Program Overview

Postgraduate Program: MA Journalism

Overview

Our MA Journalism is an exciting programme that prepares graduates for the dynamic and competitive world of journalism and communications. It has the rare advantage of dual accreditation by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC). This highly regarded combination, along with our impressive work placement and industry mentoring programmes, opens the doors to organisations including the BBC, ITV, and a whole network of local, regional and national newspapers and radio stations.

Key Details

• Start Date: September 2025
• Study Mode: Full-time (1 year)
• Location: Main Campus (Horsforth)
• School: Digital and Screen Media

Why Study with Us

• Meet the ‘gold standard’ of journalism training on our MA Journalism programme.
• Receive financial support through a PG loan or bursary.
• Learn from experienced journalists with an in-depth knowledge of the industry.
• Make valuable industry connections through our lecturers, industry placements, Journalism and Media Week, and alumni mentoring programme.

Course Modules

• Year 1:
  • News Skills (Core)
  • Shorthand (Core)
  • Law, Ethics and Regulation (Core)
  • Live Production (Core)
  • Public Affairs (Core)
  • Professional Placement (Core)
  • Journalism Project (Core)

Course Structures

• September - Full-time:
  • Year | Term | Module | Credits | Contact hours
  • 1 | 1 | Public Affairs | 15 | 2 hours per week for 12 weeks
  • 1 and 2 | News Skills | 30 | 14 hours per week for eight weeks and 60 hours newsdays across two weeks
  • Law, Ethics and Regulation | 30 | 2 hours per week for 10 weeks
  • 1, 2 and Summer | Professional Placement | 15 | Total of 3 hours
  • 2 | Live Production | 30 | TBC
  • 2 and Summer | Journalism Project | 60 | Total of 12 hours

Learning and Teaching

• Our Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy delivers excellence by providing the framework for:
  • high quality teaching
  • an engaging and inclusive approach to learning, assessment and achievement
  • a clear structure through which you progress in your academic studies, your personal development and towards professional-level employment or further study.

Entry Requirements

• A good honours degree in a relevant subject (usually 2:2 or above) or relevant industry experience.
• Applicants will be invited to attend an interview where we want to find out more about your interest in our course and journalism in general.

Fees and Finance

• Funding:
  • UK Home Students: For information about our tuition fees please visit our Student Fees and Finance pages.
  • International Students, including EU Students: Visit our web page for international students.
• Journalism Bursaries:
  • The Journalism Diversity Fund Bursary
  • Scott Trust Bursary
• Leeds Trinity Alumni Discount: Some Leeds Trinity graduates are eligible for a tuition fee discount on postgraduate courses of up to 50%, excluding PGCE Delivery Partner Model and Lead Partner Model, and Masters by Research courses.

Our People

• Andrew Glover: Senior Lecturer in Journalism
• Darren Harper: Sports Journalism Programme Leader
• Katherine Blair: Associate Professor (Professional Practice)
• Leigh Purves: Lecturer

How to Apply

• Please ensure you complete the application form in full and supply all the required supporting documentation when you make your initial application.
• Incomplete applications may be rejected.
• If you need advice on your application, please contact our admissions team on (Monday to Thursday, 9.00am to 5.00pm, or Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm) or

What Happens Next

• Our admissions team will acknowledge receipt of your application by email.
• Where applications are submitted but references are still in progress, admissions will wait for the reference(s) to be received and then will process it, and forward it to the relevant Programme Leader within five days of receipt of the reference(s).
• The Programme Leader will make a decision based on your application. You may be asked to provide a reference to demonstrate your academic and non-academic experiences, or you may be invited to attend an interview. If you are successful and are made an offer, the conditions will be outlined in your offer letter.