Program Overview

MA Journalism: News / Broadcast / Sport

Overview

The MA Journalism: News / Broadcast / Sport is a postgraduate program designed to provide students with the practical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the journalism industry. The program is accredited by the National Council for Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and is based at the University of Salford's state-of-the-art MediaCity campus.

Course Details

• Attendance: Full-time
• Duration: One year
• Next Enrolment: September 2025

Introduction

The MA Journalism: News / Broadcast / Sport program is designed to give students the tools they need to hit the ground running in the journalism industry. The program provides a thorough grounding in professional journalism in the UK, covering the skills and professional standards expected of 21st-century journalists.

Course Structure

The program is divided into three trimesters, with students taking a range of modules that align with the requirements for the NCTJ Diploma. Students can choose to specialize in one of three pathways: News, Broadcast, or Sport.

Modules

• Law and Government for Journalists: This module provides students with a sound knowledge of UK media law and an understanding of the workings of central and local government.
• News and Ethics: This module helps students become effective news gatherers and writers, while being aware of the ethical obligations and professional standards expected of 21st-century journalists.
• Audio Journalism: This module analyzes the main legal, social, and ethical issues relating to audio journalism in the UK and production within the changing media landscape.
• TV and Video Journalism: This module builds a knowledge of and facility in TV and video journalism techniques, including script writing, production, and interviewing.
• Professional Practice (Journalism): This module provides students with the opportunity to contribute to live weekly newsdays in rotating roles, creating real-world outputs in a range of formats and on a variety of topics.
• Major Project (MA Journalism): This is a piece of independent work that builds on the practical, intellectual, and research skills of trimesters one and two, providing an opportunity for students to follow their own interests and produce a rigorously researched and clearly written/produced portfolio of original journalism.

Optional Modules

• Developing Audiences: This module focuses on developing audiences for digital journalism across a wide range of formats and platforms.
• Specialist Journalism Practice: This module concentrates on several specialisms valued by employers, including war reporting, international affairs and politics, business and finance, social affairs, health and science, and photojournalism.
• Sport News: This module develops sport journalism skills, particularly in a live environment, together with an advanced understanding of the role of journalists within sport and the different audiences for sport across delivery platforms.

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching: The program is taught by professional journalists with years of experience in their fields, bringing the subject to life and giving students a first-hand account of what it's like to work in the industry.
• Assessment: The program is mainly assessed via coursework and projects, allowing students to showcase their newly acquired skills and build a portfolio of work that will benefit them when seeking employment in the industry.

Employment and Stats

• Employment: Graduates have a strong record of successfully gaining employment within the industry, with many securing professional roles with national broadcasters, such as the BBC, Sky, and ITV, as well as leading UK print and online media publications.
• Further Study: Graduates showing strong academic and research skills can pursue a further academic research path through the university's doctoral (PhD) programs.

Requirements

• Applicant Profile: To gain a place on this program, applicants must submit a personal statement and meet the entry requirements.
• Standard Entry Requirements: A good honors degree (2.1 or above) with a personal statement and evidence of engagement with journalism.
• International Students: If you are an international student and not from a majority English-speaking country, you will need IELTS 7.0, with a written element of 8.0 and no element below 6.0.

Fees

• Full-time Home: £9,800 per year
• Full-time International: £17,000 per year

Scholarships

• Aziz Foundation Scholarship: The Aziz Scholarship Programme offers 100% tuition fee Masters scholarships to support British Muslims who wish to advance their careers and bring positive change to their communities by studying at one of their partner UK universities.
• Scholarships for International Students: If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of the university's scholarships.