Institute of Communications Studies

About ICS

The Institute of Communications Studies is an internationally renowned centre for teaching and research in communications, media and culture. Our research is multidisciplinary and we have particular strengths in the areas of cultural industries, international communication and political communication.

Formed in 1988, ICS combines strengths in communications and media research with the teaching of communications history, theory and practical skills (to find out about our history, visit the History of ICS pages). In September 2010, ICS moved into a specially refurbished building at the heart of the Leeds campus (‘Clothworkers’ Building North’). Our excellent new facilities include a cinema, a new media lab and a television studio. As well as being able to use these bespoke provisions, student who study at ICS have the opportunity to benefit from some of the best media opportunities at any university in the country. For more information on the possibilities that the University of Leeds can offer media and communications students, visit Opportunities in the undergraduate section of the website.

ICS is now one of the largest departments of its kind in Europe, currently offering a number of undergraduate degrees, postgraduate taught degrees and a postgraduate research programme.

There are four undergraduate programmes:

• BA Hons Broadcast Journalism
• BA Hons Cinema and Photography
• BA Hons Communications
• BA Hons New Media

There are six postgraduate programmes:

• MA Cinema & Photography
• MA Communications Studies
• MA International Communications
• MA International Journalism
• MA Media Industries
• MA Political Communication

To find out more about any of our courses, request the Leeds University prospectus.

While we pride ourselves on our excellent teaching, we are also a highly regarded multidisciplinary research department, with particular strengths in the analysis of international communication, media industries and political communication. ICS researchers have written many major books and articles on communications, media, film and culture, and details of these publications can be found on the Staff web pages. Our research is organised around the following five themes:

• Cultural Production and Media Policy
• International Communication
• Journalism Studies
• Political Communication
• Visual & Digital Cultures

Visit the research section of this website to find out more about our research.