Masters Degrees (Cultural Journalism)

About the course

Do you want to report the news from the most interesting and important parts of the world? Are you committed to a career in journalism but need the professional skills?

From the moment you start our International Journalism MA course you will learn to deliver high quality video, audio, online and print journalism.

The International Journalism MA is designed to provide our students with digital multiplatform journalism skills and advanced understanding of the context of journalism in the fast changing world of news media. This is a challenging, employment orientated course in a major London university focussed on international reporting.

We believe the sooner you get practical experience of a real journalism workplace the sooner you will be ready to join the industry. All our students find placements in the news industry while they are with us. The course features a synthesis of practical and theoretical skills contextualising different forms of journalistic practice within a framework of technological, political and cultural change.

As a research university we are able to offer small course groups so we provide a bespoke service where we know and advise each student individually in their skills and journalism career. We choose students from all over the world.

This course is suitable for:

A recent or mature graduate from a wide range of degree disciplines wanting a career in journalism or to develop a research interest in international news media.

A mature student without a first degree, but with some relevant professional experience. We consider each individual on their merits.

Aims

You will acquire the skills and knowledge to immediately enter the journalism industry in an international context, and will be equipped to undertake further postgraduate level research.

You will gain comprehensive and sophisticated understanding of the advanced academic study of international journalism, and the techniques and principles applied in practice.

You will be provided with the relevant expertise and learning environment to support your critical and practical engagement with issues at the heart of analysing and practising international journalism.

[email protected] employment rates are excellent, with graduates working for news organisations like BBC World Service, Norway’s DTK TV News, Italy’s Il Mattino and London’s China Weekly.

Course Content

This strongly vocational programme is distinctive in allowing students to develop their own journalistic practice at the same time as learning about the impact of technological change, cultural developments and political issues on different forms of global journalism.

Particular attention will be paid to the global versus the local, which will be examined through practical assignments as well as media ownership, the legal context, issues pertaining to journalistic ethics, and the role of journalism in the international political process.

The programme builds on the success of the School of Arts' postgraduate provision by providing a broad-based programme, within a credit framework, offering you the opportunity for specialisation. It consists of a common core of study in journalism, with an offer of specialist study in print/online or broadcast journalism, which will facilitate student entry into different aspects of the industry.

This is particularly relevant in the context of a converging media industry requiring multi-skilling and the ability to adapt to new media environments.

The programme will be delivered by a combination of academics based at Brunel (who also have considerable journalistic experience) and visiting journalists and legal experts working in key positions within the media industries.

You will greatly benefit from the College's excellent links with the journalism, broadcasting and publishing industries, and will be offered the opportunity for work placement.

The MA consists of compulsory modules, a typical selection can be found below. Modules can vary from year to year, but these offer a good idea of what we teach:

Journalistic Practice 2
International Institutions
Journalism Issues
Global News Analysis
News and Feature Writing
Major International Journalism Project

Contact Hours

Full time option only:
Term One: 11 Contact hours + 3 hours optional lecture + tutorials and guest speakers
Term Two: 10 Contact hours + tutorials and guest speakers

The course provides for an optional data journalism course in term one.

Assessment

Assessments will take the form of practical projects and tasks, essays, exams, case studies, presentations, reflexive reports and dissertations.

Assessing students’ knowledge and understanding of theoretical debates, hermeneutic skills and understanding of the historical and institutional context of different international journalism practices will be undertaken via written essays.

The assessments covering these cognitive skills are practical exercises, written work and productions which test the acquisition of practical skills and strategies; essays which test theoretical and historical knowledge; and the final journalism project (and accompanying written analysis) which requires a summation of the critical, creative and practical skills learned during the programme.

The Major Project will test students’ theoretical knowledge and practical skills (with supporting reflexive practice) to A-Level commensurate with a Master's qualification. Dissertations are usually agreed in advance with the supervising tutor.

Special Features

The International Journalism MA has the following signature characteristics:

- Multi-skilling in journalism technology
- An emphasis on writing for global journalism
- Specialist activity for informed career choice
- Journalism practice contextualised within a framework of technological, legal, political and broader cultural change
- Work placement, with experience of real-world journalism, supported by strong Brunel/industry links
- International news agenda where students from all over the globe share their journalism and cultural experiences.

8 Reasons to study International Journalism MA

You will be a multi-platform journalist
From the moment you start our course you will learn to deliver high quality video, audio, online and print journalism in our fantastic, 24-hour, state-of-the-art digital newsroom and studios. You will develop the mind-set to find lots of ways to report and present a story or feature to deadline using the very latest techniques. We push you hard and help you develop your personal, professional and intellectual skills. Our course is transformative.

You will be highly employable
Editors come to us when recruiting journalists. Brunel Journalists are now working as staff in top newsrooms across the globe, including the BBC, Norway’s NDK, The Guardian, The Independent, news agencies, glossy consumer magazines, business-to-business journals, websites, local and regional press and broadcasting. Several are now award winning journalists.

You will receive individual attention
As a research university our course groups are small and we can provide individual tutoring. All full-time lecturers are available at least four hours per week for personal consultation on academic issues. A structure of senior tutor and year tutors provides students with an easily accessible system for addressing queries about the programme. Each student has access to top journalists for career guidance.

We have top weekly guest speakers
[email protected] features an impressive record of top level guest speakers from the news industry. This year we have speakers from Cosmopolitan, the Guardian, the Independent, BBC, Sky, Daily Express, C4 News and more.

Great work placements
Brunel journalists land all the best placements, gain enviable referees and see their bylines in leading publications. We have one of the best university Professional Development Centres in the UK who coach our students not only in CV and application writing but also help them develop the necessary skills to exceed at job interviews. We have great contacts with local media including Trinity Mirror newspapers which provides for very easy work experience.

You are taught by top industry names
Our staff team and visiting lecturers comprise some of the biggest names in the business, such as leading investigative journalist Paul Lashmar (World in Action, The Observer, The Independent), Jacquie Hughes (Granada, BBC) and many more. You get the very best expertise preparing you for your career.

London-based campus environment
Brunel’s campus is a lively and attractive environment that buzzes with creativity and diversity, and is within easy reach of Central London. There is always something going on and a wide variety of amenities ranging from the bars and cafés to the computing clusters and the Library.
[email protected] visits to some of London’s major news organisations. Recent visits have included Sky News, Bloomberg and The Guardian.

There’s great student media on site
Whether you fancy going on air, online or in print, you can do it here at Brunel. There’s student radio, a student newspaper and a host of online opportunities at your fingertips to enhance your CV and boost your employability. You will also have the opportunity to compete in national student media awards.

But it’s not all hard work…
There are industry trips, days out, screenings, quizzes, networking events to build your contacts, confidence and just to have fun.

Read less

About the course

MA Journalism (NCTJ-accredited) offers you one of the best ways to launch your journalism career – whatever the medium you hope to work in.

Our programme is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists, ensuring you get a qualification that really counts when you apply for your first position. Unlike other single-medium Journalism MAs, you will be taught journalism from the basic building blocks of online reporting and writing through to substantial news and feature projects in video, audio and print and multi-platform.

You will be studying not only for your prestigious Brunel Master's degree but also the NCTJ Diploma, which examines you in Reporting, Public Affairs, Law, Video, Teeline shorthand and a Portfolio. We work in close consultation with senior journalists, ensuring our syllabus provides a rigorous foundation to a career in this dynamic, challenging and often controversial industry.

