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New partnership with Loughborough University in the UK – study abroad opportunities for IfK students

(14.12.2023) In cooperation with the English Department at the University of Münster, the Institute of Communication Studies now has a partner university in the UK: Up to 4 Bachelor students can complete their studies abroad at Loughborough University from the winter semester 2024/25. The university is located in the county of Leicestershire in the United Kingdom.

The Department of Communication and Media at Loughborough University is characterised in particular by its renowned teaching and research staff. Among those teaching there are the current President of ECREA, Prof John Downey, and Prof Andrew Chadwick, who has shaped research into hybrid media systems, as well as Prof Sabina Mihelj, who successfully researches the role of the media in contemporary "culture wars" and pandemic communication in times of populism. The faculty's research specialisms lie at the interface of culture, politics and economics. A sociological focus, for example in the direction of migration or health communication, can also be pursued at the university. The department's professional excellence is also demonstrated by several rankings: the department was ranked first in the field of communication and media studies in a 2023 Complete University Guide ranking and is also one of the 100 most renowned communication and media studies institutes in the world according to the 2022 QS World Subject Rankings.

The university town of Loughborough has a population of around 65,000 and is located less than 20 kilometres from the city of Leicester on the edge of the English National Forest. The university is located around 180 kilometres north of London and around 60 kilometres north-west of Birmingham. The British city of Sheffield is also only about an hour's drive away. Over 18,000 students are currently enrolled at Loughborough University.

The Department of Communication and Media offers various degree programmes in communication and media studies: The department offers the Bachelor's degree "Media & Communication" and the Master's degree programmes "Digital Media and Society", "Strategic Communication", "Social Media and Political Communication", "Global Media and Cultural Industries" and "Social Science Research".

From the winter semester 2024/25, the first IfK Bachelor's students will be able to complete their semester abroad at Loughborough University. The so-called autumn semester starts in Loughborough at the end of September. The language of instruction is English, and students need at least 12 points in their A-levels or a recognised English certificate (e.g. TOEFL test) as a prerequisite. Four IfK outgoing students can take part in the courses in each winter semester. The IfK is also pleased to welcome up to four international students from Loughborough. A special feature is that the faculty currently has no co-operation with other German universities.

The partnership with Loughborough is not part of the Erasmus+ programme, which is why no Erasmus funding is provided. However, the cooperation does mean that tuition fees, which are usually very high in the UK, are waived. In addition, students have the opportunity to receive a Promos scholarship, which provides funding for international stays abroad as part of the degree programme. The website of the International Office provides further useful information on financing semesters abroad in non-EU countries.

Contact person public relations:
Dr. Stephan Völlmicke
Telefon: +49 251 83-23006
Telefax: +49 251 83-21310 (Geschäftszimmer IfK)