MAInternal Communication Management
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Why study an internal communication management master's degree at Solent University
The strategic value of internal communication is increasingly recognised within organisations across all sectors, providing opportunities for practitioners to influence and advise at a senior level.
- Top0%of UK unis for sustained employment (Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2025)
- £0minvested in our campus estate and facilities in the last five years
- The course is offered in partnership with the Institute of Internal Communication and is informed by the latest developments in theory and practice from the internal communication profession.
- You'll be taught by a highly experienced and passionate teaching team with a background in strategic communication management and you’ll hear from guest speakers who are leaders in current thinking.
- Students on this course will receive free membership to the Institute of Internal Communications. This is available throughout this master's programme and includes all member benefits.
Course overview
Delivered in partnership with the Institute of Internal Communication, Solent University’s master’s degree in internal communication management equips experienced practitioners with the knowledge, skills and gravitas they need to influence and operate at the highest level in organisations.
The course is specifically designed to fit around busy working lives so students can study while still working full time, enabling senior practitioners to integrate demanding working and personal lives with high level study.
During the course students will explore the complexity of organisational culture, the psychology of communication and the implications of communicating in global organisations. They will create impactful strategies and develop the analytical, research and interpersonal skills to influence and to support change.
A focus on critical thinking and evidence-based decision making equips students to continuously adapt to the business challenges of the future, while online and face-to-face interaction will help to create a long-term network of fellow practitioners.
The course also fosters the self-awareness and personal development skills needed to make a significant personal contribution to organisational success and working lives.
The course is continuously updated in line with the latest developments within internal communication and from student feedback, ensuring in depth exploration of key communication issues underpinned by a keen awareness of current and emerging business challenges like data and AI in the workplace – helping to build the gravitas needed to influence at the most senior level.
How the course is delivered
The course includes four highly interactive two-day workshops, virtual follow-up sessions, guest speakers, online discussion with the course team and fellow students, and ongoing engagement and collaborative learning opportunities.
The highly respected and experienced course team all have a background in strategic communication management, and guest speakers include leaders in current thinking and experts in their fields. Students will also benefit from free membership of the Institute of Internal Communication throughout the programme, including all member benefits.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
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Speak to a tutorCourse features
Apply direct
You can apply direct to Solent University for this course
Part-time option
You can study this course part-time
Professional membership
You have the opportunity to obtain a professional membership as part of this degree
This course is for
This is a part-time programme for communication practitioners with significant experience in the management of internal communication. Students will typically already be working at a strategic level or be looking to move into a strategic role. Designed to make it as easy as possible to combine work and study, the MA requires minimal time out of the office (four workshops over the year, each of two days duration); while its ‘theory into practice’ approach that means you can immediately apply learning to current business challenges, adding value from the outset.
What this course leads to
The course equips individuals for increasingly strategic roles in internal communication, at the most senior level within organisations, such as:
- Specialist in-house agency/consultancy and interim roles whose common factor is the ability to provide high impact strategic advice and delivery.
Facilities
Our vibrant campus brings state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning and elevate your student experience. Our award-winning teaching building, The Spark is centred around students and offers a stimulating study environment with flexible learning spaces.
Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.
Modules
Core modules
Culture, communication and sensemaking (30 credits)
This module sets the context for the strategic management of internal communication, exploring the relationship between communication and organisational environment in a fast changing world, and equipping you to assess and identify the implications for successful communication practice. Overall, the module is aimed at providing you with the ability to assess the organisational culture and determine appropriate approaches, support leaders in becoming outstanding communicators, as well as giving you new ways of thinking about the process of communication at an individual level and the practical implications of that.
Strategy and impact (30 credits)
This module is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to develop, implement and evaluate effective communication strategies to deal with the range of business challenges you are likely to encounter in your career. It also explores the evolution of the employer-employee relationship, and the effect of this on the work of the internal communication practitioner.
