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Science Communication MSc

London, Bloomsbury

This programme aims to train the next generation of science communicators to be mediators facilitating citizens’ engagement with technologies and the sciences. It combines a thorough practical curriculum in state of the art communication practices, closely connected to the world of work and career opportunities, with a theoretical backbone. 

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£16,800
£8,400
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£35,400
£17,700
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class (2.1) Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. There is no specific disciplinary entry requirement for this programme. Applicants with degrees from natural sciences, human sciences, social sciences, or arts and humanities are welcome to apply.

The English language level for this course is: Level 4

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Today, with the rise of populism and concerns that we might be living in the dawn of a ‘post-truth’ era, the relationship between expertise, knowledge and the public has been brought into question; science and technology are shaping our lives in profound ways, bringing a quality of life to some that previous generations could not have dreamed of, while leaving others untouched or feeling left behind. At the same time, science and technology is a significant and growing part of the world’s economy, offering well paid and interesting jobs as well as promising relief from some of the biggest challenges facing us as a planet.  

This MSc in Science Communication sets out to train people to understand and help resolve some of these issues, recognising that good communication underpins many of the issues ahead, but that providing information alone will be insufficient to address tensions that arise between science and society. We recognise that even in the most ‘traditional’ science and tech PR or journalism roles, pumping out good news about science alone will not build the relationships, audiences or credibility that companies, broadcasters – or indeed society – want. 

Who this course is for

The programme is suitable for individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds that  are interested in practical science communication training combined with an academic underpinning from science and technology studies (STS). Applicants are not expected to have prior experience of science communication. Anyone who is interested in the place of science in society and culture and in the role communication plays in making science part of a democratic society is welcome to apply.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

 As a department, Science & Technology Studies is respected across UCL for our dedication to teaching and learning. We commit ourselves to creating academic experiences that reward hard work.

We are research active over an enormous range of topics. Our teaching builds on research not only in our subject specialties but also in the fundamentals of teaching and learning.

Our programme is designed to make use of London’s attractions and resources. We have close links with the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Wellcome Library, and UCL Museums & Collections. We also use the city as a classroom, with custom-made walking tours, site visits, and special excursions (no extra cost is incurred). The module Curating Science and Technology is taught at the Science Museum.

Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

Our programme provides essential training for students wishing to pursue careers in science journalism, science documentary and filmmaking, science broadcasting, science museums, digital science communication.

You can find out more about our graduate destinations on our ‘What do UCL graduates do?’ page.

Employability

Through our practical modules, taught by professional communicators, students will be able to start networking in the professional milieu of science communication.  

Networking

There may be department and/or student organised alumni events, career events, lecture series, workshops, etc. that allow for networking.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, tutorials and practical sessions. You'll also be expected to take part in both guided and self-guided personal work. Assessment is carried out through a blend of formative and summative assessment methods.

You will be assessed by a variety of methods, including, essays, different formats of writing (blog post, news brief, press releases, features, profiles, etc.), short films, short podcasts, and presentations (poster, PowerPoint). This culminates in an independent science communication project.

On average it is expected that a student spends 150 hours studying for each 15-credit module. This includes teaching time, private study and coursework. Modules are usually taught in weekly two-hour sessions over 10 weeks each term.

For full-time students, typical contact hours are around eight hours per week, usually between 9am and 6pm Monday-Friday (although this may vary according to room and speaker availability). Outside lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.

In the first and second terms , full-time students can typically expect eight contact hours per teaching week through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials. In term three and the summer period students will be completing their own independent research project , keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.

Part time students study half of the modules from the full-time programme in Year One and the other half in Year Two. They also complete their own independent research project, which reflects the culmination of their learning on the programme, during the Third Term and the summer period of Year Two. Typical contact hours are around four hours per week, usually between 9am and 6pm Monday-Friday (although this may vary according to room and speaker availability). Please note: our part time programme consists of the full-time programme spread across two years and requires attendance during normal working hours.

A Postgraduate Diploma consisting of one core module (15 credits), five optional modules (75 credits) and two elective modules (30 credits) can be studied full- or part-time. A Postgraduate Certificate, on a full-time basis, consisting of one compulsory module (15 credits) and three optional modules (45 credits) is offered.

Modules

The curriculum is divided into two parts: theoretical and practical, with a core of six compulsory modules (three theoretical and three practical), plus a final project. Students will also choose one specialism module from a selection of three, and one elective module from the STS module catalogue.

In the First Term students take two theoretical modules (Forms of Science Communication: Global Perspectives and Public Engagement for Social Justice) and two practical modules (Practical Science Writing and Practical Science Broadcasting).

In the Second Term students take one theoretical module (Science Communication and Engagement in Practice) and one practical module (Digital Media Skills for Science Communication). They also take one specialist option (Science Journalism, Science and the Publishing Industry or Curating Science and Technology) and one elective module of their choice from the department module catalogue. They also start working on their final independent  project which they submit at the end of the academic year.

During Term Three Three and summer period students work on their final independent project (approx. 600hrs work), with advice from supervisors.

Year One - First Term: students take one theoretical module (Public Engagement for Social Justice) and one practical module (Practical Science Writing).

Year One - Second Term: students take one practical module (Digital Media Skills for Science Communication) and one specialist option (Science Journalism, Science and the Publishing Industry or Curating Science and Technology).

Year Two - First Term: students take one theoretical module (Forms of Science Communication: Global Perspectives) and one practical module (Practical Science Broadcasting).

Year Two - Second Term: students take one theoretical module (Science Communication and Engagement in Practice) and one elective module of their choice from the department module catalogue. They also start working on their final project which they submit at the end of the academic year.

Year Two - Third Term and summer period: Students work on their final independent project (approx. 600hrs work), with advice from supervisors. 

Compulsory modules









Optional modules






Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Science Communication. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Science Communication. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Science Communication.

Accessibility

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

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Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2026/27) £16,800 £8,400
Tuition fees (2026/27) £35,400 £17,700

Additional costs

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

There is no fee deposit required for PG Dip and PG Cert applicants.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

There are no programme-specific costs.

For in-person teaching, UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this course of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

Applicants whose qualifications are of a lower standard may be admitted if they can demonstrate an appropriate academic background and experience in such fields as education, media and communication.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2026-2027

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

Science and Technology Studies
Science and Technology Studies

sts-msc-admissions@ucl.ac.uk

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