Summary
- Duration
- Full-time (Sept start): 12 months
Full-time (Feb start): 15 months
Part-time (Sept start): 24 months
Part-time (Feb start): 27 months
- Fees
- 2012/2013: £6,500
2012/2013 (Part-time): £3,250 per year
2012/2013 (International): £10,300 per year
Overview
Register now to attend our Postgraduate Open Evening on Thursday 10 May 2012
Please note: Courses starting in February include a break from August until the start of autumn term (late September).
Journalism practice and professions have undergone a significant transformation over the past decade or more, and many of the forces of change are still taking place and are re-shaping the nature of the industry. Changes in technologies of production and distribution, and in the economics of production and consumption, are shifting the boundaries between previous notions of the producers and the consumers of journalism. Various forms and formats of journalism are also emerging, and have emerged, that challenge long-established practices. As well as these changes, however, there are also patterns of continuity in the profession.
This course will locate the study of journalism practice within this wider context of patterns of changes and continuities, with a particular emphasis on the intercultural and global dimensions of these processes. The MA in International Journalism course offers an intensive and advanced programme of study that aims to provide you with an understanding of the current theoretical knowledge and practical skills that are essential for a career in journalism practice with a global orientation or focus. It will prepare you for utilising traditional as well as new media platforms for journalism practice aimed at a local or global public. Practical work is underpinned by a critical engagement with topical issues that bear on contemporary journalism practice in an international context.
The Birmingham School of Media postgraduate programme staff offer a breadth and depth of experience that will be essential to your study experience. The teaching team include Ayo Oyeleye, Paul Bradshaw, Pete Wilby, Sue Heseltine, and Dave Harte. Many of the course activities involve other members of the school’s research teams, and you will work on case studies drawn from our research and industry projects.
On this course, you will explore and develop a critical understanding of the theoretical ideas and concepts that relate to global journalism and learn how to apply these to real-world contemporary social issues and problems. Practice skills will be drawn mainly from online journalism and other new media platforms. You will work in a very practical way, operating in groups, trying out ideas, and putting your new knowledge and skill into practice straightaway. The course aims to encourage a purposeful application of media production skills to a wide range of contemporary issues in both local and global arenas.
Student View
He Canling is a scholarship student from the prestigious Communication University of China (CUC). Download his article to find out about his experience of the MA International Journalism course and Birmingham School of Media.
Download He Canling’s article 'From Birmingham to Beijing' (PDF in Mandarin)
Course Outline
Course Structure
The content and approach of the curriculum focuses strongly on contemporary journalism skills in digital, online, and social media production, which will equip you to operate in the convergent media environment of today.
You will engage with new media platforms for journalism production and examine the impact these have on the nature of contemporary international journalism.
The taught postgraduate phase of the course will comprise four modules, in which you will be able to do a combination of theoretical and production work. The Master’s component of the course entails a substantial independent production project. There will certainly be lots of interesting topics and issues to explore about the state of contemporary international journalism and we expect you to be actively involved in examining these issues in relation to a relevant social, local, national or international context. Most importantly, though, we want you to start to develop your own international journalism project ideas and to put them into practice.
You will meet with your tutors in small classes and in individual tutorials, and you will work in small groups with other students on practical tasks. We invite relevant speakers from industry, who will share their knowledge and expertise with you, and we want you to get involved in the interesting research undertaken by members of the school’s Centre for Media and Cultural Research.
We encourage you to experiment, to try out innovative ideas, and to produce truly original work. Although we often draw upon insights from the past, we are always looking to the future, and we want you to develop projects or dissertations which really make a difference.
An outline of the course structure and constituent modules is set-out below.
Modules
| Globalisation & Communication (30 credits) |
Online Journalism (30 credits) |
|
This theory module explores core topics and issues that will set the context for understanding the dynamics of contemporary media and creative industries. |
This production module explores a range of online and mobile journalism skills, as well as emerging legal and ethical issues. You will be running a live journalism operation, building contacts in your field and learning from those at the cutting edge of their industry, as well as each other.
In addition, an ‘experimental’ element of the module forces you to research and experiment with an area of online journalism that has particular potential for you professionally, developing your public profile in the field on the way. |
| New Journalism in Context (30 credits) |
Production Lab/Research Methods (30 credits) |
|
This module will allow you to explore and understand the wider social, political, economic, professional, technological and global contexts in which contemporary journalism is situated and how these impact the practice of journalism today. |
You will choose one of these modules depending on whether you wish to do your MA stage via a practice or theoretical route. They are both research focused and prepare you to undertake your final MA work, which involves a substantial independent research leading to the production of either a production project or a dissertation.
These modules draw upon other taught modules which either mapped out the current state of academic knowledge in the field, or established professional conventions and explored current industry challenges. |
| MA by Practice or MA by Dissertation (60 credits) |
|
This will entail the production of either a production project or dissertation through a process of substantial independent research and media practice. You will choose your own subject in consultation with an appropriate course tutor, and you will be supported by a process of supervision.
You will develop and consolidate your mastery of key skills, and knowledge of and engagement with current opportunities in the field of production or industry. This module encourages and tests skills of initiative and independent practice and takes place largely outside the classroom with support from a tutor. |
Assessments
Assessments usually emphasise scholarly or professional practice through which the key learning objectives are tested. Three weeks are set aside for assessment work.
Placements
Industry placement is not a formal part of this programme however, there will be a high degree of engagement with industries and professional practice as part of the course. There are opportunities for full-time students to explore placement opportunities in the second semester of the curriculum but this will be driven largely by the student’s own initiative.
After your studies
Further Studies
For anyone interested in taking their research interests forward into an MPhil or PhD speak to the course director about your particular area of expertise.
Employment Opportunities
Upon successfully completing the MA in International Journalism, you will have developed a broad knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues in international journalism and specific practices of production which can be utlilised either in employment in a typical news organisation or as an independent/ freelance journalist. Successful students will be self-motivated independent learners and thinkers who will have advanced and transferrable skills in production practices, research, investigation and presentation and who will be able to apply these to a variety of scenarios in the rapidly changing world of journalism.
You will have made a number of contacts and joined a number of networks whilst on the course and be ready to take your skills into the workplace. You will be able to develop a role you perhaps already have in the media industries, or embark on a new career in related sectors. Those students who aim for future academic careers will be well placed to pursue further research and collaborations.
Entry Requirements & Applications
Entry Requirements
You should possess a prior degree (or equivalent) at 2:1, or above, or have considerable experience in a related field and be able to demonstrate outstanding ability and potential. Good spoken and written English are vital. IELTS level 6.5 is a minimum. Applicants should have sound academic skills (research, writing, presentation), an interest in ideas and their application and some basic competence in IT skills (word-processing, Internet activities etc). Above all, applicants need to have an inquiring mind, an aptitude for finding things out, sharing and communicating ideas, and a desire to develop as an independent and self-motivated thinker.
Application Details
Please apply direct to faculty:
Online Application Form
Telephone: +44 (0)121 331 6618
Email: media.admissions@bcu.ac.uk
Enquiries
Prospective students from the UK or EU may enquire online by using the Course Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 5595.
Prospective students from non-EU countries may enquire via the International Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 6714.
Further Information
Birmingham School of Media
Birmingham City University
City North Campus
Perry Barr
Birmingham
B42 2SU
Telephone: +44 (0)121 331 6618
Fax: +44 (0)121 331 6501
Email: media.admissions@bcu.ac.uk