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Different course options

Study mode

Full time

Duration

1 year

Start date

23-SEP-24

Key information
DATA SOURCE : IDP Connect

Qualification type

MA - Master of Arts

Subject areas

Journalism (General) Television Journalism Film / Video / Television Production

Course type

Taught

Course Summary

This is a highly practical, intensive programme covering everything you need to know to get started in television journalism.

  • Whether your sights are set on being behind the camera as a producer, appearing on screen as a foreign correspondent, or heading off to far-flung parts of the world to make investigative documentaries - it’s vital you get a solid understanding of the basics, from the ground up.
  • That’s exactly what this programme will teach you: newsgathering, production, reporting skills, writing for broadcast, filming and self-shooting, video editing, presenting, online longer-form current affairs, using social media, mobile journalism, researching stories and verification. We provide a broad curriculum to the highest professional standards, so you’re prepared to work in today’s ultra-competitive, ever-changing media environment.
  • The programme is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC), which represents broadcasters such as the BBC, ITV News, Sky, Reuters, Channel 4 and AP. The BJTC also provides valuable input from key figures within television to make sure we teach the skills the industry demands and supports the provision of work placements.

What will you learn as an MA Television Journalism student?

  • Employers tell us that when they’re recruiting the journalists of tomorrow, they’re looking for all-round skills, innovative ideas and a can-do attitude. You’ll also get a thorough grounding in media law and ethics, media theory and journalistic research skills and tools.
  • You’ll learn your craft from dedicated, hugely experienced media practitioners with careers in broadcasting and extensive teaching experience. Our teaching staff get to know all of our students personally, helping them to achieve their full potential by providing continual feedback and support.
  • Visiting speakers share their knowledge of current industry practice: names such as Sarah Sands (BBC Today programme editor), Paul Mason (ex Newsnight and Channel 4), Owen Jones (Guardian columnist), Emily Buchanan and David Loyn (BBC international TV correspondents), Matt Cooke (Google News Lab), Jimmy Wales (co-founder of Wikipedia), Rich Parry (award-winning TV cameraman and director), and Stuart Earl (BBC TV, news director).
  • Every week during the first half of the MA students produce a TV Newsday, replicating industry practice and under supervision by experienced journalists and production tutors. Students are also encouraged to contribute news packages and social media videos to the department’s media platforms Twitter and Facebook.

Careers

We pride ourselves on producing ‘thinking journalists’ and that’s what gives our alumni the edge, making them so sought after by editors and programme makers.

In the last three years alone our MA Television Journalism graduates have secured places on highly competitive trainee programmes such as BBC News, ITV News Regional Reporter and AP Global News training schemes.

Others have gone on to work for ABC New York, BBC Arabic, Sky News, Economist Films, Polish TV (London correspondent), Al Jazeera, AP newsdesk London, BBC Newsnight, Hardcash Productions/ITV Exposure, Vice France, Manchester City FC video production unit and Wimbledon Tennis championships reporting for Chinese TV. They have also won generous grants from One World Media to make documentaries in the developing world.

Modules

This module offers an introduction to practical research methodologies and their deployment in various different specialist journalism fields. The module evolves a critical approach to the many different sources journalists use, the compromises involved and constraints within which they work. Subjects to be covered can change according to outside events and the availability of professional speakers, but are expected include sourcing and using data, the use of the Freedom of Information Act, investigative journalism, economic and political journalism, the problems and pitfalls of reporting conflict, managing human, particularly vulnerable, human sources.

Tuition fees

UK fees
Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

£12,520

International fees
Course fees for EU and international students

For this course (per year)

£24,400

Entry requirements

Students should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard in a relevant/related subject. Students also need a level of practical experience, and a strong interest in television production and journalism. Students might also be considered for some programmes if they aren’t a graduate or their degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that students have the ability to work at postgraduate level.