Program Overview

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MA Sports Journalism

About this course

Taught by professionals and academics using industry-standard facilities so you gain the hands-on experience needed in your day-to-day work as a sports journalist.

• Accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ)
• Practical training in research, writing and filming as well as multi-media sports content production
• Taught by journalists and sports journalists with many years' experience and links to regional
  ational newspapers, Sky Sports News, radio stations, magazines and independent platforms
• Opportunities for industry placements with media and sports organisations, including Premier League football clubs
• Taught in the £38million Redmonds Building with industry-standard facilities including newsrooms, studios, editing booths
• Opportunity to sit professional National Council for the Training of Journalists exams and acquire full NCTJ Diploma
• Publish work on the Mersey Sports Live website

This is a highly vocational Masters programme, which provides practical training in multi-media sports reporting and production. It will arm you with key practical skills such as filming, editing, shorthand, CMS, analytics among others. LJMU's BA Sports Journalism has been a popular and well regarded undergraduate programme for a number of years. Merseyside is the host of some of the world's best sporting events, from the Open Golf Championship, to Premier League football, and is therefore the ideal place to study the discipline of Sports Journalism.

Course modules

Core modules

• Journalism in Context (20 credits)
  • This module provides a critical understanding of journalism theory and concepts.
  • Subject areas will include the impact of the digital revolution, patterns of media ownership, the implications of the demise of local journalism and the emergence of the democratic deficit.
  • It will also incorporate principles of communication practices in the digital age, for example PR, embedded journalism, churnalism and clickbait.
  • You will explore and critically analyse journalism regulation and media freedom and will be able to examine key ethical issues in practical journalism including representation of disadvantaged group and reporting trauma.
  • Journalism in Context will provide a challenging insight into journalism practice and will equip you with a theoretical knowledge base which you can then develop further into a dissertation or personal study project in your final semester.
  • This module complements Media Law, Regulations and Court Reporting by enabling you to reflect on the theory of legal, regulatory and ethical frameworks within the context of practical journalism issues.
• Media Law, Regulation and Court Reporting (20 credits)
  • This module covers basic knowledge of the English legal system, including of court processes the hierarchy of the courts; contempt of court and related matters; the rules of the court protecting anonymity in the reporting of children and sexual offences; reporting the courts – court procedure and reporting restrictions; open justice and challenging court orders; defamation and related matters; copyright; privacy and confidentiality; regulation – the role of the Editors’ Code and the Broadcast Code; ethics in newsgathering – including reporting children and vulnerable people; protecting journalists’ sources and the right to report.
  • The module will prepare you for the NCTJ professional diploma examinations in Essential Media Law and Court Reporting.
• Sports Reporting (10 credits)
  • This module provides key sports reporting skills, covering content gathering, digital tools, and writing styles.
  • Students will learn to identify stories and toplines, gather information, and conduct effective interviews.
  • They will also develop proficiency in producing content throughout the recognised sports “cycle” and enhance their journalistic sports writing styles, including SEO skills for digital content.
• Audio Visual Journalism (20 credits)
  • This module will equip students with the fundamental audio-visual skills needed to work in a multi-platform, modern-day newsroom.
  • They will be given the skills to film and edit video-led stories on digital, social and broadcast platforms, and taught audio recording and editing skills for radio and podcasting outputs.
  • They will learn how to produce news and sport bulletins for radio and TV audiences, and how to engage audiences using audio and visual story-telling techniques.
  • The editing skills learned on this module will help equip the students for the NCTJ VJDP core elective sat in Semester 2.
• Essential Journalism (10 credits)
  • This module provides foundational journalism skills, covering content gathering, digital tools, and writing styles.
  • Students will learn to identify newsworthy stories, gather information, and conduct effective interviews.
  • They will also develop proficiency in producing content for various media platforms and enhance their journalistic writing styles, including SEO skills for digital content.
• Multi-Platform Sports Journalism (30 credits)
  • This module provides students with hands-on journalism experience, focusing on core skills like live reporting, social media management, and multi-platform content creation.
  • It fosters teamwork, leadership, and communication abilities and helps students develop ethical and legal awareness.
  • They engage in real-world news reporting, including live on-scene reporting using tools like Facebook Live, as well as content creation and social media management.
  • The module enhances core storytelling skills across various platforms.
• Sports Portfolio and Professional Practice (10 credits)
  • This module prepares students to transition to employment within the journalism sector, enables students to produce professional portfolios/showreels of work, complete NCTJ diploma units, and enhance their experience and knowledge of journalism and related industries.

