Course Overview
Course summary
This innovative postgraduate qualification aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge to develop and analyse campaigns and activism for progressive social change, with a focus on the role of communications and the media. The postgraduate certificate sessions are on Fridays, so that students can study around their work or other commitments.
This is the only postgraduate programme of its kind and has a flexible delivery to suit both full-time and part-time students. Our alumni work in not-for-profit organisations around the world.
Our students learn how to design a campaign, as well as broader theories around storytelling, theories of change, power and values that underpin this practice.
The course builds on our close, long-standing connections with leading campaigners and communicators in London's vibrant social change sector. An advisory panel, with representatives from Friends of the Earth, Save the Children, Advocacy Hub, Tearfund, FairSay and The National Council of Voluntary Organisations, help us to teach you the skill sets in demand and to deliver an exciting learning experience, for example through live briefs and guest speakers. A limited number of work placements or internships are usually available.
The course is aimed at those with some experience or interest in social change, the media, and communications or campaigns within not-for-profit organisations. During the course you will improve your practical skills, develop a deep understanding of the theories and frameworks that underpin and shape campaign communications, and enjoy the space to reflect critically on current and past practice. It is designed to help you start, or progress, a career in charity, pressure group or public sector campaign communications. It may also be of interest to those working in corporate social responsibility. Our alumni work in a range of senior campaign and communications roles in charities, NGOs, agencies, think tanks and government departments.
The course team has experience both in developing social change campaigns and in academic research into the connections between media, campaigning and social change. The course is jointly led by Dr Anastasia Kavada and Michaela O’Brien, with additional teaching by practitioners and members of our internationally renowned Communication and Media Research Institute. It is taught at our campuses in the West End of London.
Top reasons to study with us
- Study in London's vibrant social change sector – This course has input from London's leading social change organisations to ensure you receive a current, exciting learning experience
- Experienced teaching – Your course will be taught by a team with extensive experience both in developing social change campaigns and in research into the connections between media, campaigning and social change
- Study with a leading provider – Westminster is a leading provider in this academic discipline and is ranked top 15 among UK institutions for Communication and Media Studies in the QS World rankings 2024. The University is also ranked within the top 10 in London in the Complete University Guide 2025 for Research Quality in Communication and Media Studies.
- Join the 120+ strong network of alumni from the course, who are working for social change in organisations all over the world
Course structure
The Postgraduate Certificate comprises three modules. The first (Strategic Campaign Communications) develops practical planning and campaign communications skills, the second (Media, Activism and Politics) considers media and activism theories, and the third (Critical Issues in Campaigning) combines theory with practice, reflecting on applying concepts like power and ethics within the setting of campaign communications. Each module has authentic assessments – e.g. a strategic campaign plan, reflective blogs, debates and presentations - rather than exams.
Students can complete all three modules within one academic year or complete the three modules across two years.
After completing the certificate, students have the option to register for the Postgraduate Diploma in Media, Campaigning and Social Change that includes completing a further three optional modules, or to register for the MA in Media, Campaigning and Social Change that includes completing a further three optional modules and a 12,000-word Dissertation or Professional Practice Project (which can be work-based).
Core modules
In this module, you will consider the factors that influence social change in the context of current campaigns around the world, and the historical development of campaign techniques and practices. You will apply a critical analysis of concepts such as power, theories of change, ethics, innovation, media representation, narrative and framing to practical scenarios and topical campaigns. This module requires you to monitor and critically evaluate practice in the UK and/or internationally.
20 credits
The module investigates the relationship between media, activism and politics. It offers a critical assessment of the role of media in political mobilisation, social movements, dissent, memes, satire and art, and political and social crises. The module looks at the impact of communications on activism in a range of circumstances from secure democracies through different kinds of political systems. The module combines traditional academic lectures and seminars with attendance at topical events and visits to relevant exhibitions and institutions.
20 credits
In this module you will learn how to research and plan a strategic campaign for social change based on the theories of social change examined in Semester One. You will produce communication material such as news releases, e-alerts, tweets, infographics and/or videos to support your campaign strategy. Where possible, you work to live briefs from campaigning organisations. This is a practical, hands-on module taught through a series of workshops, visits to campaign communication teams in London-based campaigning organisations, masterclasses and guest talks by leading campaigners and social change communicators.
20 credits
What our students say
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm BST)
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(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm BST)
Open evenings
Join us at an open evening online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.
