MA in Journalism

Learning and assessment

The programme draws on a variety of industry-facing learning and teaching methods to support your learning and deliver the range of knowledge and skills required for your academic progression and future career.

The programme offers an academically rigorous and professionally relevant education. Emphasis is placed on writing and commercially relevant journalism throughout the course. You will graduate with a portfolio of content, featuring a variety of media formats, relevant to roles across the industry.

This course is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and you'll have the opportunity to take the NCTJ exams at the end of the academic year.

Study modules

Compulsory modules

• The Practice of Journalism (20 credits)
• Journalism and Technology (20 credits)
• Media Law and Ethics (20 credits)
• Media Power and Public Affairs (20 credits)

Optional modules

• Digital and Data Journalism (20 credits)
• Lifestyle Journalism (20 credits)
• Brand Publishing (20 credits)
• Craft of Storytelling (20 credits)
• Multimedia Journalism (20 credits)

Optional placement year

• Optional placement
  The supervised work experience module is part of the two-year placement mode for international students. The sandwich year gives students the opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge and practical publishing skills gained in their previous modules while embedded in an industry environment for up to 52 weeks.
  Students studying this mode must complete 180 credits including the compulsory modules before they can progress to the work placement module.
  There is no guarantee of a work placement for students studying in the sandwich mode. Securing a placement is the responsibility of the student and throughout the course, you’ll be supported with your applications including CVs, cover letters, interview preparation and networking connections.

Final project

• Dissertation or Major Project
  The Dissertation or Major Project is the defining and essential component for the award of the MA degree. It is a major in-depth investigation of a subject, theme or issue significant to the study of journalism through research and extended written work (15,000 words or equivalent for major projects).
  The Major Project is a practical application of technologies, commerce or enterprise and results in a defined artefact and an analytical report (5,000 words) that places the work in the context of contemporary journalism. For example, your work may be a project with a focus on the practical elements of either a printed or electronic publication. Alternatively, your artefact might be a business proposal for a new web platform or media start-up.

Learning and teaching

This degree is built upon a scholarly foundation that integrates industry expertise:

• Lectures offer the knowledge and framework for a study that will enable you to achieve learning outcomes.
• Seminars encourage discussion with tutors and peers to test your understanding and ability to apply ideas, develop transferable skills, and encourage deeper learning.
• Practical workshops give you the opportunity to test, clarify, and apply your skills.
• Studio modules enable hands-on activities and the development of project work in our dedicated suite of Mac computers equipped with industry-standard software.
• Moodle is used to offer extra resources and learning materials.
• Field trips enable you to experience what you have learnt. They will also develop academic understanding.
• Publications offer the chance to write and edit copy and put into practice multimedia skills.
• Student presentations provide an opportunity for self-evaluation and feedback from visiting professionals.

Our graduates from the Oxford International Centre for Publishing have established an enviable reputation in the creative industries and they are extremely successful in obtaining good jobs fast. Evidence from our alumni suggests that our graduates have agile careers and are able to enter the industry at a higher level than would otherwise have been possible. The Centre has its own vacancy list of jobs in journalism, publishing and the creative industries and runs an annual Working in Publishing Day, attended by many employers.

The Centre is supported by two advisory boards in journalism and publishing who support, advise and help us shape our degrees. The Journalism Advisory Board is made up of professionals from broadcasting to multinational technology companies, consumer magazines to local and national newspapers.

You will be taught by staff who have a variety of research interests and extensive industry expertise in the media.