Structure and contents

The MSc in Media Management at USI aims to help media managers and business communicators enhance their professionalism and prepare themselves to meet the many challenges posed by a period of unprecedented changes to modern digital mass media.

The course offers new graduates a rigorous foundation for a career in the media and communication industries examining the key drivers for increased competition in local, national and international media.

The programme is directed to all students wishing to forge a career in media and to professionals in communications-related activities in commercial and non-commercial organizations of all types. The course helps enable current employees and managers at media outlets, communications businesses and relevant public and NGO authorities to critically analyze what they have been doing, identify what can be improved, and develop a more systematic and rigorous system of good practices in dealing with communications and media.

In addition, anyone planning a career or having and interest in these essential and booming industries will find the programme a formidable foundation for future advancement. The MSc in Media Management examines key areas of media economics, digital convergence, strategic management, media law and copyright, digital publishing, as well as specialist modules on television, film and social media management. The course is taught by full time academics led by Professor Matthew Hibberd as well as professional managers with senior practical experience in media and communication industries.

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Study programme

First Semester	ECTS
Media Economics and Policy	3
History of Media Management	3
The Network Society	3
Orthodox and Critical Perspectives in Marketing	6
Advertising	3
Social Media Management	3
Newsroom Management and Economics of Journalism	3
Swiss Media System	3
Accounting	3

Second Semester	ECTS
Strategies and Markets of Digital Media	3
Film Economics and Management	3
Broadcasting Management	3
Digital Publishing	3
Digital Archives	3
Argumentation in the Media	6
International Strategic Management	6
Media Regulation and Copyright	3

Third Semester	ECTS
Elective courses	30

Fourth Semester
Capstone Work
Internship	12
Thesis	18

TOTAL ECTS	120

Internship
A crucial part of this academic programme is the internship.
Internships aim at allowing students to get in touch with the professional world, in Switzerland and abroad, within professional environments that are consistent with the Master programme, in companies such as TV and radio broadcasters, news outlet, etc.
- Twitter
- Walt Disney
- Sky Italia
- Mediaset
- Locarno Film Festival
- Mondadori
- Bertelsman
- RSI
- MTV
- Eurosport
- Italian Ministry of Foreign Affair
- Government of the principality of Liechtenstein
- Nestlè
- IKEA
In alternative to the internship and in order to broaden their scientific competences, students can attend an academic Semester abroad or in Switzerland, in one of USI's partner universities.
During this semester, students can integrate courses they attended in Lugano in the first two semesters with other subjects in media management.
Master Thesis

Master theses are set to conclude students' preparation and are aimed at deepen the analysis of a topic students can decide, within the scope of the Master programme.
The research work, supervised by one or more professors of the Master, can be theoretical or empirical: students have to demonstrate to be able to use proper concepts, theories, methodologies and tools and to have analysis, synthesis and editorial skills.

Language

Admission to English-language graduate-level (Master) programmes at USI require a good command of the English idiom. Non-English native speakers applying for such programmes, or whose previous degree was obtained in another language, are required to provide an internationally acknowledged language certificate equal to the B2 level, as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR), or equivalent (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, etc.).

The B2 level on the CEFR corresponds to the following scores in internationally acknowledged exams:

IELTS	5.5
TOEFL	Computer based: 183 Internet based: 65 Paper based: 513
Cambridge English	FCE (First Certificate English)
TOEIC	Listening & Reading: 785 Speaking: 150 Writing: 160

Students admitted under the above mentioned condition (with the exception for the Master in Cognitive Psychology in Health Communication) must achieve a C1 competence in English within the maximum time required to obtain the Master's degree.
The level can be certified either by attending a language course offered at USI during the Fall and Spring semester, and by taking the final exam, or by providing an internationally acknowledged language certificate*.

* The C1 level on the CEFR corresponds to the following scores in internationally acknowledged exams:

IELTS	7.0
TOEFL	Internet based: 100
Cambridge English	CAE (Advanced certificate), grade C or above BEC (Business English), grade C or above
TOEIC	Listening & Reading: 945 Speaking: 180 Writing: 180

Italian

As Lugano is located in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, students might be interested in acquiring the basics in Italian.
The Università della Svizzera italiana offers a free of charge Italian language course: further information can be found here.

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Master in Media Management

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