Optional modules

• Major Journalism Dissertation (60 credits)
  • This module will assist you to produce a written dissertation that researches a key issue relating to News or Sports Journalism and which demonstrates mastery in its analysis and evaluation.
  • It will cover research aims and objectives, research questions and hypothesis; literature review and underpinning theories; paradigms: positivism and interpretivism; research methodologies: quantitative and qualitative approaches; research methods; data collection and analysis; validity and reliability in research; ethical issues and writing up academic research.
  • The student will also utilise effectively their practical skills and knowledge acquired on the programme in an external work placement setting which the student has organised themselves, and on completion of the experience analyse and reflect on that experience.
  • Students who are unable to complete an industry placement will analyse and reflect on their activity and efforts, including research undertaken in an attempt to secure such a placement.
• Major Journalism Practical Project (60 credits)
  • The project is an extended piece of research giving the student an opportunity to study in depth a topic or issue of their choosing, with clear boundaries achievable, and to produce a professional piece of independent journalism in a suitable format as negotiated with the supervisor.
  • You will be expected to integrate newly acquired production skills and knowledge together with advanced research skills at Masters level.
  • All knowledge and skills gained on the course should be applied to produce a highly professional piece of written and/or broadcast journalism, which is adaptable for a targeted outlet and therefore highly applicable and relevant in displaying an ability to multi-skill and produce and present across different media platforms.
  • Examples include a series of online/multi-media features, a long-form radio documentary, a TV documentary, a series of print features for newspapers or magazines.
  • The student will also be expected to utilise effectively all practical skills and knowledge acquired on the programme in an external work placement setting which the student has organised themselves, and on completion of the experience analyse and reflect on that experience.
  • Students who are unable to complete an industry placement will analyse and reflect on their activity and efforts, including research undertaken in an attempt to secure such a placement.

Professional accreditation

All students will have the opportunity to sit professional National Council for the Training of Journalists exams and acquire full NCTJ Diploma during the lifetime of their studies.

By studying on this NCTJ accredited course, you are more appealing to employers looking for multi-skilled recruits who know the fundamentals of journalism and can operate to professional standards.

As an accredited programme, applicants to this course can also apply for additional support via the Journalism Diversity Fund. Bursaries from the JDF can help cover costs of NCTJ course fees and/or living expenses.

Your Learning Experience

Teaching Assessment

An insight into teaching on your course

• Study hours
  • Full-time students can expect 16-18 contact hours per week, usually over three full days (subject to timetabling).
  • The remainder of the week will be spent with a combination of self-directed study and practical work.
• Teaching methods
  • You will be taught in a combination of seminars, workshops and tutorials.
  • Each seminar/workshop is designed for up to 20 students, with some bespoke workshops for smaller groups and regular one-on-one tutorials.
• Applied learning
  • You will have access to the Liverpool Screen School's industry-standard facilities, helping you secure the hands-on experience you will need in your day-to-day work as a journalist.
  • These facilities include edit suites, newsrooms, radio sound studios and a TV studio.
  • Our strong links with local newspapers, television companies and radio stations mean that there will be opportunities for invaluable work experience during the course.

And you will develop your own enviable portfolio of live published sport content using our own digital platform

A work placement is core to your programme as part of the Sports Portfolio module in Semester 2. You will embark on a minimum two-week placement with an employer during which you will practise the essential skills honed on the course. Tutors will guide you to secure placements at local, regional and national journalism outlets and sporting clubs and organisations with media and comms teams'

This highly vocational Masters programme provides practical training in multi-media sports reporting and production. It will arm you with key practical skills such as filming, editing, shorthand, CMS, analytics among others.

It will further your knowledge of essential areas such as media law and ethics. You will also develop skills in analysis and interpretation, initiative and research, which are useful in any career.

