Master of Science in Communication Studies 
New Media and Society in Europe
Focus on new media and society in Europe
The Master of Communication Studies is a one-year (60 ECTS) academic master with a focus on New Media and Society in Europe. This unique English language programme focuses on the rapidly changing field of media and communication in a European context. The programme takes an original interdisciplinary approach and allows students to concentrate on business, policy and/or user aspects of new media.
This Master offers
- A high-level and international oriented education by leading scholars in the field of information and communication technologies, new media and European media
- An integrated programme and interdisciplinary approach to new media and society in Europe
- Teaching in small groups using interactive teaching methods, stimulating individual participation
- A wide variety of specialised courses focusing on new media concepts
- Excellent guidance in writing your master thesis by leading scholars in a variety of subject fields
- The possibility of writing your thesis in one of the following four languages: English,
Dutch, French or German (the last three only on approval) - Close collaboration with researchers from the centre for Studies on Media, Information and Telecommunication (SMIT) and the Institute for European Studies (IES)
- The possibility of meeting professionals of the research field on conferences, workshops and other academic events
Course outline & programme
ECTS: 60
Years: 1
Campus: Etterbeek
Erasmus exchange: University of Exeter - United Kingdom, University of Helsinki - Finland
Internship: 12 ECTS optional - in selected institutions and companies related to the subject area
The programme consists of two semesters and is completed in one academic year. It comprises one set of compulsory courses and one set of optional courses. The optional courses allow students to focus on three specific fields: business and markets, policy and governance, user aspects of new media and society in Europe. Instead of choosing from the optional courses, students can decide to do an internship.
Media economics, European media markets and mechanisms
Digitisation of media, the emergence of the Internet and the mobile revolution have fundamentally altered the media industry. Formerly separate markets are merging. Old and new players are forging new business models. This master provides you with an in depth understanding of media economics, European media markets and mechanisms.
European policy and policy-making in the field of media
The European Union plays a crucial role in media and communication policies. It has tried to foster a single European market in media and services. Through several large programmes it has stimulated innovation and the emergence of a European Information Society. The European Commission’s current Digital Agenda for Europe sets the framework for the coming years. In this master programme, you will gain an understanding of European policy and policy-making in the field of media, innovation, and the Internet.
Interdisciplinary user research in the field of new media
People as users of new media and communication technologies are central stakeholders in the European information society. The interplay between changes in new media and in the adoption of these new media in everyday life is important to understand social change in Europe. This master provides you with a deeper understanding of interdisciplinary user research in the field of new media.
Work in the emerging European communication space
This MA programme will equip you with the necessary analytical skills and subject-specific knowledge to work in the emerging European communication space. Being taught in the capital of Europe, it will acquaint you with the European institutions and media players. For that purpose, the programme schedules a yearly lecture series with representatives of European industry and institutions, organizes site visits and offers the possibility of an internship.
Strong focus on current trends
The Master has a strong focus on current trends and is supported by state of the art research from two partnering research institutes of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel: the centre for Studies on Media, Information and Telecommunication (SMIT) and the Institute for European Studies (IES).
Compulsory Courses (48 ECTS)
- Master Thesis in Communication Studies
- Advanced Methods for Communication Studies
- Information Society and Globalisation: Advanced Theoretical Debates
- EU Media and Communication Policy
- Lecture Series on European Information Society
Optional Courses (12 ECTS)
- European Media & Communication Markets
- Critical Issues in Media Economics
- European Innovation Policy
- Current Case Studies: Global and Regional Governance
- Global and Regional Internet Governance
- Comparative Communication Research
- Media, Culture and Globalisation Theory
- Users and Innovation in New Media
- Business and Consumer EthicsTop
For you?
- Are you fascinated by current changes in media?
- Are you intrigued by the role of new media and the Internet in society?
- Are you interested in the European integration process and its relation to media?
- Do you want to gain insight into the mechanisms of European communication markets?
- Do you want to learn about user preferences and practices?
- Do you want to understand Europe's innovation and communication policy and its relation to member state policies?
- Do you want to be able to situate European media evolutions in the global context?
- Do you want to meet and discuss with representatives of European institutions and companies working in communication?
- Do you want to study in the heart of Europe, in the multicultural and multilingual city of Brussels ?
- Do you want to meet fellow students from different cultures and backgrounds?
- Do you want to do an internship in an European media company and gain first working experiences in the quickly changing field of information and communication?
