Journalism MA (PGCert PGDip)

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 

Core modules

• News Journalism
• Digital Journalism
• Critical Issues in Journalism
• Journalism in Society
• Specialist Journalism
• Professional-based Learning
• Final Project

The Critical Issues in Journalism and Journalism in Society modules are designed to give you the critical and contextual knowledge needed to underpin good journalistic practice.

Professional-based Learning will oversee your professional development and you will also synthesise your learning in the Final Project.

Practical journalism modules (News Journalism and Digital Journalism) explore newer, forward-thinking digital practices such as live blogging, social media and data journalism alongside the core, traditional skills of interviewing, writing skills and networking. You will evaluate the most appropriate technique to the story in question and consider relevant ethical considerations.

You will also be able to study long-form, specialist areas of journalism that are of interest to you, such as gaming, fashion, music, and film, through the Specialist Journalism module.

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-based Learning 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 

Newsroom 
Our modern newsroom is equipped with 40 computers that retract into the desk to form a workspace for editorial meetings. All computers have the Adobe Suite installed including Premiere Pro, InDesign and Photoshop. The newsroom also has five wall-hung screens showing Sky News and BBC News 24.

Digital Hub 
Next door to the newsroom is the digital hub, with editing suites and mobile journalism facilities.

Staff profiles 

International requirements and visas

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

Visas and immigration advice

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.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included, while studying a course in the School of Sport and Service Management are listed here.

• DBS checks, where required, are included in the fees.
• For all journalism students there are professional body examinations from the National Council for Training of Journalists. The university pays for your first attempt at each examination and this cost of around £400 is included in the course fees. But if you don’t pass an exam you will be responsible for resit fees, at an average cost of £45 per examination.
• UK-based field trips are available in some option modules in the final year. You do not have to take these option modules to complete the degree programme. Where a field trip is present costs are covered but you are expected to make a contribution towards food. Typically this is £50.
• For courses which require a placement, you’ll be expected to pay for your living costs and travel. Physical Education (QTS teacher training) students can claim travel costs to their school placement.
• The school runs a number of day trips which students do not pay for. There may be some food and drink costs and you should budget around £30 per year.
• All work is electronically submitted. You may need to provide a printed copy of your final dissertation. Estimated cost £5 per student in the final year.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2020–21.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

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