Master's Programme Media, Society and Communication
Are you interested in the influence of digital platforms and networks on our society?
The English-language Master's programme Media, Society and Communication provides an understanding of digital platforms, networks and infrastructures as well as processes of digitalisation and datafication (including data analysis and data criticism). It is about their use, media practices and interaction contexts as well as their effects on society, organisations, institutions and companies. Thematic foci are on emerging media, media dynamics and sustainability as well as digital democracy and society.
Study code
UC 066 579
FAQ
The Master's programme provides practically relevant knowledge about the use of digital platforms, networks and infrastructures as well as about processes of digitalisation and datafication. Students learn how to conduct data analysis and data critique and how to apply this knowledge in different contexts.
Using an interdisciplinary approach, students develop an understanding of the role of media in society and in different industries.
Graduates will have an understanding of the dynamics of digitalisation and the challenges it poses in society, politics, business, public administration, culture and everyday life. With a view to the dynamics of media and communication as well as societal changes, they are able to deal with social, cultural, political and technical functions of the media as well as questions of sustainability and diversity in an independent, critical and differentiated manner.
The Media, Society and Communication degree programme focuses on dynamic media change and emerging media. Students should be able to understand the effects of the transformation processes brought about by media technologies on society and the media landscape.
The ability to understand and design digital communication and interaction is also an important component of the degree programme. So is technology development and the shaping of future social processes.
Graduates of the Master's programme Media, Society and Communication have a wide range of career opportunities in various fields. They can work in media companies, publishing houses, agencies or public institutions. Possible career fields include media management, corporate communication, public relations, marketing, social media management, journalism, research and teaching as well as NGOs and international organisations.
Graduates can plan and implement communication strategies and marketing campaigns and develop digital media products and services. In academia, graduates can work as researchers in the field of media and communication. Through their interdisciplinary education, graduates are able to understand and analyse the impact of digital technologies and the social changes that accompany them.
Graduates tracking: Shows which occupational fields students can enter after graduation.
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The Department for Media, Society and Communication has collected further frequently asked questions about the English-language Master's programme Media, Society and Communication on the Department's website.
Faculty of Social and Political Sciences Examination Office Information for students with disabilities
Why study Media, Society and Communication in Innsbruck?
„Do you want to learn about the impact of media on society? How will the future of communication look like?“
– Marcel Uitz
„Studying the Master Media, Society and Communication at Innsbruck University will make you an expert in evaluating, analyzing and investigating media dynamics.“
– Kathrin Jarosik
„Learn about emerging media, digital research methods and data politics.“
– Madeleine Kaiserer
Curriculum
The curriculum is the basis of a degree programme. A look at the curriculum for the Master's degree in Media, Society and Communication will give you a detailed overview of the structure, content, examination regulations and qualification profile of this Master's degree.
The curriculum can clarify several important questions before you start your studies. For example, which criteria have to be fulfilled for enrolment in the Master's programme Media, Society and Communication, how long the programme takes, which modules have to be completed and much more.
The curriculum 2023W currently applies to the Master's programme Media, Society and Communication.
Information on the Curriculum (2023W)
The complete version of the curriculum reflects the currently valid version of the curriculum. It is for informational purposes only and is not legally binding. The legally binding version of the curriculum, including any amendments, may be found in the University of Innsbruck Bulletins.
In order to determine which version of the curriculum is applicable in your case, see the Catalogue of Studies,
available at: https://lfuonline.uibk.ac.at/public/lfuonline_meinestudien.studienblatt
Section: Current Curriculum version.
Requirements
Proof of general university entrance qualification:
The general university entrance qualification for admission to a master's programme must be proven by the completion of a subject-related bachelor's programme, another subject-related programme of at least the same higher education level at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution, or a program defined in the curriculum of the master's programme. To compensate for significant differences in subject matter, supplementary examinations (maximum 30 ECTS credits) may be prescribed, which must be taken by the end of the second semester of the master's programme.
The rectorate may determine which of these supplementary examinations are prerequisites for taking examinations provided for in the curriculum of the master's programme.
