This course offers a hands-on curriculum that allows you to develop core journalistic skills in broadcast and digital media. You will learn the technical skills to master tv, audio and digital reporting. The course has a very practical focus, so you will develop your own story ideas and gather your own material through research and reporting for journalistic course work. You will be given full training in using our up-to-date media resources, ensuring that you graduate from the course as a multi-skilled journalist being competent in digital and broadcast journalism. While mainly being taught at our creative Harrow Campus, modules are also delivered at our Regent Street Campus in the heart of London allowing you the opportunity to report stories of this dynamic city in walking distance of the BBC or Buzzfeed.
The MA has been accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) which means we provide industry backed journalism training for online, TV and radio. Our students regularly win BJTC awards, and the course has been awarded the BJTC award for excellence in teaching.
Our teaching staff are highly experienced journalism professionals, and our graduates go on to work with a variety of leading media organisations including BBC TV and Radio, BBC News Online, ITN, Russia Today, Al Jazeera, the Financial Times and The Guardian, Conde Nast, and many other media houses in Britain and around the world.
There is a strong emphasis on learning through 'hands-on' practice, in small class groups, using our professional studios and standard facilities. Most of your assessed course-work will be 'real' journalism assignments, a preparation for the world of contemporary journalism.
As well as regular classes taught by experienced journalists on our staff, we also invite other media professionals as guest speakers or to critique student work. We support you in applying for work placements, encourage you to go to journalism events and network with professionals, and to pursue other journalism experiences.
You will have the chance to air your work on Smoke Radio, the University's multi-award-winning internet radio station, or post items onto the MA's own news site, Westminster World.
The course is taught over two semesters, and for the Masters students followed by the largely self-directed final project in the summer. Unlike many other journalism MAs, you can undertake an extensive practical Final Project. This could be a TV or radio documentary or a digital project. Students may undertake placements in the period from the Easter break to the end of the course to gather further work experience in a news or current affairs production company of usually three to four weeks. This MA can be taken as a part-time course (daytime) over two years studying two days a week after initial more intense orientation weeks.
The following modules are indicative of what you will study on this course.
Core modules
Optional modules
This course is accredited by Broadcast Journalism Training Council, BJTC.
Though designed to prepare you for a career in journalism, this course could also lead to a career in public relations, communications, or any other professional pathway which requires effective communication skills, and the use of convergent media.
Our graduates work in journalism and content production as editors, reporters, producers and successful freelancers. They have gone to work as editors with BBC News, written cover stories of The Guardian, have become producers at CNN and overlook the content output of a fashion brand or an NGO. Both pathways are accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC).
We assist students to get work placements during the course, provide career advice, arrange network events, and keep close contact to potential employers.
This course offers a hands-on curriculum that allows you to develop your core journalistic skills. You will learn to master a broad variety of media formats from writing and reporting to social media and video. Besides writing, the course emphasises contemporary digital skills which will place you in high demand in an ever-changing world of content creation and distribution. Being partly taught at Regent Street Campus in the heart of London you will get the opportunity to report stories of this dynamic city in walking distance of one of the BBC or Buzzfeed. You will be given full training in using our up-to-date media resources, ensuring that you graduate from the course as a multi-skilled journalist being competent in digital media and written journalism and in video.
The course is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) which means beside written journalism we also offer you industry backed journalism training for online video and broadcast providing voice training, camera skills and editing. Our graduates go on to work with a variety of leading media organisations including The Guardian, The Evening Standard, BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, or Conde Nast, and many other media houses in Britain and around the world.
Many of our students have won journalism awards, and we have twice been awarded a BJTC award for excellence in teaching as our teaching staff are all experienced journalism professionals who have worked for The Guardian, The Independent or Conde Nast and other media outlets.
There's a strong emphasis on learning through 'hands-on' practice, in small class groups, using our professional standard facilities. Most of your assessed course-work will be 'real' journalism assignments, a preparation for the exciting world of contemporary journalism.
