Media and Journalism, MA

David Baines teaching journalism

Duration: Full-time 12 months, Part-time 24 months

The MA in Media and Journalism is aimed at two types of student:

  • International; European and British students who wish to build on skills gained at undergraduate level, and take a new direction. You will have the opportunity to embark on a programme that combines the development of both practical skills in journalism and the analysis of the social, economic and cultural contexts of the media
  • Trained journalists who wish to engage in serious academic study at Masters level. You will have the opportunity to develop a sophisticated analysis of the role of the media in today’s global society.

Coursework and assessment

Teaching is conducted through a variety of forms including lectures, seminars, workshops, discussion groups. Students are expected to work both independently and in groups, and to read widely, participate actively in discussions and develop topics for investigation based on advice from tutors.

Modules are assessed by coursework which consist of essays, oral presentations, reports, projects and dissertation. A Masters’ degree is made up of 180 credits in total. Each module is worth 20 credits, with a 60 credit dissertation. All students will study the following:

Dissertation (60 credits) involving:
Independent research investigating and analysing a chosen theme or issue relating to journalism, with expert guidance and support.

Full-time student will study two compulsory modules and one optional module each of the first two semesters, while the third semester is dedicated to the research dissertation.

Part-time students will study the four compulsory modules during the first year (two modules each of the first two semesters), while in the second year they will study the two optional modules and work on the research dissertation.
Most modules are scheduled during the day and there are no special teaching provisions for part-time students.

Student Work

Recent samples of student work on the COM8069 Multimedia Journalism module are now available as live web links. (NOTE: most links will require an Adobe Flash-player enabled browser.)

The brief for 2009-10 students was to produce a multimedia package based on 'diversity in Newcastle' - three contrasting pieces capturing the cultural apsects of Newcastle were:
*Art and About in Newcastle, 12 hours, 12 lives and ToonAsia.

The brief for student work in 2010-11 was more varied. Topics were wide-ranging:
* local charities and communities - Ouseburn Volunteers, Help for the Homeless, Jesmond Community Fesitval, and St Nicholas' Cathedral parish;
* the local Chinese community - Chinese Cuisines and The Star and Shadow Cinema;
* Newcastle's arts and cultures - John Martin at the Laing Art Gallery, a unique jazz bar in Newcastle and Newcastle United Football Club; and
* covering local events - a record of the 2010-11 student protests.

Media and Journalism and the BBC

BBC logo used with permission

Newcastle University and the BBC are working together to develop new talent, enhance our students’ learning experience - and expand their opportunities for employment in media industries.
The University and the BBC have signed a partnership agreement as the corporation starts its major move into MediaCityUK - the modern, multimedia broadcast and production centre in the North of England – and strives to better reflect and represent the whole of the UK.
The partnership will be of particular interest to students on our Masters programmes in International Multi-Media Journalism and Media and Journalism because:

  • Senior journalists from the BBC will run master-classes at the University;
  • The BBC will act as consultants on our programme development to help us remain in the forefront as major changes take place in the media world;
  • There will be opportunities for students to undertake work experience at the BBC - although the number of these places will be limited.

The BBC’s new centre at MediaCityUK in Salford will be home to around 2,400 staff and five important London-based departments will be making their new homes there - including two TV channels and two radio stations. These are:

  • BBC Children's (including CBBC and CBeebies)
  • BBC Formal Learning
  • BBC Future Media and Technology
  • BBC Radio Five Live (including Five Live Sports Extra)
  • BBC Sport

Careers

Opportunities exists in established media organisations, including newspapers, specialist and trade publications.  Students will also find that their knowledge and skills are transferable to a range of related fields, providing career opportunities in public relations, marketing, and other media and culture industries.

Visiting Professor in Media and Journalism

Diane NelmesONE of Britain’s most highly respected media executives and investigative journalists is joining the Media and Cultural Studies team at Newcastle University as Visiting Professor in Media and Journalism.