This programme is distinctive in allowing you to develop your own cutting-edge journalistic practice, whether it's exploring 3G news, or on-screen page make-up. At the same time you learn about the impact of technological change, cultural developments and political issues surrounding different forms of journalism.

Particular attention will be paid to factors such as ethics, professionalism, media ownership, the regulation of the media, and the role of journalism in the political process.

The Journalism Diversity Fund is aimed at people from diverse backgrounds who need help funding their journalism training. Candidates must be from a socially or ethnically diverse background, be able to demonstrate genuine commitment to becoming a successful journalist and have secured a place on an NCTJ-accredited course. For more information, please visit http://www.journalismdiversityfund.com/

Aims

You will gain a systematic understanding of the field of contemporary journalism and a critical understanding of the current problems in the field.

You will acquire an understanding of the main theoretical approaches and techniques of journalism. You will be encouraged to use these critically, both in their studies of journalism and their own critical practice.

You will be provided with a critical understanding of the journalistic field that will enable you to use most effectively the skills which they acquire on the programme.

Course Content

MA Journalism consists of a common core of study in journalism, with an offer of specialist study in print or broadcast journalism in the second term, which will facilitate your entry into different aspects of the industry. This is particularly relevant in the context of a converging media industry requiring multi-skilling and the ability to adapt to new media environments.

The programme will consist of five modules - two that provide cutting-edge journalism skills essential for the new entrant to the industry, coupled with two that offer in-depth analysis of the recent history and political economy of the industry, critical evaluation of the cultural, political, ethical and legal frameworks within which journalism operates, and academic interrogation of current and emerging journalistic issues.

The fifth module, a major project, requires a synthesis of practice and theory. Through undertaking these modules, you will be enabled to identify and apply the most useful practical, theoretical and contextual approaches to help you to produce “good” journalism. In this way, you can enter journalism confident of your abilities, with highly-developed research skills, ethical judgement, the necessary contextual knowledge and an ability to navigate successfully an increasingly market-led industry.

The MA consists of compulsory modules, a typical selection can be found below. Modules can vary from year to year, but these offer a good idea of what we teach:

Journalistic Practice 1
Journalistic Practice 2
Issues in Journalism
Major Research Project

Contact Hours

Full-time: Minimum four days attendance per week

Part-time: Three days in year 1 and 1-2 days in year two provided the 100wpm Teeline exam has been passed in year 1.

These are the attendance hours for terms 1 and 2. Terms 3/4 are more varied and flexible as this is when you will have assignments, exams and supervision.

Assessment

Assessments will take the form of practical projects and tasks, essays, exams, case studies, presentations, reflexive reports and dissertations.

Assessing students’ knowledge and understanding of theoretical debates, hermeneutic skills and understanding of the historical and institutional context of different international journalism practices will be undertaken via written essays.

The assessments covering these cognitive skills are practical exercises, written work and productions which test the acquisition of practical skills and strategies; essays which test theoretical and historical knowledge; and the final journalism project (and accompanying written analysis) which requires a summation of the critical, creative and practical skills learned during the programme.

The Major Project will test students’ theoretical knowledge and practical skills (with supporting reflexive practice) to a level commensurate with a Master's qualification. Dissertations are usually agreed in advance with the supervising tutor.

Special Features

We are industry accredited
This means you will study for the NCTJ Diploma as well as your Masters degree – two qualifications in one. The NCTJ Diploma doesn’t just prepare you for local media – BBC, Sky and The Guardian are on the Board.
You will become a multi-platform journalist by learning how to work in online, print, audio and video journalism in our fantastic, 24-hour, state-of-the-art digital newsroom and studios. You will develop the mindset to find lots of ways to report and present a story or feature to deadline using the very latest techniques.

You will be highly employable
Editors come to us when recruiting journalists. Brunel Journalists are now working as staff in top newsrooms across the globe, including the BBC, The Guardian, The Independent, news agencies, glossy consumer magazines, business-to-business journals, websites, local and regional press and broadcasting. Several are award winning journalists. Find out more about where our graduates are now working.

You will receive individual attention
All full-time lecturers are available at least four hours per week for personal consultation on academic issues. A structure of senior tutor and year tutors provides students with an easily accessible system for addressing queries about the programme. Each student has access to top journalists for career guidance.

We have top weekly guest speakers
We have an impressive range of high-profile industry guest speakers, giving you the chance to network with some of the leading journalists in the country. This year we have speakers from Cosmopolitan, the Guardian, BBC, Sky, Daily Express, C4 News and more.

Great work placements
Brunel journalists land all the best placements, gain enviable referees and see their bylines in leading publications. We have one of the best university Professional Development Centres in the UK who coach our students not only in CV and application writing but also help them develop the necessary skills to exceed at job interviews.

You are taught by top industry names
Our staff team and visiting lecturers comprise some of the biggest names in the business, such as leading investigative journalist Paul Lashmar (World in Action, The Observer, The Independent), Jacquie Hughes (Granada, BBC) and many more. You get the very best expertise preparing you for your career.

London-based campus environment
Brunel’s campus is a lively and attractive environment that buzzes with creativity and diversity. There is always something going on and a wide variety of amenities ranging from the bars and cafés to the computing clusters and the library. Our students also benefit from the fantastic links to London and its local, national and global media, not only through expert speakers but also via excellent work placements.

There’s great student media on site
Whether you fancy going on air, online or in print, you can do it here at Brunel. There’s student radio, a student newspaper and a host of online opportunities at your fingertips to enhance your CV and boost your employability. You will also have the opportunity to compete in national student media awards.

But it’s not all hard work..
There are days out, screenings, quizzes, networking events to build your contacts, confidence and just to have fun.

Read less

Interested in journalism and keen to gain qualifications that will make you stand out from others? This course leads to both an MA and NCTJ Diploma in Journalism.

Course overview

‌This Masters is one of the few postgraduate degrees in the UK to be accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). NCTJ accreditation is widely recognised as a gold standard for courses that turn out highly skilled, highly motivated and highly employable trainee journalists.

‌Previous study of journalism is not a requirement. If necessary, we may ask you to undertake a short course that covers essential skills and knowledge, before you join the main Masters course.

Journalism is an intensive course that trains, write and research like a journalist. It covers media ethics and law, reporting and public affairs, shorthand, sub-editing and production. You will develop your own specialist areas of interest such as crime, health or political journalism. In the final stage of the course you can produce your own newspaper or series of in-depth articles, with support from our professional journalists.

An important benefit of a Masters at Sunderland is the relevance of our research expertise, which includes sports and magazine journalism as well as web writing and social media. Sunderland hosts the Centre for Research in Media and Cultural Studies (CRMCS) and our Media Department has been recognised for producing some world-leading and internationally excellent research.

The Journalism Diversity Fund is aimed at people from diverse backgrounds who need help funding their journalism training. Candidates must be from a socially or ethnically diverse background, be able to demonstrate genuine commitment to becoming a successful journalist and have secured a place on an NCTJ-accredited course.

This course can also be taken part time - for more information, please view this web-page: http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/courses/artsdesignandmedia/postgraduate/journalism-part-time/

Course content

The content of the course is shaped by your personal interests with guidance and inspiration from Sunderland's supportive tutors.