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Careers
This course is particularly relevant if you want to start, or to progress, a career in communications and campaigning for social change, whether in a charity or non-governmental organisation; in a public sector body; in a political party or election campaigning setting; or in a corporate social responsibility role. It could also be a stepping-stone towards a PhD and an academic career in this growing field of study.
Excellent career prospects
A limited number of work placements and internships are usually available. Our students have interned at charities, philanthropic foundations and not-for-profits including Citizens UK, Amnesty international, Eve Appeal, WaterAid, the Sheila Makechnie Foundation, Children England, Mencap, the Climate Bonds Initiative and PACTS (The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety).
Develop in-demand skills
This course is designed to develop your practical skills, to help you start, or progress, a career in charity, pressure group or public sector campaign communications.
Employers around the world
The University’s Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.
Industry links
We have strong links with leading campaigners and communicators in and around London, who may give guest lectures, run practical training sessions for students, provide live briefs for assessed coursework and host visits to their offices. These include:
- Advocacy Hub
- Eve Appeal
- FairSay
- Friends of the Earth
- Save the Children
- Tearfund
- The National Council of Voluntary Organisations
Job roles
This course will prepare you for roles such as:
- Campaigns manager
- Community organising assistant
- Digital content manager
- Head of communications
- Head of fundraising
- Lead Advisor – Impact and Evaluation
- Media and comms officer
- Philanthropy associate
- PR and comms officer
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course have found employment in charities, NGOs, think tanks, communications and public affairs agencies, in agencies specialising in virtual reality and in national government departments in the global south running behaviour change campaigns. Organisations that have employed our graduates include:
- Amnesty International
- Change.org
- United Nations High Commission for Refugees
- RSPCA
- National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
- Sarcoma UK
- Campaign Against Living Miserably
- The Fostering Network
- Lever for Change
- Solar Aid
- Church Mission Society
Alumni from each cohort are building an international course network through our course-specific closed Facebook group.
Westminster Employability Award
Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.
The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities.
Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.
Read more about our Westminster Employability Award.
Course Leaders
Michaela O'Brien
Associate Head - DCDI - ES
Michaela O'Brien has more than 20 years experience developing campaign communications for national and international charities and not-for-profits including Amnesty International, War on Want and Carers UK. She set up the U.K.'s first postgraduate module on not-for-profit communications in 2007. Leading not-for-profit practitioners, and Westminster academics with relevant expertise including Winston Mano and Roza Tsagarousianou, also teach students on the course.
More about meSee full profile of Michaela O'Brien
Anastasia Kavada
Reader
Anastasia Kavada’s research looks at the role of digital media in social movements and campaigning organisations, focusing on processes of organising, storytelling and capacity-building. She has written about a wide range of movements and organisations, including Fridays for Future, Extinction Rebellion, the Occupy movement, the Indignados, the Global Justice Movement, as well as Avaaz, Amnesty International and Oxfam.
Anastasia is Co-Leader of the Arts, Communication and Culture Research Community (ACC), which fosters interdisciplinary research across these areas within the University of Westminster. She is also a Coordinating Editor of the academic journal Social Movement Studies.’
More about meSee full profile of Anastasia Kavada
The passion and diversity of the students makes this course what it is; together we explore how communications can help deliver progressive social change.
Why study this course?
Industry links
Our advisory panel, with representatives from Amnesty UK, Friends of the Earth, FairSay, Mencap, the National Council of Voluntary Organisations and Tearfund among others, ensures that we always reflect the skill sets in demand and deliver an exciting learning experience.
Leading provider
We are ranked top 10 among UK institutions for Communication and Media Studies in the QS World University Rankings 2021 and 4th in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2022 for Research Quality in Communication and Media Studies.
Experienced teaching
Your course will be taught by a team with extensive experience both in developing social change campaigns and in research into the connections between media, protest and social change.
Entry Requirements
A minimum of an upper second class honours degree (2:1) or a lower second class honours degree (2:2) and substantial relevant work experience.
The Personal Statement must reflect the understanding of the course and how you will contribute.
If your first language is not English you should have an IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in all components
Applicants are required to submit one academic reference.
Recognition of prior learning and experience
If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster. For more information, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.
Application process
Visit our How to apply page for more information on:
- the application process
- what you need to apply
- deadlines for applications
A minimum of an upper second class honours degree (2:1) or a lower second class honours degree (2:2) and substantial relevant work experience.
The Personal Statement must reflect the understanding of the course and how you will contribute.
If your first language is not English you should have an IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in all components
Applicants are required to submit one academic reference.
Recognition of prior learning and experience
If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster. For more information, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.
