Overview
The creative industries are worth £125 billion to the UK economy and were named as one of the government’s eight growth-driving sectors in its Industrial Strategy (Gov.uk November 2024). As a result, skilled media researchers are vital to the continuing growth of the sector.
Our Masters in Media Research will give you training in advanced social science research methods. You’ll learn how to apply these to the media and cultural industries such as journalism, marketing, advertising, and production. You’ll be taught by leading academics in media and social science research with strengths in television, digital media, social media, popular music, gaming, creative industries and creative practice.
Gain research and transferable skills
On the Media Research Masters degree you’ll:
- learn different methodologies and research practices;
- gain an applied understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods for media;
- use statistical and database software packages including Stata and NVivo;
- devise, research and develop a media text which can encompass traditional forms like films, TV programs, and newspapers to digital content like websites and social media posts;
- design and carry out an academic research project in an area of your own interest.
Further academic study opportunities
This Research Masters in Media is ideal if you're planning to pursue PhD research. It provides you with research training before embarking on a higher research degree.
The course is a recognised Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) 1+3 pathway. The 1+3 scheme provides funding for this one-year research training linked to a PhD programme. It’s for students who have not already completed an ESRC-recognised programme of research training.
Enhance your employability
Our employability and skills programme helps you to develop the attributes that employers look for. In the Faculty of Arts and Humanities we have a dedicated Employability and Skills Officer. The University of Stirling’s Careers Service works in partnership with academic staff to ensure you are ready for the employment market.
Top reasons to study with us
Flexible learning
The MRes Media Research is a highly flexible course, with much of the learning based around one-to-one supervision. There are part-time study options available. Both full-time and part-time study does require some timetabled classes, and in the coming session these will also be available online to facilitate remote study.
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Faculty facilities
Take a tour of our Film and Media facilities
Research overview
Communications, Media and Culture at the University of Stirling was ranked 2nd in Scotland overall in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), with 100% of our research environment and 88% of our overall research classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Research interests in the Division of Communications, Media and Culture currently include:
- Film Theory and Analysis
- Television Studies
- Creative Industries and Cultural Policy
- Media Economics and Regulation
- Digital Media
- Journalism
- Political Communication
- Sport and the Media
- Public Relations
- Advertising, Marketing and Promotional culture
- Representations of Gender and Ethnicity
- Celebrity Culture
- Visual Rhetorics
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second-class honours degree (upper second-class preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.
International entry requirements
Application procedure
A short research proposal for a project you wish to work on during your MRes study is required. You should get in touch with the programme director in the first instance to discuss your interests and suitability for this programme.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 19 in listening and 21 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
The MRes Media Research degree consists of two components: a taught course and a dissertation. The taught course takes place over an academic year. You’ll take three modules in the Autumn Semester and three modules in the Spring Semester, making for a total of six taught modules across the year.
Modules
Teaching
The course involves lectures, seminars, tutorials and supervisory meetings, as well as a research project and case study work. A dissertation proposal must be submitted by the beginning of the Spring Semester when supervisors are allocated. You’ll be expected to stay within the areas of current staff interests and expertise. Each dissertation is approximately 12,000 words in length and may take the form of a written publishable academic article or a project report, depending on its focus.
Assessment
Assessment is conducted by means of coursework as specified for each module. This includes essays, a literature review, a research report, a seminar presentation and a media text.
Course director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £13,900 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,858 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £19,255 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
You'll graduate from the Masters in Media Research equipped to go onto further PhD study. At Stirling you can pursue a PhD in Film and Media, Journalism, Public Relations or Publishing. Graduates who have followed that route are now working in academic roles including Assistant Professor in Digital Media and Communications.
You can also use this media research degree as a launchpad for a successful research career in areas such as:
- Digital Media and Social Media Management
- Journalism and Broadcasting
- Cultural and Creative Industries
- Public Relations and Marketing
- Media Planning
- Media Strategy
