Digital Media & Communication for Social Impact

Abstract

• Show the study programme profile

  Profile of the study programme

  «Shaping media and communication in the public interest» is the central idea underlying the master programme «Digital Media & Communication for Social Impact» at the University of Fribourg. It combines science and practice on issues of digital media, social responsibility and social change.

  In this programme, you acquire a sound understanding of how media and platforms function in a digital society – and how they can be shaped and used to strengthen democracy, sustainability and social cohesion.

  • How do the media and communication contribute to the common good in a digitalised society?
  • How can media and platforms be designed to foster democracy and be used responsibly?
  • How can responsible communication have social impact?

  Here you learn how to answer these questions – scientifically substantiated, with a critical mind, in an interdisciplinary manner and oriented towards practice.

  The distinctive characteristics of the master programme «Digital Media & Communication for Social Impact» are:

  – Social relevance: You learn how communication influences social change – and how media and communication can be actively shaped.

  – International orientation: You benefit from a global perspective on research and teaching – in an English-language or multilingual master programme in Switzerland.

  – Practice-oriented research: You work on issues of great relevance to media and communication practice – in the form of innovative research and transfer projects.

  Fribourg profile
  The master programme «Digital Media & Communication for Social Impact» combines theory and research with practice-oriented teaching formats.

  Content-wise, the master programme focuses on how media and communication can be shaped and used for the common good. The programme consists of six modules:

  1. Core Topics: Democracy, media and technology; strategic communication; media and platform governance; media use and effects; persuasion and digital mobilisation; digital journalism and content creation
  2. Research Competencies: Research design, data collection, data analysis and visualisation
  3. Project Management & Transfer: Project management, leadership and strategies of science communication and public relations
  4. Project Seminars: Free choice of project seminars on a wide variety of subjects in which students in small teams work in a scientifically sound manner on projects of real-life relevance.
  5. Personalised Choice: Elective courses and/or internship
  6. Master thesis and colloquium including a defence.

  The master programme «Digital Media & Communication for Social Impact» is not only unique in terms of its content, but also of its teaching and learning formats. Studying at the University of Fribourg offers you

  – Innovative teaching: Classroom-style teaching is a thing of the past. In our project seminars, you work in a critical and solution-oriented fashion in small teams on projects of practical relevance – such as communication strategies for NGOs, opportunities for digital participation, policy papers or tools for sustainable media use.

  – Personal mentoring: Close collaboration and regular feedback are an integral part of our master programme, whether in lectures, project seminars or when mentoring your master thesis

  – Multidisciplinary skills: In addition to the latest findings from media and communication research, you also acquire skills in project management, knowledge transfer, data analysis and visualisation.

  – Flexible structure of your studies: With fixed teaching days, block courses, elective courses and the absence of any predefined sequence of courses, we let you plan your studies to suit your needs.

  Our master programme offers you the additional option of having an internship abroad credited or studying at one of our partner universities.

  A broad range of optional minor study programmes allows you to integrate subjects which interest you personally into your master programme in Digital Media & Communication for Social Impact.

  Moreover, with us you have an opportunity offered nowhere else in Switzerland: you can study in English only, bilingually (English/German) or trilingually (English/German/French) – and this will be mentioned on your diploma.

  Learning outcomes and career openings
  The «Digital Media & Communication for Social Impact» master programme teaches you not only essential specialist knowledge, but also analytical, creative and organisational skills. You learn to ask the right questions, to reflect critically on digital media and communication, to use them effectively and to develop solutions to challenges in a digitalised society. You also learn how to successfully communicate your findings to stakeholders in politics, media, business and civil society. And in doing so, you actively contribute to shaping tomorrow's world.

  By studying with us, you prepare for positions of responsibility and career paths in

  • Media companies;
  • Communication and digital agencies;
  • NGOs and foundations;
  • Politics and administration;
  • Research and teaching in universities and thinktanks.

Studies organisation

Structure of studies

Curriculum

Admission

Alternatives