Media and Journalism MA
Start in: September 2022
This research-focused Media and Journalism MA develops your cultural understanding, and critical analysis. It introduces the content production skills needed for global media industries.
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.
You'll have the opportunity to learn alongside and collaborate with professional journalists.
We work with a range of organisations to support high-quality journalism. You'll hear from and work with experts and innovators and explore advances in journalism. You'll have the opportunity to experiment and develop new ways to do journalism.
You'll also work with internationally renowned academics in media, culture, and journalism studies.
You can take part in projects to expand your knowledge and skills. This includes our Civic Journalism Lab collaboration with the BBC.
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Important information
We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
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
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.
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.
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
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
Depending on your modules, 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
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.
Quality and ranking
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
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 2022 entry (per year)
If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase in line with inflation.
Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.
EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support.
If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.
Scholarships
We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information.
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
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.
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
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2022 entry.
Qualifications from outside the UK
English Language requirements
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
Open days and events
Open days and events
You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:
- Campus tours
- On-campus open days
- Virtual open days
- Webinars
Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually
Overseas events
We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.
Get in touch
Questions about this course?
If you have specific questions about this course you can contact:
Jonathan Ward
Degree Programme Director
School of Arts and Cultures
Telephone: +44 (0)191 208 2493
Email: pgmch@ncl.ac.uk
Online
For more general enquiries you could also complete our online enquiry form.
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