Journalism, Media And Communications (MA)

This course provides insight into how journalism and the media is changing in a globalised context – from journalism ethics to internet governance, from community media to global communications and from crisis reporting to the transformative potential of new technologies.

The course aims to develop an in-depth understanding of how media work across a variety of social, cultural, economic and political contexts.

We focus on the academic study of journalism, but also offer opportunities for the development of professional skills through optional modules in the second semester and through research.

The course provides insights into how journalism is changing in a globalised context, exploring key debates and issues in journalism studies today. It also provides training in the use of a range of research skills in journalism studies, to support academic scholarship in the field of journalism studies.

You will learn to assess how media are linked to forces of globalisation, political institutions, global responses to war and conflict, and environmental challenges, amongst others.

You will explore the roles of new information and communication technologies, their opportunities and challenges, their democratic potential and their regulation

We will consider issues of citizenship, race, gender, ethnicity and class that are shaping contemporary forms of news media content.

This programme offers knowledge and expertise for a career in the journalism, media and communication industries or as a foundation for PhD research.

This programme is not designed as a vocational degree and does not provide training in Journalism. You should not consider this degree as a professional qualification towards becoming a journalist.

Distinctive features

The course is designed for those with no previous experience in journalism and for mid-career journalism practitioners wanting a period of reflection to deepen their understanding of journalism practice.

It aims to promote an awareness of the place and importance of journalism in the contemporary world, and in local and global contexts.

It attracts students from all over the world, providing a rich and diverse environment for academic study and critique.

Key facts

Next intake	September 2019
Duration	1 year
Qualification	MA
Mode	Full-time
Contact	Student Support jomecstudentsupport@cardiff.ac.uk +44 (0)29 2087 4156

Admissions criteria

You will need to complete an online applications form which will then be considered by an admissions tutor.

Suitable for graduates in the humanities and Social Sciences with appropriate disciplinary specialisations.Applicants should possess a higher education degree of at least lower second class honours (2:2), or a non-UK qualification recognised by the University as being equivalent to this. This requirement may be waived for candidates with relevant professional qualifications or experience.

In addition, applicants whose first language is not English must obtain an IELTS score of at least 7.0, or an equivalent English language qualification. However, applicants with an IELTS score of 6.5 will be considered provided they undertake and successfully complete the University’s ten-week pre-sessional English course.

You will be asked to provide references in support of your application, one of which will need to be from previous academic study.

Applications are considered throughout the year.

Find out more about English language requirements.

Applicants who require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements

The taught component of the course amounts to 120 credits and is taught across two semesters (Autumn and Spring) from the end of September to the beginning of June and combines core and elective modules.

You will submit a dissertation at the end of August. The dissertation carries 60 credits.

The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2019/20 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2019.

Core modules

Module title	Module code	Credits
Project Based Dissertation	MCT444	60 credits
Project Based Dissertation	MCT444	60 credits
Introduction to Journalism Studies	MCT493	20 credits
Politics of Global Communication	MCT532	20 credits
Putting Research into Practice 1	MCT533	20 credits
Putting Research into Practice 2	MCT534	20 credits
Debates and Concepts in Media and Communications	MCT565	20 credits

Optional modules

Module title	Module code	Credits
Media Law	MCT467	10 credits
Reporting Business, Finance and Economics	MCT481	10 credits
Reporting the Middle East	MCT485	10 credits
Citizen Media	MCT490	10 credits
Global Crisis Reporting	MCT494	10 credits
In the Editor's Chair	MCT497	10 credits
Reporting Health and Science	MCT498	10 credits
Electoral Behaviour, Public Opinion and the Media	MCT535	10 credits
Social Media and Politics	MCT540	10 credits
Governing the Internet: Digital Freedoms and Restrictions	MCT541	10 credits
Big Data, Society and Everyday Life	MCT562	10 credits
Media and Political Understanding	MCT566	10 credits
Public Relations, Offline and Online	MCT567	10 credits
Digital Economy, Digital Labour	MCT568	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.

How will I be taught?

You will be taught through lecture and seminars series which complement the academic nature of the course.

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.

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through a range of formative and summative assessments throughout the course. The main method of assessment on this programme is course work.

What skills will I practise and develop?

MA Journalism, Media and Communications provides up-to-date research skills to collect, evaluate, synthesise and interpret qualitative and quantitative data and to carry out original research.

It equips you with skills in areas such as:

Content analysis
Interviews
Surveys
Digital methods
Presentation skills
The ability to share insights and findings cogently with peers
Competence in information search and retrieval
Proficiency in both verbal and written modes with respect to reviewing and marshalling academic positions and developing an engaged point of view.

Graduates of MA Journalism, Media and Communications are employed in a range of occupations in journalism, media and communication institutions both in the UK and globally, taking on a variety of leading roles.

As an academic course focusing on critical analysis, this programme also provides a perfect starting-point for PhD research and prepares students for careers in research institutions, both at university and other public or private institutions.

Master's Excellence Scholarships

Scholarships available worth £3,000 each for UK/EU students starting a master’s degree in September 2019.

Find out more

Tuition fees

UK and EU students (2019/20)

Tuition fee	Deposit	Notes
£8,950	None

More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.

EU students entering in 2019/20 will pay the same tuition fee as UK students for the duration of their course. Please be aware that fees may increase annually in line with inflation. No decisions regarding fees and loans for EU students starting in 2020/21 have been made yet. These will be determined as part of the UK's discussions on its membership of the EU and we will provide further details as soon as we can.