Then the Master of Communication Studies (new media and society in Europe) is right up your alley.Top
Testimonials
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Natalie, Germany |
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Emiliya, Bulgaria |
Admission requirements
All necessary information regarding the admission requirements, deadlines and application forms can be found on the web page 'How to enroll as a student'.
Direct admission
Direct access is granted for students with a Belgian Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies.
Application based admission:
An Admission Board will evaluate the applications on an individual basis. The Board can decide to oblige the applicant to complete an individual preparatory programme of up to 24 ECTS for students with an Academic BA in the Human and Social Sciences or up to 30 ECTS for students with an Academic BA in another discipline. This preparatory programme can be followed while starting the Master.
Please note: An a cademic BA or MA degree is required to apply.
Language requirements
In order to be admitted, you need to be proficient in English. The language requirements can be found on the website.
Application procedure
Students without direct access to the programme can download the application form and fill it out and send it to the Registrar’s Office. These applications will be assessed by the Admission Committee. If successful you will receive a Letter of Acceptance. All information about the application procedure can be found on the web pages for prospective students .
It is important that you start the application procedure in time, as the application requires paperwork from you that might take a while to collect (official transcripts, official translations…). If you have any doubts about how to proceed, please contact the coordinator of this programme at Master.New.Media@vub.ac.be .
The Master of Communication Studies is a regular master, funded by the Flemish Community. Information about the Fees can be found on the web pages for prospective students.
Research @ VUB
Studies on Media, Information and Telecommunication
The internationally oriented research centre Studies on Media, Information and Telecommunication (SMIT), was founded in 1990 at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Since 2004 SMIT is part of the Interdisciplinary Institute for Broadband Technology IBBT, an independent research institute founded by the Flemish government to stimulate ICT innovation. SMIT specialises in social scientific research on media and ICT, with an emphasis on innovation, user, policy and socio-economic questions. Currently, the research centre consists of over 50 researchers. SMIT research combines quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. In order to develop new methodological tools, a continuing dialectic between theory and empirical research is one of the centre’s high-level objectives. SMIT research combined fundamental academic research projects with short and long term research projects and services contracts for both public service organisations and media industries.
Institute for European Studies
Awarded the title of Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence in 2002, the Institute for European Studies (IES) at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel offers advanced master’s programmes and focuses on interdisciplinary research in European Studies – more specifically on the role of the EU in an international setting. One of its major research themes is the policy and legal aspects of the information society in the EU and beyond. The IES’s information society cluster deals with EU internal market policies in the media, information and telecommunication sectors as well as e-government issues. Domains currently studied include the digital single market, European media policy, public service broadcasting, sports broadcasting rights, access to content, copyright enforcement, taxation, competition law, civil society participation in policy making, comparative models of international interaction in the field of e-government, and more.
The online modules and the summer school of the Institute for European Studies can be recognized as part of the preparatory programme. This option can be discussed with the Selection Committee after the selection process.
Career opportunities
This master provides you with subject knowledge and analytical skills that will offer you multiple opportunities on the job market. Possible employers are:
- Media companies working at the European level or whose work is influenced by European decision-making
- European institutions working in the field of new media and society
- Lobby organisations trying to influence Europe's innovation and communication policies
- International companies with headquarters is Brussels
Possible jobs are:
- Strategic management positions related to innovation and R&D
- Strategic analyst of European communication markets
- Policy analyst for media and telecommunications companies
- Strategic analyst of user studies for communications companies
- Scientific collaborator or researcher in the area of new media and society in Europe
Our student service
Students at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel are not just mere numbers. Our internationally oriented university approaches students personally. A lot of attention goes to making sure that you can study in the best possible situation. There are numerous staff members ready to assist you and give advice on all topics related to student life: practical information, medical assistance and finance, study planning, sports and culture, health, transport, housing and food, etc.
For all kinds of help, advice and support, visit the web pages of ‘Student Facilities’.
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Please note: The information letter is not exclusively meant for students enrolled in the master or in the process of application, but for all people who would like to be informed about our programme, application deadlines, related events etc. on a regular basis. The information letter will be sent out three times a year.
More information
- More details and up-to-date information on the programme can be requested via Master.New.Media@vub.ac.be
- More information about the teaching, courses and administrative procedures can be found on http://smit.vub.ac.be/InternationalMaster
- An overview of all Master and Postgraduate programmes taught in English at the VUB can be found in the brochure Student (on top) of the world (970 KB)
- Download the programme brochure