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Studies & Degrees in Political and Corporate Communication

Political and corporate communication is the professional field that plans and manages how organisations speak to the public. On the corporate side the organisation is a company, an institution or a non-profit body. On the political side it is a government, a party or a candidate. The two share most of their methods, which is why they are often taught together: analysing the environment, defining a strategy, building messages, dealing with the media, managing digital channels and measuring the results.

A typical programme covers corporate communication strategy, media relations, crisis communication, internal communication, digital content, public affairs and lobbying, opinion research and polling, and the design of election campaigns. Students usually work on real cases, and many programmes include an internship.

Qualifications and levels

The subject is rarely a first degree. Most students specialise after a bachelor's degree in communication, journalism, political science, law or business.

  • Official master's degrees. In Spain official master's degrees have 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. The Máster Universitario en Comunicación Política y Corporativa (MCPC) of the Universidad de Navarra is an official degree of 60 ECTS credits that lasts 10 months. It is taught on campus in Madrid, in Spanish and English, and has 30 places. The programme includes two international stays, in Brussels and Washington, compulsory internships in companies and institutions, and a final project in which students act as consultants for a real client.
  • Master's programmes and diplomas from specialised schools. The Escuela de Periodismo y Comunicación Unidad Editorial (ESUE) in Madrid organises the Máster en Comunicación Corporativa e Institucional together with the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and the law firm Cremades & Calvo-Sotelo. It has 60 ECTS credits and is taught in person on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings; the edition that starts in autumn 2026 is listed at €9,500. The school describes it as a lifelong-learning qualification (formación permanente) of the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Applicants need an official Spanish university degree or an equivalent international one. ESUE also lists an online Diploma de especialización en Investigación Social y Comunicación Política of 38.5 ECTS credits, starting on 1 February 2027 and priced at €3,465, with subjects such as the design, management and simulation of election campaigns.
  • Short courses. Schools and institutes also run short programmes on single topics, such as crisis management, public speaking or campaign strategy.

Spanish law defines lifelong-learning programmes as a university's own qualifications (títulos propios), which are separate from official degrees. If you need the master's degree for a doctorate, a public-sector post or recognition in another country, ask the school which type you will receive.

Where to study it

This directory lists three active schools for political and corporate communication: one in Spain, one in Mexico and one in the United States. The Spanish school is the Escuela de Periodismo y Comunicación Unidad Editorial in Madrid, the school of the media group that publishes El Mundo, Marca and Expansión. The list is short because most universities file these programmes under communication, journalism, public relations or political science, so those subject pages are worth checking too.

Programmes in Spain are taught mainly in Spanish; the master's degree of the Universidad de Navarra is taught in Spanish and English. Ask each school which language level it expects from international applicants.

Careers

Graduates work in the communication departments of companies, public bodies and political parties, in communication and public affairs consultancies, in press offices and in campaign teams. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes the work of public relations specialists as creating and maintaining a positive public image for the people and organisations they represent: writing press releases, preparing information for the media, drafting speeches and arranging interviews.

In the United States the BLS counted 314,500 jobs for public relations specialists in 2025 and projects growth of 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, with about 23,000 openings a year. For public relations and fundraising managers it counted 129,600 jobs and projects growth of 6 percent. Specialists typically need a bachelor's degree in public relations, another communications field, social science or business. Managers typically need a bachelor's degree and many years of related experience, and some positions require a master's degree.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a degree in journalism to study political and corporate communication?

Not necessarily. The Máster en Comunicación Corporativa e Institucional of ESUE, for example, is open to graduates of any discipline who hold an official university degree. Check the admission requirements of each programme.

How long does a master's degree in this field take?

Usually one academic year. The official master's degree of the Universidad de Navarra has 60 ECTS credits and lasts 10 months.

What is the difference between an official master's degree and a lifelong-learning master's programme in Spain?

An official degree (máster universitario) follows the national rules of 60, 90 or 120 ECTS credits. A lifelong-learning programme (formación permanente) is the university's own qualification. Ask the school which one it awards and what recognition it has.

Is political communication only about election campaigns?

No. It also covers the communication of governments and institutions, public affairs and lobbying, and opinion research.