Overview
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 and is designed for students who have not already completed an ESRC-recognised programme of research training.
This interdisciplinary Masters degree is jointly taught by leading academics in media and social science research. You’ll gain both a theoretical and practical understanding of social science research methods, and learn how to apply these to the media and cultural industries. Covering social sciences and humanities approaches, our Masters will give you training in advanced media research methods. You’ll be encouraged to explore your own research interests, gain real-world experience in research and develop your own research projects throughout the course.
The degree is primarily targeted at anyone needing research training before embarking on a higher research degree, such as a PhD. The course also offers an excellent grounding in social science methods, which are transferable to media research for industry, journalism, marketing and advertising research, production research and wider aspects of social research consultancy.
Enhancing your employability is one of our top priorities. That’s why all MRes Media Research students are given the opportunity for a research placement as part of our course where you can apply your learning to the real world.
Reflecting on my experience during the MRes Media Research at the University of Stirling, I consider it to be not only beneficial from academic and research points of view, but also a life-changing one.
Damyan Kachulski (Bulgaria)
MRes Media Research, 2014
Top reasons to study with us
Work placements
Work placements and work-based learning opportunities are available on this course. Students who have taken this course in recent years have had the opportunity to explore an applied work-based placement with suitable non-academic partners. Your supervisor and/or course director is available to discuss these options with you.
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.
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, our partner INTO University of Stirling 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
Course Details
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
Key staff
Ask an expert
Dr Katherine Champion, a specialist in Media and Communications, explains how studying at Stirling can enhance your career prospects.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| 2024/25 | 2025/26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Students from the UK and Republic of Ireland | £9,100 | £9,500 |
| International (including EU) students | £20,600 | £20,600 |
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.
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
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.
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
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
Eligible international students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
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 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 £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 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
Our course is ideal preparation for those wanting to go on to complete a PhD. It also offers an excellent grounding in social science methods that are transferable to media research for industry, marketing research, advertising research and production research.
Graduates have gone on to successful careers as academic researchers and in a range of careers in the media and related industries.
Employability skills
We offer a comprehensive employability and skills programme to help you maximise your time at university and develop the graduate attributes required by employers. Our dedicated Faculty Employability and Skills Officer and Careers and Employability Service work in partnership with academic staff to ensure you get the best out of your university experience and are given the right opportunities to make you ready for the world of work.
Students have access to advice, information and career opportunities not only in the UK but worldwide.
