combined with practical skills and industry experience in advertising and branding. You will develop strategic and creative thinking, advertising tactics, and communication skills, used to create innovative advertising, brand and design campaigns for businesses. You will also work on briefs set by leading companies and be mentored by industry professionals. Your completed Masters Project or Dissertation will be the greatest outcome and strongest evidence of your achievements and development.
Outline:
Additionally, you will study the development and current theories of information and communication underpinning branding strategies.
- Advertising: Advertising explores ways in which information, data, media and communication are applied in the advertising context – for areas such as public relations, online, social media, web, publishing, etc.
- Innovation: This module focuses on complex societal problems, innovations and creative approaches to guarantee developments in the area of branding and advertising through design thinking. During this module, you will work on an integrated project that explores a key area through a collaborative and structured brief.
- Professional Creative Contexts: This module considers professionalism in the creative industries looking to the past, present and future, to shape your role within the current creative industries landscape. Study the impact of branding and advertising on people’s lives and gain industry skills through University resources such as 3D modelling, motion graphics, print making, photography, film and research libraries. Receive exposure to London’s world-leading companies through agency and studio visits, and talks by guest speakers. You may have the opportunity to increase professional engagement by embarking on a mentorship or 80-hour internship.
- Masters Project/Dissertation: The Masters project or Dissertation module will provide you with the opportunity to develop a personally relevant topic that demonstrates the research ideas and concepts you have developed throughout the MA course. You will come up with a resolution to your proposal and answer key research questions by demonstrating evidence of advanced conceptual and theoretical capability over an extended period of self-directed study. You will be introduced to combined and alternative approaches in your field of interest. We are actively committed toward creating engaging and intellectually rich learning experiences so you can leave the programme with a solid understanding of key concepts, methods, theories and practices you can immediately apply to the workplace. Our MA in ABC could provide you with a competitive edge over those without this higher level of creative and strategic research competencies that are becoming more and more relevant in the creative industries.
Careers:
When you graduate you may be qualified for a broad range of careers. You could work as a:
- brand and design manager
- marketer
- creative director
- senior designer
- design team leader
- art director
- advertising manager
- account planner
- communication consultant
- project manager
- content creator and manager
- client account executive. You may also choose to study for a PhD, specialising in an area of communications or advertising. Previous and current doctoral research areas include:
- design
- creative management
- film
- advertising
- literary adaptation
- photography.
Other:
Communication is right at the heart of our lives. Today, communication systems and tools are increasingly complex, sophisticated and extremely powerful. However, their effectiveness depends on knowing how best to use them creatively and strategically, in a time where sustainable and transparent communication practices are becoming an utmost priority. At the same time your own thoughts and individual initiative will be informed through a thorough design thinking process of Discovery, Definition, Development and Delivery. The expected contact time is 1.5 days per week throughout the 14 months – but just as in the vertiginous and vibrant ABC sectors, you will be working hard!
UK: £9,750 per year International: £17,250 per year