As well as regular classes taught by experienced journalists on our staff, we also invite media professionals as guest speakers or to critique student work. We support you in applying for work placements, encourage you go to journalism events and network with professionals, and to pursue other journalism experiences.
You will have the chance to air your work on Smoke Radio, the University's multi-award-winning internet radio station, or post items onto the MA's own news site, Westminster World.
The course is taught over two semesters, and for the Master's students followed by the largely self-directed final project in the summer. Unlike many other journalism MAs, you can undertake an extensive practical Final Project. Students may undertake placements in the period from the Easter break to the end of the course to gather further work experience in a news or current affairs production company of usually three to four weeks. This MA can be taken as a part-time course (daytime) over two years studying two days a week after initial more intense orientation weeks.
The following modules are indicative of what you will study on this course. Please note: Not all option modules will necessarily be offered in any one year.
Core modules
Optional modules
This course is accredited by Broadcast Journalism Training Council, BJTC.
Though designed to prepare you for a career in journalism, this course could also lead to a career in public relations, communications, or any other professional pathway which requires effective communication skills, and the use of convergent media.
Our graduates work in journalism and content production as editors, reporters, producers and successful freelancers. They have gone to work as editors with BBC News, written cover stories of The Guardian, have become producers at CNN and overlook the content output of a fashion brand or an NGO. Both pathways are accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC).
We assist students to get work placements during the course, provide career advice, arrange network events, and keep close contact to potential employers.
The Fashion Track within the MA in Global Communications takes advantage of AUP privileged position in Paris to provide on-location, in-depth study of this hybrid field undergoing exciting and fast transformation.
Graduating from the Fashion Track you will have developed a deep insight into the fashion industry and the skills to build a career in traditional fashion communications or one of the expanding, future-focused aspects of the industry including:
You will have the opportunity to engage with visiting professionals and researchers at the top of their fields. Speakers have included couture designers, brand managers, journalists and PR specialists to discuss topics from trend forecasting to artistic 3D fashion space design to sustainable fashion.
Balancing creativity, communication skills and business insight, the program offers a comprehensive education within this diverse industry. As a student you will have the chance to expand your understanding of subjects including:
The program offers an extensive range of classes blending theory and practice. You also have a choice of practicums in sustainable development, NGOs, or Branding and courses in PR and journalism.
The MA in Global Communications, Fashion Track encourages students to take their education beyond the classroom. Your learning experience is deepened by the opportunity of immersive practica and study trips where you will come into contact with experts in the field. Whether networking with communications professionals in New York or London, developing sustainable initiatives in India, or experiencing nation branding in Iceland or cultural heritage in Morocco, or we are committed to putting theory into practice.
As a student, you will benefit from hands-on fieldwork and research development as you gain professional skills throughout the duration of your studies. This, together with the rigorous academic training, can lead to jobs in companies across the world. View career results for graduates of the MA in Global Communications program.
MA Specialist Journalism at Cardiff Metropolitan University is taught by academic staff who are both practitioners and researchers. This distinctive degree is aimed to support you while you develop your journalistic skills and techniques within one of the following specialisms: film, music, fashion or sports journalism.
The course has a strong employability focus allowing students to combine journalistic techniques and perspectives with practical vocational skills, which are reinforced by work placements. Whether for professional development purposes, to enhance your freelance career, or as your first step into the world of journalism, the MA will help you gain the knowledge and confidence to be a specialist journalist.
We have expertise across a number of fields and our academic community is vibrant and dynamic with strong industry links.
One of the great strengths of the programme is its flexibility. MA Specialist Journalism can be studied either full or part time allowing you to control the pace and depth of your postgraduate study. Programme delivery is also enhanced by the university's commitment to e-learning.
Core Modules:
This module will provide students with the key skills required to write as journalists and then focus those skills on their chosen specialism.
This module will apply the skills developed in Writing for Magazines by exploring the language, content, style and structure of magazine, newspaper and online features.
The Specialist Journalist
In this module students decide on one specialist subject area, study the nature of journalists’ work in their chosen field, and also produce longer feature articles aimed at specifically targeted audiences.
This module will provide students with the key essential skills to become multimedia journalists and adapt those skills to their specialist field.
