Media Studies (programme option)
The description of the programme option and the programme should be read together.
- Why choose this programme option?
- Learning outcomes
- How to apply?
- Structure and accomplishment
- Teaching and examinations
- A semester abroad
- Quality assurance
- After completion / career opportunities
- Contact us
Why choose this programme option?
A Master's Degree in Media Studies is a specialized, interdisciplinary, post-graduate degree offered by the Faculty of Humanities.
The main focus of the degree is on media, democracy and development from an international, comparative perspective. Studying the media calls for interdisciplinary perspectives from both social sciences and the humanities.
The curriculum provides an understanding of different appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methodologies deriving from both the humanities and the social sciences. It also includes theories of media with their distinctive aesthetic character, social functions and meaning in a global world, and theories of development and social change in relation to culture, social identity and democracy.
The Master's Programme leads to the degree Master of Philosophy in Media Studies.
Target group of the programme
The programme is aimed at students with a Bachelor's Degree in Media Studies.
Learning outcomes
Students acquire a profound understanding of problem areas, research traditions, theories, and methodologies in the field of media studies. The aim is to strengthen the students’ qualifications for presenting research material – both written and oral – as well as for giving and receiving constructive criticism.
How to apply?
This programme option no longer admits students
Application process for international applicants:
Application process for Nordic citizens and applicants with a permanent residence in Norway:
- Apply through SøknadsWeb. NB: Only for applicants holding an 11 digit Norwegian ID-number. Other applicants, please contact the department for application procedures.
Admission requirements
Admission to master s degree studies
requires:
-
Higher Education Entrance Qualification (generell studiekompetanse ). Applicants with foreign education, please refer to the
GSU-list (pdf file). - a completed bachelor s degree
comparable to a Norwegian bachelor s degree. - a specialization defined by the
programme. - a minimum grade point average (GPA) of
C (in Norwegian scale) or equivalent from the specialization in your
degree. - a language requirement documented by
one of the tests/exams below:
a) Passed examination in
English foundation course (140 hours/5 periods per week) in
Norwegian upper secondary school with a minimum grade of 4 (or an
equivalent grade from a Nordic upper secondary school) or
alternatively passed examination in English from second and/or
third school year, or
b) An
internationally recognised English language proficiency test .
Specialization requirement defined by the programme
In order to be admitted, a bachelor's degree including at least 1½ years of media and communication studies with an average grade C or better is required.
Ranking of applicants
Applicants are ranked according to their grade point average (GPA). Applicants who can not be estimated according to their grade point average, will be ranked based on individual assessment.
Admission to 1-2 years' Master's programmes is subject to Regulations governing admission to 1- to 2-year master's degree programmes at the University of Oslo .
Recognition of prior education
If you have previous higher education, you may apply for specific recognition of this education as part of your degree. Education from both Norwegian and foreign higher education institutions may be recognised. Recognition depends upon whether the education meets the specific requirements of your degree. Read more about recognition of prior education at the Faculty of Humanities.
Structure and accomplishment
The master degree comprises:
- 60 credits of coursework
- 60 credits Master's Thesis
A possible 4-semester structure:
| 4. semester | Master thesis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. semester | Master thesis | Optional course | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. semester | Master thesis | Optional course | Optional course | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. semester | MEVIT4000 - Master's thesis seminar | Compulsory course in Methodology, MEVIT4800 - Perspectives and methods in media research recommended | Optional course | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits | 10 ECTS credits | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
About the course work
The coursework consists of 20 credits of compulsory courses and 40 credits of elective courses. The topic and problem of the Master’s thesis should be instructive for your choices of the electives.
The compulsory courses are:
- MEVIT4000 - Master's thesis seminar
- a course in methodology. Recommended MEVIT4800 - Perspectives and methods in media research or a course of choice among recommended courses
The optional courses of 40 credits can be courses offered by the Department of Media and Communication or courses offered by other Departments or institutions.
Courses may be selected from different sources and in different combinations in the following way:
- courses offered by the Department of Media and Communication (IMK) only
- courses offered by IMK in combination with courses offered by other departments or institutions
- a combination of courses, conference attendance and work as a research assistant
- a combination of courses offered by IMK, conference attendance and self-composed courses
Please note that combinations of self-composed courses and/or conference attendance and/or work as a research assistant cannot exceed 20 credits.
The teaching and assessment will vary according to the different courses. The teaching will primarily be given as lectures and seminars, while some of the courses require the students to work independently under supervision. The assessments will mainly be given as papers.
List of courses offered in English at The Department of Media and Communication
List of courses offered in English at The University of Oslo
About the master thesis
The Master’s thesis is an independent piece of research. The students are expected to start working on their thesis as early as in their first semester by developing an understanding of academic genres, requirements and conventions in the field of media studies. The process will also provides insights into tools for gathering information and literature, train you in useful writing techniques and show you how to submit a project description for approval. In the second semester the main focus will be on literature, research design, empirical data and analytical terms. In the third and fourth semesters priority will be given to the methodological part of the thesis as well as to presentations of part of or whole chapters in either tutorials or in one-to-one supervision sessions.
