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.

Learning Outcomes

The Master’s Degree Programme in Media Management will conform to the requirements for level 7 of European Qualification Framework. The knowledge acquired will be specialist in nature and will further develop UTA’s historic leadership in this field not only in Finland (since the 1970s), but more broadly in the international development of the field.

Students graduating with a degree in this programme will:

• Conduct research projects at professional standards in the field
• Develop analytical and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrate a sound knowledge of respective and integrated attributes of media
• Be able to participate and lead teams
• Be competent to situate and explain media in complex and varying environmental conditions, i.e. in historical, social, cultural and economic terms
• Manage essential practices and processes of media content production
• Think critically to develop fresh insight and build knowledge
• Respect the crucial importance of professional media ethics in the face of many and often significant pressures to engage in questionable practices
• Establish competence to continue studies for a Ph.D.

Working Life Connections

Collaboration with managers in Finnish media industries is part of the programme. E.g. the programme includes management practicum where students will secure agreement with a manager in a media firm either in Finland or their home country to engage as a mentor. The practicum involves various tasks assigned by the mentor to the students, along with an agreed amount of visitation time for interviews, discussion, and participant observation. In the course called Company Visitation Programme the students will gain first hand knowledge of management practices, organizational structures, and operational activities by visiting a selection of media companies in Finland.

 

Internationalisation

Tampere University is committed to promoting justice and equality in society, to enhancing the well-being of citizens at home and abroad, and to advancing multiculturalism and sustainable development.

The theme and content of the Master's Programme in Cultural Studies is international as such and most of the courses of the programme belong to the Internationalization Module.

Master’s Degree programme in Media Management offers students a valuable way for entering into the field of globalizing media industry. 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.

This programme is devoted to the development of media management research and teaching in Finland, contributing to this young field internationally through various associations and collaborative projects.