Learn how to find and publish your own stories and graduate with the essential skills and knowledge to become a top-class multimedia reporter.
Course description
News reporting requires expertise in creating and publishing digital content, alongside a solid grasp of traditional skills and knowledge. Take this degree and you’ll develop both. Learn in our online newsrooms and out in the city during our production newsdays. You’ll also work with a team to publish your stories on the Sheffield Wire – a real, public-facing news website and social media channels.
You’ll apply your learning in news writing, web publishing, shorthand, video, media law and ethics to hunt down and write up stories to meet real-time deadlines with your team.
As well as the core reporting skills required by employers, you’ll also be exposed to innovative journalism techniques, which will put you a step ahead when it comes to landing your first job.
Our course is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists and is renowned within the industry as one of the best in the UK. We’ll give you access to international, national and regional news providers on a myriad of platforms during both teaching time and placements.
Our alumni are intelligent and successful journalists who are excellent at both traditional newswriting and digital mobile journalism.
Modules
A selection of modules are available each year – some examples are below. There may be changes before you start your course.
Core modules:
Teeline shorthand
- Journalism Portfolio
- Researching News
- Writing News
- Law for Journalists
- Ethics and Regulation
- Power and Society – The Institutions of Government
- Advanced Journalism
Option modules:
- Dealing with data for journalists
- Communicating with the Media
- Critical Incidents in International Journalism
- Global Journalism: Radio and NGO Communication in conflict-affected areas
The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it’s up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we’ll consult and inform students in good time and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption. We are no longer offering unrestricted module choice. If your course included unrestricted modules, your department will provide a list of modules from their own and other subject areas that you can choose from.
Duration
MA: 1 year full-time
Teaching
There are lectures, seminars, group workshops, individual and team assignments.
Assessment
You’re assessed on essays, examinations and practical journalism work – producing news stories, newspaper pages, web pages and portfolios.
You’ll also have the chance to sit external examinations set by the NCTJ.
Entry requirements
You must have one of the following:
- A 2:1 honours degree (we will consider a 2:2 if we are sufficiently impressed by your potential).
- An alternative qualification approved by the University as degree equivalent.
- Substantial previous work experience in a media-related role.
Overall IELTS score of 7.5 with a minimum of 7.0 in each component, or equivalent.
Pathway programme for international students
If you’re an international student who does not meet the entry requirements for this course, you have the opportunity to apply for a pre-masters programme in Business, Social Sciences and Humanities at the University of Sheffield International College. This course is designed to develop your English language and academic skills. Upon successful completion, you can progress to degree level study at the University of Sheffield.
Fees and funding
- Home (2022 annual fee) : £11,500
- Overseas (2022 annual fee) : £24,400
The fee listed is for the advertised mode of study. If you’re studying for an alternative qualification or via a different mode of study (eg full-time, part-time) then the fee could be different. Due to inflation, the fee for Home students could also increase after your first year of study.
key dates
September start
Monday 29 August 2022
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Last date to request a deferral to September 2023 entry. You can request a deferral via your online application. We’re not able to consider deferral requests for applications to courses using our staged admissions process.
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Friday 9 September 2022 (17:00 British Summer Time)
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Applications close for September 2022 entry
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Monday 17 October 2022
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Last date to register for most courses
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