Graduate
The Department of Communications & New Media (CNM) offers one of the most sought-after postgraduate degree programme in the study of communication and media studies in Asia. The programme offers research-oriented degree qualifications in two areas – doctoral and master’s degrees in Communications and New Media (M.A and Ph.D., CNM) and a doctoral degree in Cultural Studies in Asia (Ph.D., CSA).
The programme features an innovative and interdisciplinary curriculum that introduces students to key debates in the areas of media studies, communication management, interactive media design, and cultural studies. Prospective candidates with keen interest in interdisciplinary research in these areas are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application for the department’s postgraduate degree programme is highly competitive. The Master of Arts programme typically requires 2 years of full-time commitment, while the PhD programme (both CNM and CSA) typically requires 4 years of full-time commitment. Local students may elect to do their degrees either full-time or part-time. International students on student pass must pursue their degree full time.
Aims and Objectives
Both the Master of Arts and PhD programmes are intensive, research-focused programmes. They aim to train students to become independent researchers and critical thinkers who are capable of designing and executing a research project, and reporting findings in accordance with established disciplinary norms. The PhD programme also demands a significant contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the student’s chosen field.
Upon graduation, students should be capable of performing high-quality research in academic institutions, government bodies, think tanks, or private organizations. PhD graduates are also expected to be capable of presenting their works at top conferences and publishing in high quality peer-reviewed journals and lead research projects.
Research Areas
The department is highly interdisciplinary and strongly encourages interdisciplinary research. Its faculty members have diverse research interests: media psychology, cultural studies, interactive media design, computational communication, health communication, political communication, gender and sexuality, archival research, journalism, and communication management. For the full range of our faculty members’ research interests, please check out our faculty members page.
The research diversity in the department contributes to a vibrant and collaborative research culture that cuts across disciplinary boundaries. Our research culture is particularly well-suited for students whose interests do not fit neatly within any specific disciplines or students who are keen on investigating complex issues that require drawing on the knowledge of more than one discipline.