Application process
Visit our How to apply page for more information on:
- the application process
- what you need to apply
- deadlines for applications
More information
A minimum of an upper second class honours degree (2:1) or a lower second class honours degree (2:2) and substantial relevant work experience.
The Personal Statement must reflect the understanding of the course and how you will contribute.
If your first language is not English you should have an IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in all components
Applicants are required to submit one academic reference.
Recognition of prior learning and experience
If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster. For more information, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.
Application process
Visit our How to apply page for more information on:
- the application process
- what you need to apply
- deadlines for applications
A minimum of an upper second class honours degree (2:1) or a lower second class honours degree (2:2) and substantial relevant work experience.
The Personal Statement must reflect the understanding of the course and how you will contribute.
If your first language is not English you should have an IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in all components
Applicants are required to submit one academic reference.
Recognition of prior learning and experience
If you have previously studied at university level, or have equivalent work experience, academic credit may be awarded towards your course at Westminster. For more information, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning page.
Application process
Visit our How to apply page for more information on:
- the application process
- what you need to apply
- deadlines for applications
More information
Student Work
Students on the Media, Campaigning and Social Change MA create strategic campaign plans, produce campaign communications materials, publish a reflective blog, draft codes of conduct, write essays, take part in debates and make presentations in teams on case studies.
In class we discuss the connections between theory and practice. In the photos below, students are exploring the evolution of campaigning globally through creating a history wall and visiting the Museum of London, creating apps for a live NGO brief and taking part in a masterclass on storytelling.
History Wall
Change Because Blog
Reflections on Campaigning Blog
Storytelling Masterclass
Field trips
We take full advantage of our location in London to visit relevant institutions, which in the past have included the Houses of Parliament and the Museum of London suffragette archives, as well as exhibitions such as Disobedient Objects at the Victoria and Albert Museum (shown to the right). Students have access to both the newsroom and software training facilities on Harrow campus and classrooms in our central London campuses.
Student Highlight
Amelia Fairney
Media, Campaigning and Social Change MA
The lectures and seminars were engaging, with discussions often extending beyond the scheduled sessions. We had a range of guest lecturers and practitioners, and our seminar leaders organised group outings to relevant exhibitions and events.
Read more here.
The uniqueness of the course itself stands out. There isn't another programme quite like it in the country.
Learn new skills
Volunteer and gain new skills
We offer a number of different volunteering opportunities for you to learn new skills, create connections, and make a difference in the community.
Develop your entrepreneurial skills
Our award-winning Westminster Enterprise Network offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your start-up projects.
Get extra qualifications
We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: Tuition fees have yet to be confirmed for this course
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Paying your fees
If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.
Find out more about paying your fees.
Alumni discount
This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.
Funding
There is a range of funding available that may help you fund your studies, including Student Finance England (SFE).
Find out more about postgraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: Tuition fees have yet to be confirmed for this course
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Paying your fees
If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.
Find out more about paying your fees.
Alumni discount
This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.
Funding
There are a number of funding schemes available to help you fund your studies with us.
Find out more about funding for international students.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
UK tuition fee: Tuition fees have yet to be confirmed for this course
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Paying your fees
If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.
Find out more about paying your fees.
Alumni discount
This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.
Funding
There is a range of funding available that may help you fund your studies, including Student Finance England (SFE).
Find out more about postgraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: Tuition fees have yet to be confirmed for this course
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Paying your fees
If you don't wish to pay the whole amount of your fees at once, you may be able to pay by instalments. This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.
Find out more about paying your fees.
Alumni discount
This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.
Funding
There are a number of funding schemes available to help you fund your studies with us.
Find out more about funding for international students.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
Teaching and Assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you’ll be taught
Teaching methods across all our postgraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into two broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, dissertation/final project research, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you’ll be assessed
Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into two broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, podcasts, blogs
- Coursework: examples include essays, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Data from the academic year 2024/25
Research groups
Our research achieves real-world impact and we are proud to claim a rich and diverse profile of high-quality research and knowledge exchange in a wide range of disciplines.
Find out more about our research groups related to this course:
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support – workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors – support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team – provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities – volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
Course location
Harrow is our creative and cultural hub, home to most of our arts, media and digital courses. It houses state-of-the-art facilities for every discipline, including project and gallery spaces, film studios, creative labs, collaborative learning spaces, and the Westminster Enterprise Network.
Harrow Campus is based in north-west London, just 20 minutes from the city centre by train.
For more details, visit our Harrow Campus page.
Contact us
Call our dedicated team on:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
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