MA Journalism and Media Communications with Placement Year

About the course

The MA Journalism and Media Communications with Placement Year is a two-year programme which includes a 36-week, full-time work placement. By choosing this programme and taking up a work placement you will gain valuable professional practice and enhance your understanding of media theory. Study our MA in Journalism and Media Communications and gain the skills you’ll need for a successful, dynamic career in today’s complex global media industries. This Masters course aims to prepare you in both practice and analysis of global journalism and media. You’ll benefit from our extensive links with the media industry, including the BBC and the Sunday Times, and gain a grounding in all its aspects, from fast-changing multimedia to magazines, advertising and the excitements of sports journalism. You may have studied humanities subjects and be looking to deepen your research interests. Or you may have been working in areas such as business or healthcare and need communications skills. Whatever your background, taking this MA will enhance your career by equipping you to operate effectively in a professional media environment. Our business-facing approach means you’ll be taught by lecturers with extensive professional experience of print, web design, journalism and PR, giving this MA its strong focus on your future employability. During the course you’ll explore the synergies between social media, PR and journalism, focusing on current media practice and the technologies of convergence. You’ll consider how to make communication more effective in professional settings by looking at journalism and its associated business models; learn how to interview and report on events; gain expertise in internal and external corporate communications; and analyse the impact of technology on the communications industries.

Why choose this course?

We give you: A broad range of media communications skills with a strong focus on digital media Expert lecturers widely experienced in the communications industry An opportunity to take a short work placement in a media-based environment Insights into emerging trends in the fast-changing digital media world Research and transferable skills valued by a range of related industries

What will I study?

Teaching on this course takes place mostly in weekly workshops per module, each lasting two-to-four hours, with additional online activities depending on the module. You’ll be supported by regular one-to-one supervision by academics from the University’s Media Group. Studying our MA Journalism and Media Communications you’ll be part of a diverse and international student cohort within the School of Humanities postgraduate community. Taught by experts in Journalism and Media Communications, you’ll benefit from a supportive academic community and will in addition have opportunities to attend guest lectures which, among others, have previously been delivered by journalists from the ground-breaking digital magazine Gal-dem, as well as presenters from the BBC, Channel Four, and alumni such as Talha Ahad, the founder and CEO of Pakistan’s first digital news service Centrum Media.