MA Broadcast and Digital Journalism UK
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2024
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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, then this is the course for you.
On this course you’ll learn the practical skills of modern journalism and learn about UK law and how government and public services are delivered.
As a future journalist you’ll be fascinated by the world around you, be a regular consumer of news, and you’ll have excellent communication skills with a high level of spoken and written English.
On this course you’ll learn how to create news stories at our Broadcast House production facility in Norwich city centre using the newsroom, radio, podcast, and TV studios.
Whether you are thinking of pursuing a career in general news journalism or you have developed an interest or specialism from your first degree, this course will help kick-start your career in journalism.
This course is designed to equip you with the core practical skills of journalism preparing you to work in the news media or related careers. It will also help you develop the ability to reflect critically on your own work and the nature and limitations of news coverage.
Some of your modules will be taught on campus, but much of your teaching will take place at our dedicated media centre in the heart of Norwich, ‘Broadcast House.’ We are based in the former studios of Radio Broadland and Heart Radio in the centre of this attractive and newsworthy city. The building was refitted by UEA in 2021 and is home to three purpose built soundproofed studios, equipped with a radio studio, a TV studio, and a podcast studio. We also have a 24-seat newsroom with Adobe Audition, Premier Pro, our newsroom production software, and a modern TV gallery.
You’ll undertake in-depth study of UK media law and regulation. as required by prospective employers in mainstream UK journalism. You’ll study the political and civic structures which govern the UK at local and national level, giving you the essential knowledge for finding and researching news stories. You’ll visit the courts and local councils and produce news stories based on what you’ve seen.
You will practice interviewing, reporting, audio and video production, and learn how to develop and structure news stories for different media. You’ll also hear from guest speakers from the world of industry and select an optional module to further your specific interests.
Our school is home to internationally recognised experts, and you will have access to their knowledge in the fields of public affairs, politics, international relations and cultural change.
Study and Modules
Structure
This course is made up of a number of core practical modules, which run throughout the year, as well as an optional module and an extended journalism project.
The journalism practice module is designed to give you the core skills of finding, researching and writing news stories for an online audience. You’ll build your own website which you will populate with stories. You will learn about Freedom of Information requests as a source of stories, data and inclusive journalism and you’ll study good ethical practice.
Your practical broadcasting module will provide you with a thorough overview of all aspects of mass-media journalism, reporting and editorial, as well as technical production elements such as audio recording and editing, camera operation, video editing, and studio practice. You will be expected to generate your own stories, and to go out into the local community to research and produce them.
You’ll take a module studying media law and regulation, you will explore the judicial system of England and Wales and a journalist’s rights and responsibilities within it. The public affairs section of the unit covers 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 a documentary project in either audio or video, which is both a substantial piece of journalism and a demonstration of your broadcast production skills. The subject and format of your practice-based project will be agreed in discussion with a supervisor.
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
The practical aspects of this course are taught by experienced broadcast journalists. Some modules will follow a traditional lecture/seminar format, while most practical sessions will normally follow a workshop format. Workshops may contain elements of lecture, seminar and class discussion along with practical reporting activities. In practical sessions, you’ll learn how to use the cameras and audio recorders, and how to edit audio and video. Self-directed study time includes watching, reading and listening to the news every day as well as finding, researching and producing news stories on a weekly basis. Weekly reading of key texts will form an important part of your learning. 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 have learned in Semesters 1 and 2. The best journalistic work by students will be published on the course website.
Assessment
Assessment is based mostly on evaluation of your practical work: reporting, writing, interviewing and news production. There is an element of essay writing which follows academic norms, but primarily you will be expected to produce publishable works of accurate, balanced, impartial journalism which comply with ethical and legal standards as practised in industry. You’ll develop an online portfolio of your journalism work, which will be a valuable addition to your CV. Some of your modules may include course tests, and at times you will be required to produce journalistic work under observation for assessment purposes. Media law and regulation is assessed via examination.
Entry Requirements
- Degree Classification
- Bachelors (Hons) degree - 2.1 or equivalent
- Degree Subject
- All subject areas considered
- 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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- Intakes
This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
Additional Information or 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.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2024/25 are:
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UK Students: £9,975 (full time)
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International Students: £21,200 (full time)
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 £1,023 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 will 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 is beneficial for students to have access to a modern smart phone. It is recommended that you obtain your own pair of over-the-ear plug-in audio headphones (3.5mm jack connector) and a 16GB SD card for recording and storing footage.
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of other course-related costs.
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.
Employability
After the Course
After the course students are ready to work as staff or freelance broadcast journalists in local, regional or national newsrooms working in 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.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Examples of careers you could enter include:
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Independent local radio reporter
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Local or regional TV / Radio journalist
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Local or national newspaper journalist
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Independent media production company staff
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Journalist for a national or international broadcaster
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Self employment
Discover more on our Careers webpages.