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Department

Media, Communications and Cultural Studies

Length

1 year full-time

Course overview

Goldsmiths' operating principles for 2022-23 have not yet been finalised but should changes be required to teaching in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we will publish these as early as possible for prospective students wishing to start their programme in September 2022.

Navigate new adventures on this long-standing MA radio practice and audio production programme. Bring your existing knowledge and experience to analyse radio from a theoretical and practical perspective.

Radio and audio have the potential to be transformative, to further the human experience. It’s a medium that creates a sense of intimacy while continually generating questions. This is a programme that empowers you to create something permanent, something with a life beyond your own – something only sound can achieve.

The Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies has been ranked 2nd in the UK for 'world-leading or internationally excellent' research (Research Excellence Framework, 2021) and 12th in the world (2nd in the UK) in the 2022 QS World Rankings for communication and media studies.

The questions we explore

The MA poses questions about the influence of radio as a medium and the power it has to stir emotions, evoke feelings, and conjure vivid mental images. We look at the ways in which recording technologies can preserve and hold on to an aspect of our existence – be that a cultural exchange or an artistic communication – and how we can inspire future generations with the work we create. 

The processes we use

The degree blends theory and practice so you’ll work within professional standard broadcast and post-production suites and use sound studios linked to a networked newsroom. We also have our own student radio station broadcasting online with an FM restricted service licence. As an MA Radio student, you can also learn online production skills and publish sound-specific features on Londonmultimedianews.com

The approach we take

We adopt a reflective, humanitarian approach to storytelling because we think that to develop the creative imagination, we need to embrace all kinds of belief systems. It’s why our students go and spend time within communities, continue questioning, continue listening, and research everything from academic journals to novels. 

We give you the space and time to consider how different strands of thought and aspects of communication intertwine. And we don’t get in the way of talent; we encourage and support it. 

Come and develop your own idea of the sonic arts and create everything from investigative journalism to interactive soundscapes.

This degree is part of our School of Journalism. Find out more about what we do and other degrees we teach.

Promise of performance

This minimum 70% media practice one year programme aims to provide teaching and learning to a minimum professional standard in creative radio, radio and multimedia journalism, radio/audio documentary and drama, and live radio broadcasting.  
 
This is combined with advanced teaching and assessment in media law, regulation and ethics in the international context, use of voice in broadcasting, radio/sound newsgathering, production and publication online and by broadcasting, journalistic research and preparation of commissioning proposals for broadcasting networks.
 
Students are expected to meet professional and industry standards through their attendance on this programme. This includes obtaining a minimum of 15 days of professional experience in a radio and audio journalism production environment. Through attendance on this programme the students are expected to demonstrate a professional understanding of public affairs, interpretation of media statistics, applying maths in journalism, and an effective working knowledge of current affairs.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Tim Crook.

What you'll study

Overview

You work in practice and theory groups, and take modules that cover:

  • radio features and drama
  • radio journalism and documentary
  • key media law and ethical issues in relation to UK and US media law
  • the cultural history of radio (primarily in Britain and the USA)
  • adapting prose, film and theatre for radio dramatisation

Throughout the year, the programme includes workshops and seminars by visiting professionals and artists in the radio journalism and radio drama fields. We are happy to support work experience placements in professional newsrooms and radio drama productions. The programme offers students the opportunity to learn Teeline shorthand, television recording techniques and online applications for radio.

We also encourage you to support the Goldsmiths student radio station Wired FM.

Modules

The MA is composed of the following modules:

Module title Credits
  Creative Audio

Creative Audio

60 credits

Creative Audio seeks to encourage the students to experiment and explore the sound medium while utilizing the substantial developments in digital technology in recent years. The students are expected to learn creative sound production techniques, the principles of story-telling and be able to decide the appropriate genre and method for creative expression for their programmes.

 60 credits
  Radio Journalism

Radio Journalism

45 credits

This module seeks to train and educate the student up to a baseline standard for entry into professional radio journalism environments. This involves focusing on the basic skills of journalism: research, story origination, news gathering, interviewing, writing, presentation, bulletin editing, news programme editing, and managing the allocation of news resources. The module focuses on radio journalism techniques that are specific and cultural to the radio/sound medium. 

 45 credits
  Media, Law and Ethics (PG)

Media, Law and Ethics (PG)

30 credits

The module investigates the nature of media law and ethical regulation for media practitioners primarily in the UK, but with some comparison with the situation in the USA and references to the experiences of media communicators in other countries. The students are directed towards an analysis of media law, as it exists, the ethical debates concerning what the law ought to be, and the historical development of legal and regulatory controls of communication. The theoretical underpinning involves a module of learning the subject of media jurisprudence- the study of the philosophy of media law, media ethicology (the study of the knowledge of ethics/morality in media communication), and media ethicism (the belief systems in the political context that influence journalistic conduct and content). The module evaluates media law and regulation in terms of its social and cultural context. Media Law and Ethics is a dynamic subject with dramatic and significant changes and developments occurring from year to year addressing acute issues in journalism, current affairs and politics. As a result the module content is substantially revised year after year in response to these developments.

