Two Journalism degree students with filming and audio equipment

MA Journalism

Entry year
2024/25
Course code
P50012
Application
University
Level
Postgraduate
School
School of Arts
Campus
City Campus
Duration
One year
Delivery
Full-time; starts September
Programme leader
Christopher Brown

This course is open for applications.

Please note that this programme is currently being redesigned with additional module choices. A new structure will be confirmed by January 2024.

Page last updated 2 February 2024

Introduction

Choose one of our MA Journalism pathways to progress your career in your chosen field of journalism. Get the latest skills needed in the industry through our practical placements, strong industry links, modern facilities and location in the innovative media hub of Bristol.

Accreditations and partnerships:

MA Journalism

Study our real-world, practice-focused MA Journalism, accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC). Supported by the unique BBC Mentor Scheme, you'll be matched with a BBC journalist who'll give you invaluable insights and support during your course., Gain the skills you need to become the multimedia news and investigative journalists of the future.

MA Journalism (Audio Docs and Podcast)

Offered in partnership with the BBC, our MA Journalism (Audio, Docs and Podcast) is for graduates with a passion for radio, and an interest in audio, podcast, documentary making and radio journalism. Accredited by the BJTC, you'll work alongside independent and BBC audio producers, and award-winning academics.

MA Journalism (Specialist Features)

Modern journalists need a versatile skillset to create high-quality features across websites, newspapers, magazines and diverse digital and print platforms. Work with experienced journalists to build your skills in long-form writing to pursue a successful portfolio journalism career.

Why study a journalism pathway?

Our MA Journalism pathways are based at Bower Ashton, part of City Campus, where you'll find exceptional facilities and resources and the latest technology. You'll also benefit from guest lecturers, industry speakers and live collaborative projects.

Bristol is a vibrant, innovative media hub with the highest concentration of creative industries outside London. We work with a wide range of broadcasters, publishers and creative and cultural partners, including the BBC, The Bristol Cable, Ujima Radio, and the Pervasive Media Studio.

Where can it take me?

MA Journalism

You'll be equipped with the latest skills required by industry, ready to walk into modern digital, broadcast and print newsrooms, as well as publishing, media production, public relations and marketing roles.

MA Journalism (Audio Docs and Podcast)

You'll graduate equipped to secure audio journalism work on a freelance or staff basis, in production companies and post-production facilities. You could work as a broadcast assistant, junior researcher, production assistant or studio manager.

MA Journalism (Specialist Features)

You'll be in a position to find freelance or entry-level multimedia journalism jobs in digital audio, television, radio, and print. It's up to you if you want to specialise in a particular subject or type of feature writing, or work across different fields.

Current students studying this course are active members of a large and growing community of postgraduates who work collegiately across the School. Have a look at our degree show portfolio to see some of the work being produced in this dynamic space.

Watch: The learning and teaching experience

Structure

Content

Depending on your pathway choices, you'll graduate with one of the following awards:

  • MA Journalism
  • MA Journalism (Audio Docs and Podcast)
  • MA Journalism (Specialist Features).

Please note: on application you'll need to indicate which pathway you're interested in taking.

MA Journalism

You'll study:

  • Multimedia Journalism 1 (30 credits)
  • Multimedia Journalism 2 (30 credits)
  • Journalism Writing (15 credits)
  • Introduction to Media Law (15 credits)
  • Advanced Media Law (15 credits)
  • Investigative Journalism (15 credits
  • Journalism MA Portfolio (60 credits).

MA Journalism (Audio Docs and Podcast)

You'll study:

  • Radio Pre-Production (15 credits)
  • Podcasting and Programming (30 credits)
  • Introduction to Media Law (15 credits)
  • Advanced Media Law (15 credits)
  • Journalism Collaborative Project (15 credits)
  • Multimedia Journalism 1 (30 credits)
  • Professional Practice in Journalism (60 credits).

MA Journalism (Specialist Features)

You'll study:

  • Journalism Writing (15 credits)
  • Specialist Features (30 credits)
  • Introduction to Media Law (15 credits)
  • Advanced Media Law (15 credits)
  • Journalism Collaborative Project (15 credits)
  • Multimedia Journalism 1 (30 credits)
  • Professional Practice in Journalism (60 credits).

The subject matter of the modules is as follows:

Advanced Media Law (15 credits) - you'll examine some of the current debates about accountability, transparency and regulation, and some of the practical challenges which journalists face in their everyday work. There may be an opportunity to visit the Houses of Parliament and take part in a Question Time event with local MPs.

