Full description of the programme option
Why choose this programme option?
This program is being phased out as of Autumn 2019. The program does not accept new students.
Nordic Media is an intensive, two-year exploration of a wide range of contemporary issues in media and communications. Join an international group of students to learn about the media systems in one of the world's most advanced regions in terms of technology, economy, and politics.
As of today, we have students with backgrounds from Romania, Eritrea, Germany, The United States, Brasil, Ireland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Nepal, Algeria, Latvia, Spain, Italy, Russia, Zambia, Iceland, Poland, Finland, Pakistan - and Norway. We welcome students from all over the world to the Nordic Media programme option.
The world's new media lab
The Nordic countries have been called a "laboratory for new media", as most people use advanced mobile phones and computers extensively. Several of the world's most succesful telecommunications and new media companies are located here.
Our students visit some of these companies, and we invite lectureres who have studied the actual uses of new media here and in other parts of the world. Supported by recent theories, you will get the understanding and analytic skills needed for a career in a modern media institution.
Media and democracy in the Nordic countries
Freedom of speech and access to information is regarded as essential to a healty democracy in all the Nordic countries, and they have different kinds of economic support to ensure a wide range of media. You will get detailed insight into the media systems in the Nordic countries, using theories and methods from both social sciences and humanities.
We study Nordic Media with a comparative and international perspective. You may focus, e.g., on media institutions in the Nordic countries, media and cultural politics, economics and regulations, media and democracy, freedom of speech and information, or media and cultural products. You will learn how the media are part of politics and democracy, and how the new "social" media may change these relationships.
A Nordic model?
The Nordic countries are different in many respects, but have over the years developed several common characteristics, by some referred to as the ”Nordic Model”. Nordic media corporations operate across national borders, profiting on a high penetration of broadband access and advanced mobile services.
Commercial and public service broadcasting exist side by side, with public service institutions driving the development of new digital service. The political systems have a strong focus on cultural policies.
We ask if the Nordic Model exists, and whether it will survive in an increasingly globalized world. You will be encouraged to reflect on how media businesses can prosper, and support democracy and spread of information.
Student-centered teaching
As a Nordic Media student, you do not just sit back in a lecture theatre and take notes. You may take part in a workshop, drawing up a business strategy for a fictive media firm. Later the same month, you may be user testing a real new mobile application.
Our professors use a variety of teaching methods and exam forms to engage the students and help you prepare, not just for exams, but for your whole career. The knowledge you get, will not only make you eligible for media related professions, but also give you a solid fundament from a well-known university which will be useful in most of professions, private or public sector alike.
The Nordic Media programme option leads to the degree Master in Media studies
Target group of the programme
The programme is aimed at students with a Bachelor's Degree in Media Studies.
More information?
Do not hesitate to contact us!
Learning outcomes
Knowledge
The candidate
- has advanced knowledge about the media systems in the Nordic countries, through a comparative and international perspective, using theories and methods from both social sciences and humanities
- has specialized insight in a limited field through a scientific investigation of a empirical or theoretical kind on, e.g., on media institutions in the Nordic countries, media and cultural politics, economics and regulations, media and democracy, freedom of speech and information, or media and cultural products
- can compare international media traditions and new developments from humanistic and social scientific perspectives.
- can demonstrate understanding of the ownership structures, markets, institutions and regulations that structure Nordic media and communication systems on an advanced level.
- can critically evaluate and analyze new developments in international media systems.
Skills
The candidate
- can analyze key methodological, theoretical and ethical issues in different cross-disciplinary approaches to media research
- can identify, use and evaluate relevant media research methods in an independent manner
- can locate, analyze and engage with relevant and up to date media research literature and use it to structure and formulate scholarly arguments
- can independently design and manage a research project within the field of media and communication, in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics.
General competence
The candidate
- can apply his/her knowledge in new areas to carry out advanced media- and media research projects
- can communicate media research questions, analyses, and results convincingly, both within the academic community, and to a larger audience.
- can communicate extensive independent work and use language and terminology from media research on a master level
- can demonstrate critical approaches to ethical, social, and political issues central to media and mediatized societies.
