Journalism - MA
Currently viewing course to start in 2026/27 Entry.
The MA in Journalism is a practical course is designed to help you work in a range of journalism settings by understanding different methods of production across print, digital and broadcast platforms....
- Level Postgraduate Taught
- Study mode Full Time
- Award MA
- Start date September 2026
- Subject
- Location City Centre
This course is:
Available with Professional Placement option
Open to International Students
Overview
The MA in Journalism is a practical course is designed to help you work in a range of journalism settings by understanding different methods of production across print, digital and broadcast platforms. We are currently taking this course through the accreditation process with the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), and have designed the programme in line with NCTJ standards to provide you with a foundation for a professional career in the journalism industry through the development of key skills and understanding in areas such as newsgathering, reporting and media law, alongside a focus on the use of digital and data in contemporary journalism. You will also explore the relationship between journalists and public relations professionals, opening up alternative opportunities within the media industry.
The course has relationships with organisations with a range of outlets, such as The Guardian, The Birmingham Dispatch, Global Radio and the BBC, as well as a number of other organisations covering broadcast, online and print journalism, all of which are keen to bring in the skills that you will be developing on the course. Students will also draw on the University’s strong research and practical background in the independent and hyperlocal media sector develop the skills and knowledge to operate in this growing sector of the journalism industry.
Studying under staff with a wealth of experience in different strands of the journalism industry in the UK and across the globe, you will learn how reporters source, produce and deliver news in alternative formats across a range of platforms. You will also work with both our award-winning Birmingham Eastside platform and other organisations to understand the role of reporters in different journalism landscapes by working on live projects and taking advantage of opportunities via other outlets and organisations. The programme will prepare students to work in established newsrooms, as well as developing the skills and knowledge to operate in the growing independent media sector.
Following the proposed accreditation of this course, you will have the opportunity to sit NCTJ examinations and assessments alongside your University studies and assignments, which, on successful completion, means you could be awarded both a Master’s degree and the NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
What's covered in this course?
You will take modules covering topics focusing on core practical knowledge such as newsgathering and reporting, media law, ethics, data journalism and broadcast journalism, as well as participating in newsdays where you will experience the thrill of working in a live news environment, creating content to deadline and telling stories that matter to their communities.
The course will also provide access to respected journalists who are working in the field in order to understand the contemporary industry’s challenges and opportunities. From traditional media outlets, through to those creating disruption and seeking alternative ways of telling stories, the course is designed to provide you with skillset to thrive in the ever-evolving world of journalism by identifying and creating opportunities to tell real stories throughout the MA Journalism programme
You will have access to the excellent facilities at BCU’s Parkside campus, including radio and TV studios, a newsroom space and audio and video editing suites. Alongside this you will be able to use video and still cameras and audio recording equipment to get out and capture real stories from the outset. You will be expected to find and report stories regularly across the course in order to experiment with different techniques and formats to put yourself at the forefront of this exciting period in the development of the industry.
Professional Placement option
This course offers an optional professional placement. This allows you to spend 20 weeks with an employer, following completion of your taught modules, and is a great way to enhance your employability.
The experience you gain through your placement will allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.
If you choose the placement option, you will be responsible for finding and securing a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will be able to draw on the University’s extensive network of local, regional and national employers, and the support of our Careers teams. If you do not secure a suitable placement, you will automatically be transferred back to the standard, non-placement version of the course.
Please note: Placements will only be confirmed following a competitive, employer-led selection process. As such, the University will not be able to guarantee placements for students who have registered for the professional placement option.
Why Choose Us?
- Emphasis on employability.
- Wide range of career paths.
- Excellent industry links.
- Stimulating choice of modules.
OPEN DAY
Join us for an Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.
Next Event: 15 November 2025
Entry Requirements
Essential requirements
Applicants are normally expected to have a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent, in any subject. We will also consider applicants with significant experience in PR, journalism or in a similar type of communication role who are able to demonstrate outstanding ability and potential.
Applying with international qualifications
See below for further information on applying as an international student.