Introduction to Media Law (15 credits) - provides an introduction to the concepts of ethics, law, broadcast regulation and press freedom, where you'll explore the impact of the reporting of crime and the justice system. Where possible, during the first semester students will attend and report on court hearings and visit Bristol Law Society.

Investigative Journalism (15 credits) - will enable you to assess, construct, pitch and refine an investigative research proposal in relation to audience and platform. You'll carry out focused research using a wide range of methods, databases and sources within accepted legal and ethical constraints.

Journalism Collaborative Project (15 credits) - an opportunity for students to plan and undertake work that's related to their artistic and/or professional endeavours and career goals. The aim is to enable students to view themselves as professional practitioners and understand what is necessary to work as professionals in their chosen field.

Journalism MA Portfolio (60 credits) - this bespoke and largely self-directed module is an extended production module where you'll undertake your own final project. This will reflect your skills and understanding of journalism content and production, supported by tutorials and sessions with your mentor to shape and layer your final narrative.

Journalism Writing (15 credits) - a practice-based module designed to introduce you to, or develop, your journalistic skills, and to encourage reflection about how journalists operate. You'll discuss the purpose of journalism and conventions of the news media, develop a critical awareness of target audiences, and increase your competence of editorial software applications.

Multimedia Journalism 1 (30 credits) - you'll operate as a multimedia journalist - focusing on radio and digital skills - in the field, studio and newsroom. You'll put into practice, and reflect on, your own journalistic judgement, news sense, skills and knowledge. News days allow you to practice news reporting in a fully equipped multimedia newsroom producing news for radio and digital platforms..

Multimedia Journalism 2 (30 credits) - you'll take your training on to focus on television and advanced digital and social media content. News days will develop your skills even further, as you produce TV programmes and bespoke digital content for social media platforms.

Podcasting and Programming (30 credits) - building on the audio production carried out in other modules, students will engage in more advanced production and presentation techniques and professional practices. The emphasis will be on podcast and magazine programme production.

Professional Practice in Journalism (60 credits) - a bespoke and largely self-directed, extended production module, where students will undertake their own final project reflecting the skills and understanding of audio content and production. Students are supported by tutorials and sessions with an industry mentor to shape and layer their final narrative.

Radio Pre-Production (15 credits) - an introduction to the specialist field of Audio and Factual programming, which will provide an overview of production processes and develop key skills for employment. Students will undertake craft skills training across specialist roles, to prepare for production and further their professional development. Students will be encouraged to work up and pitch ideas for factual programming.

Specialist Features (30 credits) - an introduction to the specialist field of feature writing across a range of media platforms. This module will enable students to develop the skills needed to produce a variety of longform features as well as build up expertise in a specialist area, such as sport, music, fashion, travel or the environment, or business-to-business work.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we'll inform you.

Learning and Teaching

MA Journalism and all pathways

This course offers a mix of practical and theoretical teaching, using lectures, seminars and expert-led technical workshops, to build your skills in journalism, content production and documentary making.

MA Journalism (Audio Docs and Podcast)

Field visits to documentary producers will enhance your learning and bring valuable industry insight. BBC staff and/or former staff will help design live briefs to prepare you for professional commissions, whether for the BBC or commercial clients.

MA Journalism (Specialist Features)

You'll build a portfolio to showcase to potential employers and have the chance to specialise in different types of writing, depending on your interests.

See our glossary of teaching and learning terms.

Study time

Formal learning takes place over two to three contact days a week and you'll be expected to do the same amount of hours in self-directed study.

Outside of class time, you'll need to prepare course readings, and complete writing and research exercises, essays, production exercises and projects.

Assessment

You'll be assessed through a combination of practical work, research portfolio, exams, essays and presentations. 

The course draws on a variety of industry-facing learning and teaching methods to support your learning and deliver the range of knowledge and skills required for your academic progression and future career.

Learn more about assessments.

Features

Professional accreditation

Our MA Journalism and MA Journalism (Audio, Docs and Podcast) are accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC)

The BJTC represents a benchmark for best practice, ensuring graduates are more employable, preparing you for work in an industry newsroom.

Placements

You're required to gain industry experience in print, radio, TV or in digital journalism for all pathways.

Past placements have included BBC Bristol, South West News Service, Bristol Post, Bristol24-7, Ujima Radio and Bauer Media.

We'll encourage you to take up placements to gain insights across all relevant media.

There are also opportunities to gain work experience in local, national or international media outlets and explore real stories on the streets of Bristol and beyond.

Get help to find your placement and support throughout from our School staff and our award-winning careers service.

