Programme description for Master's Programme in Social Communication (2026–2028)

The programme provides students with several learning dividends, including the development of practical, analytical and organisational skills - in addition to the academic competence developed through the process of writing a master's thesis.

Knowledge

Upon completion of the programme, students will:

• have the required knowledge to understand and evaluate relevant texts and communication processes in organisational and societal contexts
• know and be able to utilise relevant research in the field

Skills

Upon completion of the programme, students will:

• be able to communicate in an ethical, creative and effective way in the organisational and social contexts covered in the programme
• be able to master the requirements of thesis writing, describing, documenting and discussing relevant texts and/or communication processes

General skills

Upon completion of the programme, students will:

• be able to contribute to the development, execution and management of projects that promote ethical, creative and effective communication practices in a specific context
• have insight into ethical and academic questions related to industries, businesses and processes relevant to the field of study

The general admission requirement is a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent education of a minimum of three years duration (180 ECTS credits).

The subject specific requirement is a successfully completed bachelor's degree in humanities or social studies. Examples of relevant subject areas are communication and media studies, social studies, languages, cultural studies, and journalism. A weighted average grade of C or better is a requirement. The requirement is calculated on the basis of the bachelor’s degree as a whole.

Furthermore, the general regulations on admission to studies at the University of Agder will apply.

The study programme is a two-year, multidisciplinary, professionally oriented master's programme that combines perspectives from the humanities and the social sciences. The programme addresses - theoretically and practically communications-related issues in the interaction between large and small organisations (public, private, non-profit, etc.) and the wider community (local, national or global).

The programme focuses on various aspects of social communication. The students will develop their practical and theoretical competencies in textual and contextual aspects of the field. After completing the programme, the students will bring competencies in creative, reflective, ethical and appropriate communication into their professional lives.

The programme includes a practical placement, a master's thesis, and the following fields subject components: Competence in text and media; Cultural and social studies; Communication strategy and planning.

Some of the courses may be replaced by elective courses, which are announced at the beginning of each academic year (see below for more information). Students' choice of internship and thesis topics also allow for individual adaptations. The program includes a six-week internship in a relevant business/organisation.

Global perspectives are included through lectures, discussions, assignments, syllabus and guest lecturers.

Exchange is primarily arranged in the third semester. Exchange abroad is relevant for the programme as it provides new experiences and international perspectives on communication.

The programme is practically oriented and relevant to working life, particularly towards information and communication work in public, non-profit or commercial organisations with local, national or international scope. The programme will qualify the students for work in for journalism, administration and similar lines of work.

The students' choice of practical placement might influence their choice of topic for the master's thesis, and thereby the type of sector for which the students will be qualified.

Graduates of the programme will qualify for admission to several PhD programmes, including programmes offered by the Faculty of Humanities and Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Agder.

Master

in Social Communication

For more information kontact coordinator Hans Olav Hodøl (hans-olav.hodol@uia.no

@uia.no) or adviser Anne Marit Foss (anne.m.foss@uia.no)