- can contribute to innovation within the field of media and communication
Programme structure
Recommended programme structure for students with admission Autumn 2018 and later
Recommended programme structure for students with admission Autumn 2017 or earlier
The master´s degree consists of:
- 60 credits of compulsory courses/ elective courses/ studies abroad
- 60 credits master’s thesis.
All courses in the Nordic Media programme option are taught in English.
| 4. semester | Master's thesis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. semester | Elective master's course | Master's thesis | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. semester | MEVIT4800 – Methods in media studies: qualitative and quantitative data and analysis (discontinued) or MEVIT4834 – Methods in media studies: close textual and visual analysis (discontinued) | Elective master's course | Master's thesis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. semester | MEVIT4000 – Master’s thesis seminar for media studies (discontinued) | MEVIT4100 – Nordic Media in an International Perspective (discontinued) | Elective master's course | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 studiepoeng | 10 studiepoeng | 10 studiepoeng | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
An alternative programme structure if you want to study abroad:
| 4. semester | Master's thesis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. semester | Master's thesis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. semester | Exchange semester (incl. Methods course) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. semester | MEVIT4000 – Master’s thesis seminar for media studies (discontinued) | MEVIT4100 – Nordic Media in an International Perspective (discontinued) | Elective master's course | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 studiepoeng | 10 studiepoeng | 10 studiepoeng | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The obligatory and elective courses
The degree consists of 30 credits of compulsory courses and 30 credits of elective courses. The topic and problem of the master’s thesis should be instructive for your choices of the electives courses.
Compulsory courses:
- MEVIT4000 - Master's thesis seminar
- MEVIT4100 – Nordic Media in an International Perspective (discontinued)
- MEVIT4800 – Methods in media studies: qualitative and quantitative data and analysis (discontinued) or MEVIT4834 – Methods in media studies: close textual and visual analysis (discontinued)
Optional courses:
- Courses offered by the Department of Media and Communication
- A semester abroad (at least six months)
- JOUR4900 – Internasjonalt prosjektsemester medievitenskap og journalistikk (discontinued) (only for students with Norwegian citizenship)
- Courses offered by other departments at UiO relevant to your master thesis. Send an e-mail to studieinfo@media.uio.no if you want to discuss this option.
- Courses without teaching (max. 20 credits)
Programme structure - Internasjonalt prosjektsemester and 30 credit master's thesis*
Students admitted in 2018 or later that take the course JOUR4900 Internasjonalt prosjektsemester can choose to submit a master's thesis of 30 credits.
The programme structure will consist of:
- 60 credits course/study abroad
- 30 credits JOUR4900 – Internasjonalt prosjektsemester medievitenskap og journalistikk (discontinued)
- 30 credit master's thesis
| 4. semester | Master's thesis | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. semester | JOUR4900 - Internasjonalt prosjektsemester | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. semester | MEVIT4800 – Methods in media studies: qualitative and quantitative data and analysis (discontinued) / MEVIT4834 – Methods in media studies: close textual and visual analysis (discontinued) | Elective master's course | Elective master's course | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1. semester | MEVIT4000 – Master’s thesis seminar for media studies (discontinued) | MEVIT4100 – Nordic Media in an International Perspective (discontinued) | Elective master's course | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10 studiepoeng | 10 studiepoeng | 10 studiepoeng | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*Note: This only applies to students admitted Autumn 2018 or later that is a Norwegian citizen.
The Master's thesis
The Master’s thesis is an independent piece of research lasting approximately 12 months. All students will be assigned a thesis supervisor.
Students are expected to start working on their thesis in their first semester by developing an understanding of academic genres, requirements and conventions in the field of media studies. The process will also provide insights into tools for gathering information and literature, practice in useful writing techniques, and an understanding of how to submit a project description for approval.
In the second semester the main focus will be on literature, research design, empirical data and analytical terms. In the third and fourth semesters, priority will be given to the methodological part of the thesis as well as to presentations of partial or entire chapters of their thesis in group or one-on-one supervision sessions.
Students may choose to submit:
- MEVIT4091 - Master's Thesis in Media Science, with presentation (60 credits)
- MEVIT4991 - Practical Master's Thesis in Media Science, with presentation (60 credits)
- MEVIT4099 Master's Thesis in Media Science, with presentation (30 credits)
You can find practical information regarding the master's thesis here.