Modules on this course include:
Journalism – Stage 1 (60 Credits)
-News Journalism: Principles and Practice 1
-Essential Media Law
-Essential Public Affairs
-Shorthand

Journalism – Stage 2 (60 Credits)
-News Journalism: Principles and Practice 2
-Reporting
-Media Ethics and Society
-Shorthand

Journalism – Stage 3 (60 Credits)
-Dissertation

Teaching and assessment

Compared to an undergraduate course, you will find that this Masters requires a higher level of independent working. The course aims to stretch your creativity and maximise your sense of personal fulfilment.

In Stage 1 and Stage 2, you will have approx 22/23hrs teaching per week. This is arranged so that you have Friday off each week. The course is taught by respected academics and journalism professionals through a combination of newsroom workshops, seminars and tutorials. You will work on projects both on your own and with others, developing skills in communication and teamwork.

We encourage you to publish your work. The department has strong relationships with local and national media including Johnston Press, NCJ Media and Room 501 Publishing.

Facilities & location

The facilities at the David Puttnam Media Centre help you gain skills in areas such as writing, page design, online research, managing production, IT, and time management and presentation skills.

The mediaHUB
Throughout your time in Sunderland you will have an outlet for your creative talents in the mediaHUB, a bustling multimedia newsroom on the top floor of our David Puttnam Media Centre that will give you a real taste of life as a working journalist. The mediaHUB runs websites covering sport, news, entertainments and fashion, provides the content for news bulletins on our award-winning Spark Radio and is responsible for writing and editing Spark magazine.

Journalism/PR suites
We have four journalism suites, each with 18 Apple Mac workstations with design applications and video editing. There’s an additional open access project completion suite with 20 more workstations and colour laser printing.

Broadcast Journalism Newsroom
The Broadcast Journalism Newsroom has 20 workstations plus a Sky feed with two 40” plasma screens. Each workstation has industry-standard software including Newscutter, Burli and ENPS.

Technical support
The Journalism Newsroom has another 20 Mac workstations and offers drop-in sessions run by a rota of working journalists who can advise on projects, assignments and your personal portfolio. These sessions are available every day of the week during term time. In addition, technicians are available to help you use all the software and equipment.

Radio studios
We have six radio studios including a transmission suite for 107 Spark FM, our student-run community radio station and a city centre hub.

TV studios
We have two broadcast-quality TV studios complete with green room and changing facilities. Equipment includes four Steadicam rigs plus dolly, track and mini crane. We have over 40 full HD tapeless field camera systems.

Other media facilities
We have a live Sky feed and off-air recording facility, including DVD and Blu-ray recording, plus extensive footage archive/library. There is also a 203-seat cinema with full HD projection, 7.1 surround sound facility and the capability to play 3D feature films.

University Library Services
We’ve got a wide range of books, journals and e-books on relevant topics, with many more available through the inter-library loan service. Some useful resources for your studies include:
-Lexis, which provides full-text newspaper articles as well as access to legal information
-JSTOR (short for ‘Journal Storage’), which provides access to important journals across the humanities, social sciences and sciences
-Archival Sound Recordings with over 12,000 hours of recordings
-British Universities Film and Video Council (BUFVC), which provides resources for the production, study and use of film and related media in higher education and research

Employment & careers

Postgraduates are highly employable and, on average, earn more than individuals whose highest qualification is an undergraduate degree. On completing this course you will be equipped for roles throughout the PR and communications industries.

Recent Sunderland graduates are now working in PR consultancies as well as in the PR departments of organisations such as the Environment Agency, Tyne and Wear Sports and AA Press Office.

During the course we encourage you to gain industry experience which will enhance your skills, build up a valuable network of contacts and boost your employability.

A Masters degree will also enhance career opportunities within Higher Education and prepare you for further postgraduate studies.
As a professionally accredited centre for journalism education, we provide you with an opportunity to influence the future teaching of journalism. You can become an NCTJ student representative and attend a national council meeting once a year.

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Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study International Journalism at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).

The MA in International Journalism offers an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approach to contemporary journalism studies under the impact of globalisation and digitalisation, drawing upon expertise in Media and Communication Studies.

Key Features of MA in International Journalism

The MA in International Journalism provides an international and cross-cultural approach to journalism in the 21st century and aims to develop the knowledge and understanding of the role of journalism in society. The International Journalism course combines the teaching of practical skills and techniques of journalistic production with the exploration of practice from a range of theoretical and analytical perspectives. Graduates have careers in journalism, media, communication and PR, broadcasting, publishing, marketing and sales.

The College of Arts and Humanities has a Graduate Centre. The Graduate Centre fosters and supports individual and collaborative research activity of international excellence and offers a vibrant and supportive environment for students pursuing postgraduate research and taught masters study. The Centre provides postgraduate training to enhance academic and professional development and facilitates participation in seminar programmes, workshops and international conferences.

The International Journalism course structure is split across the year allowing three modules in each academic semester (a total of six modules) and then a dissertation over the summer. The dissertation component allows students to either write a 20,000 word dissertation or a journalism/media project of their own (with 10,000 word report) which draws upon issues and themes developed throughout the year.

Modules

Modules on the MA in International Journalism typically include:

• Global Media

• Conceptual Issues in the Theory and Practice of Social Sciences

• Development and Communications

• Risk Reporting

• The Digital Edge

• The Business and Politics of Digital Media

• Digital Skills and Defence

• Online Journalism

• War Reporting

• Promotional and Professional Writing

Who should Apply?

Students interested in journalism and media studies, from a media studies, literature, history, sociology, politics and international relations, social science, or other related background. Professionals interested in journalism and global media both in terms of their professional practice, but also related to fields in policy research and public administration.

Students interested in preparation for postgraduate research, MPhil or PhD, or who wish to develop skills and knowledge related to global media and international journalism.

Careers

Career expectations are excellent for International Journalism graduates. Media organizations, non-profit organizations, government and the public sector and private companies value the fact that our graduates have developed a range of critical abilities and skills in problem solving. Our International Journalism graduates enter careers in journalism (Guardian Online), broadcasting (BBC Wales), advertising, publicity, arts and cultural bodies or are employed as NGOs. Others go on to study a PhD and have a career in academia.

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The only graduate program in Cultural Studies in Western Canada, the University of Winnipeg's multidisciplinary Master of Arts in Cultural Studies is an innovative, 12-month, course-based program that offers specializations in Texts and Cultures or Curatorial Practices. Bringing together instructors from across the university and from the city's vibrant arts and culture community, the MA in Cultural Studies provides students with strong methodological and theoretical training in order to pursue further postgraduate studies or careers in a range of fields, including education, publishing, arts management, art curation, and journalism.

What is Cultural Studies?

Cultural Studies is an interdisciplinary field, drawing on theories and practices from a range of humanities and social sciences disciplines, that seeks to investigate the ways in which cultures produce and are produced. At the centre of Cultural Studies sits a host of questions, such as what constitutes a text, how some texts, visual images, and cultural artifacts come to be valued over others, and how questions of value relate to the distribution of power and authority.

Rather than concentrating exclusively on the group of elite texts that make up so-called "high culture," Cultural Studies takes as its focus the whole complex of changing beliefs, ideas, feelings, values, and symbols that define a community’s organization and sense of itself. Culture in this sense is often understood to be a primary vehicle of globalization in the contemporary world and deeply enmeshed in particular social, economical and political environments. As such, when we study culture, we are studying the world we live in and how we function in it.

