Welcome to your course
Welcome to your Social Media and Digital Communication MA. We look forward to working with you on your postgraduate degree. This page includes information about your schedule for Induction week in September. It is essential that you attend all of your induction events, to give you the best possible start to your time with us.
Welcome week is a chance for us to start getting to know the people we'll be working and studying with for the next year. This degree has been running since 2013, and it now has around 300 graduates from more than 40 countries. In its first 13 years our students have come from Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, China, Cyprus, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Lithuania, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the UK, the US, and Vietnam. One of the great things about such a diverse student community is the opportunity to share knowledge, culture and experience from around the world, and to develop international networks and friendships. This diversity also gives us all lots of opportunities to hear different perspectives on social media.
We are sure you will find your time with us in London to be productive, rewarding and enjoyable.
Graham and Nathasha
Welcome to the Westminster School of Media and Communication
Welcome to the Westminster School of Media and Communication at the University of Westminster. We are thrilled to have you join our dynamic and inclusive community, dedicated to nurturing innovative, responsible, and impactful professionals in the ever-changing world of media.
Your studies here will not only deepen your subject knowledge but also develop vital transferable skills, such as teamwork, critical thinking, creativity, and effective communication, all of which are essential for a successful career. Our distinguished researchers, experienced practitioners, and industry guest lecturers will support you at every stage, ensuring your learning is academically rigorous and closely linked to real-world needs.
We pride ourselves on a progressive, research-led approach, with teaching shaped by the latest debates and methodologies, underpinned by our Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI). Our curriculum is forward-looking, embracing emerging trends and encouraging you to consider the social impact and ethical responsibilities of media work, including addressing bias, disinformation, and digital challenges.
Above all, we are committed to fostering informed, creative, and socially responsible practitioners and scholars who make a difference locally, nationally, and globally—promoting equality, justice, and democracy.
We encourage you to participate in induction week and begin building connections. Welcome to a community that values progress, compassion, and responsibility. We look forward to supporting your growth as future media and communication leaders.
See you on campus!
Dr Doug Specht
Head of School, School of Media and Communication, University of Westminster
Collecting your ID card and completing enrolment
As part of your induction and to complete your enrolment, you'll need to collect your student ID card.
Your time slot for collection is:
2.30pm, Thursday 17 September
Marylebone Campus
For more information about enrolment, including related FAQs, visit our Enrolment for new students page.
Course induction schedule
Your course induction events may take place online or on campus – check the details for each event below.
The timing and venue for events may change, so double check this page closer to the date.
Welcome and Course Orientation
3-5pm
Room J1.22, Harrow Campus
Students' Union Marylebone Welcome Fair (Optional)
10am–4pm, Ambika P3, Marylebone Campus
The fair will provide you with the opportunity to see what the Students' Union and University have to offer outside of your studies.
Please visit the UWSU Welcome website for full details.
Outdoor Film Screening (Optional)
6.30–9.30pm
All new students are invited to an outdoor cinema event at Harrow Campus. The college will be providing one free drink and a choice of snack for the first 500 attendees, as well as a paid bar during the screening.
Visit to the Tate Modern
10am-12.30pm
Meet at the Turbine Hall entrance Tate Modern Garden, Bankside, London SE19TG
Collecting your ID card and completing enrolment
2.30pm
Marylebone Campus
Head of School welcome
1pm
Auditorium
Harrow Campus
Students' Union Harrow Welcome Fair (Optional)
10am–4pm, The Den, Harrow Campus
Your one stop shop to finding out about your Students' Union and everything that we have to offer to make your time at Westminster as enjoyable as possible.
Please visit the UWSU Welcome website for full details.
Welcome Festival (Optional)
11am–5pm, Harrow Field, Harrow Campus
Food, drinks, entertainment, and music for students – registration required.
Please visit the UWSU Welcome website for tickets and full details.
Optional individual online consultation
11am–1pm Online on Teams
Join the online consultation
Key contacts
Course leader
Professor Graham Meikle
E: [email protected]
Deputy course leader
Dr Nathasha Fernando
E: [email protected]
Course resources
Blackboard
Blackboard is our online learning platform, which you'll be able to log in to after you've set up your University email address and password.
Teaching timetables
Teaching starts in the week commencing Monday 21 September and you can check your teaching timetable to see when and where your classes are being held.
Course handbook
Full details on the course structure, modules and course team are included in the course handbook, which can be found on Blackboard.
Reading list
Your reading list can be found in the course handbook on Blackboard.
Equipment and materials
Digital technology
While you can borrow laptops through the University for 24 hours, it's better to have your own. If you're not sure what to buy, our technical support team can advise you once you've enrolled.
You'll be eligible for a student discount on computer purchases.
A smart phone with a good camera function is very useful for recording your work and for online communication.
Support and services
Welcome to Westminster
Visit our Welcome to Westminster page for everything you need to get started at Westminster.
Student Centre
If you need help with enrolment or have any questions, please use the live chat.
Academic English
If you'd like to hone your academic English skills, watch our Academic English for Disciplinary Study Module video for starters and consider joining one of our Academic English Modules. If you have any questions, get in touch with the Academic English team at [email protected].