MA Broadcast and Digital Journalism UK
Course
options
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Course Overview
Truth-seekers and storytellers, apply here. If you want to make a difference in the world, hold power to account, and find out what’s really going on, this course is for you.
Our dynamic MA Broadcast and Digital Journalism UK degree is for those who are fascinated by the world around them. If you’re a regular consumer of news and you have excellent communication skills, this vibrant course is the perfect choice.
From the very first week of your studies, you’ll be out in the city reporting, speaking to people and hearing their stories. You’ll learn the practice of ethical journalism, and complete practical projects; creating your own podcast and exploring how to find stories through data and investigative journalism – preparing you for the modern newsroom. You’ll practice radio and TV reporting by recording and editing your own interviews and turning these into broadcast news stories.
You’ll also study UK media law and regulation - as required by UK employers - and you’ll visit the courts and local councils and produce news stories based on what you’ve seen. Some of your modules will be taught on campus, but much of your teaching will take place at Broadcast House in the centre of Norwich. There you’ll find a radio studio, a TV studio, and a podcast studio and a newsroom with Adobe Audition, Premier Pro and a modern TV gallery.
Whether you’re considering pursuing a career in general news journalism, or you’ve developed interest or specialism from your first degree, this course will help kick-start a rewarding career in journalism.
Study and Modules
Structure
You’ll learn the core skills of recording and editing audio and video news stories for broadcast. You’ll generate your own news stories and go out into the local community to research and produce them. You’ll work in teams to produce radio and TV programmes in line with professional standards.
You’ll also develop your reporting and writing skills, instilling an appreciation of the proper ethical framework for your journalism. In semester two, you’ll pursue more challenging stories through data and investigative journalism projects. You’ll also start your own journalistic podcast. You’ll also study media law and regulation; you’ll explore the judicial system of England and Wales and a journalist’s rights and responsibilities within it. You’ll learn the principal elements of the UK political system and civic structures such as local councils which form the basis of many news stories.
In addition to your compulsory modules, you’ll choose one optional module, selected according to your interests and specialisms.
You’ll create an exciting documentary project in either audio or video, which is both a substantial piece of journalism and a demonstration of your broadcast production skills.
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 20)Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll watch, read and listen to the news every day as part of your studies to further your understanding of the audience and genre. The practical aspects of this course are taught by experienced broadcast journalists and due to the hands-on nature of the course, attendance at all sessions is necessary for success. Most sessions will follow a workshop format with elements of lecture, seminar and class discussion along with practical reporting activities. In practical sessions, you’ll go out into the community to speak to people and learn how to use the cameras and audio recorders as well as edit audio and video. You’ll spend the last few months of your degree working towards your final documentary project on a subject of your choice, putting into practice all the skills you’ll have learned in semesters one and two.
The best journalistic work by students will be published on our UEA Journalism site.
Assessment
You’ll be assessed on your ability to find, research, record and edit news stories for radio, TV and online platforms and produce radio and TV programmes in line with professional expectations. Knowledge of media law and regulation is an essential part of training to be a journalist, and in line with employer expectations this is assessed via examination. You’ll also produce news stories from visits to court and council meetings.
In semester two, your journalistic skills will be stepped up a gear and you'll produce more in-depth, complex news stories and content. There will be an element of essay writing which follows academic norms, but primarily you'll be expected to produce publishable works of accurate, balanced, impartial journalism which comply with ethical and legal standards as practised in industry. You’ll be assessed on your long-form documentary project which includes a pitch and the programme itself.
Employability
After the Course
After the course, you’ll be ready to work as staff or freelance broadcast journalist in local, regional or national newsrooms, working on radio, TV and online. Graduates have gone on to a wide range of journalism or production roles. Some work in radio, video or print and online news production for major UK media companies, while others have pursued a career in public relations. Check out our alumni stories here.
Careers
Examples of careers you could enter include:
- Independent local radio reporter
- Local or regional TV / Radio journalist
- Local or national newspaper journalist
- Independent media production company staff
- Journalist for a national or international broadcaster
- Self-employment / freelance journalist
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors (Hons) degree - 2.2
Degree Subject
All subject areas considered
- Additional Entry Requirements
This degree is particularly suitable for applicants who have gained an area of specialist knowledge at first degree level, and who wish to combine that with broadcast journalism expertise, opening up for themselves the possibility of a career in the media, perhaps as a specialist reporter or broadcaster.
The course is not suitable for students who have previously taken a professional qualification, such as an NCTJ or a BJTC Accredited Course. Such students, wishing to take a higher degree and extend their theoretical knowledge of Journalism and the Media, are advised to apply for the MA Media Culture and Society.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors (Hons) degree - 2.2 or equivalent
Degree Subject
All subject areas considered
- Additional Entry Requirements
This degree is particularly suitable for applicants who have gained an area of specialist knowledge at first degree level, and who wish to combine that with broadcast journalism expertise, opening up for themselves the possibility of a career in the media, perhaps as a specialist reporter or broadcaster.
The course is not suitable for students who have previously taken a professional qualification, such as an NCTJ or a BJTC Accredited Course. Such students, wishing to take a higher degree and extend their theoretical knowledge of Journalism and the Media, are advised to apply for the MA Media Culture and Society.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
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IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 6.0 in all components).
Test dates should be within 2 years of the course start date.
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
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- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
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UK Students: £10,675
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International Students: £22,700
If you choose to study part-time, the fee per annum will be half the annual fee for that year, or a pro-rata fee for the module credit you are taking (only available for Home students).
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
You’ll be required to travel into the centre of Norwich for some of your modules. You’ll be required to travel within Norfolk to report on news stories on a regular basis, and some limited travel outside of the county may be required. Some additional study trips or visits may require a student contribution. Technical equipment will be provided although it’s beneficial for students to have access to a modern smart phone.
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other course-related costs.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.