Cultural Studies MA at the University of Winnipeg

Small seminars, individual attention from dedicated instructors, and strong academic development are just some of the benefits of being a student in the MA in Cultural Studies. Students specialize in one of two areas: 1) Texts and Cultures, which emphasizes theoretically-grounded cultural analysis and 2) Curatorial Practices, which focuses on museum studies.

Students in the MA in Cultural Studies take a total of 24 credit hours (the equivalent of 4 full-year courses) in a range of topic areas, including Cultural Theory; Visual Cultures; Curatorial Practices; Cultures of Childhood; Gender, Sexualities and Culture; Local, National and Global Cultures; and Manuscript, Print and Digital Cultures.

What is a multidisciplinary degree?

A multidisciplinary degree is one that allows you to study courses in a variety of subject areas. The Cultural Studies MA degree incorporates theories and methods from a variety of disciplines, including Literary Studies, History, Art History, Women’s and Gender Studies, Politics, and Rhetoric and Communications. In the Cultural Studies MA program at the University of Winnipeg, instructors from these disciplines regularly teach courses in the program and are available for Special Studies courses in which they direct the research projects of individual students.

How to prepare for an MA in Cultural Studies?

Cultural Studies is an academic field that uses critical and cultural theories to study cultural phenomena. Therefore, it is recommended that a student choose classes that use feminist theory, social theory, political theory, literary theory, and/or media theory while pursuing their undergraduate degree in order to prepare for an MA in Cultural Studies.

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Interested in magazine journalism and keen to gain qualifications that will make you stand out from others? This course leads to both an MA and NCTJ Diploma.

Course overview

This Masters ‌is one of the few postgraduate degrees in the UK to be accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). NCTJ accreditation is widely recognised as a gold standard for courses that turn out highly skilled, highly motivated and highly employable trainee journalists. Our course is ranked 4th out of the 17 UK NCTJ postgraduate courses by performance.

Previous study of journalism is not a requirement. If necessary, we may ask you to undertake a short course that covers essential skills and knowledge, before you join the main Masters course. ‌

Magazine Journalism is an intensive course that trains you to think, write and research like a journalist. It covers media ethics and law, reporting, shorthand and public affairs. You will also learn how to design and produce magazine pages using software such as Adobe InDesign. In the final stage of the course you can produce your own magazine or website, with support from our professional journalists.

An important benefit of a Masters at Sunderland is the relevance of our research expertise, which includes magazine and sports journalism as well as web writing and social media. Sunderland hosts the Centre for Research in Media and Cultural Studies (CRMCS) and our Media Department has been recognised for producing some world-leading and internationally excellent research. The Journalism Diversity Fund is aimed at people from diverse backgrounds who need help funding their journalism training.

Candidates must be from a socially or ethnically diverse background, be able to demonstrate genuine commitment to becoming a successful journalist and have secured a place on an NCTJ-accredited course.

For more information on the part time version of this course, please view this web-page: http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/courses/artsdesignandmedia/postgraduate/magazine-journalism-part-time/

Course content

The content of the course is shaped by your personal interests with guidance and inspiration from Sunderland's supportive tutors. Modules on this course include:
Magazine Journalism 1 (60 Credits)
-Magazine Journalism: Principles and Practice 1
-Essential Media Law and Public Affairs
-Business of Magazines
-Shorthand

Magazine Journalism 2 (60 Credits)
-Magazine Journalism: Principles and Practice 2
-Reporting
-Media Ethics and Society
-Shorthand

Magazine Journalism 3 (60 Credits)
-You will complete a supervised dissertation on a topic of your choice

Teaching and assessment

Compared to an undergraduate course, you will find that this Masters requires a higher level of independent working. The course aims to stretch your creativity and maximise your sense of personal fulfilment.

In Stage 1 and Stage 2, you will have approx 22/23hrs teaching per week. This is arranged so that you have Friday off each week.
The course is taught by respected academics and journalism professionals through a combination of newsroom workshops, seminars and tutorials. You will work on projects both on your own and with others, developing skills in communication and teamwork.

We encourage you to publish your work. The department has strong relationships with local and national media including Johnston Press, NCJ Media and Room 501 Publishing.

Facilities & location

The facilities at the David Puttnam Media Centre help you gain skills in areas such as writing, page design, online research, managing production, IT, and time management and presentation skills.

The mediaHUB
Throughout your time in Sunderland you will have an outlet for your creative talents in the mediaHUB, a bustling multimedia newsroom on the top floor of our David Puttnam Media Centre that will give you a real taste of life as a working journalist. The mediaHUB runs websites covering sport, news, entertainments and fashion, provides the content for news bulletins on our award-winning Spark Radio and is responsible for writing and editing Spark magazine.

Journalism/PR suites
We have four journalism suites, each with 18 Apple Mac workstations with design applications and video editing. There’s an additional open access project completion suite with 20 more workstations and colour laser printing.

Broadcast Journalism Newsroom
The Broadcast Journalism Newsroom has 20 workstations plus a Sky feed with two 40” plasma screens. Each workstation has industry-standard software including NewsCutter, Burli and ENPS.

Technical support
The Journalism Newsroom has another 20 Mac workstations and offers drop-in sessions run by a rota of working journalists who can advise on projects, assignments and your personal portfolio. These sessions are available every day of the week during term time. In addition, technicians are available to help you use all the software and equipment.

Radio studios
We have six radio studios including a transmission suite for 107 Spark FM, our student-run community radio station and a city centre hub.

TV studios
We have two broadcast-quality TV studios complete with green room and changing facilities. Equipment includes four Steadicam rigs plus dolly, track and mini crane. We have over 40 full HD tapeless field camera systems.

Other media facilities
We have a live Sky feed and off-air recording facility, including DVD and Blu-ray recording, plus extensive footage archive/library. There is also a 203-seat cinema with full HD projection, 7.1 surround sound facility and the capability to play 3D feature films.

University Library Services
We’ve got a wide range of books, journals and e-books on relevant topics, with many more available through the inter-library loan service. Some useful resources for your studies include:
-Lexis, which provides full-text newspaper articles as well as access to legal information
-JSTOR (short for ‘Journal Storage’), which provides access to important journals across the humanities, social sciences and sciences
-Archival Sound Recordings with over 12,000 hours of recordings
-British Universities Film and Video Council (BUFVC), which provides resources for the production, study and use of film and related media in higher education and research

Employment & careers

On completing this course you will be equipped for employment at an advanced level, with opportunities in both print and digital media. Potential roles include working for consumer magazines, writing features in newspapers, and working in various positions across the communications, media and marketing industries.

The course’s accreditation by the National Council for Training of Journalists (NCTJ) will boost your employability within journalism. You can choose, at an additional cost, to gain the NCTJ’s Diploma in Journalism.

Recent Sunderland graduates are now working for employers such as NCJ Media, Johnston Press and Media Works. Some graduates have started up their own media organisations.

During the course we encourage you to gain industry experience which will enhance your skills, build up a valuable network of contacts and boost your employability. The Department has good links with regional media organisations and national organisations like IPC and Future plc.

A Masters degree will also enhance career opportunities within Higher Education and prepare you for further postgraduate studies.

