MSc/Postgraduate Diploma Science Communication

Content

The optional modules listed are those that are most likely to be available, but they may be subject to change. 

You'll study:

• Science and Society - Provides a theoretical perspective on the public understanding of science movement, transitions to public engagement, and formal and informal learning.
• Science, the Public and Media - Focuses on the organisational context for science communication projects and introduces settings as diverse as science centres and museums, games and new technologies as well as digital media.
• Science Communication Project - This is your opportunity to explore a specific aspect of science communication in depth, independently, but with tutor support. You can apply to carry out your project with an external organisation.

Plus, two optional modules from:

• Science on Air and on Screen - Learn the practical skills associated with making a podcast or radio programme including techniques for interviews, scriptwriting, sound recording and pre and post-production. You'll  also learn the skills associated with creating a vodcast or TV segment, including camera techniques and production and exploring the strengths and weaknesses of different audio and video formats.
• Science in Public Spaces - Develop your own science communication initiative in this hands-on module that explores all areas of project development from formulating an idea through to implementation, as well as managing and evaluating a project. You'll explore a range of innovative approaches from sci-art, to museums, festivals to theatre.
• Writing Science - Improve your journalistic and other writing styles to become confident in writing clear, engaging material that grabs your readers' attention while staying true to the science. You'll develop skills in writing news stories and long-form feature articles, writing opinion-based articles and blogs as well as techniques for writing online. You'll  create a portfolio of writing as well as an online magazine.

Find out more about past projects by our students.

This structure is for full-time students only. Part-time students study the same modules but the delivery pattern will be different. 

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved, we'll inform you.

Learning and Teaching

Unlike most master's courses in this area, the Science Communication Master's addresses the needs of working students, as well as those with caring commitments. There are short, intensive teaching blocks of three to five days, and you can expect to attend three teaching blocks for each 30-credit module. These teaching blocks also work well for students who want to study our Master's without moving to Bristol.

Full-time students take four taught modules in their first academic year, as well as starting their science communication project, completing the course in 18 months.

If you study this course part-time, you'll take two 30-credit modules in your first academic year and two in your second year. You'll also start your science communication project in your second academic year which you'll finish towards the start of a third academic year, completing the course in 30 months. As a part-time student, you can also decide to delay the start of your science communication project until the third year.

Lectures, workshops, and seminars are supplemented by directed and independent study, online discussions, tutorials and mentoring. For each module you'll also find curated online content, including electronic reading lists that'll be available to you through a student Blackboard site.

See our full glossary of learning and teaching terms.

Study time

18 months full-time or 30 months part-time.

You'll attend three teaching blocks for each 30-credit module.

You'll be provided with a teaching block timetable well in advance of the course to assist in planning your activities, including when you'll need to be in Bristol.

Assessment

The modules are assessed in a variety of ways, to reflect the theoretical concepts, knowledge and practical skills you'll develop. This includes portfolios, reports and oral presentations - all of which you can use to attract prospective employers. The ability to evaluate your own work and others' is critical to success in the workplace and several assessments are designed to help you acquire these skills.

Learn more about assessments.