Department of Media, Culture and Creative Industries

The Department of Media, Culture and Creative Industries was formed in summer 2022 as a dynamic community of staff and students teaching and researching in the following subjects:

• Advertising
• Creative Writing
• Culture and Arts Policy and Management
• Culture and Creative Industries
• English
• Marketing Communications
• Media Management
• Media and Communications
• Media Production
• Public Relations and Strategic Communications
• Publishing.

The Department offers cutting-edge, industry-focused and socially relevant perspectives on media, culture and the creative industries, and their place in a fast-changing world.

From diversifying the publishing industry, to considering the shifting nature of advertising, political communication and media audiences in the age of AI, algorithms, TikTok and Netflix.

From critically exploring marketing communications, public relations, novel writing and twenty-first century English literature, to understanding the role of cultural policy as a force for global economic and social development.

From developing and modelling best practice in media, arts and culture management, to producing innovative digital content. These are all topics covered by our teaching and research.

Our location in central London promises an unparalleled student experience, with world-leading media and tech companies, cultural institutions, archives, libraries and creative opportunities on our doorstep.

City’s membership of the University of London also provides students and researchers with access to outstanding research resources, such as the renowned Senate House Library. The Department also benefits from being located within the School of Communication and Creativity, which includes the Department of Journalism and the Department of Performing Arts.

If you want to find out more about how Creative Writing is taught in the department, see the programme’s Substack, Creative Digest.

The Department of Media, Culture and Creative Industries at City, University of London offers a dynamic portfolio of courses at undergraduate, postgraduate taught and research degree level.

See which course is right for you:

Undergraduate

• Communications, PR and Advertising BA
• English BA
• Media Production BA
• Media and Communications BA

Postgraduate

• Creative Writing MA
• Creative Writing MFA
• Creative Writing and Publishing MA
• Culture, Policy and Management MA
• International Publishing MA
• Marketing Communications MA
• Media and Communications MA
• Public Relations and Strategic Communications MA
• Publishing MA

PhD

• Communication PhD/MPhil
• Culture and Creative Industries PhD/MPhil
• English PhD/MPhil
• Media PhD/MP
• Media and Communications PhD/MPhil

We are a diverse and multidisciplinary department engaged in cutting-edge research which is socially relevant and industry-focused. Our aim is to solve pressing problems in an applied manner.

Our staff conduct research that cuts across themes and disciplines, including work on global media industries, digital cultures, health communications, strategic communications, PR and marketing, fashion, the creative economy, gender, race and social justice, cultural and media policy, postcolonial literature, urban studies, sustainability and the environment.

We are proud to produce world-leading, influential and impactful research. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework – which measures the quality and impact of university research – the Department scored highly.

In the assessment for Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management, 87% of our research was rated as 4* (world-leading) and 3* (internationally excellent).

Our research in English Language and Literature was also rated highly, with 82% recognised as being 4* and 3* quality.

Our influential researchers lead and shape their fields of study.

In addition, we have a dynamic cohort of research students, spanning our broad range of subject areas and interests.

We are ranked 1st in the UK for graduate prospects in Media and Communications (Complete University Guide 2025).

Where applicable, our programmes are accredited by their professional body. For example, our Marketing Communications MA is fully accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).

We actively forge and renew industry links, including co-teaching collaborations and invited guest speakers.

Beyond professional skills, ethical values and deep subject knowledge, our students develop valuable transferable skills in research, critical thinking and analysis, meaning they graduate with a unique blend of intellectual, creative and technical skills.

A hallmark of our programmes is their authentic assessments, coherent student journeys and opportunities for critical reflection and tutor and peer feedback.

Our employability-focused curriculum places a strong emphasis on the practical application of skills in a professional context. Most of our programmes contain the option to undertake a work placement and our alumni go on to forge successful careers in a diverse array of sectors.

These include:

• advertising
• creative writing
• communications
• cultural policy
• marketing
• media industries
• media production
• publishing
• public relations.