Broadcast Journalism (MA)
- Duration: 1 year
- Mode: Full time
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
Our MA in Broadcast Journalism is a challenging, practical programme, designed to prepare you for a career in broadcast news in the UK.
Get accredited
An accredited course ensures your CV stands out – we are accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC).
Placement opportunities
Putting into practice what you have learned builds self-confidence, prepares you for your first job and grows your network of contacts.
All-new facilities
Our new TV and radio studios use industry standard equipment and software - ensuring you’re fully prepared for your first day in work.
Join the press pack
Our city centre location means you’re next to Cardiff’s local and national media companies such as the BBC and Wales Online.
Never miss an interview
You’ll be connected to the entire city with Cardiff’s main train station Cardiff Central just 100 metres away.
UK’s first Journalism School
To be #CardiffTrained means you’ll belong to one of the UK’s most respected journalism schools with a stellar list of former students.
Prepare for an exciting career in TV, radio, digital, and social media journalism with Cardiff University’s MA Broadcast Journalism. This intensive, year-long course delivers hands-on training to prepare you to become a multi skilled industry-ready journalist.
Accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC), this course is designed to reflect the demands of a real newsroom.
You’ll learn in our industry-standard TV radio and digital studios, developing skills in researching, producing, and delivering news across multiple platforms.
We expect you to have curiosity, a passion for news, and a commitment to storytelling. We're not looking for ready-made journalists, but If you regularly watch, read, and listen to the news and have gained some experience - whether through placements, student media, or freelance work – that’s a good start.
You’ll gain:
- expertise in TV, radio, and digital journalism, preparing you for a multi-platform career.
- hands-on experience in news production, live reporting, and storytelling in multiple formats.
- skills in social media strategy, mobile journalism, video and audio editing.
- a three-week industry placement with major broadcasters. Previous examples include the BBC, ITV, Sky and LBC.
- the confidence to work independently, adapt to fast-changing technology, and engage audiences across platforms.
This course is designed to prepare you for a career in the UK news industry. While international students are welcome, those with broader global journalism ambitions may prefer our MA in International Journalism.
Accreditations
Where you'll study
School of Journalism, Media and Culture
We provide a scholarly environment to help you acquire both the knowledge and skills needed to enter your chosen area of the media.
Admissions criteria
In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.
With your online application you will need to provide:
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved a 2:2 honours degree in any subject, or an equivalent international degree. If your degree certificate or result is pending, please upload any interim transcripts or provisional certificates.
- A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 7.5 with 7.5 in all subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent. Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of an IELTS.
- A reference (academic or professional) which demonstrate your suitability for the programme. Ideally these should be obtained before you apply and will be required before we are able to make a decision on your application. References should be signed, dated and less than six months old at the time you submit your application.
- A personal statement which covers the following:
- Why do you want to apply for this course at Cardiff University? (150 words).
- What journalism or media experience do you have? (150 words). This may include experience working in student media, in a voluntary capacity, or while on placement. It doesn’t have to be paid work experience.
- What are your career aspirations? (100 words)
If you do not have a degree, your application may be considered on the basis of your professional experience. Please provide additional evidence to support your application such as signed and dated employer references.
Application Deadline
We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis following a successful interview, so we recommend you apply as early as possible. Interviews are scheduled between January and June.
Selection process
We will review your application, including your personal statement (to assess your suitability for and understanding of the programme), and if you meet the entry requirements we will invite you to an interview. The interview will comprise of a standard formal interview and additional exercises to assess your skills relevant to the discipline and to careers in journalism and media. This may include writing skills, broadcast skills (i.e. voice tests), your understanding of the discipline, and your ability to determine news priorities. Following interview, offers will be made to the highest scoring candidates.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Course structure
At Cardiff, you won’t just study journalism, you’ll live it. Our news production days put you at the heart of a fast-paced newsroom, where you’ll work as a team to produce real news, in real time. From breaking news to in-depth reports, you’ll develop the skills needed to thrive in modern journalism.
Your training builds from hands-on workshops and practical exercises to creating and publishing multi-platform content. You’ll research, write, film, and edit, gaining experience that mirrors the demands of professional newsrooms.
Throughout the year, you’ll also learn from the best. High-profile industry guests—including leading journalists, editors, and producers from major broadcasters—will provide insider insights, career advice, and the latest industry trends, helping you stay ahead in an evolving media landscape.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum. Final modules will be published one month ahead of your programme starting.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Public Administration | MCT508 | 10 credits |
| Reporters and the Reported | MCT509 | 10 credits |
| Broadcast Journalism | MCT550 | 20 credits |
| Broadcast News Production | MCT551 | 20 credits |
| Broadcast News Reporting and Production | MCT552 | 40 credits |
| Media Law and Ethics | MCT553 | 20 credits |
| Data Journalism | MCT559 | 10 credits |
| Professional Development | MCT560 | 10 credits |
| Major Project | MCT561 | 30 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Lifestyle and Consumer Journalism | MCT556 | 10 credits |
| Political Reporting | MCT557 | 10 credits |
| Sports Journalism | MCT558 | 10 credits |
| Investigative Journalism | MCT570 | 10 credits |
| Environmental and Scientific Journalism | MCT597 | 10 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
You’ll be immersed in practical workshops, live studio sessions, and news production days.
