Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-09-01 | - |
2025-11-01 | - |
2026-01-01 | - |
2026-03-01 | - |
2026-05-01 | - |
2026-07-01 | - |
Program Overview
Global Journalism and Public Relations MA
Course Overview
Prepare for a career in global communications, explore rapid industry changes, and enhance your theoretical and practical expertise in journalism and public relations.
Why You Should Study This Course
- Learn a combination of practice-orientated skills in both journalism and PR, giving you a competitive edge
- Study an industry-relevant curriculum developed in consultation with leading media companies
- Work with print, digital, audio, video, mobile, and immersive content, providing hands-on opportunities through a multimedia, industry, and experience-centred approach with a team of internationally renowned academics and practising journalists
- Get access to industry-standard TV and radio studios, editing suites, and software, to perfect cross-platform journalistic skills
- We provide you with opportunities to make industry connections with experts such as research specialists, global journalists, and public-media relations players
Collaborations
- Endorsement: Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) Coventry University and the RSA have collaborated on a module concerning social and ethical responsibility. You will be entitled to a 12-month fellowship of the RSA so you can access all RSA resources and platforms during your period of study. Once you have successfully passed the Professional Practice and Innovation module, you will receive an RSA digital credential.
What You'll Study
This course aims to equip you with the expertise and knowledge necessary to navigate professional practices of journalism and PR. Develop relevant skills and critically engage with journalistic techniques, international relations, global politics, and the strategies and role of PR in a global context.
Modules
- Print and Digital Skills - 30 credits Explore the practical, creative, and technical skills associated with the production of written media content such as feature writing, page layout, and use of content management systems, applicable in print and digital publishing. Further develop your practical skills and an appreciation of working practices in professional journalism and PR through production of journalistic pieces with a host organisation or at the university.
- Audio, Video and Immersive Production - 30 credits Focus on achieving the professional skills required to produce audio, video, and immersive content. Develop your skills in news, scripting, recording, and editing to deliver content for online platforms and broadcast radio and TV. Cover stories relevant to your specialism and work with industry and external collaborators who may provide filming and recording opportunities. Source your own original content and interviews and deliver creative and innovative storytelling.
- Global Media Industries and Systems - 30 credits Delve into the political, socio-economic, cultural, policy, technological, and regulatory factors in which global media industries and practitioners operate, including film, journalism, public relations, and communication, deepening your knowledge and understanding.
- Global PR and Communication - 30 credits Advance your understanding of the relevant skills, strategies, and dominant theories of the public relations industry. The module expands reflective awareness of contemporary issues in the field of global public relations and communication practices, including the application in digital platforms and channels.
- Independent Project - 30 credits You will manage to completion a substantial piece of independent research practice that is informed by the wider contexts of your discipline, empowering you to conduct either an empirical or a practice-based research project.
- Professional Practice and Innovation - 30 credits Understand the relationship between independent and commercial sectors for the creative industries. The module is designed in collaboration with the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) and upon successful completion, you will receive an RSA digital badging.
How You'll Learn
Teaching and learning methods may include:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Tutorials
- Presentations
- Group projects
- Workshops
- Practical studio sessions
We apply a project-based interactive approach to teaching and learning, where real-world and current events in global journalism and PR are used as cases for enhancing practical skills in journalism using new and emerging technologies and strategies.
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.
Teaching Hours
Teaching hours will vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average, you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions, including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.
Guided and Independent Learning
Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent learning which will make up the required study hours per module. You will be undertaking a variety of activities, learning through guided background research, planning and preparation, studio activity, creative practice and making, reviewing what you have learned and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress towards the end of your studies, you will spend more time on independent learning.
Online Learning
As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module. Assessment methods may include:
- Presentations
- Group projects
- Live simulations
- Individual application development work
- Portfolios
- Written documentation
The Coventry University assessment strategy aims to ensure that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.
Entry Requirements
Typical entry requirements:
- UK: 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline
- International: 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline
If you don't have formal qualifications but do have professional journalistic experience at an appropriate level, you may be admitted based on an interview and your submission of supporting material that evidences your experience and achievements. We will consider each application on its merits, and the course director will make the final decision.
We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.
English Language Requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5
If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Fees and Funding
Student | Full-time | Part-time
---|---|---
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £11,200 | Not available
EU | £11,200 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary** | Not available
International | £18,600 | Not available
For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.
We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities, and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing, and re-assessments should you need them.
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.
Lanchester Library
The library is usually open 24/7, in term-time. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.
The Hub
The Hub is the centre of student life on campus. Facilities include a food court, convenience store, multi-faith centre, medical centre, hairdresser, coffee shops, and the Your SU offices. It has fully licensed function spaces and a bar.
Careers and Opportunities
Potential career paths include:
- Journalist
- Public relations management
- Project management and coordination
- Staff writer
- News planner
- Social media content creator
- Immersive journalist
- Marketing content specialist
- Public relations executive
- Editor
- Social media manager
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Apply systematic knowledge of key issues, debates, practices, and processes relating to global politics and international relations
- Understand and strategically apply advanced principles and techniques of global journalism and PR including written, audio, video, and presentation with respect to conventions, legal and ethical codes, and specific genres
- Critically evaluate the influence of marketing communications on media and markets
- Demonstrate systematic engagement with and evaluation of journalistic work within their specialist field with reference to academic and professional conventions
- Produce journalistic work that shows advanced understanding of key issues, concepts, and principles in their area of specialisation and an awareness of specialist and non-specialist audience needs
- Engage with and strategically utilise research methods and specific research methodologies such as textual analysis and interviews
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the evolving nature of journalistic and PR practice and apply appropriate skills to the production of work for emerging media platforms.
Where Our Graduates Work
Due to the focused and transferable skills that this course offers, our graduates have secured jobs in diverse areas that include:
- TV reporter and presenter at Porto Canal channel in Portugal
- Radio reporter with German public broadcaster NDR in Hamburg
- Staff journalist at a Turkish news agency foreign desk
- Freelance journalist
- Managing editor for a specialist UK outlet on camping and caravanning
- Web publisher at global public relations and advertising agency Cheil
- Marketing for retail chain Sonae MC in Portugal
- Public relations and marketing communications with London-based Four Agency Worldwide
- Strategic relationships at associate director level with UK regulator Ofqual
- Digital workplace manager in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa for Canada-based international investment agency Colliers.