Master's Degree Programme in Media Management

The programme emphasises the importance of management in media studies and media in management studies. Studies feature an integrated approach to research in keeping with traditions in the two disciplines. This approach builds theory through empirical research using diverse methods to develop understandings derived from media management in practice. Collaboration with managers in Finnish media industries is part of the programme.

Curriculum coursework is keyed to four aspects that together comprise the context which media managers must manage: media policy, media economy, media organisation and media content. Programme coursework emphasises the interdependence of these four aspects. The curriculum emphasises four dimensions characterising the daily work of media managers in practice: strategic thinking, decision-making, change management, and understanding management theory and practice in the context of media companies.

The programme is oriented to build and strengthen the competence of middle management in media firms, and specifically in the context of journalism, broadly construed.

Number of study places

The maximum student intake on application round 2013-2014 is 12 new students.

Application period

International Master's degree programme application period II, 3.12.2012-15.2.2013

Language of tuition

English

Application procedure

Applications are to be submitted through the centralised University Admissions Finland (UAF) service. Instructions for applicants are available at http://www.uta.fi/admissions/degreeprog/applying.html

Eligibility

Eligible to apply for the Master's degree programme in Media Management is a person who has a completed university level Bachelor's degree or equivalent in the major subject of the programme or in a closely related subject. In addition, fluency in English sufficiently advanced for academic studies is required.

Admission criteria by admission group

A completed university level Bachelor's degree or equivalent in the major subject or in a closely related field. The bachelor's degree must be completed by the time that the programme begins. If the degree is not completed by the end of the application period, an applicant can be accepted to the programme on the condition that s/he sends the degree certificate to the School office by the end of July. The applicant will first receive a notification on conditional acceptance and later an official letter of acceptance once the degree certificate has reached the faculty office.

Applicants must submit evidence on a good command of English for academic purposes; the common requirements for all English taught Master's programmes at UTA are used:

• TOEFL, Test of English as a Foreign Language; 90/Internet-based, 575/paper-based
• IELTS (Academic), International English Language Testing System; 6.5 with no individual score below 5.5
• PTE (Academic), 62

Applicants who have taken their Bachelor studies and obtained their Bachelor's degree in English in one of the following countries are exempt from the language test: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Applicants who will continue to work while studying, must include a letter from their employer indicating agreeing to support the student via the necessary release time to complete this course of study. In practical terms that means agreeing to release the employee one day per week for on-campus studies on a routine basis, and about one full week per term for intensive studies when visiting professors are scheduled for intensive courses, or the like.

If necessary, applicants will be called for an interview, which will be conducted by the Professor of Media Management. Other members of the selection committee may participate in the interviews, if desired. The professor will question students to test practical fluency in spoken English, sincerity of interest, expression of commitment, and to ascertain any complications or caveats that could impact study progress. Those applicants that cannot be interviewed in person will be handled via Skype interface online.

The major criteria for acceptance will be appropriate degree, language capability, and prior success in previous studies. Other requirements add merit and will be weighted by the selection committee on a comparative basis.

Announcement of results and rectification procedure

Admissions results will be announced by 15 May, 2013. All applicants will be informed about the admissions results by mail.

Please see the University's general instructions concerning rectification procedure.