Course Overview
Attendance
Duration
1 year
Campus
Harrow, North-West London
AND
Regent, Central London
AND
Regent, Central London
* Price per academic year
Course summary
This course offers a hands-on curriculum that allows you to develop your core journalistic skills. You will learn to master a broad variety of media formats from writing and reporting to social media and video. Besides writing, the course emphasises contemporary digital skills which will place you in high demand in an ever-changing world of content creation and distribution. Being partly taught at Regent Street Campus in the heart of London you will get the opportunity to report stories of this dynamic city in walking distance of one of the BBC or Buzzfeed. You will be given full training in using our up-to-date media resources, ensuring that you graduate from the course as a multi-skilled journalist being competent in digital media and written journalism and in video.
The course is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) which means beside written journalism we also offer you industry backed journalism training for online video and broadcast providing voice training, camera skills and editing. Our graduates go on to work with a variety of leading media organisations including The Guardian, The Evening Standard, BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera, or Conde Nast, and many other media houses in Britain and around the world.
Many of our students have won journalism awards, and we have twice been awarded a BJTC award for excellence in teaching as our teaching staff are all experienced journalism professionals who have worked for The Guardian, The Independent or Conde Nast and other media outlets.
There's a strong emphasis on learning through 'hands-on' practice, in small class groups, using our professional standard facilities. Most of your assessed course-work will be 'real' journalism assignments, a preparation for the exciting world of contemporary journalism.
As well as regular classes taught by experienced journalists on our staff, we also invite media professionals as guest speakers or to critique student work. We support you in applying for work placements, encourage you go to journalism events and network with professionals, and to pursue other journalism experiences.
You will have the chance to air your work on Smoke Radio, the University's multi-award-winning internet radio station, or post items onto the MA's own news site, Westminster World.
The course is taught over two semesters, and for the Master's students followed by the largely self-directed final project in the summer. Unlike many other journalism MAs, you can undertake an extensive practical Final Project. Students may undertake placements in the period from the Easter break to the end of the course to gather further work experience in a news or current affairs production company of usually three to four weeks. This MA can be taken as a part-time course (daytime) over two years studying two days a week after initial more intense orientation weeks.
Course structure
The following modules are indicative of what you will study on this course. Please note: Not all option modules will necessarily be offered in any one year.
Core modules
Part theory, part digital practice, this module teaches students to understand and apply the concepts and techniques underpinning contemporary journalism in a digital environment.
20 credits.
Combining writing with digital media and video, this module teaches you the skills and techniques of writing news stories, profiles, features, reviews and scripts and who to transferring written content into digital storytelling.
20 credits.
You will gain an in-depth working knowledge of media law, explore the relationship between UK public institutions, and evaluate the ethical considerations which are of key concern to journalists.
20 credits.
You will learn to write and produce long-form multimedia pieces including video and audio content, and how to reach out to an audience on social media.
20 credits.
MA students have to choose one among the following:
- Emerging Journalism Final Project (60 credits). Designing and creating your own content platform, and providing multimedia content.
- Final Journalism Project (60 credits). For this project you will produce to a professional standard a themed series of articles in a publishable format, including the use of multimedia techniques.
Optional modules
You will explore the history, theory and practice of investigative journalism in different parts of the world, as well as carrying out your own investigation.
20 credits.
You will create a magazine by producing content, design and layout as an editorial team in order produce both a glossy and an electronic version.
20 credits.
You will develop the special skills and techniques of travel writing, and gain an understanding of how to liaise with and report on the travel industry.
20 credits.
You will be taught in-depth knowledge of digital tools to build and design digital content, and will be encouraged to develop an entrepreneurial view.
20 credits.
You will get in-depth knowledge of health and medical journalism to be able to master the role of a specialist correspondent and discuss ethical aspects relevant for health journalism.
20 credits.
You can explore in depth the role of the specialist correspondent, and develop specialist reporting techniques to provide a number of 'multi-platform' pieces of journalism. Currently we are offering two choices depending on demand: Sport journalism. Depending on demand, we create more options; in the past, we offered lifestyle, environmental and business journalism.
