MSc in Strategic Communication

Programme overview

MSc in Strategic Communication is a two-year interdisciplinary Master’s programme. The programme provides theory, concepts and skills to operate and successfully work with communication in international environments. You will learn how communication is central for organisations of various kinds and how communication can be understood and used to achieve strategic goals and to ensure sustainable organisations.

The programme is based on a holistic approach to communication, which means that communication directed to different stakeholders, different means of communication and for various purposes are included. The programme provides students with an understanding of strategic communication and the closely related fields of organisational communication, public relations and brand communication. The aim is to give in-depth knowledge about communication processes and how they are interrelated.

In terms of professional roles, recent developments have shifted the focus from operational skills to more advanced strategic knowledge. Professionals need an in-depth understanding of strategic communication and its role in society.

The programme develops both a theoretical and practical understanding of strategic communication. Research and education are closely linked as all teachers are themselves educated to PhD level and are actively engaged in research. The programme promotes links with industry through close connections with leading practitioners, for example through guest lectures and case studies.

The programme is based on plenty of group assignments and presentations, allowing you to develop supplementary skills which are attractive to the job market. Working in international classes with fellow students from all over the world, you acquire cross-cultural competence and build networks important for a strategic communication professional.

The programme offers students solid theoretical knowledge, applied research methods, as well as skills pertaining to a range of current areas and challenges. During the third semester of the programme, it is possible to choose from elective courses in strategic communication to further develop your profile, to choose an internship course, or to apply for an exchange semester at one of Lund University’s international partner universities.

Programme structure

• Strategic Communication in an Intercultural Context (7.5 credits)
• Brand Communication (7.5 credits)
• Organisational Communication (7.5 credits)
• Public Relations (7.5 credits)
• Qualitative Methods (7.5 credits)
• Quantitative Methods (7.5 credits)
• Research and Evaluation for Practice: Planning and Controlling (7.5 credits)
• Crisis Communication (7.5 credits)
• Elective courses in strategic communication, internship course or study abroad (30 credits)
• Master’s thesis (30 credits)

Career prospects

The programme provides students with a solid basis for a career in communication. On completion of the programme, our graduates have the necessary skills for a career in communication, as well as for research. The programme qualifies one for PhD studies.

The skills our alumni possess are in high demand globally and former students can be found in positions such as consultant, corporate communication manager, communication manager, brand manager, project manager, communicator, strategic communicator or specialist. The alumni are particularly satisfied with the mixture of theory and practice that the programme provides.

Most of our students find work within the communication sector within a year of graduating. Our alumni have successfully gained employment in an extensive number of organisations, ranging from multinational companies or organisations and national companies and organisations (agencies) to governmental and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).