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MA Social Media Communications and Artificial Intelligence
Why choose Herts?
Employment and skills demand: This course meets the growing need for skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI) in professional communication, preparing you for careers in digital and social media management, AI-supported content creation, marketing, PR, and strategic communications.
Flexible professional learning: You can tailor your studies by choosing either a dissertation or a careers development portfolio, supported by 100% coursework assessment across diverse, industry-relevant assignments.
Teaching and student support excellence: The teaching team includes academics from communications and media, public relations, media production, journalism, and philosophy. The University has been ranked 1st in the UK for support in History, English and Creative Writing (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey, 2024).
About the course
The MA Social Media Communications and Artificial Intelligence is designed to help you develop advanced knowledge and a critical, ethical and practical understanding of communication theory, professional practice, and the role of emerging AI-driven technologies across social, cultural, and industry contexts.
During the course, you will apply research-informed approaches to designing, producing, and evaluating AI-mediated social media strategies and creative content. You will also work within ethical and legal frameworks, ensuring that your skills are both academically rigorous and professionally relevant for today’s evolving communications landscape.
On the extended professional practice and advanced research pathway, second year students will take a 30-week work placement supported by the Careers and Placement Team and the Programme Leader. Placements on our existing postgraduate programmes include working as a marketing executive for a virtual reality and immersive company and in a client focused communications role in the events and hospitality sector.
Alternatively, consider taking one of our MA Social Media Communications and Artificial Intelligence routes:
Why choose this course?
- This MA Social Media Communications and AI degree is designed for the next generation of communication professionals who want to work strategically with emerging technologies rather than simply use them.
- Develop confidence in applying AI tools thoughtfully to enhance content creation, audience engagement and communication strategy within ethical and professional frameworks.
- Benefit from a strong balance of theory and practice, combining critical engagement with contemporary communication debates and hands-on professional skills.
- Build expertise in AI-supported social media production, data-informed decision-making and creative digital strategy to prepare for rapidly evolving media environments.
- Choose a flexible final pathway: complete either a traditional dissertation or a careers development portfolio aligned to your academic or professional goals.
What will I study?
On this social media and artificial intelligence degree you’ll explore how artificial intelligence is transforming social media communications and the wider media landscape. You’ll study key theories of communication while developing a critical understanding of emerging digital technologies, alongside developing digital skills and AI-driven media practices. The course is grounded in philosophical, legal and ethical frameworks, through which you will critically examine contemporary debates surrounding the use of artificial intelligence. By engaging with these discussions, the course emphasises responsible professional practice while equipping you with the insight and confidence to shape and influence how AI is used across the communications industry.
You’ll learn through workshops, seminars and tutorials, supported by substantial independent study. You’ll develop technical skills to create digital content, pitch communication campaigns, and analyse contemporary media issues, using case studies to reflect on professional practice. Assessment is based entirely on coursework, including essays, reports, presentations and media projects. As the course progresses, you’ll strengthen your research skills and complete either a media dissertation or a career development portfolio to prepare you for professional roles in the communications industries.
Further course information
| Programme specifications | |
|---|---|
| MA Social Media Communications and Artificial Intelligence - Full Time, Sem A | Download |
| MA Social Media Communications and Artificial Intelligence - Full Time, Sem B | Download |
| Additional information | |
|---|---|
Sandwich placement or study abroad year |
n/a |
Applications open to international and EU students |
Yes |