Overview

The Media and Journalism MA is designed for new graduates and experienced journalists. If you're planning a career in journalism and related occupations, or to progress to a PhD, this course is for you.

It provides an international context and is suitable for students from across the globe.

The course is flexible and you can tailor it towards professional media and journalism practice or academic engagement. You don't need a media background to join this course.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course during COVID-19

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption.
Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitments outlined are subject to guidelines that may be in place from time to time.

View our COVID-19 Study page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2021-22.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information

Student from mainland China

Many high-performing students from China have applied for this postgraduate course. We aim to select a diverse international student cohort. We are suspending applications from mainland China to this course.

This will be with effect from 23.59 GMT 4 January 2021. All applications received before this deadline will be considered.

What you'll learn

This journalism master's covers key areas of knowledge and professional practice which reflect the way journalists work today. However, journalism’s role in society, how we do journalism, and careers in journalism are constantly transforming.

This course is designed to be a ‘laboratory of inquiry’. It prepares you to negotiate these changes, as you progress through your career in journalism, media or professional communication. It also prepares you for further doctoral study and a career in research and academia.

Semester 1 focuses on understanding of media in regional, national and global contexts. Through independent research, you develop theoretical, critical and methodological understanding of the field. You'll begin to consider your own areas of interest and expertise. You'll also apply this understanding to creative projects. This advances your skills in multimedia journalism production.

Semester 2 focuses on individuality and creativity. You'll choose the knowledge, research and journalistic skills you want to develop further. You'll work with a research supervisor to begin producing a dissertation. You'll select optional modules that complement this process and work holistically to advance your expertise.

In Semester 3, you're immersed in advanced research practice. Working with your research supervisor, you finalise your dissertation.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

Optional modules availability

Some course have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Media and Journalism modules

Compulsory modules

• Researching Media, Journalism and Communications
• Multimedia Journalism 1: Newsgathering, Production and Dissemination
• Multimedia Journalism 2: Global Innovation
• Media Analysis
• Dissertation for MA Media and Journalism

Optional modules

You select one 20-credit option from the following:

• Journalism and Celebrity
• International Media and Law (Semester 2)
• Feminist Media Studies: Gender and Intersectionality
• Cultures of Data Visualization
• News and Journalism
• Digital Communication for Cultural Institutions and Organisations
• Digital Power, Politics and Communication

You also select one 20-credit option from the following:

• Freelancing in Media and Communications
• Professional Subediting and Design
• Digital Mobile Photojournalism (Sem 2)

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

The one-year course is divided into three semesters. You'll have assignments to complete and submit during the intervening weeks.

We also have a series of challenging guest lectures, master classes and workshops from experts and innovators in journalism.

We adopt a student-centred policy in learning and teaching. You'll complete a combination of compulsory and optional modules through:

• lectures
• seminars
• practical workshops

Depending on your module choice, you will study three or four modules per semester. You'll work independently and collaboratively to:

• read widely
• take part in discussions
• develop topics for investigation with advice from tutors
• develop projects and presentations
• lead seminars

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Case study
• Design or creative project
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Oral presentation
• Portfolio
• Report
• Reflective log
• Research proposal
• Written exercise

Student Support

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• courses
• groups
• notifications
• messages

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• our University Student Services Team

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

 

Your future

Further study

This Media and Journalism MA provides a route into PhD level study.

Careers

This journalism master's prepares you for a career in journalism and related occupations.

Our Careers Service

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2020 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Read our detailed explanation

Facilities

Throughout the journalism master's you'll have access to a range of specialist facilities in Culture Lab, including:

• cameras
• voice recorders
• audio and video-editing software
• a computer-editing suite which includes Adobe CS 6

We're developing new facilities, including mobile studio equipment and editing suites.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2021 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

For courses commencing from September 2021 and beyond, EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for home fees or Student Finance England support.

If you are from the EU you will pay international tuition fees.

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

• additional costs
• living costs
• tuition fees, including how to pay them and available discounts

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

How to apply

Using the application portal

The applicant portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the applicant portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

Applications for 2022/23
You'll be able to apply for 2022/23 entry from September 2021

Open days and events

Open days

The situation with Covid-19 means that we're unable to hold open days on campus. However, you don’t have to visit in person to experience Newcastle.

From the comfort of your sofa you'll be able to:

• explore our beautiful campus
• find out about our vibrant city
• discover what students think about studying at Newcastle

You'll also have the opportunity to speak to academic staff and find out more about the courses you're interested in.

Find out about upcoming postgraduate open days

Events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

We also hold various online and virtual events.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events