Dianne Nelmes is internationally renowned as one of Britain’s most innovative and successful television programme creators and developers. She has worked at the highest level in TV journalism and current affairs, and we expect our students in media and journalism to benefit greatly from her knowledge, skill, insight, advice and enthusiasm in workshops, projects and seminars.

Dianne is a graduate of Newcastle University – in Politics and Economics – and during her time here was both Editor of students’ newspaper Courier, which last year celebrated its 60th anniversary, and President of the Students Union.

Dianne is Managing Director of Liberty Bell Productions – an internationally known documentary maker based in London and Newcastle, which has made programmes for   BBC1, BBC2, BBC4, ITV1, ITV2, Channel 4, More 4, Channel 5, Sky Arts and Discovery – and other channels around the world.

For five years until September 2008, Dianne has been Director of Daytime and Lifestyle Programming at ITV, Britain’s independent television company, for five years and before that she was ITV’s Controller of Documentaries and Features and Granada Satellite Television’s Director of Programmes.

Dianne launched Jeremy Kyle, Trisha Goddard, Vanessa Feltz, Jerry Springer and the stars of lunchtime talk-show Loose Women on British TV. She was responsible for This Morning, You’ve Been Framed, Stars In Their Eyes and network factual drama series In Suspicious Circumstances.

When Dianne left Newcastle University, she started as a reporter on The Journal newspaper in Newcastle, moved to local BBC news programme Look North and then to World in Action, perhaps Britain’s hardest-hitting and most influential investigative documentary series of its time.

She rejoined the BBC as a producer/director on national current affairs series Brass Tacks, but switched back to Granada to take over as executive producer of World in Action.

As Controller of Documentaries and Features for ITV, Dianne commissioned a wide range of programmes, many initiated by her – notably Kelly And Her Sisters – an exposé of child poverty in Great Britain which won every major Television award: BAFTA Single Documentary; RTS Documentary; Broadcast Single Documentary and the prestigious Grierson Documentary Award.

Dianne is a Fellow of the Royal Television Society, a member of BAFTA – the British Academy of Film and Television Arts - and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

 

Research opportunities

Students also have the opportunity to undertake further research on completion of the MA, by applying to embark on a PhD in the field of media, communication and cultural studies. The course offers sophisticated conceptual and theoretical knowledge and methodological skills including the ability to formulate research questions, engage in data gathering and analysis, and complete a dissertation. Students must demonstrate proficiency at MA level and discuss their chosen research topic with relevant tutors who can advise them whether the topic, approach and methodology relate to academic staff research expertise.

Entrance requirements

  • Normally a good undergraduate degree on the British model in the arts, humanities or social sciences.
  • Equivalent qualifications from overseas.
  • Equivalent experience is also acceptable. For example, equivalent qualifications, notably the professional Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, or relevant work experience will be considered.
  • Applicants with professional/industrial experience and /or training but who do not meet the normal requirements will be considered on their merits.

English Language requirement

On entry to the MA programme, students must have a qualification equivalent to level 6.5 for English Speaking Union.

  • IELTS score of 6.5 (with minimum 6.0 in Writing and Speaking and a minimum of 6.0 average for a conditional offer)
  • TOEFL IBT (Internet-based test) overall score of at least 90
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English

If you are a non-EU student, the University provides a unique support service tailored especially for the masters programme. It takes the form of an intensive orientation course, starting in early September, with ongoing tutorials and workshops. This support initially helps to orient you to the British learning environment, explores cross-cultural expectations and introduces you to study skills necessary for the master's programme.

Fees

Please visit the following link for up to date fees: Current Fees

Staff

 

For the quickest and easiest way to apply

Visit our postgraduate online application site at:

http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/apply/

Please note that there is now a £25 non-refundable application fee for each applicant. Each applicant can apply for more than one of our Masters courses in Media after making a single application fee payment. Application fee payments can be made at the University’s Webstore.

For any queries about admission to this programme please email pgadmissions@ncl.ac.uk.