Fieldwork

We have a wide range of study visits but you're also expected to be out in the field producing journalistic material throughout the course.

Study facilities

Studying at Bower Ashton offers an excellent base for students within the creative hub of City Campus. Our new media studios incorporate the latest industry-standard equipment and technology to support studies in broadcast journalism, filmmaking and creative media.

Facilities include a live newsroom, TV and radio studios with access to state-of-the-art cameras, software, audio and visual recording equipment and mobile journalism technology to allow you to report live from events and news features.

Learn more about UWE Bristol's facilities and resources.

Take a Virtual Tour of the Journalism and Media facilities and see what's on offer here for you.

Industry links

The Master's in Journalism at UWE Bristol has been developed in partnership with the BBC which also provides work placements, internships, guest speakers and mentors.

Bristol is a vibrant media city with many opportunities for work experience with the local digital and print publishers, like Bristol Post, Bristol24-7,and the Bristol Cable, alongside local television and radio stations including, ITV West Country, Bauer MediaBCfm and Ujima Radio

UWE Bristol is a partner in the Pervasive Media Studio which is at the forefront of research and development of the creative technologies. We have strong links with a range of broadcasting organisations including Bristol Media, the Royal Television Society and Bristol NUJ.

Life

Postgraduate support

Our support includes access to fantastic facilities, study tools and career consultants, plus practical help to access everything from funding to childcare.

Bristol

A stunning city for student living with all the qualities to make you want to stay.

Sports, societies and activities

There is more to your experience here than study. Choose to make the most of it and try new things.

Health and Wellbeing

We provide support in the way you need it.

Campus and facilities

Discover our campuses and the wealth of facilities provided for our students.

Careers

Careers / Further study

We welcome recent graduates and media professionals wishing to update their skills, and those from other professions seeking a career change. Applicants must have previous journalism or writing experience, or a relevant arts or media-based degree, and be able to demonstrate a passion to produce fair and accurate journalism that has impact. 

Through our Journalism pathways, you'll develop the latest multimedia storytelling skills - informed by the latest industry standards. You'll learn how to produce content with impact that will captivate and engage audiences in a highly competitive broadcast landscape.

MA Journalism

Our MA Journalism offers graduates a pathway into a variety of careers. These include careers in the mainstream digital, print and broadcast media, in publishing, media production, public relations and marketing, and among non-governmental organisations. The course also encourages an entrepreneurial approach which opens the way to self-start media ventures.

MA Journalism (Audio Docs)

You'll graduate with the skills and confidence to put yourself forward for entry level posts in the radio factual broadcast sector including documentary, formats and presenter-led features. You could go on to secure freelance or inhouse work in production companies and post-production facilities, working as a broadcast assistant, junior researcher, production assistant or studio manager.

MA Journalism (Special Features)

By the end of the course, you'll be equipped to apply for freelance or staff writing work with magazines, or to write for online channels such as websites and podcasts. You'll develop skills across a range of features, from profiles or investigative stories, to gossip or celebrity features. Or you can focus on writing about a specific subject, such as sport, music, fashion, environment or travel.  

Our award-winning careers service helps you develop your employment potential through career coaching, a vacancy service for internships, placements, jobs, global opportunities, volunteering and community activity plus support for entrepreneurial activity, and access to employer events.

Fees

Supplementary fee information

For information about fees and funding for courses please see our fees and funding pages.

For funding options, please see our funding and scholarships information.

Entry

Entry requirements

We're looking for highly motivated, creative students who are passionate about telling stories. Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in an art or media related subject area or equivalent, or relevant professional experience.

International applicants

For country specific entry requirements, please find your country on the country information pages.

Selection process

Applicants will be invited to an online interview on Microsoft Teams. You'll be expected to talk about your previous media work, the ideas you have for the stories you want to tell, and how you would react to typical newsroom scenarios.

English Language Requirement

International and EU applicants are required to have a minimum IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 overall including at least 7.0 in the writing component and no lower than 6.5 in any other component (or approved equivalent*).

*The University accepts a large number of UK and international qualifications in place of IELTS. To find details of acceptable tests and the required grades, please visit English Language requirements.

English language support

If you meet the academic requirements but require additional support to take your language skills to the required level, you may be able to attend one of our pre-sessional English courses. Students who successfully complete the pre-sessional course can progress onto their chosen degree course without retaking an IELTS or equivalent.

Read more about our pre-sessional English programme.

How to apply

Read more about postgraduate applications

We accept applications throughout the year but if you are working to a funding deadline, you should build this into your application process..

Read more about international applications and key international deadline dates.

For further information

You may also be interested in