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MA
Starting: Sep 2026
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
-
TBC
- Register interest
- Full Time
- 18 months (including Professional Placement)
-
TBC
- Register interest
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: MA
Starting: Sep 2026
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 1 year
-
TBC
- Register interest
- Full Time
- 18 months (including Professional Placement)
-
TBC
- Register interest
Personal statement
You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
If you are applying for a stand alone module, please include the title of the module you want to study in your Personal Statement.
Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.
Course in Depth
Modules
Data Journalism provides editorial, practical and critical skills to enable you to apply a range of techniques to incorporate data in story production, from data-driven idea development, to sourcing and analysing data, and communicating the results to an audience through text, visualisation and other media.
This module will allow you to understand the core concepts and skills of journalism, from finding stories through to developing them and delivering them for an audience. You will learn how reporters source their leads and conduct further research and interviews to enable you to generate engaging and original news reports for different outlets and platforms. The sessions provide practical knowledge and the opportunity to apply the skills being developed with a view to creating publishable articles and content through analysis of media outlets and their audiences.
Media Law, Regulation and Ethics focuses on key areas of the law and regulatory systems as they relate to the media. The module will examine the ethical, regulatory and legal constraints under which journalists work. It will look in detail at issues including defamation, contempt of court and various reporting restrictions. The module will also consider human rights law including the conflict between rights to privacy and to freedom of expression and copyright.
Journalism and PR have always had a close relationship and employ similar and complementary skills. This module critically reviews this relationship, to understand the connections and to explore the techniques employed in contemporary PR practice.
This module will equip you with the essential skills to work as journalists in radio and television newsrooms, as well as developing skills and knowledge around broadcasting to apply to other journalism settings. You will learn how to research, write and produce high-quality reports for radio and/or television.
In this module you will learn about the role images play in journalism. You will critically explore the visual language and stylistic approaches specific to photojournalism and documentary photography and develop the core photography skills needed to create original photographs suitable for publication in journalistic settings.
This module will give students the chance to experience a real-world news environment and understanding of the various roles within the newsroom setting. You will work collaboratively as part of a reporting team to tackle newsdays to meet deadlines and deliver content for a variety of platforms and outlets. It allows you to bring skills from across the course together to experience the thrill of live news and help you to experience the way a professional newsroom operates.
In order to fulfil the requirements for the award of MA Journalism with Professional Placement, students must undertake the following module:
This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 20-week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree.
The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.
Employability
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
When you join Birmingham City University, the first thing you will notice is the high standard of our campuses.
With an investment of over £500 million across our buildings and facilities, we are committed to giving you the very best learning environment to help shape your experience.
State-of-the-art facilities
You will learn in our state-of-the-art facilities - including the £62m fully-digital Media Centre - located on the City Centre Campus. You will enjoy access to extensive studio and workshop space including four TV studios, six radio studios and broadcast-standard edit suites, as well as cutting-edge equipment and software.
Facilities include the largest TV floor of any university in the UK, a ‘green screen’ and a BOLT JR+ high-speed camera robot.
Our staff
Dr Ross Hawkes
College Academic Lead for Media and Journalism
Ross is the founder and editor of an award-winning hyperlocal news website, Lichfield Live, and also leads the Community Interest Company producing The Lichfield and Burntwood Independent newspaper. His PhD explored the work of semi-professional journalists operating in the hyperlocal and independent space across the UK. He is a member of the...
More about RossKelly O’Hanlon
Course Director for MA Public Relations; Senior Lecturer in the Department of English and Media
Kelly has worked in the public relations industry for more than 20 years, both agency and in-house, consumer and B2B. A former BCU student herself, Kelly graduated in 2005 with a BA in Media and Communications, in 2017 with a PGCE in Higher Education, and again in 2018 with an MA in Public Relations.
More about KellyPaul Bradshaw
Associate Professor
Paul Bradshaw leads both the MA in Data Journalism and the MA in Multiplatform and Mobile Journalism at Birmingham City University, and works as a consultant data journalist in the BBC England data unit. He is also the founder of the investigative journalism crowdsourcing site, Help Me Investigate, which was shortlisted in...
More about Paul