Journalism / Journalism (Sports) MA
Postgraduate Certificate / Master's Degree
The total service fee for this program:
€ 499
Pre payment for this program:
€ 99
Due to the impossibility of foreign currency payments for users residing in Iran, if you are applying for study admission in this program, before pressing the ‘Apply NOW‘ button, contact the support through the Call button below and after To get your suitable solution, proceed to upload the required documents.
This program has OFFER event
Discount event for this program
Mie exceptional discounts
The amount of discount for this event
100 €
The total service fee for this program after discount:
€ 399
ABOUT
Overview
Learn to be a journalist in our real-world newsroom – the mediaHUB – where you will work alongside journalists from the BBC and national and regional media. Publish your work on our websites and develop a portfolio of content that will launch your career; graduates have gone on to work at BBC News and Sport, Sky Sports News, national newspapers and magazines, football clubs and PR Firms.
Whatever your previous study or experience, this MA will give you all the skills you need to become a journalist. Cover core reporting skills, media ethics and law, video and digital content, and investigative journalism techniques. Stay mainstream, or choose the sports pathway and learn a range of specialist sports journalism skills. In the final stage of the course you will produce your own series of in-depth articles on a subject of your choice. Those who specialise in Sports can graduate with MA Journalism (Sports).
Alongside the MA, you’ll have the opportunity to do the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Diploma in Journalism or Sports Journalism. NCTJ accreditation is widely recognised as a gold standard for courses that turn out highly-skilled, highly-motivated and highly-employable trainee journalists. Previous study of journalism is not a requirement.
Why us?
- This course is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) for over a decade, ensuring industry-standard skills and knowledge are at the centre of teaching. Learn more about the benefits of studying an NCTJ-accredited course.
- Excellent career prospects – our graduates now work for organisations including the BBC, Sky Sports News, JPI Media, Reach, European Golf Tour, national newspapers and magazines, football clubs and PR firms
- As a student on this course, you can apply for the Journalism Diversity Fund. The fund awards bursaries to aspiring journalists from diverse backgrounds who need help funding their NCTJ-accredited course
- Learn in a real-world newsroom environment – working alongside professional journalists in our mediaHUB
- Go on inspirational trips. Student have visited the Camp Nou in Barcelona, attended Europa League matches in Germany and covered Wembley cup finals in the press box
Course structure
From day one you will experience life as a journalist, working in a real-world newsroom in our mediaHUB. You will publish on our range of websites working alongside, and with help from, experienced journalists from national and regional newspapers and broadcasters, such as the BBC.
The course is taught by respected academics and journalism professionals through a combination of newsroom workshops, seminars and tutorials. You will work on projects both on your own and with others, developing skills in communication and teamwork.
Assessment methods include essays, projects, presentations, and a major project.
Part-time students can expect around eight hours per week of contact time in the first year and around 14 hours per week in the second year.
Stage 1 (60 credits):
- Practical Journalism (30 credits)
Learn the core skills of journalism, from interviewing to reporting on breaking stories, via mobile platforms and social media integrated newsroom workshops with a team of fellow trainee and professional journalists live from our mediaHUB. Report on your specialist interest, including news, sport, fashion, music and arts. Examine the nature of news journalism (or sports journalism for sports students), relative news and features values, and the variety of sources available for originating stories and features. Develop the skills and understanding necessary for effective journalistic research, including maintaining contacts, working “on” and “off diary”, interviewing and research sources and techniques. Develop your ability to recognise clear story angles and write coherent articles based on them. Experience the workings of a features desk and newsroom from the very start, and write publishable work for the department’s digital mediaHUB sites and Spark radio.
- Essential Media Law (30 credits)
Learn laws and ethical codes including anonymity, contempt of court, libel, copyright, privacy and other statutes which affect journalistic practice and output which journalists must consider when preparing and publishing legally-safe and ethically-responsible content for print, online, broadcast and social media platforms. Learn the restrictions faced when covering criminal and civil court cases in England and Wales. Examine the restrictions surrounding reporting from civil and criminal courts as well as inquests and gain the knowledge and ability to check copy for legal errors and write legally-safe court reports for print, online or broadcast. Examine and learn to apply ethical considerations and regulations set out for journalists by Ofcom and the Editors’ Code, regulated by Ipso.
NCTJ Diploma in Journalism
The MA modules will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to gain a full NCTJ Diploma in Journalism. This consists of a series of core and optional exams and coursework which you will take throughout the year in addition to the MA assessments. Teaching staff will guide you through this to gain this extra qualification which is vital to getting a job in journalism.
The NCTJ Diploma exams you can do are as follows:
Core:
- Essential Media Law
- Ethics and Regulation
- E-portfolio
- Essential Journalism
Optional:
- Shorthand
- Court Reporting
- Video Journalism
- Sports Journalism
- Production
- Public Affairs
- Practical Magazine Journalism
Entry requirements
We require applicants to hold a good honours degree (2:1 or above) in a related discipline. We will consider applicants with a 2:2 honours degree and those with professional and vocational experience.
