Journalism - MA/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate

The full Master's course comprises 180 credits divided into three 60 credits stages: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, and Master's. Students work incrementally through the three stages and must pass all modules at each stage in order to progress to the next.

• Journalism Writing - a practice-based module designed to introduce you to, or develop, your journalistic skills, and to encourage reflection about how journalists operate. You will discuss the purpose of journalism and the conventions of the news media, develop a critical awareness of target audiences, and increase your competence of editorial software applications.
• Media Law and Ethics 1 - this module provides an introduction to the concepts of ethics, law, broadcast regulation and press freedom and provides an opportunity for students to explore the impact of the reporting of crime and the justice system. During the first semester students will attend and report on court hearings and visit Bristol Law Society.
• Multi-media Journalism 1 - during this module you will operate as a multimedia journalist in the field, studio and newsroom, putting into practice, and reflecting on, your own journalistic judgement, news sense, skills and knowledge. News days allow you to practice news reporting in a fully equipped multimedia newsroom, working as part of a team, prioritising the news agenda, researching, monitoring, news gathering and producing news for radio and online platforms.
• Investigative Journalism - this module will enable you to assess, construct, pitch and refine an investigative research proposal in relation to audience and platform. You will carry out focused research using a wide range of methods, databases and sources within accepted legal and ethical constraints.
• Media Law and Ethics 2 - in this module you will examine some of the current debates about accountability, transparency and regulation, and some of the practical challenges which journalists face in their everyday work. During the second semester there will be an opportunity to visit the Palace of Westminster and to take part in a Question Time with local MPs.
• Multi-media Journalism 2 - this module provides you with the opportunity to develop your skills as a multimedia journalist in the field, studio and newsroom, putting into practice, and reflecting on, your own journalistic judgement, news sense, skills and knowledge. News days will allow you to practice news reporting in a fully equipped multimedia newsroom, working as part of a team to research, monitor, gather and produce news for TV and online platforms.
• Production portfolio - this bespoke and largely self-directed module is an extended production module where you will undertake your own final project reflecting your skills and understanding of journalism content and production, supported by tutorials and sessions with your industry mentor to shape and layer your final narrative. It is expected that your final project will be of professional standard and be a portfolio piece for prospective employers.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we will inform you.

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical projects and workshops. You are expected to read widely and to critically appraise current journalistic practice. Regular guest speakers from industry will help support your learning and maintain current thinking and up-to-date developments in the profession.

For more details see our glossary of learning and teaching terms.

This year long post graduate degree is full-time and runs from September to September.

Formal learning is delivered through two to three contact days a week and you will be expected to do the same amount of hours in self-directed study.

You will be assessed through a combination of practical work, research portfolios, exams, essays and presentations.

For more detail see our full glossary of assessment terms.