Programme Specification for the 2025/6 academic year
MA Intercultural Communication and Public Administration
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | MA Intercultural Communication and Public Administration | Programme code | PTA1MLXPOL01 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Level 1 |
Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
In today’s global world, intercultural awareness and competence are increasingly crucial and required in several settings such as multinational companies, non-governmental organizations, health services, immigration centres, educational and cultural bodies. The MA Intercultural Communication is an interdisciplinary programme which focuses primarily on intercultural aspects of verbal communication in different contexts, thus intersecting other disciplines. The MA Intercultural Communication and Public Administration draws on the research and teaching strengths at Exeter across HASS and beyond; it brings together expertise that is primarily located currently in Languages Cultures and Visual Studies and includes research and teaching expertise in Public Policy within Social and Political Sciences, Sociology, Philosophy and Anthropology.
Collaborating actively with other disciplines, the MA ultimately has the ambitious aim of developing global citizens who will contribute to sustainable, healthy and socially just future societies. The MA plans to achieve this by empowering you through a critical interdisciplinary understanding of the issues that emerge in communication in a globalised world where people from different cultures converge to the same setting. You will gain an in-depth understanding of how people from different cultural backgrounds navigate communication challenges in general and in public administration (e.g. in responding to public pressure and key issues facing the public sector such as effective leadership, performance management, governance and decision-making) and will be able to put into practice strategies for a more equitable and effective communication.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
- To provide the theoretical foundation to develop skills and abilities that develop an awareness of communication competencies for the practice of public administration.
- To equip you with a critical understanding of both the theory and practice of intercultural communication.
- To provide methodological skills and specialist knowledge, for advanced study or research for professional development.
- To equip you with vital transferrable/employability skills as future researchers and practitioners in specific settings.
- To develop research competence, and a critical reflection on the process of planning, designing, implementing, and presenting/communicating research to different audiences.
4. Programme Structure
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual review of this programme. Details of the modules currently offered may be obtained from the Faculty website: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/studyinformation/
You may take optional modules as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module.
You may take elective modules up to 30 credits outside of the programme in stage 1 of the programme as long as any necessary prerequisites have been satisfied, where the timetable allows and if you have not already taken the module in question or an equivalent module. You may take a maximum of 30 credits from lower levels of study - i.e. a maximum of 30 credits in module coded ‘3XXX’ (see e.g. BEP3172, SML3026 and SML3043 below).
Stage 1
90 credits of compulsory modules and 60 credits of pathway modules, 30 credits from optional modules.
Note a: Compulsory modules
Note b: Students select a further 60 credits from these elective compulsory options for the Public Administration pathway.
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMLM087 | Intercultural Communication: Key Concepts and Theories [See note a above] | 30 | No |
| SMLM088 | Dissertation [See note a above] | 60 | Yes |
| POLM220M | Management and Governance: Comparing Public Administration around the World [See note b above] | 30 | No |
| POLM342M | Public Accountability and Governance [See note b above] | 30 | No |
| POLM222M | The Politics, Policy and Practice of Sustainable Development [See note b above] | 30 | No |
| POLM237M | Collaborative and Participatory Governance [See note b above] | 30 | No |
| POLM887 | Public Policy Process [See note b above] | 30 | No |
Optional Modules
Optional: Select 30 credits from the list below or other relevant modules of interest
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMLM059 | Language, Ethnography and Mobility | 15 | No |
| SML3043 | Migration and Multilingualism | 15 | No |
| SMLM090 | Minority Languages: Maintenance, Revitalisation and Endangerment | 15 | No |
| SML3026 | Corporate Language and Communication: When Sharks Work with Dolphins | 15 | No |
| SMLM089 | Language and Globalisation | 15 | No |
| BEP3172 | Future 17: Sustainable Development Goals Challenge | 15 | No |
| POLM228M | Leadership, Equality and Diversity | 30 | No |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Acquire knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods in intercultural communication and use them adequately. | A1-5 are acquired through a range of face-to-face learning and teaching activities such as lectures seminar discussions, workshops, tutorials and other activities throughout the programme with ample time for discussion and interaction. The precise method of teaching varies according to each module, however, in most modules, you will normally engage in both lectures and seminars. In seminars, you will be expected to take part in debate and present your work. You will be encouraged to discuss your ideas and interact with fellow students and academic staff discussions. Please see individual modules for their chosen learning and teaching activities. | There is a wide range of methods to assess A1-5 from essays and exams to research reports, presentations, podcasts and/or screencasts, and the dissertation. Please see individual modules for their chosen assessment methods. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
6. Critically analyse the theoretical foundations of intercultural communication. | B6-10 are acquired through a range of face-to-face learning and teaching activities such as lectures seminar discussions, workshops, tutorials and other activities throughout the programme with ample time for discussion and interaction. The precise method of teaching varies according to each module, however, in most modules, you will normally engage in both lectures and seminars. In seminars, you will be expected to take part in debate and present your work. You will be encouraged to discuss your ideas and interact with fellow students and academic staff discussions. Please see individual modules for their chosen learning and teaching activities. | There is a wide range of methods to assess B6-10 from essays and exams to research reports, presentations, podcasts and/or screencasts, and the dissertation. Please see individual modules for their chosen assessment methods. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
11. Work effectively independently and in a group, clarifying tasks and making use of personal resources to achieve advanced research and problem-solving tasks | C11-14 are acquired through a range of face-to-face learning and teaching activities such as lectures seminar discussions, workshops, tutorials and other activities throughout the programme. The precise method of teaching varies according to each module, however, in most modules, you will normally engage in both lectures and seminar group discussions. Please see individual modules for their chosen learning and teaching activities. | There is a wide range of methods to assess C11-14 from essays and exams to research reports, presentations, podcasts and/or screencasts, and the dissertation. Please see individual modules for their chosen assessment methods. |
7. Programme Regulations
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
It is University policy that all Faculties should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you on individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness.
Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.
The University Library maintains its principal collections in the main library buildings on the Streatham and St Luke's campuses. Further information about the University of Exeter library and electronic resources can be found here.
An ELE page is set up for each module in which module information and course material are shared with students.
A wide range of IT services are provided throughout the Exeter campuses, including open-access computer rooms, some of which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Helpdesks are maintained on the Streatham and St Luke's campuses, while most study bedrooms in halls and flats are linked to the University's campus network.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS)
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
Not applicable to this programme.
18. Final Award
MA Intercultural Communication and Public Administration
19. UCAS Code
Not applicable to this programme.
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | 180 |
ECTS credits | 90 |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 25/05/2024 |
Date of last revision | 25/05/2024 |
|---|
