Program Overview

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Automotive Journalism MA

Course Overview

Acquire skills in automotive newsgathering and media production, together with specialist knowledge of automotive history, technology and culture, reflecting rapid recent developments in both media practice and the automotive industry.

Why You Should Study This Course

The key features are:

• a focused academic route into automotive media roles
• a blend of specialist automotive journalism and auto industry content
• the inclusion of print, digital, audio, video, mobile and immersive content, preparing you for a wide range of roles in automotive media
• a group automotive magazine project and an individual automotive media project, providing you with platforms to demonstrate your skills and build a portfolio of work
• support from automotive media bodies such as The Guild of Motoring Writers, the Midland Group of Motoring Writers and the Motor Industry Communicators Association, which provide mentoring and opportunities to network with automotive journalism and communications professionals
• visiting magazine editors (subject to availability) act as key industry contacts and mentors

Collaborations

• Endorsement by the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA)
• Guild of Motoring Writers
• Midland Group of Motoring Writers

What You'll Study

Learn how to write automotive news and feature stories for print, digital and broadcast media using professional facilities, equipment and software. Learn key techniques, including how to work with press offices to obtain vehicles for testing, and how to evaluate and describe vehicles for specific audiences. Get an insight into automotive history, culture, design, technology and production, thereby developing your knowledge of the automotive industry and understanding the challenges and opportunities it faces.

Modules

• Audio, Video and Immersive Production - 30 credits
• Print and Digital Skills - 30 credits
• Automotive Technology, History and Culture - 30 credits
• Automotive Magazine - 30 credits
• Specialist Media Project - 30 credits
• Professional Practice and Innovation - 30 credits

How You'll Learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

• lectures
• seminars
• tutorials
• presentations
• group projects
• workshops

Teaching and Learning Hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching and learning hours, and guided and independent study.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module. Assessment methods may include:

• reports
• essays
• practical coursework
• assignments
• presentations

Entry Requirements

Typical entry requirements:

• UK: 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in any discipline, or demonstrable and appropriate work experience together with relevant professional qualifications
• International: 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in any discipline, or demonstrable and appropriate work experience together with relevant professional qualifications

English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5

Fees and Funding

• UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man: £11,200
• EU: £11,200 per year with EU Support Bursary, £18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary
• International: £18,600

Facilities

Our postgraduate journalism courses have a dedicated area within the Ellen Terry Building consisting of three interconnected rooms that currently comprise two ‘newsrooms’, one of them doubling as a seminar room and the other as a Mac Lab with industry-standard Adobe software.

You will have access to two fully equipped radio studios. Practical teaching and technical instruction also take place in The Tank TV studio in The Hub.

Borrow specialist equipment to support your projects and assignments from our media loan service. Whatever you need for your audio, video or photography requirements, we probably have it. We can also offer technical advice and help with using equipment.

Careers and Opportunities

Successful graduates could seek positions as:

• staff writer
• marketplace manager
• assistant editor
• correspondent
• marketing content specialist
• product tester
• PR account executive
• news reporter
• freelance writer
• race commentator
• content writer
• social media content creator
• freelance videographer

Where Our Graduates Work

Successful graduates of this course have gone on to work for companies including:

• Top Gear magazine
• Auto Express magazine
• What Car? Magazine
• Magneto magazine
• Which? Cars
• Autonative
• Carwale, India
• Autocar India magazine
• Overdrive, India
• CerebrumX
• Bauer automotive hub
• Influence Associates PR agency
• Haymarket/VW
• Dorna
• Eurosport
• Caffeine and Machine
• Karfu
• We Are Nameless marketing agency
• carandbike
• Red Marlin PR
• Vintage Sports Car Club

How to Apply

UK students: Apply online

International students: Apply directly to the university

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.