Read less

Interested in sports journalism and keen to gain qualifications that will make you stand out from others? This course leads to both an MA and NCTJ Diploma.

Course overview

This Masters is one of the few postgraduate degrees in the UK to be accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). The combination of an MA and NCTJ Diploma will significantly boost your employability as a sports journalist. This course is ranked 6th out of the 17 UK NCTJ postgraduate courses by performance.

This is an intensive course that trains you to think, write and research like a journalist; previous study of journalism is not a requirement. You will learn how to write previews, match reports and sports features, and you will also cover media ethics and law, reporting and shorthand. In the final stage of the course, you will undertake a dissertation or a practical project, such as a sports journalism website or a series of in-depth articles.

We encourage you to publish your work and build up your portfolio. Opportunities for publication include SportsByte, our student-run website covering sport across Sunderland.

An important benefit of a Masters at Sunderland is the relevance of our research expertise, which includes sports and magazine journalism as well as web writing and social media. Sunderland hosts the Centre for Research in Media and Cultural Studies (CRMCS) and our Media Department has been recognised for producing some world-leading and internationally excellent research.

The Journalism Diversity Fund is aimed at people from diverse backgrounds who need help funding their journalism training.

Candidates must be from a socially or ethnically diverse background, be able to demonstrate genuine commitment to becoming a successful journalist and have secured a place on an NCTJ-accredited course.

For more information on the part time version of this course, please view this web-page: http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/courses/artsdesignandmedia/postgraduate/sports-journalism-part-time/

Course content

The content of the course is shaped by your personal interests with guidance and inspiration from Sunderland's supportive tutors. Modules on this course include:
Sports Journalism 1 (60 Credits)
-Sports Journalism: Principles and Practice 1
-Essential Media Law
-Essential Public Affairs
-Shorthand

Sports Journalism 2 (60 Credits)
-Sports Journalism: Principles and Practice 2
-Reporting
-Media Ethics and Society
-Shorthand

Sports Journalism 3 (60 Credits)
-You will complete a supervised dissertation on a topic of your choice

Teaching and assessment

Compared to an undergraduate course, you will find that this Masters requires a higher level of commitment and independent working. The course aims to stretch your creativity and maximise your sense of personal fulfilment.

In Stage 1 and Stage 2, you will have approx 22/23hrs teaching per week. This is arranged so that you have Friday off each week. We encourage you to publish your work. The department has strong relationships with local and national media including Johnston Press, NCJ Media and Room 501 Publishing.

Facilities & location

The facilities at the David Puttnam Media Centre help you gain skills in areas such as writing, page design, online research, managing production, IT, and time management and presentation skills.

The mediaHUB
Throughout your time in Sunderland you will have an outlet for your creative talents in the mediaHUB, a bustling multimedia newsroom on the top floor of our David Puttnam Media Centre that will give you a real taste of life as a working journalist. The mediaHUB runs websites covering sport, news, entertainments and fashion, provides the content for news bulletins on our award-winning Spark Radio and is responsible for writing and editing Spark magazine.

Journalism/PR suites
We have four journalism suites, each with 18 Apple Mac workstations with design applications and video editing. There’s an additional open access project completion suite with 20 more workstations and colour laser printing.

Broadcast Journalism Newsroom
The Broadcast Journalism Newsroom has 20 workstations plus a Sky feed with two 40” plasma screens. Each workstation has industry-standard software including Newscutter, Burli and ENPS.

Technical support
The Journalism Newsroom has another 20 Mac workstations and offers drop-in sessions run by a rota of working journalists who can advise on projects, assignments and your personal portfolio. These sessions are available every day of the week during term time. In addition, technicians are available to help you use all the software and equipment.

Radio studios
We have six radio studios including a transmission suite for 107 Spark FM, our student-run community radio station and a city centre hub.

TV studios
We have two broadcast-quality TV studios complete with green room and changing facilities. Equipment includes four Steadicam rigs plus dolly, track and mini crane. We have over 40 full HD tapeless field camera systems.

Other media facilities
We have a live Sky feed and off-air recording facility, including DVD and Blu-ray recording, plus extensive footage archive/library. There is also a 203-seat cinema with full HD projection, 7.1 surround sound facility and the capability to play 3D feature films.

University Library Services
We’ve got a wide range of books, journals and e-books on relevant topics, with many more available through the inter-library loan service. Some useful resources for your studies include:
-Lexis, which provides full-text newspaper articles as well as access to legal information
-JSTOR (short for ‘Journal Storage’), which provides access to important journals across the humanities, social sciences and sciences
-Archival Sound Recordings with over 12,000 hours of recordings
-British Universities Film and Video Council (BUFVC), which provides resources for the production, study and use of film and related media in higher education and research

Employment & careers

On completing this course, you will be equipped for employment at an advanced level, with opportunities throughout the sports journalism industry. Potential roles include various positions across the communications, media, marketing and sports industries.

The course’s accreditation by the National Council for Training of Journalists (NCTJ) will boost your employability within journalism. You can choose, at an additional cost, to gain the NCTJ’s Diploma in Journalism.

Recent Sunderland graduates are now working with organisations such as Sky Tyne and Wear and Durham County Cricket Club.

During the course we encourage you to gain industry experience which will enhance your skills, build up a valuable network of contacts and boost your employability. The Department has close links with regional organisations including North East Press and NCJ Media. The North East is famous for its sport and you will have opportunities for match visits, press conferences and interviews at local clubs including Sunderland AFC, Newcastle United, Newcastle Falcons and Durham CCC.

A Masters degree will also enhance career opportunities within Higher Education and prepare you for further postgraduate studies.

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This programme takes a philosophical, theoretical and historical approach to cultural studies, exploring the work of cultural criticism, reception and production through new critical perspectives, interdisciplinary insights and a vast spectrum of applications and opportunities.

We study the major traditions of cultural theory, including semiology, deconstruction, feminism, psychoanalysis, and Frankfurt School theories of the aesthetic, the media and technology. This training enables you to shape your thinking critically and develop your interests in a rigorously analytical context.

These theoretical and historical perspectives allow us to tease out the critical charge embedded in the notion of culture itself, and the transformative potential of creative and critical work in the arts and humanities.

Close reading and textuality are at the heart of the course, encouraging you to think critically about issues of modernity and postmodernity, the postcolonial, subjectivity and sexuality.

Diverse and dynamic

Founded in 1987 (as MA Cultural Studies), and situated in the School of Fine Art, History of Art & Cultural Studies, this programme appeals to students from across the humanities who are interested in a broad range of objects and genres including literature, film and the visual arts, performance, music, and philosophy.

You’ll work alongside students in different creative and critical disciplines and benefit from the diverse research interests of our tutors. It’s a dynamic environment where you’ll gain valuable knowledge and skills in a city with a vibrant cultural life.

Leeds University Library is one of the major academic research libraries in the UK with extensive print, online and manuscript collections. The University Library offers a comprehensive training programme to help you make the most of them. The School houses Parallax, published by Taylor and Francis, an internationally distributed journal of cultural theory and analysis.

Course content

The two modules that sit at the heart of this course will develop your understanding of cultural theory over time.

A core module in Cultural Theory offers an introduction to key paradigms, focusing on theories of the commodity, language, discourse, subjectivity and sexuality.

The second core module, Cultural History, explores the genealogies of contemporary theory in relation to a longer tradition of cultural criticism that emerged, with modernity itself, in the 18th century. Emphasis is given to practices of close reading, the question of textuality and the case study.