Influencing, partnering, and the future (30 credits)
This module equips you with the underpinning knowledge to act as a key influencer and internal consultant at the most senior level. You will explore the ways you might tailor your approach to different individuals, and the psychology of decision-making in order to support you in assessing optimum approaches with senior leaders. You will also consider how to effectively apply consulting, business partnering and coaching models to your work. The module also looks at current and future challenges at the leading edge of communication, including how AI is transforming business and communication, equipping you for changes in the role.
Robust communication research to drive decision making (30 credits)
This module provides the opportunity to identify a current issue in your organisation and to diagnose and make practical recommendations about solving this through internal communication interventions. As a result of the module, you will be equipped to define a research problem, select an appropriate methodological approach and investigate the problem using a combination of secondary and primary research, honing your research skills.
Learning resources
At Solent, our aim is to deliver innovative, inclusive and intellectually stimulating teaching to develop self-confident and highly employable graduates. All our courses are designed with employability in mind, which makes industry-based learning a priority.
Learn transferable skills
Transferable skills include the ability to think critically and analytically; to develop solutions based on robust evidence-based decision-making; and to influence at every level within the organisation.
Why choose a career in internal communication management?
Effective internal communication is a vital business function, and the strategic value of internal communication is increasingly recognised within many organisations: when organisations communicate well internally they are stronger. This provides opportunities for practitioners with the skills to influence and advise at a senior level.
Our strong links with the Institute of Internal Communication means the content you will study is highly informed by the latest developments in theory and practice from the internal communications sector.
The course equips internal communication practitioners for increasingly strategic roles, at the most senior level within organisations. Job roles can include specialists in-house agency/consultancy and interim roles whose common factor is the ability to provide high impact strategic advice and delivery.
Our links with industry
Solent Careers
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
We also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
Top 25%
of UK unis for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2025
Alumni network
As part of our global alumni community, you can take advantage of a range of benefits.
Whether it's been days or decades since you left us, or you're soon to don your cap and gown, things are constantly changing at Solent. We're always innovating, but we're also immensely proud of our heritage. And that means you.
Research and knowledge exchange
Research doesn't just live in publications and journals - the effects of groundbreaking research can be found everywhere you look. That's why research at Solent has always been firmly rooted in industry needs and real-world application.
Solent University prides itself on carrying out not only pioneering research, but also research that addresses real world problems. We offer opportunities to study for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in a number of areas.
At Solent, we want to help you achieve your best and discover new insights. Whether you're thinking about applying for a PhD, or already underway with your research studies, you'll find useful guidance and information in our research pages.
Research at SolentTuition fees
The 2026/27 fees are:
- UK, EU, Channel Island and International students: £7,350 + VAT
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
Bursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £20. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
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Discover Solent University: Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.Find out what Southampton has to offer: Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
Applications for the Master's in Internal Communication Management will be considered if candidates can demonstrate their suitability for the course, along with the motivation and ability to work at postgraduate level.
This programme consists of four modules, each of which is worth 30 credits. Candidates are accredited an additional 60 credits on the basis of prior learning and experience of internal communication. This is done via a process known as Advanced Standing.Â
Candidates should therefore fulfil one of the following alternatives:
- Possess a recognised postgraduate qualification in management and business studies equivalent to 60 level 7 credits.
- Possess a degree or professional qualification and have significant experience in the internal communication field and other indicators of achievement (e.g. written reports, etc).
- Have substantial relevant experience of internal communication management and other indicators of achievement (e.g. evidence of acceptable training courses attended, written reports, etc), also complete a sample assignment to a pass standard. Applicants will be given support in assignment writing as part of the application process.
Key entry requirements
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please contact admissions.
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application and to take a look at our course entry statement document.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email:Â Call:ÂSpeak to a tutor
Speak to a tutorYour application checklist
You will apply for this course through the Institute of Internal Communications, who will then arrange a telephone interview with you.
Please ensure you upload the following mandatory documents with your application:
- Two academic references.
- Certified transcripts of qualifications, including English language proficiency if non-UK student.
- Copy of passport.
- Copy of current visa (if applicable).
- Employer sponsor form, where appropriate.
Language requirements
A minimum IELTS score of 6.5, TOEFL 600 or equivalent is required for those for whom English is not their first language.
Study options
Make your application
- 1 year part-time
