Media and Journalism MA

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 in which we bring in industry professionals to discuss all aspects of journalism.

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

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, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

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.

Course content changes

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.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Media and Journalism modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Researching Media, Journalism and Communications	20
Multimedia Journalism 1: Newsgathering, Production and Dissemination	20
Media Analysis	20
Dissertation for MA Media and Journalism	60

Optional Modules	Credits
Freelancing in Media and Communications	20
Journalism and Celebrity	20
Multimedia Journalism 2: Global Innovation	20
Professional Subediting & Design	20
International Media and Law (Semester 2)	20
Representations: feminism, race and intersectionality	20
News and Journalism	20
Digital communication for cultural institutions and organisations	20
Power, Politics and Communication	20

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

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

Assessment methods

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

Student Support

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:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

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

Careers

We'll equip you with the skills and knowledge needed for a career in Journalism. Our graduates have gone onto work as journalists for institutions such as:

• Bauer Media
• BBC
• People’s Daily, China
• Various regional newspapers

Our graduates have also gone on to gain employment in a variety of other industries, such as:

• Public Relations
• Marketing
• Recruitment
• Teaching
• Broadcasting

As an MA Media and Journalism student at Newcastle University, you'll develop a wide range of transferable skills. These range from presentation and research skills, to team-working and project management, which are highly sought after by employers.  

Further Study

This Media and Journalism MA provides a route into PhD level study. 

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.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

Throughout the Journalism Master's you'll have access to a range of specialist facilities, 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. The technical support team can be found in in the Old Library Building (OLB)

Read more about how to find the Old Library Building

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2025 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

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

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

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.

Funding deadlines

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

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Select your country

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application 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 application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

INTO International Pre-Master's - Pathway course

Our Business and Humanities Pre-Master's will prepare you for Master's study at Newcastle. If you're successful then you're guaranteed a place on this Master's course. 

• Business and Humanities Pre-Master's

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