You will develop an understanding of the ideas of ‘commodity’ and commodity fetish’ that are central to the study of consumer culture, as well as issues around language, sign and discourse and subjectivity. You will put this into the context of the development of cultural studies, focusing on thinkers from Rousseau to Kant and Homi Bhabha. You will use film and other texts to explore these ideas.

In each semester, you will also have the chance to specialise when you choose from a range of optional modules.

We provide an integrated course of training in advanced level research. The skills you will develop, combined with the specialist knowledge built through your optional modules, will ultimately be focused in your dissertation ― an independent and self-devised research project, which you will undertake with the guidance of your supervisor. In Semester 2, you will present some of your own research at the annual MA Symposium.

If you choose to study part-time, you will study over a longer period and take fewer modules in each year.

Course structure

Compulsory modules

• Cultural Theory 30 credits
• Advanced Research Skills 15 credits
• Advanced Research Skills 25 credits
• Cultural History 30 credits
• Cultural Studies: Dissertation 50 credits

Optional modules

• Derrida and Deconstruction 30 credits
• Making Sense of Sound 30 credits
• Capitalism-Criticism-Contemporary Art 30 credits
• Unfinished Business: Trauma, Cultural Memory and the Holocaust 30 credits
• Aesthetics and Politics 30 credits
• Encountering Things: Art and Entanglement in Anglo-Saxon England 30 credits
• The Origins of Postcolonial England 30 credits
• Humanity, Animality and Globality 30 credits
• Individual Directed Study 30 credits

For more information on typical modules, read Critical and Cultural Theory MA Full Time in the course catalogue

For more information on typical modules, read Critical and Cultural Theory MA Part Time in the course catalogue

Learning and teaching

To help you benefit from the expertise of our tutors, we use a range of teaching and learning methods. These include seminars, film screenings, lectures, online learning and tutorials. Independent study is also a crucial component, allowing you to form your own ideas and develop your research and critical skills.

Assessment

Assessment methods will vary depending on the modules you choose. However, among others they may include essays, in-course assessment, group and individual presentations, poster presentations and portfolio or e-portfolio work.

Career opportunities

This programme will develop your critical and cultural awareness and expand your subject knowledge in theories and histories of culture. In addition, it will equip you with sophisticated research, analytical, critical and communication skills that will put you in a good position to succeed in a variety of careers.

Many of our graduates have also continued with their research at PhD level and secured external funding to support them – including AHRC scholarships. A large proportion of our former research students are now developing academic careers in the UK, Europe, Asia, USA and Australia.

Some have taken up posts working as curators and education staff in museums and galleries, as well as in journalism, publishing, arts marketing, public relations, university administration and teaching.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

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The MSc in Computational and Data Journalism is a cutting-edge programme based at the UK’s leading Journalism School (Guardian’s University Guide 2016). It is jointly delivered by the School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies and the School of Computer Science and Informatics.

This programme provides the perfect vantage point from which to succeed in digital journalist and allows you to develops skills in both data journalism and newsroom development. No previous knowledge of computing is necessary and the programme is open to graduates from any discipline.

This MSc is ideal for recent graduates looking for specialist skills in digital journalism and coding that are proven to be in demand by leading organisations. We also work with working journalists looking to develop their skills in this growing area of the industry.

As a hands-on programme, it focuses on the development of knowledge and skills through research-informed practical learning in journalism, data science, computer coding and digital development.

During this one-year, full-time Master's degree, you will benefit from a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops to develop your skills in an open, discussion-driven environment.

You will develop a solid foundation in journalism and computing, before specialising in your areas of interest and finally completing a practical and research-based dissertation project using the unique skills that you have acquired.

This programme is the perfect foundation for a career at the forefront of digital journalism. It has been designed to respond to a shortage in skills reported by employers and built to develop professional writing and editorial skills. In addition, it delivers specialist training to understanding data, coding and web application development.

Distinctive features

• This innovative programme is the first of its kind in the UK and is supported by leading industry bodies such as the Financial Times, the BBC and the Office for National Statistics

• Specialist modules include science reporting, sport, business journalism, crisis reporting, visual communication and information design

• The course has a strong focus on practical application of the skills acquired

Structure

This is a year-long, full-time course. It is taught through a mix of formal lectures, demonstrations, and practical exercises as well as individual and team projects but always with a focus on applying the skills in the real world.

The course is structured in three phases – foundation, application and specialisation, dissertation - to support you in the development of skills and knowledge in the key aspects of the course.

You will initially gain a solid foundation in journalism and computing before specialising in your areas of interest and finally, completing a practical and research-based dissertation project using the unique skills that you have acquired.

Core modules:

Information Processing in Python
Web Application Development
Reporters and the Reported
Digital Investigation
Data Journalism
Data Journalism
Dissertation Project

Optional modules:

Computer Science Topic 1: Web and Social Computing
Human Centric Computing
Visual Communication and Information Design
Reporting Business, Finance & Economics
Global Crisis Reporting
Reporting Health and Science
Managing Print Media in a Digital World
Motoring Journalism
Business and Financial Journalism
Lifestyle & Consumer Journalism
Political Reporting
Sports Journalism
Data Journalism
Yr Agenda Cymreig

Teaching

You will be taught through a variety of formal lectures, practical exercises, and individual or group projects which replicate an industry environment.

You will benefit from a dedicated programme of seminars to complement your skills and understanding across the two different disciplines and to bring together the issues arising from the existing teaching modules.

You will also attend a cross-computing/journalism set of workshops and seminars, which support early application and development of the skills developed through each of the subject areas.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a wide range of formative and summative assessments throughout the course. These range from practical class room activities to academic essays and examinations.

Career prospects

The skills taught by this MSc are in demand with employers. Students from the course have gone on to work as data journalists with national news organisations. Students on this programme have also included working journalists looking to specialise in this important area of growth within the media.

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About UBC Journalism

UBC Journalism is a unique, boutique journalism masters program in one of the most beautiful, diverse and progressive cities in the world. It is one of only four masters-only journalism programs in North America, and the only graduate journalism program in western Canada.

Faculty members come from the highest levels of major media organizations, as well as leaders in digital journalism and media scholarship. We pride ourselves on our one-on-one approach with students, working closely with the aspiring journalists who go through our program, and often continuing to mentor them long after they graduate.

The Master of Journalism degree is a full-time, intensive program that runs over five semesters, including a summer internship. It is designed to provide graduates with professional experience and academic grounding, to help students succeed as a journalist in any medium. Students learn everything from long-form writing to web, video and audio production, social media analytics, investigative reporting skills and critical analysis of news.

Our distinctive approach to journalism education has two components: academic specialization and applied training. This involves creating a program of study focused on an academic area — relevant to your background and interests —along with courses in media theory and ethics. Paired with the academic training is hands-on work with professional equipment alongside experienced professionals.

Students have the opportunity to study with excellent scholars in disciplines throughout the University of British Columbia, a university consistently ranked in the top 40 academic institutions in the world.

The Graduate School is modeled on a small Liberal Arts college with small class sizes and one-on-one attention. Students have contact with professors both in and outside of the classroom on a regular basis. Faculty and staff mentor students on freelancing opportunities, international internships and career options.

