Study MA Journalism and Media Communications with Advanced Research

Course Highlights

This programme provides students with a professional critical insight into the media industry. Students will study a range of modules taught by research-active experts. Modules are assessed through a variety of both traditional, such as essays, presentations, and critical reviews alongside non-traditional such as podcasts, pitching and case study simulations which aim to assess and develop transferable skills and subject knowledge.

This Advanced Research award prepares students for conducting and communicating independent research whilst providing students with the opportunity to further hone and advance personal research, analysis and communication skills. The degree is aimed at applicants aspiring careers in research and communications whether you embark in digital marketing analytics, journalism or research within academia.

Course Modules

Learning Structure

You'll have weekly two-to-four-hour workshops for each module. Plus, there can be online activities too. You'll be supported by regular one-to-one supervision by academics from the University's Media Group.

Modules may change from year to year but are likely to include Corporate Communication, PR and Advertising; International Journalism Trends; Writing for Magazines; Sports Journalism; and Media Production as well as modules on research methodology. You also have a range of options for your final project. This can be a dissertation on a media subject of your choice, a short work placement, the one-year placement or a larger media research project, depending on your chosen route.

For Media Production you'll create multimedia – podcasts, designs and promotional strategies - for online magazines. You'll pitch and measure a campaign and use social media to promote your work. Writing for Magazines will give you the practical skills to write articles for online and print audiences. You'll produce webinars on the business model of magazines. Plus, you'll learn how social media and blogging are enhancing the magazine experience.

Our module Sports Journalism will give you a key understanding in the exciting practices of sports journalism, from interviewing top stars to reporting on breaking sports stories. You'll also create news bulletins and write news features.

Two modules on research methods and critical and theoretical debates will equip you with advanced research skills and transferable communications skills. These include interviewing, identifying a story and building connections; vital skills for PR and Corporate Communication roles.

There is an additional Advanced Media Research (30 Credits) and the Media Project (60 Credits) instead of the dissertation or long placement (Work placement information can be found under the 'Employability' tab on this course page).

Entry Requirements

• A 4-year Honours degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with CGPA 2.75 or 55% of marks (or above) from recognised institution.
• A 4-year Honours degree (or equivalent) in journalism and media communications discipline with working experience and CGPA 2.50 or 50% of marks (or above) from recognised institution.

English Language Requirements

IELTS Academic

Overall 6.5

With minimum 6.0 in each components

TOEFL iBT

Overall 79

Minimum in Listening: 17, Reading: 18, Speaking: 20, Writing: 17

PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic

Overall 59

With minimum 59 in each components

LanguageCert Academic

Overall 70

With minimum 65 in each bands

OIETC (Oxford International English Test Centre)

Overall C1

With minimum B2 in each bands

Duolingo

Overall 120

With minimum 100 in each bands

Applicants with a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 are eligible for Pre-sessional English language courses.

Study Gaps

For applicants with an academic or professional gap of up to 5 years, admission is generally considered acceptable. If the gap exceeds this period, applications may still be successful but will typically be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

To strengthen your profile, it is important to:

• Provide a clear explanation of how you spent the gap period (e.g., employment, further learning, personal responsibilities).
• Emphasize the skills and experiences you developed during this time that are relevant to the program.
• Demonstrate that your academic qualifications continue to meet the course entry requirements.