Journalism MA (PGCert PGDip)

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We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

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Course structure

The Journalism MA comprises six 20-credit modules that each involve 30 hours of contact time plus an independent final project where you will work with an allocated supervisor. 

The course is taught by industry professionals and highly respected academics who will help you develop key journalism skills as well as academic research and writing methods.

You will compile an e-portfolio of assorted journalistic work that will act as a showcase to prospective employers. Practical journalism modules will feed into your portfolio and you will also publish your work on our website, Overtime Online.

Your placement will enable you to demonstrate hands-on experience in a journalistic environment.

The course is flexible in that it allows you to exit with a postgraduate certificate at the end of one semester (three 20-credit modules) or a postgraduate diploma at the end of two semesters (six 20-credit modules). You must complete the 60-credit research project to qualify for the MA.

For international students, the MA offers an extended masters route with English language study for between two and six months before the course begins. 

 Areas of study

The Journalism MA will give you the critical, contextual, and practical skills and knowledge to succeed in the journalism industry.

• Analyse the state of the industry and critically appraise how professional standards can be improved with particular focus on ethically and socially responsible journalism.
• Explore how the industry has changed in the digital age, the challenges posed, and how this new media environment shapes what journalism can and should be.
• Apply theoretical models of understanding journalism such as tabloidisation, gatekeeping theory, sociology of work and professions, and political economy in exploring occupational and industry shifts.

• Evaluate key legal and ethical debates affecting the industry including regulatory bodies, codes of conduct, legislative changes impacting on journalists such as the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, and privacy versus public interest arguments.
• Learn key contextual knowledge for journalists, specifically local and central government and media law, and are expected to problem solve in these areas using mock newsroom scenarios.

The course structure ensures that key thematic areas of general journalism education are covered, while providing opportunities for you to specialise in your own journalistic interests.

Modules

Modules

• Critical Issues in Journalism

  This module enables you to explore the critical and contextual knowledge needed to underpin good journalistic practice. It will focus on how journalism has emerged as a profession and how journalists have constructed and maintained their powerful role in society. You’ll also discuss occupational status and professional identity within the newsroom and consider diversity within the field and what it can mean for journalistic voices and community representation.

• Specialist Journalism

  In this module you will be able to develop your own journalistic interests in a specialist area of your choice, such as gaming, fashion, music, and film. You’ll learn how to produce specialist content and gain experience of the audience development strategies required to build a following, including the use of social media sites.

• News Journalism

  In this module you will explore the principles and practice of news reporting and learn to evaluate and integrate different source materials such as press releases, briefings and statistics. You will be placed in complex reporting scenarios where you need to apply sound ethical and professional judgement and produce quality journalism for a range of audiences.

• Journalism in Society

  This module focuses on the social and democratic role of journalists in holding power to account and ensuring that justice is seen to be done. You will explore how public administration works at both central and local government level and how it should be scrutinised by journalists. You’ll also study areas of criminal and civil law relevant to journalists and apply your knowledge of government and law to complex journalistic scenarios.

• Digital Journalism

  This module will help you acquire and develop multimedia and multi-platform skills in video filming, audio recording, editing and online publishing. You will explore the key journalistic and technical principles behind video and audio journalism in web and mobile settings and learn to evaluate editorial, ethical, legal and socially responsible choices in production processes.

• Professional Practice

  This module will enable you to develop and enhance your professional practice through preparation for and experience of industry-based engagement within journalism or related professions. During a 13-week placement you will learn how to produce content that helps meet both industry needs and your own professional aspirations. You’ll also critically reflect on your experiences, with a particular focus on legal and ethical considerations.

• Journalism Dissertation

  In this dissertation you will investigate an issue in a way that demonstrates your ability to integrate key aspects of your course, arrive at valid conclusions and reflect upon the processes employed. This will help further develop your critical thinking and use of research methodologies and techniques as they apply to journalism as well as enhance your independent research skills.

NCTJ Diploma

In addition to gaining a Journalism MA we offer you the opportunity to take the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism and include the examination costs within your university course fees.*

The NCTJ Diploma in Journalism is the qualification that editors look for when recruiting a trainee journalist.

The NCTJ Diploma examines in general reporting, ethics and regulation, public affairs, media law, court reporting, video journalism for online, Teeline shorthand, and a portfolio of journalistic work.

Although not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to engage with this opportunity. Achieving gold standard of A-C in all components of the diploma and 100 words per minute in shorthand will boost your qualifications and your employment prospects.

* The university will pay for your first assessment attempts of the NCTJ Diploma but you would need to finance any re-sits yourself.

Professional experience

The Professional Practice module is a great opportunity to get some practical experience in a journalistic work environment and gain invaluable firsthand knowledge. You'll be able to further engage with journalism, and to reflect upon and improve your academic, personal and professional skills.

Our school-based Employability Hub is on hand to assist you in securing an experience that best meets your career goals and aspirations. Professional experience will also help you gain invaluable contacts – many of our students have started their careers with their placement organisation. You will also compile an e-portfolio of journalistic work that will act as a showcase to prospective employers.

We have links with many organisations for placements including:

• The Daily Telegraph
• Harper's Bazaar
• BBC Sussex
• The Brighton Argus
• Guestlist
• The Eastbourne Herald
• The Hastings Observer
• Etc Magazine
• Sky News.

Features 

Field trips
As a journalism student you will benefit from industry field trips. Previous trips have included:

• a bespoke development day at Sky’s HQ in West London which involved guest speakers and activities
• a field trip to Westminster with a guided tour by Eastbourne MP Stephen Lloyd
• a visit to De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill to see how the press and publicity operation works.

Guest speakers
Journalism at Brighton also has a vibrant guest speaker programme. Previous visitors have included:

• Dr Stephen Quinn, author of The Mobile Journalism Handbook
• Lawrence Marzouk, editor, Balkan Investigative Reporters Network
• Richard Evans, social media manager, Sky News
• Joseph O'Leary, Full Fact
• Colin Campbell. BBC investigative reporter
• Rebecca Vincent, Reporters Without Borders
• Maria Hudd, acting chief reporter, Hastings Observer
• Bella Todd. freelance, Time Out
• Bill Gardner, deputy news editor, Daily Telegraph.

Facilities 

Journalists in the digital age need to be able to multi-skill and our facilities ensure that you will gain all the skills you need.

You'll be able to explore photo editing, desktop publishing and audio and video editing.

The newsroom with live news and sports feeds gives you authentic real-life journalistic experience. And our sound, filming and editing equipment familiarise you with the latest technology and ensure that you graduate with the technical skills essential for your media career.

Meet the team 

Course fees

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

Journalism Diversity Fund bursary

You may be eligible to apply for this award which helps postgraduate students from socially or ethnically diverse backgrounds to fund NCTJ journalism training. Bursaries are awarded four times per year and recipients will also be mentored by a working journalist. Find out more about the Journalism Diversity Fund.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international postgraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

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