Degree Requirements

The program of study for the M.J. degree in Journalism is challenging and requires full-time study. Students are required to complete between 42-45 credits of course work, including a three-month internship.

Students learn to be journalists across all media — print, online, television and radio — in the first year. Most programs separate training by medium. We believe that in today’s digital environment, graduate journalists have to be proficient across many media platforms.

Therefore, theory and practice are integrated across the curriculum. This means applying ethics, media theory and academic knowledge to the journalism skills of interviewing and reporting in a real-time multimedia environment.

Journalism training starts in the first week of classes when students are assigned urban beats in Vancouver as part of our core Integrated Journalism course. This course is taught by a team of faculty: senior journalists working both locally and internationally as well as media studies professors.

Theory and graduate-level research is integrated into the curriculum through assignments and course content, as well as in specific courses such as Media Ethics and Media Law. There is also an option to complete an academic research or thesis project.

Specialization

Students specialize in key disciplines relevant to their professional careers. These include but are not limited to: environmental and health studies, international relations and political science, arts and cultural studies, English, sports, economics and science.

Students also engage issues surrounding race, gender and ethnicity through partnerships with other UBC departments.

Students take these specialties in courses outside of the School in order to obtain the knowledge necessary to report on an increasingly complex public sphere.

Popular academic specialties include: International Journalism and Political Science, New Media and Society, Solutions-Focused journalism and Science Journalism, which includes specialties in environment, health and social issues, as well as media theory.

Quick Facts

- Degree: Master of Journalism
- Specialization: Journalism
- Subject: Specialty
- Mode of delivery: On campus
- Program components: Coursework + Major Project/Essay required
- Faculty: Faculty of Arts
- School: School of Journalism

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Introduction

Develop the advanced skills you’ll need for a successful career in journalism. Create substantial pieces of journalism on aspects of arts, culture and lifestyle that you’re passionate about and learn from tutors with extensive professional experience of arts journalism in print, broadcast and online.

Content

MA Arts and Lifestyle Journalism prepares students for this important and growing field of journalism. From music magazines and newspaper arts supplements to specialist radio and TV programmes, websites and digital publishers, there is a huge demand for arts, lifestyle and cultural journalism.

Situated in the heart of city, London College of Communication is the ideal place to study this dynamic branch of journalism. Guided by tutors with professional, multi-platform experience gained at national newspapers and websites, the BBC, Sky TV and elsewhere, you will develop key practical journalistic skills and learn how to apply them to your particular area of interest in arts, culture and lifestyle.

You will gain invaluable work experience by undertaking a placement in a media organisation and benefit from our guest lecture programme that has included talks from Jon Snow of Channel 4 News, Luke Lewis of Buzzfeed, Mary Hockaday of the BBC and Bruno Bayley, editor of Vice UK (and a former student at LCC), as well as journalists from a range of national newspapers and other publications.

The course culminates in your producing a substantial piece of journalism in the medium or media of your choice.

Structure

Further information will be available shortly on the course webpage.

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With strong links to the media, The Liverpool Screen School houses the industry relevant technology that will advance your professional development, and ability to gather and report throughout this globally relevant News Journalism Masters programme.

•Masters degree available to study full time (one year)
•Teaching delivered in £38million Redmonds Building
•Develops your understanding and knowledge of the practice of journalism, particularly broadcast, for use in an international context
•Gain a working knowledge of international relations relevant to the concerns of mainstream news organisations
•Secure the expertise required to produce quality journalism suitable for broadcast
•Develop research skills at Masters level

News journalism in the 21st century is a 24-hour business, transcending boundaries, timelines and cultures. You will become part of a supportive, scholarly community dedicated to developing your skillset to meet contemporary broadcast standards for the UK.

The Masters in International News Journalism, delivered by the respected Journalism teaching team within the Liverpool Screen School, has been designed to provide a deep understanding and knowledge of the practice of professional journalism, particularly focusing on broadcasting.

The course delivers a combination of practical experience, using the School’s state of the art media suite facilities and strong, Masters-level research skills which you will demonstrate in your dissertation.

You will develop a working knowledge of international relations and several key journalistic disciplines. You will also be expected to show originality in the application of knowledge, and the boundaries of knowledge, through ground-breaking research. On completion of the Masters, you will be able to deal with complex issues systematically and creatively and you will be encouraged to show originality in tackling and solving problems.


You will develop the knowledge and qualities needed for employment in circumstances requiring sound judgment, personal responsibility and initiative, in complex and unpredictable professional environments.

The course is designed for international students and will allow you to develop your language skills alongside your intellectual and journalistic knowledge and key skills.

What you will study on this degree

Please see guidance below on core modules for further information on what you will study.

Journalism Studies

An introduction to the theoretical concepts surrounding the study of journalism. The module will cover a range of subjects including news values, law and ethics, agenda setting, gatekeeping, representation and stereotyping, the use of language, the business of a newsroom and the effects of online journalism on the news agenda

International Relations for Journalists

Examines the theory and practice of international relations focusing in particular on cultural, economic and security relations

Academic research for Journalists

Provides you with a thorough understanding of academic research methods and methodologies suitable for journalism social research and the production of research papers and dissertations at masters level

Advanced UK broadcast Journalism

You will synthesise your skills in writing, reporting and production while working to produce journalism broadcast artefacts both in groups and individually that approach professional UK standards

Introduction to UK Journalism

You will research and produce original news artefacts for a range of media outlets. You will demonstrate developed writing and production skills for a range of news outlets showing a clear understanding of target audiences

Dissertation

You will produce a written dissertation that researches a key issue relating to International Journalism and demonstrates mastery in its analysis or evaluation

Broadcast Journalism Project

This module builds on the Advanced UK Broadcast Journalism module to enhance your professional practice and apply features treatment to a story

Further guidance on modules

The information listed in the section entitled 'What you will study' is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal Academic Framework review, so may be subject to change. Students will be required to undertake modules that the University designates as core and will have a choice of designated option modules. Additionally, option modules may be offered subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Academic Framework reviews are conducted by LJMU from time to time to ensure that academic standards continue to be maintained.

Please email [email protected] if you require further guidance or clarification.

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The MA Broadcast Journalism is aimed at people who have decided to pursue a career in radio or television news and current affairs. Our aim is to help you to get your first job in a highly competitive industry.

All journalists need to know how to find and research stories, how to interview people and how to write well. These days, that’s not enough. Modern broadcast newsrooms are digital and multi-media. Entry-level journalists are expected to be multi-skilled and familiar with the latest technology.

We use digital TV and radio studios to teach you how to gather and broadcast your content. We also organise a three-week industry placement for you to put into practice the skills we teach.

We will encourage you to originate and distribute your stories through the latest social channels. Are you comfortable using Twitter, Instagram, or Steller in a professional way? You will be by the time you leave us.

We are looking for people who can demonstrate a keen interest in news. We expect you to be engaged with what’s happening in the world. If you regularly watch and listen to TV and radio news programmes, that’s a good starting point.

We also look for people who already have some evidence of their commitment to a career in journalism. This could be acquired through student journalism or work placements in a newsroom. We don’t mind what subject you have studied at undergraduate level.

You will leave us with an MA that is widely recognised as being at the forefront of postgraduate training for a broadcasting career in digital multi-media newsrooms. Your time with us will be hard work, but hopefully it will be rewarding, and the beginning of an exciting career.