Our news production days are the heart of the course—an intense, real-time experience where you and your team will take on the roles of journalists, editors, producers, and presenters. You’ll chase stories, conduct interviews, write scripts, edit video and audio, and broadcast news across TV, radio, digital, and social platforms
Alongside this hands-on training, expert-led lectures and seminars will deepen your understanding of journalism ethics, media law, audience engagement, and the evolving digital landscape. This combination of practical and academic learning ensures you graduate as a multi-skilled, industry-ready journalist.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment on this course is designed to mirror the challenges of a modern newsroom. You’ll be evaluated through a combination of formative and summative assessments, ensuring you develop both hands-on production skills and a strong understanding of the industry.
Expect a mix of:
- Live news days – producing and broadcasting content under real-time pressure.
- Practical assignments – including TV and radio reports, digital news stories, and social media content
- Written reports and exams – exploring media law, ethics, and the evolving role of journalism.
- Reflective portfolios – analysing your work and professional development.
These varied assessments will prepare you for the fast-paced, multi-platform nature of modern journalism while ensuring you graduate with a strong foundation in both practical and theoretical skills.
How will I be supported?
You will be allocated a Personal Tutor, for help and support with academic and pastoral needs, who is available when needed to discuss progress, provide advice and guidance.
You will be supported by the Student Support services in the school and through wider university resources.
You will have regular tutorials with programme directors/personal tutors as well as the opportunity to meet with module co-ordinators on request.
Feedback
Feedback is provided at each assessment point for summative assessments, formative feedback is provided in practical sessions and throughout teaching.
What skills will I practise and develop?
On completion of the course you will be able to:
- Identify, research, produce and distribute news stories targeted at a specific audience to an agreed deadline.
- Write accurate, concise copy that is fair, balanced and suitable for broadcast and other digital platforms.
- Use a range of software and hardware to record, edit and publish content.
- Present live and recorded material confidently, in an accurate and conversational manner.
Knowledge and understanding
On completion of the course you should:
- Be able to describe the principles, theory, philosophy, ethics, law and practice of journalism, especially broadcast journalism.
- Have developed professional news values and the ability to use them to identify appropriate stories and use this information to write or otherwise produce effective pieces of broadcast and digital journalism.
- Understand how to adapt this material to the needs of differing audiences, platforms and editorial objectives.
- Be able to display competence in the use of relevant pieces of broadcast software and hardware.
Intellectual skills
On completion of the course you should:
- Demonstrate an awareness of the role of the broadcast journalist across a range of outputs across the industry.
- Be able to critically analyse material broadcast by different news organisations.
- Be able to communicate complex stories effectively for radio, TV and other platforms from a range of primary and secondary sources and background knowledge, using appropriate techniques.
- Demonstrate the ability to develop programme ideas and communicate them effectively to a team of journalists.
- Understand the editorial, and administrative skills and techniques needed to realise these ideas.
- Show an understanding of the managerial skills needed to lead a team of journalists.
An understanding and experience of:
- The roles involved in broadcast journalism: editor, producer, reporter, production journalist etc.
- The editorial and practical skills needed to create appropriate running orders for programmes and shorter bulletins.
- The principles of mobile and digital journalism; practical experience of putting these to use.
- Capture/editing/playout software and hardware for radio, TV and other platforms.
- The range of roles in the radio studio and TV gallery.
- Using online/digital tools to create and manipulate content for a variety of platforms.
- The most effective ways to pitch story ideas to colleagues and to operate effectively in a newsroom environment.
- Identifying and developing contacts and other sources, either through a specific “patch” or more generally, in order to generate news stories.
- How to deliver broadcast scripts, live and pre-recorded, in a professional manner.
- Effective interviewing techniques when dealing with contributors.
- Using a range of equipment – both for radio and TV – to gather broadcast standard content.
- Using a mobile device to gather and distribute content for radio, TV and other platforms.
- How to work safely on location.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £11,700 | None |
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £23,700 | £2,500 |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Careers and placements
This is a period of great change in all fields of journalism – including broadcast – but our employment record continues to be good.
Our graduates typically leave us to work as broadcast journalists in local radio or regional TV newsrooms. Recent graduates are now working for organisations like BBC and ITV News, SKY, CNN, Reuters, Bloomberg and Al Jazeera English. Over the years we have helped hundreds of people to start their careers in broadcast journalism. Many are now working at the top of the profession.
Placements
You’ll get to put all of these skills into practice with a 15-day industry placement at some of the UK’s biggest news organisations, where you will work alongside experienced journalists. Tutors will organise 10 of the days for you.
Whether you’re producing bulletins for Global’s radio stations, covering breaking news at ITV, or working behind the scenes at BBC News or Sky, your placement will give you first-hand experience of a professional newsroom.
Placements are tailored to your skills and location preferences, ensuring you gain valuable, real-world experience in TV, radio, or both. It’s an opportunity to build contacts, sharpen your reporting skills, and get a head start in your journalism career.
Studying in Welsh
Next steps
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