This module will provide students with an understanding of the changing landscape of contemporary journalism, and develop knowledge and understanding of journalistic law and ethics.
As well as a work placement in a relevant media organisation, students will also develop essential skills and knowledge needed for making a successful living in the new media landscape.
This module aims to provide the reflective skills necessary to function as a successful journalist, exploring the processes and skills necessary for undertaking rigorous, credible, ethical and worthwhile research.
Dissertation This module allows students to create a journalistic portfolio from their chosen specialism.
Most modules are taught through group workshops and seminars. Some modules will also include individual tutorials and the dissertation module is delivered entirely through one-to-one tutorials with your supervisor.
In workshops and seminars full use is made of University technology and course materials will be delivered and stored through our Virtual Learning Environment. It will be possible for you to access the Virtual Learning Environment remotely and you will be encouraged to do so.
Most modules are 20 credits and the dissertation is worth 40 credits.
In a 20-credit module you will receive 22 hours of timetabled teaching and you will be expected to conduct 178 hours of independent study. In a 30-credit module you will receive 33 hours of timetabled teaching and you will be expected to conduct 267 hours of independent study. The 40-credit dissertation is mainly conducted with independent study. You will receive 4 hours of tutorial supervision (this includes supervisors looking over your work) and you will be expected to conduct 396 hours of independent study.
Each student is appointed a personal tutor who will be available for academic advice, pastoral support and personal development planning. Tutors also have weekly office hours.
A critical but supportive environment is achieved through a combination of workshops, research seminars and e-learning. You will be introduced to the practicalities of preparing and submitting your work for publication.
We have a variety of approaches to assessment across the degree depending upon the module. All practical modules are assessed through portfolios of journalistic work and accompanying critical essays in which you are required to reflect on your journalism and to contextualise your work. These modules also include class-based formative peer-assessment in the form of practical workshops. These do not count towards your final grade but the sessions do help you grow and reflect as a specialist journalist.
Modules also make use of Virtual Learning Environments for assessments and you may be asked to view material online and then to respond to it.
You will receive tutor support in class and through our VLE in order to prepare you for each assessment point. We also have library facilities online and at campus.
As well as a career in journalism, the MA is also a great choice for those wishing to enhance their employment and professional opportunities in editorial and publishing careers.
Key journalistic skills and techniques are, of course, central to the degree. However, this degree will also encourage you to develop the valuable transferable skills of autonomy, effective collaboration, self-direction, organisation, initiative and adaptability that are highly regarded in the workplace.
As well as journalism, a Master's degree in Specialist Journalism could also lead to a variety of other careers, such as: teaching, research, public relations, marketing, the civil service, publishing, the media, and employment in the public or voluntary sectors.
The course is designed for recent graduates seeking a career in traditional and new media organisations. It provides a combination of business and media skills designed to equip you to take up an entry-level position in today’s media organisations.
You will learn how media organisations are engaging with the challenges resulting from the emergence of digital media technologies and platforms. The course introduces you to the processes by which media organisations develop their corporate strategies, business plans, marketing and production operations as they respond to radical change in the commercial environment.
The course is designed to enable you to find and take up work placements and internships at media organisations in London during the course of your studies. Our students have successfully completed internships at TV production companies like the BBC, technology companies like Google, as well as many other multimedia, advertising and news organisations in London. Some have successfully started their own businesses in the UK.
Whether you are planning a career in a media organisation or seeking to create your own new business start up, the MA International Media Business aims to provide the analytical insight, operational knowledge and planning skills you will need to prosper. The course is taught alongside a suite of Masters courses in Westminster’s highly successful Centre for Creative Industries Management.
The following modules are indicative of what you will study on this course.
Core modules
Optional modules (Semester 1)
Optional modules (Semester 2)
International Media Business students have gone on to work for many social media business including Facebook, Youtube, Google as well as traditional media firms like Sky, Disney and Bloomberg. They have also worked as creatives and digital content producers for small and large business including Land Rover, AEG and BSI Global. Others have continued their education at PhD level.