Distinctive features:

• MA Broadcast Journalism is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council
• Industry placements in the second semester
• An outstanding alumni network across the media

Structure

This is a year-long course.

Broadcast journalism skills are acquired through a series of lectures, demonstrations, practical exercises and feedback sessions of increasing complexity and realism - from 'paper exercises' in the early days to complex radio and television productions that report on real events in real time. These sessions are supplemented by seminars, playbacks, group discussions and industry guests.

Basic writing, reporting and technical skills are taught in the first semester against a background of group listening and viewing to good current professional practice.

The second semester adds editorial and production skills in both radio and television. We use the device of twice weekly ‘production days’ to integrate newsgathering and production skills with the team working and editorial/resource management skills needed to produce real-time broadcast outputs.

During the Easter break you will test your skills against the real world in a work placement (or placements) of a minimum three weeks duration in a radio or television newsroom of your choice.

Following the Easter recess you will have the opportunity to study from a wide and varied selection of elective modules which include sports, motoring, business and data journalism.

Finally individual writing, reporting and storytelling skills are tested in both media are tested in the final portfolio of work and the final practical examinations.

Your major project will be self-accessed and student-led. You will originate, research and produce a story that will be delivered for radio, television and online.

Core modules:

Public Administration
Reporters and the Reported
Digital Journalism
Broadcast Journalism
Broadcast News Production
Broadcast News Reporting & Production
Media Law and Ethics
Professional Development
Major Project

Optional modules:

Motoring Journalism
Business and Financial Journalism
Lifestyle & Consumer Journalism
Political Reporting
Sports Journalism
Data Journalism
Yr Agenda Cymreig

Teaching

You will be taught through a variety of practical workshops, studio time and productions days which replicate an industry environment as well as lecture series to support the more academic elements of the course.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a wide range of formative and summative assessments throughout the course. These range from practical class room activities to academic essays and examinations.

Career prospects

This is a period of great change in all fields of journalism – including broadcast – but our employment record continues to be good.

Our graduates typically leave us to work as broadcast journalists in local radio or regional TV newsrooms. Recent graduates are now working for organisations like BBC and ITV News, SKY, CNN, Reuters, Bloomberg and Al Jazeera English. Over the years we have helped hundreds of people to start their careers in broadcast journalism. Many are now working at the top of the profession.

Placement

You will undertake a 15 day industry placement during the Easter break. Placements are co-ordinated by the course tutors and take into account your geographical preferences. Placements may be in radio or TV newsrooms, or both.

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The course aims to develop an in-depth understanding of how media work across a variety of social, cultural, economic and political contexts.

We focus on the academic study of journalism, but also offer opportunities for the development of professional skills through optional modules in the second semester and through research.

The course provides insights into how journalism is changing in a globalised context, exploring key debates and issues in journalism studies today. It also provides training in the use of a range of research skills in journalism studies, to support academic scholarship in the field of journalism studies.

You will learn to assess how media are linked to forces of globalisation, political institutions, global responses to war and conflict, and environmental challenges, amongst others.

You will explore the roles of new information and communication technologies, their opportunities and challenges, their democratic potential and their regulation

We will consider issues of citizenship, race, gender, ethnicity and class that are shaping contemporary forms of news media content.

This programme offers knowledge and expertise for a career in the journalism, media and communication industries or as a foundation for PhD research.

This programme is not designed as a vocational degree and does not provide training in Journalism. You should not consider this degree as a professional qualification towards becoming a journalist.

Distinctive features

• The course is designed for those with no previous experience in journalism and for mid-career journalism practitioners wanting a period of reflection to deepen their understanding of journalism practice.

• It aims to promote an awareness of the place and importance of journalism in the contemporary world, and in local and global contexts.

• It attracts students from all over the world, providing a rich and diverse environment for academic study and critique.

Structure

The taught component of the course amounts to 120 credits and is taught across two semesters (Autumn and Spring) from the end of September to the beginning of June and combines core and elective modules.

You will submit a dissertation at the end of August. The dissertation carries 60 credits.

Core modules:

Introduction to Journalism Studies
Mediatised Conflict: The Politics of Conflict Reporting
Politics of Global Communication
Putting Research into Practice I
Putting Research into Practice II
Project Based Dissertation

Optional modules:

Media Law
Reporting Business, Finance & Economics
Reporting the Middle East
Insurgency into the 21st Century
Citizen Media
Global Crisis Reporting
In The Editor's Chair
Reporting Health and Science
Electoral Behaviour, Public Opinion and the Media
Social Media and Politics
Governing the Internet: Digital Freedoms and Restrictions
Big Data, Society and Everyday Life

Teaching

You will be taught through lecture and seminars series which complement the academic nature of the course.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a range of formative and summative assessments throughout the course. The main method of assessment on this programme is course work.

Career Prospects

Graduates of MA Journalism, Media and Communications are employed in a range of occupations in journalism, media and communication institutions both in the UK and globally, taking on a variety of leading roles.

As an academic course focusing on critical analysis, this programme also provides a perfect starting-point for PhD research and prepares students for careers in research institutions, both at university and other public or private institutions.

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This MA is a practical introduction to TV journalism, and aims to teach you the professional conventions of UK news and current affairs broadcast journalism and relevant production skills.

The programme encourages a critical understanding of television journalistic practice, and an informed knowledge of the overall political and industrial contexts in which journalists are now working, including an introduction to multimedia journalism; it locates this understanding and creative development within a wider enquiry into the relationship between media practice and culture.

At the end of the programme you should be familiar with the techniques and practices of television journalism, and conversant with the wider ethical, legal and technological contexts of broadcast journalistic practice.

You will be able to describe the qualities of your own work and of its cultural significance, and have a professional standard portfolio of original television news, current affairs and online reports.

Hands-on experience

You'll be involved in all aspects of studio work, filmmaking and multimedia web journalism, including editorial experience on eastlondonlines.co.uk, our student-run independent news site. All teaching is workshop-based.

Where practicable and possible, you may undertake a placement of three to four weeks in a news or current affairs production company.

Winner of a Broadcast Journalism Training Council Award for Excellence in Teaching Broadcast Journalism 2007-8.

Modules & structure

The programme is a practical introduction to TV news journalism. Modules are practical and skills-based, but are taught within a theoretical framework which is only possible in an institution renowned for its research work.

You'll cover:

• television journalism practice
• practice theory
• research methodologies
• key media law and ethical issues in relation to UK and US media law

In the first term you are taught in lectures, small group seminars and practical workshops for a period of approximately 12-15 hours. During the rest of the week, you are expected to work on individual and joint projects without supervision.

In the second term, teaching time of 8-10 hours is usually concentrated on two or three days per week to allow more time for production.

In the third term you are expected to work, with support, on your production for assessment.

Core modules

• Asking the Right Questions: Research and Practice
• Journalism in Context15 credits Media Law and Ethics

Assessment

Essay; unseen examination; production portfolio comprising the research, planning, shooting and editing of original current affairs reports; coursework assessment.

Skills

You'll develop:

• A critical understanding of television journalistic practice
• an awareness of the techniques appropriate to television journalism
• project management skills
• multimedia journalism skills

Careers

Our graduates have gone on to pursue careers in:

• television
• radio
• broadcasting
• the press
• the web
• publishing
• film-making
• advertising
• marketing
• public relations

Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths. 

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