University College London (UCL)
Science Communication MSc
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 33,000 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* international students: full time £33,000 - part-time £16,500/year | UK students: full time £16,000 - part-time £8,000/year. Additional fees may apply
This MSc in Science Communication is designed to help students develop the skills needed to share scientific ideas clearly and effectively. The program combines theoretical understanding with practical experience, focusing on areas like public engagement, media, and science storytelling. Students will learn how to communicate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences, whether through writing, multimedia, or face-to-face interactions. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, research skills, and the ability to adapt communication styles to different contexts and platforms.
Students can expect to engage in a variety of projects and collaborations that build real-world skills. The program includes opportunities for internships, events, and media work, giving students a taste of careers in science journalism, public relations, or educational outreach. Throughout the course, students are supported by experienced tutors and industry professionals, helping them develop confidence and a professional portfolio. By the end, graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills needed to pursue careers in various science communication fields or to continue their studies in related areas.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Masters Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Masters Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or ethnic or religious background it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops and seminars as well as individual and collaborative projects.
Outside of directed teaching, full-time students typically study the equivalent of a full-time job, using their remaining time for self-directed study and completing coursework assignments.
Note that an interim qualification (120 credits Postgraduate Diploma, full-time nine months) is offered.
Assessment is through unseen examination, coursework (including a 3000-word essay, learning log, and digitally fabricated piece with written and video documentation), practical exercises, and a 10000-word final dissertation.
In terms 1 and 2 full-time students can typically expect between 10 and 12 contact hours per teaching week through a mixture of lectures, seminars, workshops, crits and tutorials. In term 3 and the summer period students will be completing their own dissertation research, keeping regular contact with their dissertation supervisors.
The contact hours might include a one-week field trip organised by AC studios.
Modules
Full-time
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 term 1 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 term 2 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 project which they submit at the end of the academic year.
Part-time
Year 1-Term 1: students take one theoretical module (Public Engagement for Social Justice) and one practical module (Practical Science Writing).
Year 1-Term 2: 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 2-Term 1: students take one theoretical module (Forms of Science Communication: Global Perspectives) and one practical module (Practical Science Broadcasting).
Year 2-Term 2: 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.
Compulsory Modules
- Science Communication Final Project
- Science Communication in a Global Perspective
- Engaging the Public with Science
- Science Communication and Social Justice
- Practical Science Broadcasting
- Practical Science Writing
- Digital Media Skills for Science Communication
Optional modules
- Science Journalism
- Curating Science and Technology
- Science and the Publishing Industry
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. The module HPSC0089 Curating Science and Technology is taught at the Science Museum.
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.
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.