Industry speakers include people like:

• Liam Thorp - Politics Editor, Liverpool Echo (Reach Plc)
• Vidar Hardeng - Law and Ethics diversity consultant - ITV News
• Jenny Kirkham - News reporter, Liverpool Echo
• Graham Beecroft - Talksport, BBC Merseyside, football correspondent
• Connor Dunn - Sports reporter, Liverpool Echo
• John Pickford - Editor-in-Chief, Bauer Radio News
• Michael McCann - Freelance sports broadcaster (Cricket World Cup)
• Mark Nicholls - War/conflict reporter - freelance regional and national journalist
• Anna Kessel - Women's Sports Editor, Telegraph Media
• Steve Sutcliffe - Online reporter, BBC Sport
• Emma Jones - BBC 5 Live sports journalist + LUTV presenter
• Alice McKeegan - Head of Football, Manchester Evening News

How learning is monitored on your programme

To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.

Assessments are mostly portfolio-based, with some exams in law, shorthand, regulation, court reporting, culminating in a 15,000 Major Project/Dissertation.

The modules and assessments will reflect the NCTJ syllabus and will include essential sports journalism, sports writing, multi-platform journalism, media law, and shorthand.

Where you will study

The School is based in the Redmonds Building, in the heart of the bustling Mount Pleasant Campus and Liverpool's growing Knowledge Quarter. Redmonds Building is shared by Liverpool Screen School, School of Law and Liverpool Business School making for a rich blend of student learning experiences. The building is home to high quality lecture theatres and seminar rooms, social spaces, and a café. It is only a short walk from LJMU's Aldham Robarts Library, which contains all the resources you will require for your studies.

Career paths

Further your career prospects

LJMU has an excellent employability record with 94% (HESA 2022) of our postgraduates in work or further study fifteen months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.

You will be given an in-depth understanding of sports journalism as a profession and we strive to highlight to you the full range of career options available to you when you leave.

Your career and academic development are at the heart of our course design. As well as career opportunities in sports journalism, the course will open doors into areas such as PR (public relations), information management, press office/comms roles in sports clubs and organisations, sports production companies, marketing.

In addition, you may wish to continue to PhD study, for a career in academia. As well as gaining these highly valuable research skills, you will be equipped with transferable skills that will be highly valued in related industries such as marketing, PR, new media, broadcasting and writing.

Helen Mayo is Assistant Media Manager at Everton Football Club. Speaking about her role at Everton, Helen said: "I'm responsible for proactively arranging interviews for men's and women's teams to enhance the reputation of individuals and the club. We also arrange player appearances, deal with incoming media enquiries and requests, ensure the club complies with media rules set out by the Premier League and maintain strong relationships with external media partners, such as Sky Sports. Every day is different with new challenges. I'm proud to work for Everton." Helen reflected on her studies at LJMU: "It's not just about the academic skills of writing, shorthand and understanding media law, but the skills you need in a workplace such as working as a team, learning from others, being confident enough to share your opinions and so on. Never forget that you can learn something from everyone you meet. Enjoy talking to people and be inquisitive."

Tuition fees and funding

Home

• Fee: £9,520

International

• Fee: £18,250

Entry requirements

Home

• Qualification requirements:
  • A minimum 2.2 honours degree in a relevant subject area (e.g. English Language, English Literature, Politics, History, Law, Sociology, Sports Studies, Sports Science, Sport Performance) is preferable, although degrees in non-relevant subjects will also be considered
  • Non-standard applications from those without a degree will also be considered
• Additional requirements:
  • Interview required
  • All short-listed applicants will be invited to attend a virtual interview via Microsoft Teams.

International

• Qualification requirements:
  • International students should have recognised qualifications equivalent to a British Bachelors degree preferably in a relevant subject (e.g. Journalism, Media Studies, English Language, English Literature, Politics, History, Law, Sociology, Sports Studies, Sports Science, Sport Performance).
• Additional requirements:
  • IELTS score of 7.5 (with a minimum of 7 in each component) or an equivalent English language test accepted by the institution.
  • International students should have recognised qualifications equivalent to a British Bachelors degree preferably in a relevant subject (e.g. Journalism, Media Studies, English Language, English Literature, Politics, History, Law, Sociology, Sports Studies, Sports Science, Sport Performance).

How to apply

To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.

All applicants will undergo an informal interview (Skype or telephone if located abroad or cannot attend in person), including writing aptitude, general knowledge and use of English to ensure they are suitable for MA study and the rigours of an accredited programme.