In the course of the proof of the general university entrance qualification, the completion of the following core areas within the framework of the completed bachelor's degree programme shall be examined in any case:
- 5 ECTS-Credits from the core area of media and communication theories
- 5 ECTS-Credits from the core area of methods in empirical social research
- 5 ECTS-Credits from the core area of digital communication
- 5 ECTS-Credits from the core area of current discourse in media and communication studies
- 10 ECTS-Credits from the core area of social communication and medial change
It is recommended for students of the Bachelor’s programme at the University of Innsbruck to complete the Minor or courses from the Minor “Media and Communication”.
Recommended Course Sequence
The exemplary course sequence given below is recommended for full-time students beginning their study programme in the winter semester. The table shows one possible course sequence for the bachelor's programme and is not compulsory. Delays resulting from repeated examinations are not taken into account.
The standard duration of the study programme is 4 semesters or 120 ECTS-Credits, whereby according to the Universities Act of 2002, a workload of 1,500 (real) hours per academic year must be fulfilled, corresponding to 60 ECTS-Credits (one ECTS-Credit is equivalent to a workload of 25 hours).
5 ECTS-Credits: VU Emerging Media and current Discourses
5 ECTS-Credits: VO Media Dynamics and Sustainability
5 ECTS-Credits: VO Digital Democracy and Society
5 ECTS-Credits: VO Theory and Methodology
5 ECTS-Credits: SE Advanced qualitative methods
5 ECTS-Credits: SE Advanced quantitative methods
5 ECTS-Credits: VU Platforms and Communication
5 ECTS-Credits: SE Data: Analysis and Interpretation
20 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module(s)
5 ECTS-Credits: VU Ethics and Governance
5 ECTS-Credits: SE Data: Critical Analysis
10 ECTS-Credits: SE Research Project
7,5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module(s)
2,5 ECTS-Credits: Preparation of the Master's Thesis
2,5 ECTS-Credits: Elective Module(s)
25 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis
2,5 ECTS-Credits: Master's Thesis Defence
| Semester | ECTS-AP | Titel |
|---|---|---|
Minor
As part of the Master’s Programme, a Minor of 30 ECTS-Credits can be completed.
More information and a list of possible Minors can be found at:
https://www.uibk.ac.at/studium/angebot/wahlpakete/
Information about examination regulations, assessment and grading
Examination regulations
The examination regulation is an integral part of the curriculum, detailed information can be found under the paragraph examination regulations.
The grade distribution table is a statistical representation of the distribution of all successfully completed examinations in a given programme of study or subject (based on all registered students for the programme or subject). The grade distribution table is updated in regular intervals.
| A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austrian grading scheme | Definition | %-age | ||
| 1 | EXCELLENT: Outstanding performance | 51.6 | = 100% | |
| 2 | GOOD: Generally good, but with some errors | 34.6 | ||
| 3 | SATISFACTORY: Generally sound work with a number of substantial errors | 10.4 | ||
| 4 | SUFFICIENT: Performance meets the minimum criteria | 3.4 | ||
| 5 | INSUFFICIENT: Substantial improvement necessary; requirement of further work |
December 2021
Overall classification of the qualification
Not applicable
Explanation: An overall classification (mit Auszeichnung bestanden/pass with distinction, bestanden/pass, nicht bestanden/fail) – is awarded only for examinations that conclude a programme of study and consist of more than one subject (an examination of this type is not specified in the curriculum of this programme of study).
Forms (in German only)
- Practical Agreement
- Application for the Master's Thesis
- Assessment of the compulsory module: Preparation of the Master’s Thesis
- Application for Admission to the third and fourth repetition of a course examination
Forms and Guideline for submitting the Master's Thesis (valid since 01.11.2023)
Recognitions (in German only)
Contact and Information
Examination Office
Standort Universitätsstraße 15
Associate Dean of Studies
Ass.-Prof. Dr. Viorela Dan
Dean of Studies (from 01.03.2024)
Univ.-Prof. Dr. Wilhelmus Johannes Gerardus Uunk
Information about the Programme (in German only)
Older curricula can be found in the archive Course Catalog
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