The MA in Visual Culture offers an exciting opportunity to engage with current debates about visual culture in relation to the changes wrought by contemporary media on everyday life. We look at visual media such as photography and film, cultural institutions, such as museums and galleries, as well as ordinary, everyday cultural practices.
We study the changes, and challenges for visual culture in the twenty-first century, while emphasising the importance of paying close, critical attention to visual artefacts and cultural experiences while situating them in a wider historical context.
As well as considering questions of visuality and examining images, the programme addresses questions of modernity and social change, ranging from experiences of everyday space, time and mobility, to the impacts of media on self and identity; how we access, ‘store’ or remember the past; and the broader environmental, infrastructural and social contexts of contemporary visual culture.
The programme is widely interdisciplinary in scope, drawing on perspectives from disciplines such as cultural studies, anthropology, Latin American studies, art and cultural history, cultural geography, urban studies, games and memory studies.
The programme is built around three core modules which focus on:
You will develop skills that directly enhance employability, including applying critical thinking skills, giving presentations, data management, problem-solving, team-working and research design and implementation.
You’ll be able to pursue your own specific research/study interest visual culture via a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation and by choosing from a range of master’s-level module options offered by the Department and wider School.
The course will be of interest to students with an arts, humanities or social science background who wish to develop their theoretical, critical and historical understanding of visual culture, and to visual arts and culture professionals keen to reflect on and further develop their practice.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
This is a one-year programme (which can be studied part-time) for a total of 180 credits. Semester 1 consists of a 30-credit core module, a 15-credit mandatory research methods module, and one 15-credit optional module. Semester 2 consists of another 30-credit core module and two 15-credit optional modules. The 60-credit dissertation will be carried out over the summer.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| MEDIA AND CULTURAL CHANGE A (COMM756) | 30 |
| RESEARCHING CULTURE AND EVERYDAY LIFE (COMM760) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| MEDIA PRACTICES AND EVERYDAY LIFE A (COMM758) | 30 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
You’ll be able to pursue your own specific research/study interest in visual culture via a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation and by choosing from a range of masters-level module options offered by the Department and wider School.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| DISSERTATION (COMM716) | 60 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Teaching on the MA Visual Culture is delivered through weekly workshops held on campus. These usually last for 3 hours per module per week. Depending on which module options are taken, there may be lectures and separate seminar sessions scheduled. But all classes will take place on campus in person. Class sizes for master’s programmes in the Department of Communication and Media tend to be small, but numbers can vary depending, again, on what option modules are selected. A typical class in will include between 10-20 students.
You will be assessed predominantly by coursework. This will take a number of different forms, including essay, research proposal, fieldwork exercise, or master’s dissertation. In addition, you will be assessed by presentations in certain modules. Other assessment formats may apply also depending on the options modules taken.
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Join our MA in Visual Culture (previously named Media, Culture and Everyday Life MA) to analyse the impact of media cultures on lived experience.
From arrival to alumni, we’re with you all the way:
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The MA Visual Culture programme will provide you with rigorous academic training in the broad interdisciplinary field of everyday life studies with a particular focus on media cultures and practices. The professional skills that you will develop upon completion of the programme will prepare you well for a wide range of potential employment areas.
The programme’s central focus on media cultures and practices provides strong grounding for careers in the wider media industries, as well as cognate professions such as public relations, marketing, and consultancy positions focused around cultural policy and innovations/initiatives/practices in the arts, culture and creative sectors.
If you wish to continue your academic studies you will find a supportive and nurturing research environment that prepares you well for doctoral-level research activities. Career pathways that follow this route include employment in higher education (teaching and/or research), or teaching at secondary and further education levels.
Our campus Career Studio is a space for students and graduates to drop into and talk to a career coach. Career coaches are highly trained to help no matter what stage you are at in your career planning. You can access support to find and apply for full-time and part-time roles, placements, internships and graduate schemes. You will also find the help you need if you have a start-up idea or want to create a business plan. You can explore the world of work, prepare for job interviews, and access careers events and workshops. The Career Studio is open Monday to Friday from 10am-5pm, simply drop in at a time that works for you.
We develop our programmes with employers in mind. You will be supported to enhance your long-term employment prospects as you learn. We do this by exposing you to professionals, a variety of sectors and supporting you to work collaboratively with others to develop transferable skills. You are equipped with a clearer view of what to focus on in your area of interest, and to reflect on your studies. Our digital employability tools give you a tech-enhanced curriculum experience and make it easy for you to prepare for the world of work. You can use tools like the Handshake platform to connect with employers and message the Career Studio 24/7.
You can start building good professional networks by attending events and employability activities. Our events are designed to develop your skills and expose you to many different employers, as well as to help you make contacts in your field. We help you improve your confidence when speaking to employers and give you access to unique opportunities. Our networking events also boost your understanding of the competencies and skills that employers are looking for in their recruitment process, giving you a competitive edge.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £11,700
Part-time place, per year - £5,850
Full-time place, per year - £24,100
Part-time place, per year - £12,050
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
You can pay your tuition fees in instalments.
All or part of your tuition fees can be funded by external sponsorship.
International applicants who accept an offer of a place will need to pay a tuition fee deposit.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about paying for your studies..
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for a fee discount of up to £4,500. You’ll need to demonstrate an active interest in global, community and environmental issues to be considered.
If you’re a UK University of Liverpool graduate joining a master’s degree with us, you could be eligible to receive £3,000 off your tuition fees. You must have graduated in the last two years and received a widening access scholarship during your undergraduate studies.
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Postgraduate entry requirements | We accept a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution. This degree should be in Politics (or a closely related subject e.g. International Relations, Communication and Media, Sociology, Journalism). |
| International qualifications |
Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our entry requirements. Completing your Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, means you're guaranteed a place on your chosen course. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 88 overall, with minimum scores of listening 19, writing 19, reading 19 and speaking 20. TOEFL Home Edition not accepted. |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 overall, with no component below 105 |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 61 overall, with no component below 59 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 overall, with no skill below 65 |
| PSI Skills for English | B2 Pass with Merit in all bands |
| INDIA Standard XII | National Curriculum (CBSE/ISC) - 75% and above in English. Accepted State Boards - 80% and above in English. |
| WAEC | C6 or above |
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
| Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 6.0 | 6 weeks | On campus |
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 10 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 6.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 12 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 20 weeks | On campus |
| 5.0 overall, with no more than one component below 5.0, and no component below 4.5 | 30 weeks | On campus |
| 4.5 overall, with no more than one component below 4.5, and no component below 4.0 | 40 weeks | On campus |
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0, for further details.
Discover more about the city and University.
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If you have any questions about the course content, please get in touch with the programme director.
Last updated 31 January 2025 / / Programme terms and conditions