Study MA Journalism & Media Communications

Course Highlights

The MA Journalism & Media Communications is a full-time taught programme with a great record of helping students achieve jobs in the industry. By joining this programme, you'll extend your knowledge and skills in the media. You'll meet students from around the world, forming close friendships and strengthening your international awareness.

You'll analyse contemporary intellectual theories of media and communications. You'll cross-examine the synergies between social media, PR and journalism, interrogate current media practices and convergence. Every step of the way, there'll be a strong focus on your future employability.

You'll be taught by lecturers with extensive professional experience of journalism, PR, web design, media production and media research. Whatever your background, this MA will enhance your career by equipping you to operate effectively in a professional media environment.

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.

On the one-year programme, you will study a range of modules covering journalism, corporate communications and media production.

Modules include Corporate Communication, PR and Advertising; Writing for Magazines; Sports Journalism; and Media Production as well as modules on research methodology. You'll have a range of options for your final project.

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.

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.