MA in Journalism
This MA – which is accredited by the Periodical Training Council (PTC) – combines practical and theoretical approaches to journalism as a multi-media skill that can be applied to newspapers, magazines, the web and television.
Riddhi Shah, former MA Journalism student
1 year full-time.
14th February 2011 for entry the following September. Applications received by the deadline date are guaranteed consideration; we are happy to look at late applications.
Please include samples of your journalistic work in English. Please see ‘Returning your work’. International (non-EU) students who normally work in a language other than English will be required to carry out a short assessment in English. Admission is normally by interview and test.
Due to the popularity of this programme we ask you for a deposit of £450 to secure any offer made to you after applying for the programme. The deposit will be credited against your tuition fees when you enrol.
Please see How to apply.
As well as an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in a related subject, you should have a level of practical experience in a relevant area. If your first language is not English, you normally need a minimum score of 7.0 in IELTS with a score of 8.0 in the written part of the test. We do not accept TOEFL as a qualification for this MA programme. Find out more about our English Language requirements.
Scott Trust Bursary [pdf]
AHRC Professional Preparation Master’s Competition
entrants can apply under the journalism or the digital pathways.
Graduates go on to work in a wide variety of jobs in newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, and online media.
Familiarity with a wide range of journalistic techniques and practices; specific practice skills to a high level; awareness of the wider ethical, legal and technological contexts of journalistic practice; awareness of the qualities of your own work and its cultural significance; understanding of the pleasures of media consumption.
Please see Tuition fees.
Please see Staff research interests.
Media & Communications
What you study
The practical component of the programme focuses on the basic journalistic skills common to the different media. Your work will be primarily text based, but you will learn how to apply your skills to newspapers, web, and magazines, with additional courses in video and audio. We produce our own local web-based news service - www.eastlondonlines.co.uk - which services the East London Line communities.
Our magazines (produced in term three) regularly win the annual Periodical Training Council competition for student magazines.
Courses cover news writing, features and web production. Additional practical courses include: video and audio production; slide shows and mapping; design and layout; and shorthand. You are also encouraged to carry out work experience.
For the final examination you will produce a portfolio of print and web journalism work which includes your jointly-produced magazine. All your tutors will be journalists with many years' experience between them. There are also workshops run by visiting lecturers. Past lecturers have come from The Times, Guardian, Marie Claire, Community Care, BBC, Illumina Digital, and many more.
The theoretical element of the programme comprises three lecture series:
- Journalism in Context examines different perspectives on the relationship between ideological and economic power, with particular reference to journalism. This course specifically addresses the very particular crisis engendered by current economic and technical changes and new modes of news delivery. The course is examined by essay.
- International Media Law addresses comparative media law and prepares students for an examination.
- Asking the Right Questions covers research skills and is largely delivered by visiting experts in the field. It is examined via various projects requiring research skills.
Graduates from this MA go on to work in a variety of jobs in newspapers (mainly national), magazines, TV, radio, and online. If you want to read more about them you can view the profiles on the site created by our students.
Assessment
Portfolio of original journalism; written examination; coursework; contributions to group projects and discussions.
Application enquiries
Please see how to apply for information on applying to this programme.