Program Overview

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MSc International Journalism

Overview

Accuracy, impartiality, truth. The values of journalism really matter in today’s world of misinformation. Despite its core values, contemporary journalism is constantly changing. It offers new career opportunities funded by new revenue and news gathering models.

Our MSc International Journalism will make sure you have the practical skills to stay relevant. We focus on investigative journalism and how it’s applied across various cultural, political and regulatory environments. You’ll learn how to navigate the practical challenges of reporting in an international context.

Key Facts

• Award: Masters / MSc, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma
• Start date: September 2025
• Duration: MSc full-time: 12 months, MSc part-time: 24 months
• Mode of study: full time, part time
• Delivery: on campus

Entry Requirements

Academic Requirements

• A minimum of a second class Honours degree (2:1 preferred) or equivalent.
• Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate work experience are encouraged to apply.

International Entry Requirements

• View the entry requirements for your country.

English Language Requirements

• If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
  • IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in reading and writing and 5.5 in speaking and listening.
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in reading and writing and 59 in speaking and listening.
  • IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 17 in listening and 20 in speaking.

Course Details

Choose from the course modules to follow a more practice or theory-led route depending on your career ambitions.

Modules

• The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2025. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.

Teaching

• The course will be delivered through a dynamic blend of lectures, seminars, one-to-one supervisions and practical workshops.
• You'll also be expected to read widely before classes, prepare regular informal in-class presentations, and conduct independent research.

Assessment

• You'll be expected to write essays, produce journalistic articles and other content under professional conditions and take part in class-based formative assessments, including individual and group presentations.
• Learning will also be assessed in a dissertation or investigative research project.
• There will also be a continuous, informal approach to assessment in the form of weekly discussions, news quizzes and problem-solving exercises.

Fees and Funding

Fees and Costs

• University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
• Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.

Scholarships and Funding

• If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
• Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.

After You Graduate

This International Journalism postgraduate degree will prepare you for a rapidly transforming field in roles such as:

• broadcast, newspaper and/or digital reporter
• features editor
• magazine journalist
• political risk analyst
• press sub-editor
• publishing copy-editor
• proof reader
• web content manager
• digital content writer/editor
• editorial assistant

You will also gain transferable skills for a range of other careers in the fields of:

• advocacy and campaigning
• corporate media and marketing
• communications
• entrepreneurship
• content-writing, copy editing and proof-reading
• social and environmental research
• entertainment and PR

Roles that Stirling graduates of the MSc International Journalism have taken up include:

• Journalist
• Editor
• Junior Content Writer
• Marketing Executive
• Freelance Journalist
• Communication Consultant
• Trainee Reporter

They work for organisations such as:

• Donaldson Group
• MailOnline
• Zap
• PrintWeek
• T6 Ecosystems

What Our Students Said

View more student stories

Sharmada Venkatasubramanian
India
MSc International Journalism

"We were given tasks that we would be doing if we were working in the field of journalism which was great practice to set us up for the real world after graduation."

Read Sharmada's story

View more student stories

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