MA Global Journalism and Public Relations

Program Overview

---

The Global Journalism and Public Relations MA program equips students with the knowledge and skills to excel in global journalism and public relations. It covers key areas such as legal and ethical issues, interviewing, writing, broadcast, and web skills. Students gain hands-on experience through group projects, such as creating a magazine, a global newscast, and student union publications/broadcasts. The program prepares students for a wide range of careers in journalism and public relations, equipping them with transferable skills and knowledge such as global awareness, research, writing, and communication.

Program Outline

---

Global Journalism and Public Relations MA

---

Degree Overview:

This program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in global journalism and public relations. It covers key areas such as legal and ethical issues, interviewing, writing, broadcast, and web skills. Students will gain hands-on experience through group projects, such as creating a magazine, a global newscast, and student union publications/broadcasts.

---

Objectives:

• To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of global journalism and public relations
• To develop students' critical thinking, research, and communication skills
• To equip students with the practical skills needed for a successful career in journalism or public relations
• To prepare students to work effectively in a globalized and diverse media landscape

---

Outline:

---

Modules:

• Context: Global Politics and Relations (20 credits)
• Examines global communication structures and practices, especially in journalism and public relations.
• Analyzes changing political, economic, socio-cultural, and technological systems and their impact on content and audiences.
• Public Relations (10 credits)
• Covers principles and practices of public relations.
• Students learn to construct, execute, and apply public relations strategies to meet organizational objectives.
• Introduces the PR code of ethics and explores ethical and legal debates.
• Journalism Practice, Law and Ethics (30 credits)
• Fundamentals of journalistic practice.
• Develops practical, creative, and technical skills associated with journalism.
• Topics include ideas, markets, sources, interviewing, notetaking, news and feature writing, industry history, and professional conventions.
• Advanced Journalism: Digital, Social, Mobile (20 credits)
• Advanced skills employed by journalists across platforms for various audiences.
• Researching, working to deadlines, and delivering professional-standard products.
• Tailoring content for specific target audiences, including specialist outlets.
• Ethical debates about journalistic practice in digital contexts.
• Specialist Professional Practice in Journalism and PR (30 credits)
• Acquire and develop specialist knowledge and skills in chosen area of global journalism.
• Expand content creation depth and devise ways for routine application in future practice.
• Work under supervision on live specialist journalism projects with host organizations or university.
• Specialist Research and Analysis (10 credits)
• Introduce research tools and methods for independent research on specialist journalism and PR themes and issues.
• Grounding in analytical techniques and interpreting materials to explore themes and issues facing journalists and PR professionals.
• Concentrates on textual analysis for research-led inquiry in journalism and PR, including student's major research project and investigative journalism.
• Major Project (50 credits)
• Original and intellectually critical extended writing and/or practical project portfolio.
• Create major work on theme, topic, or issue relevant to specialist journalism and/or public relations interest.
• Creative Futures and Social Change (10 credits)
• Employable skills and professional identity development in changing world of work.
• Tools for changemaking, thriving in changing world of work, and creating better future for society.
• RSA (Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) collaboration, students receive RSA digital badges upon completion.

---

Program Structure:

• Full-time: 1 year
• Part-time: 16-24 months (with professional experience)
• Semester 1: Each module typically takes 11 weeks, formal teaching 2-3 days per week.
• Self-directed study: Approximately 27 hours per week (varies by module)

---

Assessment:

• Portfolio (stories)
• Reflective essays
• Group work (formative/interim evaluation)
• Presentations (formative/interim evaluation)
• Projects

---

Teaching:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Presentations
• Group projects
• Workshops
• Practical newsroom
  ews day sessions
• Contact hours: Approximately 10 per week in semesters 1 and 2
• Online delivery technologies and methods may be used.

---

Careers:

• Positions in regional, national, or international journalism, media, communications, and PR
• Roles as researchers, reporters, writers, editors, or presenters
• Opportunities at traditional media outlets, broadcasting organizations, newspapers, magazines, and new media platforms
• Career support from Talent Team

---

Other:

• High-profile guest speakers (subject to availability)
• Optional semester 1 professional experience opportunity (additional fees apply)
• Study abroad opportunities (additional costs may apply)
• Field trips to diverse locations (additional costs may apply)
• Access to professional equipment via Media Loan Shop, newsrooms, TV studio, video editing suite, and radio studios.

---

Additional Notes:

• The course content is designed to reflect the international context of journalism and may include global news reporting, conflict/war situations, government and intergovernmental organizations, markets, business, civil society, and non-governmental actors.
• Students may encounter security considerations, ethical and legal dilemmas, and cultural contexts in their work.
• The course aims to prepare students for a wide range of careers, equipping them with transferable skills and knowledge such as global awareness, research, writing, and communication.

---

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

• UK, Ireland , Channel Islands or Isle of Man: £11,200 | £15,200 (with prof. experience)
• £18,600 | £22,600 (with prof. experience) per year without EU support bursary
• International: £18,600 | £22,600 (with prof. experience)