MA Television Journalism

This is a highly practical, intensive programme covering everything you need to know to get started in television journalism. This course is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council. Whether your sights are set on being behind the camera as a producer, appearing on screen as a foreign correspondent, or heading off to far-flung parts of the world to make investigative documentaries - it’s vital you get a solid understanding of the basics, from the ground up.

That’s exactly what this programme will teach you: newsgathering, production, reporting skills, writing for broadcast, filming and self-shooting, video editing, presenting, online longer-form current affairs, using social media, mobile journalism, researching stories and verification. We provide a broad curriculum to the highest professional standards, so you’re prepared to work in today’s ultra-competitive, ever-changing media environment.

The programme is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC), which represents broadcasters such as the BBC, ITV News, Sky, Reuters, Channel 4 and AP. The BJTC also provides valuable input from key figures within television to make sure we teach the skills the industry demands and supports the provision of work placements.

What will you learn as an MA Television Journalism student?

Employers tell us that when they’re recruiting the journalists of tomorrow, they’re looking for all-round skills, innovative ideas and a can-do attitude. You’ll also get a thorough grounding in media law and ethics, media theory and journalistic research skills and tools.

You’ll learn your craft from dedicated, hugely experienced media practitioners with careers in broadcasting and extensive teaching experience. Our teaching staff get to know all of our students personally, helping them to achieve their full potential by providing continual feedback and support.

Visiting speakers share their knowledge of current industry practice: names such as Sarah Sands (BBC Today programme editor), Paul Mason (ex Newsnight and Channel 4), Owen Jones (Guardian columnist), Emily Buchanan and David Loyn (BBC international TV correspondents), Matt Cooke (Google News Lab), Jimmy Wales (co-founder of Wikipedia), Rich Parry (award-winning TV cameraman and director), and Stuart Earl (BBC TV, news director).

Goldsmiths’ news website EastLondonLines provides an unrivalled platform for students to hone their multimedia skills. New Cross is ten minutes by train from central London and the area served by the website makes for a rich and varied source of local news. Reporting for EastLondonLines will allow you to develop your ‘news sense’ under the supervision of seasoned journalists.

Why Goldsmiths?

Goldsmiths is renowned for its creativity, diversity and innovation. Part of the University of London, for nearly 40 years it’s been a launchpad for hundreds of famous names across the creative industries. So much of forging a successful media career is about being in the right place at the right time. Studying in the capital means that national and international broadcasters are on the doorstep, as well as thousands of independent production companies and overseas bureaux, opening up a wealth of opportunities for networking, work experience and job-hunting. The distinguished Centre for Investigative Journalism (CIJ) is based here, so our students also benefit from access to their public events programme.