Students may choose to submit a Master’s thesis in the form of a dissertation MEVIT4091 - Master's Thesis in Media Studies, with presentation or a practical-theoretical thesis MEVIT4991 - Practical Master's Thesis in Media Science, with presentation. The examination connected to the Master's thesis consist of a written dissertation, a trial lecture and an oral exam. The trial lecture will be held prior to the oral exam.
Teaching and examinations
Time and location
You will find time and place for teaching and examinations at the semester pages for each course. Please see the list of courses offered at the University of Oslo.
Teaching and learning methods
You will find details on teaching and learning methods at the semester pages for each course.
Location
Universitetet i Oslo
Forms of examination and assessment
Language of examination
In the courses comprising the programme, the exam question papers are given in English, and the answer papers are normally supposed to be delivered in English. The course descriptions provide more information about requirements concerning the language of examination
Grading scale
The programme contains both courses using the pass/fail scale and courses using the grading scale with five steps from A to E for pass and F for fail, cf. § 6.1 i Forskrift om studier og eksamener ved Universitetet i Oslo (Norwegian only). Each course description provides more information about the grading scale in use.
Diploma
The diploma is issued when you have completed the combination of courses which fulfill the degree requirements. The diploma is issued in English. With the diploma you also receive a Diploma Supplement, providing more information about the degree and about the Norwegian system of higher education.
A semester abroad
Parts of the study programme may be taken abroad. Some students will do field work abroad, others will take courses at a partner institution. Please contact the programme administration for further details about the possibilities of a period abroad.
The Master Programme in Media Studies is created especially for international students.
Quality assurance
The University of Oslo aims at offering an innovative and relevant education with the best teaching and tuition possible. It is therefore important that you as a student give us feedback and contribute to evaluations of your programme and courses.
The programme of study is regularly evaluated to ensure and develop the quality of the programme:
- Each year, the programme management conducts a review to assess whether the objectives of the programme have been met. External programme supervisors monitor examinations and assessment.
- At least every fourth year, the faculty conducts a more thorough evaluation of the programme. External representatives take part in the evaluation panel.
- Courses in the programme are evaluated regularly, according to a schedule decided by the faculty.
Read more about the quality assurance system at the University of Oslo.
After completion / career opportunities
The Master degree supplies the students with solid academic qualifications that are likely to provide openings for practical, administrative and academic careers.
For Quota-students the specific aim of the programme is to provide specialised academic qualifications in media studies needed in the co-operating country or of academic staff development in the co-operating institution.
With a Master's degree from the Faculty of Humanities, you have the possibility to apply for a doctoral research fellowship at the Faculty, see Information about the Faculty's research training
Contact us
For applicants
The student information centre at the Faculty of Humanities (HF)
Visiting address:
P.A. Munch's house, ground floor, Blindern
Visiting hours:
11 - 15
Postal address:
P.O. Box 1079 Blindern
N- 0316 Oslo
Fax: 22 85 83 15
E-mail: hf-studentinfo AT hf.uio.no
Web: www.hf.uio.no/english/academics/student-information-centre/index.html
For students on this programme
Master's Programme in Media Studies
Visiting address:
Gaustadalléen 21, Oslo Innovation Centre, house 4, 4th floor
Visiting hours:
Tuesdays and Thursdays 13 - 14
Postal address:
Department of Media and Communication, P.O.Box 1093 Blindern
N - 0317 Oslo
Fax: + 47 22 85 04 01
E-mail: h.d.ellingsen AT hf.uio.no
Web: www.hf.uio.no/english/academics/student-information-centre/index.html
| Other points of contact | Office/adress | Consultation hours/opening hours | Phone | Comment | |
| Hanne Degerstrøm Ellingsen | Gaustadalléen 21, Oslo Innovation Centre, house 4, 4th floor, room 433 | Tuesdays and Thursdays 12.30 - 13.30 | +47 22 85 04 24 | h.d.ellingsen (at) media.uio.no | Programme Officer. Contact point for: Study Plan; Leave of Absence; Part-time studies; Postponed Commencement; Studies Abroad; specific recognition; general student guidance |
| Kristin Sandberg | Dept. of Media and Communication, room 404 | 12 - 15 | + 47 22 85 04 00. Telephone hours 12 - 15 | kristin.sandberg AT media.uio.no | Reception Office. Contact point for key card; candidate numbers etc. |
| Anders Fagerjord | Dept. of Media and Communication, room 463 | + 47 22 85 04 11 | anders.fagerjord (at) media.uio.no | Head of Programme. |