20 credits.
You will be taught to critically study news media in the context of current society, the module examines different aspects of how news is created, disseminated and consumed.
20 credits.
Course accreditation
This course is accredited by Broadcast Journalism Training Council, BJTC.
Programme Specification
For more details on course structure and modules, and how you will be taught and assessed, see the programme specification.
Course Leader
Steve Hill
Senior Lecturer
Steve is joint Course Leader and Senior Lecturer. Steve worked as a journalists for The Independent, Sunday Express, New Statesman, and Computing magazine. He co-authored, with Dr. Paul Lashmar of Sussex University, Online Journalism: The Essential Guide (SAGE 2014) and is now writing a book on Mobile Journalism with Paul Bradshaw.
Steve studied politics at University of the West of England, Bristol and has a Postgraduate Journalism Diploma, a Master's in Media Practice and a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education. He was previously a lecturer in electronic publishing at Southampton Solent University.
Journalism is an exciting field to work in. Our course teaches students the practical skills they need to thrive in that field.
Course Team
Entry Requirements
A minimum of an upper second class honours degree (2:1) or a lower second class honours degree (2:2) with substantial relevant work experience. Applicants are required to have two weeks compulsory work experience.
Applicants are required to submit two assignments:
- Why do you want to study Journalism?
- A discussion on how a recent UK or international news story was covered in two different media.
Both assignments have a 300 words maximum.
If your first language is not English you should have an IELTS 7.0 with 7.0 in the speaking and writing (an IELTS 6 with at least 5.5 in speaking and writing when you apply).
Applicants are required to submit one academic reference.
View more information about our entry requirements and the application process.
A minimum of an upper second class honours degree (2:1) or a lower second class honours degree (2:2) with substantial relevant work experience. Applicants are required to have two weeks compulsory work experience.
Applicants are required to submit two assignments:
- Why do you want to study Journalism?
- A discussion on how a recent UK or international news story was covered in two different media.
Both assignments have a 300 words maximum.
If your first language is not English you should have an IELTS 7.0 with 7.0 in the speaking and writing (an IELTS 6 with at least 5.5 in speaking and writing when you apply).
Applicants are required to submit one academic reference.
More information
Careers
Though designed to prepare you for a career in journalism, this course could also lead to a career in public relations, communications, or any other professional pathway which requires effective communication skills, and the use of convergent media.
Our graduates work in journalism and content production as editors, reporters, producers and successful freelancers. They have gone to work as editors with BBC News, written cover stories of The Guardian, have become producers at CNN and overlook the content output of a fashion brand or an NGO. Both pathways are accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC).
We assist students to get work placements during the course, provide career advice, arrange network events, and keep close contact to potential employers.
Our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you to achieve your full potential.
With a growing network of over 3,000 employers around the world and a team of experienced careers consultants, we provide you with a variety of opportunities to work and develop new skills. As a University of Westminster student, you’ll have access to our services throughout your studies and after you graduate.
We can help you:
• find work placements, graduate jobs or voluntary experience related to your course
• discover international opportunities to enhance your employability
• write effective CVs and application forms
• develop your interview and enterprise skills
• plan your career with our career consultants
• gain insights into your chosen industry through mentoring
• meet employers and explore your career options at our employer fairs, careers presentations and networking events
Find out more about the Careers and Employability Service.
Find out more about other employability initiatives at the University of Westminster.
Journalism and Mass Communication
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Find out about the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Fees and Funding
UK and EU tuition fee: £10,500 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Alumni discount
This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.
Funding
As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.
Find out about postgraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Alumni discount
This course is eligible for an alumni discount. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by visiting our Alumni discounts page.
Funding
Find out about funding for international students.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Course Location
Our Multimedia Journalism (Print & Online) MA course is part of Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design, based at our Harrow Campus . Teaching will take part at both our Harrow Campus and in central London, at our Regent Street Campus.
Contact us
Contact the Course Enquiries Team:
+44 (0)20 7915 5511
Opening hours (GMT): 9am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
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