Description
The Master’s in Public and Political Communications (CPP) includes theory-based, methodology-based and applied course units. It draws on research activity and experience of the professional context in equal measure.
This Master’s is vocationally oriented and comprises one single subject pathway entitled ‘Public and Political Communications’. It aims at students’ direct entry into employment. There is also the option of enrolling for a thesis, subject to certain requirements. This programme of study, which is merged with Sciences Po Bordeaux (Institute of Political Sciences), offers the opportunity to develop academic and professional skills, and to gain expert knowledge from these two institutions.
Objectives
The field of public communications is in expansion, with the local level occupying an increasingly important position especially in the context of globalisation and the spread of regional reforms, increased public expectations with regard to public institutions, the desire for increased citizen participation and the need to accompany public organisations as they experience changes and internal crises. The field of political communications has become a central issue in public debate and in the context of elections. More recently, faced with the threat of terrorism, political communications must be the tool with which to reassure citizens whilst also upholding fundamental French values.
This programme of study, which has been running for 17 years, is officially recognised as a vocational Master’s programme. Since 2005, the programme has been jointly managed by the Bordeaux Montaigne University Department of Information and Communication Sciences (ISIC) and by Sciences Po Bordeaux. The originality and appeal of this programme lie in the reduced number of merged course units in the first year of study, and then the full overlap in the second year with the Master’s programme offered by Sciences Po Bordeaux.
In this way, the programme brings together the high standards and expertise of the two institutions, and can provide a programme of study that meets the increasing demand from regional authorities and public and political institutions with regard to the training of professional communicators in this sector. As a result of the established reputation of this programme, the excellent employment entry rate and an ever-increasing flow of applications from candidates, the programme now has official accreditation from the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research. The programme comprises one single subject pathway, entitled ‘Public and Political Communications (CPP)’.
Training content
Two years of study: Master 1 (M1) and Master 2 (M2)
The first year of this two-year programme comprises a first semester focussing on fundamental course units, and a second semester focussing on course units with a more specialised and vocational emphasis in the field of public and political communications.
Master 1: First year of two-year Master’s programme
Semester 1 comprises fundamental course units (political sciences, communications for organisations, digital culture etc.) which are organised either by ISIC at Bordeaux Montaigne University, or by Sciences Po Bordeaux. Some of the course units offered by Sciences Po Bordeaux are only undertaken by ISIC students. Other course units may be merged and open to students from Sciences Po Bordeaux and the Bordeaux Montaigne University Master’s programme in Communications for Organisations.
Semester 2 includes fundamental and vocational course units on public and political communications, as well as an initial introduction to the practical applications of and tools for communication strategies (particularly digital).
It is compulsory to study a foreign language and to participate in a period of professional shadowing in each semester.
Master 2: Second year of two-year Master’s programme
Semester 3 is entirely merged with Sciences Po Bordeaux, with all course units organised either by Sciences Po Bordeaux or by ISIC. These course units concentrate on the strategies and practices in the field of communications. Science Po Bordeaux is responsible for the further study of a foreign language.
Semester 4 is reserved for the internship.
Access condition
Find information regarding enrolment procedures and the supporting documents to be provided, according to your profile and your level of studies :
Identifier ROME
- E1106 : Journalisme et information média
- E1103 : Communication
- E1401 : Développement et promotion publicitaire
- E1402 : Elaboration de plan média
Trainings
Internship and dissertation
All internships must be undertaken within a public or political organisation or institution, or an agency specialising in public or political communications.
- In Master 1 there is a three-month internship from April onwards. Students must undertake a clearly defined mission and produce an analysis report. This is then the subject of an oral examination in September.
- In Master 2, there is a six-month internship from January onwards. Students must undertake a more ‘strategic’ mission and produce a dissertation in the form of a professional report, which takes research methodology as its starting point and draws on targeted academic learning and professional skill of the highest level.
Career pathways
Employment Opportunities
- Head, then director of communications (internal-external), of digital communications in regional authorities, in public or international institutions (European institutions, UN, ministries, governmental bodies, NGOs) etc.
- Communications advisor in political organisms, bodies (parties), trade unions, or for elected officials (members of French parliament, regional elected representatives) or political leaders (French ministerial cabinets) etc.
- Junior, then senior consultant in a communications agency specialising in public or political communications.
- For those students who wish to pursue further study there is also the opportunity to enrol for a thesis.
