MA Journalism- Birmingham City University

The MA Journalism course is designed to give you the storytelling skills to work across a range of journalism sectors. Accredited by the NCTJ, the programme provides a foundation for a professional career in the journalism industry through the development of key skills such as newsgathering, reporting and media law alongside contemporary digital and data skills. 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 traditional 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.

Studying under staff with a wealth of experience in different strands of the journalism industry in the UK and across the globe, you’ll learn how reporters source, produce and deliver news in alternative formats across a range of platforms. You’ll also work with both our award-winning Birmingham Eastside platform and partner 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 accreditation also means you will have the opportunity to sit NCTJ examinations and assessments alongside your university studies and assignments.

What is covered in this course?

This practical course is designed to help you work in journalism settings by understanding the nuances of different methods of production across print, digital and broadcast platforms.

You’ll take modules covering topics such as newsgathering and reporting, media law, ethics, data journalism and broadcast journalism, as well as participating in news days 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.

You’ll 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. You’ll have access to video and still cameras and audio recording equipment to get out and capture real stories from the outset. You’ll 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.

NCTJ elective modules offered: