Journalism MA (Online)
In a rapidly changing world, where people have never been more connected or content-hungry, agile thinking is everything. On this course, you'll join a global community of reporters and storytellers to exchange ideas and develop your own critical voice.
Key details
| Course Duration | 2 years |
|---|---|
| Attendance | Part-time |
| Contact | 01326 254350 |
Get a prospectus
Start dates: January / May / September
(Three intakes per year)
Introduction
Taking a practice-based approach, while learning at a pace that fits your lifestyle, you'll be taught by expert lecturers and engage with leading international journalists and media innovators. With a network of industry connections and skills in a range of multimedia news formats, you'll leave prepared for a variety of careers in the creative industries
You'll also have the option to attend inspiring talks from industry experts through our guest speaker programme. Previous speakers have included Theodora Louloudis (The Telegraph), Sarah Rainsford (BBC) and Matthew Price (Sky News).
You will:
- Be taught by leading journalists who are experienced in reporting a range of news, feature and investigative stories in an international context.
- Develop a critical understanding of the shifting political, social and industry environments in which journalists operate around the world.
- Focus on data journalism, investigative reporting skills, including open-source research and the use of social media to gather and distribute quality news.
- Create your own multimedia toolbox, learning to shoot and edit video, record and mix audio and combine media with graphics and text.
- Develop your skills as a creative and technically agile non-fiction storyteller in order to work independently as a journalist anywhere in the world.
- Discover how to thrive and innovate in the international digital news and communications industries.
Join our virtual course Q&A on 27 October
What our students do
Studying Journalism online means you'll be part of the trail-blazing School of Communication. Check out the stories below to discover more about our amazing students, graduates and staff.
An evening with Dawn French at Falmouth Book Festival
CEO delivers live brief to students with enticing prize on offer
Falmouth journalism graduates land jobs with the BBC
Graduate takes his skills overseas after Cannes Lions success
Graduate wins Cannes Young Lion Award for suicide prevention campaign
Graduate author publishes new book: Dunkirk to D-Day
Creative Community initiative connects students with industry
Reporting Earth calls on young journalists to tackle climate change
D&AD New Blood Awards: Falmouth students scoop Pencils & 'portfolio picks'
Student prospects improve with CIM accreditation
“This course is brilliant.” How studying an online MA has rewarded this Marketing student
Falmouth graduates declare WarOnCovid
Graduate Success: Rosie May
Meet the Creative Advertising graduate who’s disrupting the industry
Falmouth student pursues her career while studying online
What our graduates do
Graduates of the Journalism master's degree can go on to work professionally as journalists in their field of expertise – current affairs, politics and social justice, climate and environment, sport and entertainment are just a few such areas.
Your studies can also help you enter other fields that call for similar capabilities, such as content creation, content production, research, editing, communications and PR.
Course details
What you'll learn
With a focus on data journalism, social media and impactful storytelling, this Journalism MA is grounded in high journalistic standards, aiming to give you the skills, insights and confidence to innovate. You'll engage with media 'disruptors', develop an understanding of the changing relationship of journalists and an audience and explore the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, big data and 'churnalism'. Learning from journalists and news product professionals, working on local and international levels, you'll also develop an entrepreneurial mindset.
Modules
MA Journalism Online is comprised of five modules, four 30-credit modules and one 60-credit project (180 credits in total). The modules have been specifically designed to be studied in a non-linear order. You'll begin the course with Module 1 and end the course with your Final Major Project (MA only). The order in which you'll study modules 2-4 will depend on when you begin the course. All modules on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award.
In this module, you'll explore key political, regulatory and creative pressures currently affecting journalists.
Drawing on analysis of best practice, you'll develop your skills in news-gathering, verification and ideas generation using current methods and applications.
(30 credits)
You'll critically examine the most effective digital news content to inform your own extensive engagement with key digital apps (including data journalism tools) and creation of compelling news video, audio and multi-format stories.
You'll also engage in critical discourse around the many impacts digital media has had on professional norms, methods and expectations.
(30 credits)
Here, you'll be challenged to create your own brand and distinctive product, service or platform. Your proposal will be tested through a pitch process and underpinned by study of copyright, data protection and other relevant legal constraints.
Drawing on scholarship and business analysis, you'll examine examples of innovation in storytelling, production and distribution across formats.
(30 credits)
This module focuses on developing your expertise in the content formats used by multimedia journalists.
Individually and in groups, you'll shoot and edit video, record and mix audio and combine media with graphics and text – building up a multimedia toolbox. You'll contextualise your practice through critical reflection as well as examining how issues in media law and ethics inform journalistic practice.
(30 credits)
Your online master's degree will culminate in a Final Major Project, guided by lecturers and leading industry professionals. You'll conceive, plan and execute a substantial journalistic artefact or product/service on a platform of your choice.
You'll be encouraged to follow 'story beats' you may be developing for future professional practice. This could include climate and environment, international affairs, big data or lifestyle.
(60 credits)
The modules above are those being studied by our students, or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.
From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details for the MA.
How you'll learn
You'll learn through a blend of lectures, webinars, guest talks, tasks and discussion forums, which you'll access via our dedicated virtual learning environment. This is also where you'll find all key documentation, get course announcements and access extensive learning resources.
You'll be supported academically by online tutors, who will also deliver weekly webinars and facilitate the online forums. If you need assistance with anything that isn't directly related to course material, a dedicated Student Advisor team will be on hand to help. You'll also have access to Falmouth University's excellent employability service, RealWORKs.
You'll spend 25 hours a week working to develop your journalistic craft as you refine and build your reporting skills. We incorporate optional face-to-face events for all our online students. There will be up to two per year which typically run over weekends, to fit around your other commitments.
Study hours
A postgraduate student should dedicate at least 25 hours per week for study.
Assessment methods
Assessment provides the course team with a means of offering tailored guidance alongside advice on how to progress knowledge and skills in key areas that relate to the course learning outcomes. The course team will identify your strengths and weaknesses as an individual and discuss them with you throughout your time on the course.
Assessments are 100% coursework, submitted in an electronic format to the virtual learning environment and designed to reflect professional practice. Assessment methods include:
- Portfolios of editorial work
- Presentations
- Projects
- Reflective journals
- Critical essays
- Reports
Staff
Our MA Journalism team works with international news organisations, staff and alumni to provide you with the breadth of experience and networks needed to accelerate your career.
Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every member shown here.
Andy Chatfield
Andy is a former deputy editor of the Oxford Mail, who worked in the newspaper industry for 20...
Kevin Bishop
Kevin Bishop is an broadcast news producer with over 30 years experience in newsgathering....
Edward Kiernan
Edward Kiernan is an award-winning journalist and technical field producer. After leaving the US...
Yusof Abdul-Rahman
Previously a senior international news editor and manager at the Associated Press (AP) with 20...
Abigail Edge
Abigail is a freelance journalist who has worked for some of the world’s largest media and...
Martha Dixon
I am a trainer, podcaster and filmmaker with over two decades of experience working for the BBC....
Facilities
- Dedicated easy-to-use virtual learning environment (VLE)
- Study alongside students from around the world
- Accessible online audio / visual content
- Optional face-to-face events*
- Invitation to attend alumni events
- 24/7 access to Falmouth's extensive online library of contextual books, journals and resources
- Access to online software tutorials at LinkedIn Learning
- Students' Union community
- A Student Advisor to support you throughout your studies and access to our Student Support Services
- Access to our Careers and employability service RealWORKS
*Please bear in mind that the Covid-19 pandemic may impact these events. You can view the latest information here.
How to apply
Get in touch
To find out more about this course, how you'll learn and what funding is available, get in touch with our Course Advisors. Click below to submit a form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Request information
Apply now
Ready to apply for postgraduate study? You can apply for the Journalism MA (Online) by selecting the pathway button below.
Early Bird discount available
An honours degree or Level 6 equivalent qualification is desirable. However, candidates without a degree or formal qualification are still encouraged to apply. For more information about entry requirements and Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL), speak to an advisor.
Experience of producing journalism, either in the industry or another context, in a paid or voluntary role, collaboratively or independently. Examples could include (but are not limited to) a university website, community website or personal blog.
You will also need to submit a 450-word essay identifying a journalist or news service you admire; explain why you value their journalism.
If your first language is not English, you'll need to take one of the following tests to verify your proficiency:
- IELTS - minimum overall score of IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening
- TOEFL iBT (online test) - minimum of 88 overall and at least 21 in all 4 components
- LanguageCert (online test) - a High Pass from the ESOL B2 Communicator test in reading, writing, speaking and listening (2 parts)
We also accept a range of equivalent recognised English language qualifications.
For more information about equivalent international qualifications or English language requirements please contact our friendly Course Advisors.
This course has three intakes per year: January, May and September.
| Academic start date* | Application deadline |
|---|---|
| 20 September 2021 | 31 August 2021 |
| 24 January 2022 | 10 January 2022 |
| 1 June 2022 | 11 May 2022 |
Please note:
*Virtual Welcome Week begins the week before the academic start date. During this time, our Student Advisor team will host Welcome Webinars and be in touch with practical information on how to study online.
An Early Bird discount is available for early applications. The scheme offers a £300 MA tuition fee reduction if you apply by the Early Bird discount submission deadline:
| Early Bird discount submission deadline* | Academic start date |
|---|---|
| 2 August 2021 | 20 September 2021 |
| 29 November 2021 | 24 January 2022 |
| 6 April 2022 | 1 June 2022 |
*If you receive an offer and within two weeks you accept the place and pay the acceptance fee, you will then qualify for a further £300 off your MA tuition fees. Both these payments would be applied to your final fee instalment.
To discuss all our discount opportunities, contact an advisor.
"The course tutors, are incredibly supportive and passionate about journalism, which is one of the reasons I signed up for the master’s course – to be inspired to get myself out there."
- Aimee Coelho, MA Journalism student
Fees, costs & funding
Tuition fees
£11,300 total fee (incl. acceptance fee) - 2 years part time - MA/MSc course
£11,795 total fee (incl. acceptance fee) - 2 years part time - MA/MSc course
Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.
Early Bird discount
An Early Bird discount is available for early applications. The scheme offers a £300 MA tuition fee reduction if you apply by the relevant deadline.
For information on fees, get in touch using our online form.
Find out more about our Graduate Loyalty Discount for Falmouth alumni, which offers a reduction in course tuition fees.
Typical course costs
You'll also require a desktop/laptop capable of running Canvas, our online learning platform, and a smartphone (iPhone or Android) of a reasonable specification.
It would be useful to have access to a steadying gimble for film work and an external interview microphone via an iRig style interface.
If you have any questions on these requirements, please call our course advisor team.
Online study funding
There are loans, awards and alternative funding sources for postgraduate studies. Read about them on our online study funding page.
Find out about fundingRequest information
You can submit our simple online form and a Course Advisor will get in touch with you. They'll be able to answer questions about how you'll study, what to expect from the course and the next step to take on your application journey.
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