We may ask you to undertake a short course that covers essential skills and knowledge, before you join the main Masters course.
If English is not your first language, you should have an IELTS (or equivalent) score of at least 6.5 or above (a minimum of 6.0 in writing and no other element below 5.5).
After 6 April 2015 you must take your IELTS exams at one of the test centres listed on the UKVI website. If you took your IELTS exam before 6 April 2015 this does not apply, and your qualification is still valid regardless of which test centre you used.
Career ready
Postgraduates are highly employable and, on average, earn more than individuals whose highest qualification is an undergraduate degree. On completing this course you will be equipped for a variety of roles throughout the journalism industry. This degree prepares you for writing in newspapers, magazines, radio, TV and online media, and if you choose to specialise in sport you’ll also have the opportunity to write for sports clubs or brands.
You will also have developed and demonstrated transferable skills that are highly relevant to many positions in industry, commerce and the Civil Service, as well as to jobs in the arts and voluntary sectors.
Career opportunities
Recent Sunderland graduates have gone on to work for the BBC, Sky, The Essex Chronicle, The Huddersfield Gazette, Spark Magazine, See Tickets, The Socialist Worker, The Prague Post, What Culture, and BBC Relish Magazine. Sports specialists have been employed by Sky Sports News, JPI Media, Reach, a range of football clubs, the PGA Golf Tour and a variety of PR companies.
During the course we encourage you to gain industry experience which will enhance your skills, build up a valuable network of contacts and boost your employability. A Masters degree will also enhance career opportunities within Higher Education and prepare you for further postgraduate studies.
As a professionally accredited centre for journalism education, we provide you with an opportunity to influence the future teaching of journalism. You can become an NCTJ student representative and attend a national council meeting once a year.
If English is not your first language you should have at least one of the following qualifications (or equivalent) as a minimum.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
You need an overall score of 6.0, with at least 5.5 or higher in each component: reading, writing, listening and speaking. An alternative approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) will also be accepted if the applicant’s element scores are equivalent to those required for IELTS. After 6 April 2015, you must take your IELTS exams at one of the test centres listed on the UKVI website.
Pearson Test of English Academic
You need an overall score of 59 with no less than 59 in each skill.
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
You need grade C or above.
Cambridge Certification in Advanced English (CAE)
You need grade C or above.
Deadlines
26 January 2022 – UCAS deadline
Applications for all UCAS Undergraduate courses, except those with a 15 October deadline, should arrive at UCAS by 6pm on 26 January 2022. This is the ‘equal consideration’ deadline, which means course providers must consider all applications received by this time equally.
25 February 2022 – UCAS Extra opens
If you’ve used all five choices, and you’re not holding any offers, you can add another choice using Extra.
19 May 2022 – University decision deadline
If you applied by 26 January and you’re still awaiting a decision from one of your choices, we have until today to decide whether we’re making you an offer. Any choices that are still outstanding after this will be made unsuccessful.
9 June 2022 – Deadline to reply to offers
If you receive all your university decisions by 19 May, you must reply to any offers by today (except if you are using Extra to find a place), otherwise they’ll be declined.
30 June 2022 – Final day to make an application to five universities
You can still apply with up to five choices until 6pm today. After this, your application will automatically be entered into Clearing.
4 July 2022 – Final day to apply for a course in Extra
This is the last day to add an Extra option to your 2022 application. If you don’t hold any offers after this, you will be able to add an additional choice using Clearing.
FREE VISA SERVICE
One of our very suitable solutions for applicants is to provide free visa services to study in this field from a pleasant country. If you need to receive free visa services, let us know your request
Expenses (GBP)
13750
Application Fee
0
Program expenses
University & General Expenses
accommodation
The university offers three different student residential buildings, all of which are within walking distance from the university campuses. All students that are residing in these buildings can take advantage of the free transport that the university offers. What is more, all the dorms are equipped with facilities like fridge, Shower, toilet facilities, Wi-Fi, bed Wardrobe, Washbasin and mirror, as well as car parking and bicycle storage.
The first student residence of the university is called Scotia Quay that costs up to £95.50 per week. Each room is suitable for up to 5 students. the second one is named Panns Bank costs about £77.79 a week and is also suitable for families of four. Lastly, Clanny House also costs around £77.79 per week and is suitable for couples as well as single students.
After Graduation
All the students have the opportunity to seek help from The Careers and Employability Service, a team dedicated to helping students find proper and suitable employment either during or after their education.
Students are encouraged to take on part-time vocational roles in order to gain perspective on the reality of the labor market and also earn extra cash. As a matter of fact, the university helps and guides them during this process. It helps students find part-time jobs that do not impact their studies or temporary jobs that can be done during vacations and breaks. Students also have the chance to take part in paid or unpaid internships and job placements that are related to their field of study.
The Careers and Employability Service also helps students with finding employment after graduation. They help students with the resumes, CVs, job applications and job interviews.