Journalism,MA

Birkbeck, University of London

United Kingdom, London

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408

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Birkbeck, University of London

United Kingdom , London

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesJanuary-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 20,340 / year

Next Intake January-2026

Journalism,MA

About

Course Overview

This journalism course offers you a fast-track but thorough grounding in practical journalistic skills. You will gain a strong working knowledge of the media industry and develop the cutting-edge skills you need to build, manage and navigate a career within today's media landscape.

Why choose this course?

This course offers you a unique, multidisciplinary approach blending an academic emphasis with focused practical modules taught by established media professionals.
It allows you to explore the political, social and cultural dimensions of news and media, while also mastering the vocational skills required to work across different genres, mediums and platforms of journalism and media production.
If you choose to study the MA, you will have the opportunity to tailor your degree to your interests and gain valuable experience undertaking a major research project, either in the form of an academic dissertation or journalistic work suitable for publication or broadcast.
Depending on your interests or career aspirations, you can also specialise by taking certain modules to graduate with an MA Investigative Journalism.

What you will learn

Engaging with a combination of academic modules that draw on theoretical traditions and the history of ideas to understand the issues we face today, you will learn from authors from a wide range of disciplines including politics, cultural studies and sociology. You will learn to analyse and apply their thinking on topical issues, such as the role that media should play in society, to contemporary issues such as disinformation, corruption and the culture wars.

In practical modules you will develop your skills in writing, creating, designing, researching and analysing across a range of journalistic specialisations and platforms. These are taught by established media professionals who will equip you with all the skills you need to write, research and communicate as a journalist, as well as how to design and produce print publications, audio and video.

How you will learn

The course is available for full- and part-time study. It has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening. You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops with an emphasis on interaction and engagement.

We offer this course as a Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate. For the Diploma and Certificate you study fewer modules and do not complete a dissertation.

The MA course starting in October is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

Discover the career opportunities available by taking Journalism (MA, PG Cert, PG Dip).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in any related subject; other qualifications will be considered. Applications are encouraged from those with prior journalistic experience.

Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

International students: Please note, if you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

English Program Requirements

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this programme is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

Career

On successfully graduating from this journalism course, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

high-level oral and written communication skills, both journalistic and academic
the ability to work across different media platforms, formats and genres
research and analysis skills
the ability to work as part of a team.

Graduates can pursue career paths in journalism, the media, or public relations. Possible professions include:

journalist
editor
researcher
social media manager
professional communications and public relations role.

Jobs gained by some of our BA and MA graduates include:

Producer, BBC News
Research Manager, BBC News
Project Coordinator, Sony Interactive Entertainment Ltd
Marketing Manager, Red Deer
Broadcast Journalist, LBC, Classic FM, Capital and Heart
Staff Writer, Field Gibson Media
Communications Officer, Bristol Water
Staff Reporter, European Medical Journal
Executive Producer, Mongolian Media Council
Business Analyst, GSK
PR Director, Notable.

Graduates from this course have also gone on to be employed by Al Jazeera and Vice.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.