MA Broadcast and Digital Journalism
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Arts
- Course Length
- 1 year
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Other Course Options
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Truth-seekers and storytellers, apply here! If you want to make a difference, hold power to account, and prepare for a career in the digital world, our MA Broadcast and Digital Journalism course is for you.
You don’t need any prior study of journalism or media, just a fierce curiosity and a determination to learn. In this busy, intensive year, we’ll teach you the transferrable skills you’ll need to start a career in news, social media or communications.
Our lecturers have decades of experience as journalism professionals, working for major broadcasters such as the BBC, and they’ll use that experience to get you industry ready. We're not just a normal university course – we’re a learning community based in Norwich city centre at Broadcast House.
From the very first week, you’ll be out in the city reporting, speaking to people and hearing their stories. You’ll 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 British employers - and you’ll visit the courts and local councils and produce news stories based on what you’ve seen.
We're extremely proud of our Journalism graduates who’ve gone on to work at BBC, ITV, Bauer Media, Newsquest and many more. So, 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, media or PR.
Study and Modules
Structure
This is a practice-based course which starts with introductory skills and progresses to more advanced work over the course of the year. You’ll start by learn the core skills of recording and editing audio and video news stories for broadcast and online platforms. You’ll generate your own news stories - the best are published on our award-winning website, UEAJournalism - 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 and take part in ‘newsdays’ during teaching weeks and assessment periods which will replicate the work of journalists in a real newsroom
You’ll also develop your reporting and writing skills, instilling an appreciation of the proper ethical framework for your journalism. As the course progresses, you’ll pursue more challenging stories through data and investigative journalism projects. You’ll also study media law and regulation, exploring 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 and national government which form the basis of many news stories.
Compulsory Modules
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
We don’t just talk the talk; we walk the walk. On this course you’ll be taught by journalists with current or recent experience in the journalism industry working in TV, radio and online. As part of your learning you’ll watch, read and listen to the news every day, to further your understanding of the audience and the requirements of the genre. 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 for broadcast and digital audiences. You’ll learn inclusive journalism too, working with diverse communities to help them tell their stories.
You’ll take part in all-day workshops called “newsdays”, some of these in the assessment periods in January and June. Over the summer period you’ll take part in 10 days of work placement which will bring together all the learning from the course and put you in a strong position to apply for jobs in the media industry. You'll be supported to find your own placements from the course team and the UEA’s dedicated careers service.
Assessment
This is a practice-based course and as such the majority of assessments are items of journalistic work. You'll find and research your own stories, contact potential interviewees, gather your own in-person interviews as well as audio and video footage. You'll then use these to produce publishable works of accurate, balanced, impartial journalism which comply with ethical and legal standards as practised in industry.
Knowledge of media law and regulation is an essential part of training to be a journalist, and 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 with a focus on investigative and data journalism as well as digital audiences. You’ll reflect on the work-based learning over the summer months, submitting a report which will show the depth of your industry engagement through our programme of guest speakers and external opportunities.
Employability
After the Course
After the course you’ll be ready to work as a journalist in local or national newsrooms, you’ll also be able to work in communications roles or social media marketing. Our graduates have gone into journalistic careers at BBC, ITV, Newsquest, the Telegraph, the Independent and many more. They have also gone into roles as social media content creators, or working in PR and communications.
Careers
Examples of careers you could enter include:
- Local or regional TV / radio journalist
- Local or national newspaper journalist
- Social media content creator
- Independent media production company staff
- Journalist for a national or international broadcaster
- Communications officer
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
Applicants may also be considered on the basis of relevant experience working in media.
- 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
Applicants may also be considered on the basis of relevant experience working in media.
- 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):
-
IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 7.0 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:
-
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2026/27 are:
-
UK Students: £11,200
-
International Students: £23,850
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 have to travel into the centre of Norwich for many of your modules. Regular buses run from campus and there is paid parking nearby. 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.