Program Overview

Journalism / Journalism (Sports) MA

Overview

Gain experience, build up a valuable network of contacts, and graduate ready to work in the industry. Choose your specialism, with the option to graduate with MA Journalism (Sports). Kick-start your career with a postgraduate degree accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).

Course Structure

• Stage 1 (60 credits):
  • Practical Journalism (30 credits)
    • Learn the core skills of journalism, from interviewing to reporting on breaking stories, via mobile platforms and social media integrated newsroom workshops with a team of fellow trainee and professional journalists live from our mediaHUB.
    • Report on your specialist interest, including news, sport, fashion, music, and arts.
  • Essential Media Law (30 credits)
    • Learn laws and ethical codes including anonymity, contempt of court, libel, copyright, privacy, and other statutes which affect journalistic practice and output which journalists must consider when preparing and publishing legally-safe and ethically-responsible content for print, online, broadcast, and social media platforms.

Stage 2 (60 credits):

• Digital and Video Journalism (30 credits)
  • Learn how to film, conduct interviews, and edit to produce video journalism content for use across a range of platforms.
  • Learn how to shoot video with correct exposure, white balance, focus, and audio quality using industry-standard mobile apps and video cameras, and how to edit video using both mobile apps and desktop software.
• Investigative Journalism (30 credits)
  • Learn the techniques needed to produce exclusive and compelling investigative journalism using up-to-the-minute digital techniques.
  • Cover key areas including crime reporting; open source investigations and verification; Freedom of Information; and data journalism, data scraping, and computer-assisted reporting.

Stage 3 (60 credits):

• Journalism Practical Project (60 credits)
  • Work with a tutor to identify, research, and publish a high-quality portfolio of journalism on a subject of your choice.
  • The portfolio can use a variety of storytelling techniques and will present a great showcase of your skills.

NCTJ Diploma in Journalism

• The MA modules will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to gain a full NCTJ Diploma in Journalism.
• This consists of a series of core and optional exams and coursework which you will take throughout the year in addition to the MA assessments.

Facilities

• Our David Puttnam Media Centre is a buzzing place to study journalism.
• As well as working in our MediaHUB on content, you can volunteer with our award-winning radio station, Spark Sunderland, or produce content for one of our suite of websites in our mediaHUB.
• Get hands-on in TV and Radio Studios, and Journalism and Digital editing suites.

Entry Requirements

• Our typical offer is:
  • Qualification | Minimum grade
    • a bachelor's degree (3 years) | 2:2 classification
• If you already hold a postgraduate qualification, please see our Applying for additional postgraduate degrees Help and Advice article.

Fees and Finance

• Fees are:
  • £8,500 if you are from the UK/Europe
  • £17,000 if you are an international student
  • £500 per 10 credits for part-time study

Career Ready

• Postgraduates are highly employable and, on average, earn more than individuals whose highest qualification is an undergraduate degree.
• On completing this course, you will be equipped for a variety of roles throughout the journalism industry.
• This degree prepares you for writing in newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, and online media, and if you choose to specialize in sport, you’ll also have the opportunity to write for sports clubs or brands.