MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY

OVERVIEW

The study programme is designed to provide internationally competitive education in communication science with an emphasis on media and information literacy, to train highly educated professionals to advance their careers in various fields related to information collection, analysis, creation and dissemination. Over the course of these studies, students will acquire a set of theoretically informed competencies to research, analyse, evaluate media content of any format and kind for its content and aesthetics, and utilise various media technologies to create sophisticated, artistic and effective media materials. The programme will provide in-depth knowledge and skills not only for further career development but also civic participation in today's globalised, digitised and mediated world.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

To accommodate international students, the programme combines several intensive executive-education weeks in Latvia as well as allows remote learning through online seminars and exercises. Industry internships with the university's partners or at student-determined organisations/businesses are an integral part of the programme.

Lectures take place every Friday from 2 pm and every Saturday from 9.45 am (Eastern European Time).

WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE A MASTER'S IN MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY?

  • Exclusive Offering in Europe: This is the only program with detailed focus on media and information literacy topics available in English across Europe.

  • Innovative Learning Methods: The curriculum incorporates strategic games and simulations, blending theoretical knowledge with practical skills to address strategic communication challenges in a dynamic world.

  • Flexible for International Students: Designed to accommodate global learners, the program combines intensive on-campus sessions in Latvia with remote learning through online seminars and exercises.

  • Career Versatility: Graduates are prepared for roles in marketing, media, journalism, social media management, and media literacy education in institutions like schools, museums, and archives.

The penetration of digital media in all aspects of human life is growing rapidly. Societal resilience has become a broad and complex concept in contemporary communication, media and ICT studies and being competent in matters related to media literacy, strategic communication, digital technologies and cybersecurity is important to us as individuals as well as representatives of states and organisations. Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences' study offer addresses this demand, offering education that prepares specialists with skills in:

✔️Media & Information Literacy

✔️Strategic Communication & Governance

✔️Virtual Reality & Smart Technologies

✔️Cybersecurity Engineering

CAREER

Graduates can work in various sectors such as marketing, media, journalism, and social media management, where skills and knowledge of media content monitoring and analysis, content creation and dissemination are important as well as at institutions that provide media literacy education, such as schools, museums, archives and more.

FAST FACTS

Study mode: full-time (module based)
Accreditation: Until September 9, 2027
Language: English
Duration: full-time 1,5-2 years (depends on the previous education)
ECTS: 120
Degree title: Master's Degree of Social Sciences in Communication
EQF: Level 7
Exchange opportunities: Available through Erasmus+ and E3UDRES2.

 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

TUITION FEES 2025/2026

3082 EUR per year (EU, EEA, Swiss Confederation) 

2810 EUR per year (non-EU)

 

NUMBER OF SUPPORTED STUDY PLACES IN 2025/2026

 (information will be available in March) study places on state budget resources are available for intake 2025 (for EU, EEA, Swiss Confederation students)

APPLICATION DEADLINES 2025

Non-EU, Non-EEA applicants:  March 1 - May 31 (Scholarships that cover tuition fees are available to non-EU, non-EEA students for this program).

EU/ EEA/ Swiss Confederation applicants: March 1 - August 17 (students are eligible to apply for Latvian state-funded study placements).

All the eligible students are invited to apply for Latvian State Scholarship. The application deadline for the academic year 2025/2026 is 1st of April, 2025.

For further information, get in touch with International Office at [email protected].

Apply through Media and Information Literacy - Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (dreamapply.com)

 

Communication theory
 
Communication Theories, Media and Information Literacy Theories
Cognitive, social, and political aspects of media literacy
 
Social Cognition and Behaviour, Persuasive Communication, Argumentation Theory and Critical Thinking, Culture, Society and the Digital Media
Media ethics in a professional context
 
Media ethics
Media environment and business
 
Media Management and Online Economics, Media and Communication Law, Project Management and Innovation in Creative Industries
Research methods
 
Quantitative research methods, Qualitative research methods, Master’s Thesis Seminar, Research Internship
Digital Storytelling
 
Visual Culture and Semiotics, Data Visualization, Basics of Multimedia Storytelling
Master's Thesis
TUITION FEES
 

The tuition fee is outlined in the individual agreement between the student and the university. The student receives the agreement together with the admission letter. Accepted students must pay the tuition fee in advance for the full academic year.

Citizenship Per year EUR Full programme cost EUR
Tuition Fees for  the citizens of the EU, EEA, Swiss Confederation 2025/2026 3082

4623 for 3 semesters

6164 for 4 semesters

Tuition Fees for others 2025/2026 2810

4215 for 3 semesters

5620 for 4 semesters


REGISTRATION FEES 2025/2026
 

Registration fee (non-refundable) must be paid before the application is submitted (confirmation of payment must be included in the application):

Citizenship

Application fee amount EUR

Estonia, Lithuania, Georgia and Moldova 50

EU, EEA countries, Swiss Confederation, USA, Australia, Azerbaijan, Japan, Canada, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Vietnam

150

International applicants from other countries

250

Applicants from Ukraine are exempt from Registration fee

Payment details:

Recipient: Vidzemes Augstskola
Address: Cēsu iela 4, Valmiera, Reg.NR.: LV90001342592

Registration fee should be paid to one of the following bank accounts:

Bank: AS Swedbank
Bank code: HABALV22
Bank account number: LV78HABA0551027191593
Bank payments should be marked: “Study registration fee: your name”

Bank: AS Citadele banka
Bank code: PARXLV22
Bank account number: LV74PARX0006876240003
Bank payments should be marked: “Study registration fee: your name”

Bank: AS Luminor banka
Bank code: RIKOLV2X
Bank account number: LV90RIKO0002013197983
Bank payments should be marked: “Study registration fee: your name”


 OTHER COSTS

To have an overview of the costs involved in studying in Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, please see the indicative list of costs:

Costs per month

EUR

Housing:

From 150 eur

Local transportation costs

From 30 eur (monthly bus ticket)

Groceries

From 300 eur

Household goods and other costs

From 300 eur

The cost of living in Valmiera can seem rather inexpensive for students from some other countries. 

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Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences

Cēsu street 4, Tērbatas street 10, Valmiera, LV-4201, Latvija

Company reg. Nr. LV90001342592

CONTACTS | COMPANY DETAILS