 30 credits
  Sound Storytelling and Intertextuality of Narrative

Sound Storytelling and Intertextuality of Narrative

15 credits

This module is a practical course in writing audio/radio drama by adaptation, dramatisation, and original dramatic writing based on an idea that could be documentary, life experience or other artistic inspiration.

The module explores the common aspects of sound narrative in different practice media and critically investigates to an advanced standard how audio-genic techniques transfer intertextually between radio, prose, theatre, and film.

 15 credits
  Asking the Right Questions: Research and Practice

Asking the Right Questions: Research and Practice

15 credits

This module offers an introduction to practical research methodologies and their deployment in various different specialist journalism fields. The module evolves a critical approach to the many different sources journalists use, the compromises involved and constraints within which they work.

Subjects to be covered can change according to outside events and the availability of professional speakers, but are expected include sourcing and using data, the use of the Freedom of Information Act, investigative journalism, economic and political journalism, the problems and pitfalls of reporting conflict, managing human, particularly vulnerable, human sources.

 

 15 credits
  Radio Studies – A Cultural Enquiry

Radio Studies – A Cultural Enquiry

15 credits

This module explores the cultural history and practice of radio. The modules attempt to take an international approach to the cultural history and contemporary practice of radio drama, journalism, documentary, music programming and radio journalism. The overall aim is to investigate how radio broadcasting institutions and the content of their programmes served the imagination of their host cultures and societies.

The course is built around a structure of key concepts: Radio media language, Radio representation, Radio audience, Radio Ideology, Radio Institution, Radio Narrative and Radio genre.

 

 15 credits

Assessment

Portfolio of recorded work; unseen examination; essay; 30-minute radio drama script.

Download the programme specification. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office.

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

For 2021-22 and 2020–21, we have made some changes to how the teaching and assessment of certain programmes are delivered. To check what changes affect this programme, please visit the programme changes page.

Entry requirements

You should usually have a first degree at 2:1 level but consideration is given to those with a professional background in radio and media, and there is special entry for applicants who could not go to university because of social circumstances.

Applications are also assisted by including evidence of broadcasting or programme production.

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 7.0 with a 7.0 in writing and no element lower than 6.5 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study.

Fees, funding & scholarships

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2022/2023 academic year.

  • Home - full-time: £9260
  • International - full-time: £20250

If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time if you require a Student Visa, however this is currently being reviewed and will be confirmed in the new year. Please read our visa guidance in the interim for more information. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment.

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page.

There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.

Funding opportunities

Find out more about postgraduate fees and explore funding opportunities. If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an application deadline.

Jay Merriman-Mukoro Scholarship

The Jay Merriman-Mukoro Scholarship offers a fee waiver, living grant and professional opportunities to UK/EU students on the MA Radio programme who meet certain criteria.

Find out more about the Jay Merriman-Mukoro Scholarship and how to apply.

How to apply

Apply now

You apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system. 

Before submitting your application you’ll need to have:

  • Details of your education history, including the dates of all exams/assessments
  • The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively an electronic copy of your academic reference
  • A personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online

          Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement

  • If available, an electronic copy of your educational transcript (this is particularly important if you have studied outside of the UK, but isn’t mandatory)

CDs or URLs of your audio/radio work and other forms of multimedia may assist your application. When submitting your application, please also submit (upload under 'additional') an example of your recent work in a related field, or include links to a page hosting that work. Failing which, please post an example of that work to: Admissions Office, Goldsmiths, New Cross, London SE14 6NW, UK. Please make sure you include your application reference number (which you will receive when you enter your online application) and the MA degree title. Find out more about providing work.

You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.

We 'batch' applications for this programme. This means that we'll wait until the closing date and then assess all applications together, to make sure they receive equal consideration. Therefore you won't receive a decision from us until after the closing date.

Deadline for applications

There is no deadline for applications, but the programme is oversubscribed so applicants are encouraged to apply early.

How are applications considered?

Applications are considered on a rolling basis. Decisions are usually made within one month of a completed application being received.

Are applicants interviewed?

Yes. Interviews held in person on campus, by Skype, or if necessary by telephone.

Is a portfolio required?

It is advisable though not compulsory for applications to provide evidence of work they have done in audio, radio whether broadcast or online.

What we look for in a personal statement

We look for a passion for radio and sound. We also ask for you to explain why you have applied for this particular course, and what you hope to achieve.

Find out more about applying.

Staff

Find out about staff in the Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies.

Careers

Our graduates go on to work as broadcast journalists, creative programme makers, and foreign correspondents – and MA students are consistently winning significant awards for their work. For example in 2012, MA Radio students had considerable success in the Charles Parker student radio feature awards and the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) Awards for Best Radio News Feature and Best Online News Website.

In 2013 MA Radio students took Gold and Silver in the Charles Parker awards, and in the 2015 BJTC awards all the awards for Best Radio Feature and Best Radio Documentary went to Goldsmiths radio students. Our MA Radio alumni are also winning awards in the UK and abroad for their professional work too.

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths. 

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