MA in Journalism

Institution University of Ulster, Coleraine Campus
Method At the institution
Location Belfast - Belfast
Type Masters
Course fee By request

+ Information by E-mail

MA in Journalism

Entry requirements Entry Conditions You should normally hold an honours degree in any subject from a recognized further or higher education institution or an equivalent qualification. However, relevant professional experience will be taken into account. Those who first language is not English should have at least an IELTS score over 7.5 across all four measures. You need to be able to demonstrate the ability to write well, have an enquiring mind, good interpersonal skills, self-motivation and the ability to cope with a demanding workload.
Academic title MA in Journalism
Course description This programme provides comprehensive training in the skills needed to enter the journalism profession internationally. The industry's National Council for the Training of Journalists (print) and Broadcast Journalism Training Council accredit it. It is also part of the Northern Ireland Skillset Media Academy, one of 16 of these centres of excellence in the world.

This gives successful students both a professional and university qualification. As such it is the only one of its kind on the island of Ireland and the first MA course internationally to achieve this dual accreditation to provide multiplatform journalism. Past students have won top awards in Ireland and the UK and hold senior positions in news organisations.

The five-day a week programme provides a thorough grounding in the practical skills involved in news reporting, writing, news broadcasting and shorthand. Students undertake reporting exercises in courts, councils, with the emergency services and on major sports events with BBC interactive. Multimedia newsrooms, radio and television studios are used to develop students into reporters able to work across print, broadcast and online media.

It is underpinned by a six-week placement with a media organisation, master classes, career advice, a job notification service and field trips. In addition, students follow modules in law, public affairs and media issues that are geared to the needs of journalists. When teaching finishes in mid-May students complete a 5,000 to 8,000-word dissertation and mini-documentary on a topic related to journalism.

Duration and Mode of Attendance

MA - Three full-time semesters (September to end August).