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International Journalism for Digital Media

MA

School - School of Arts & Media

Subject area - Journalism

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Start Date(s): September

Duration:

MA (12 months full-time or 36 months part-time)

Fees:

Part-time - £1,260 per 30 credit module

UK - £7,560

International - £13,860

View all fees...

In Brief:

  • You will study at our state-of-the-art MediaCityUK campus next to the BBC and ITV studios in the region’s biggest media hub
  • Share your knowledge and work together with fellow students from the UK and many other countries in a multicultural environment
  • Get first-hand industry practice experience and learn from leading broadcast and digital journalism practitioners
  • Part-time study option
  • Based at MediaCityUK
  • Overseas study available
  • Work/industrial placement opportunity
  • International students can apply

Course Summary

Our course explores in both theoretical and practical terms current issues in journalism in the context of the digital revolution and media convergence.

  • It combines solid foundations of journalism practice with the latest developments in multimedia techniques, digital journalism and social media
  • It puts students through the fast-paced newsroom environment experience and offers opportunities to get engaged in specialisms such as foreign affairs correspondent, health and science reporter, business and finance writer or data journalist
  • It builds students’ professional portfolios, launches live brief media and journalism projects and embeds students in community programmes on work experience.

With guest lecturers from the BBC and other media organisations, practical workshops and newsdays in industry standard radio and TV studios, the syllabus is as close to real life in the world of digital media as one can get. The theory informs the practice to produce critical and autonomous professionals capable of working with confidence in any global media environment.

Full-time structure

For the full MA International Journalism for Digital Media award you will take two core 30-credit modules in Semester 1, one 30-credit core and one elective module in Semester 2, and you will complete your final major project in Semester 3 either as an academic dissertation or a journalistic project. For overseas students this project may be completed in your home country subject to approval. The PgDip will be awarded on successful completion of the first 120 credits.

Semester 1

Core Module: Global Perspectives on Journalism
The module will examine the role of journalism in the world of digital media and the challenges for media organisations to adjust to the new technologies and working practices. From the birth of citizen journalism to the ‘death of the newsroom’, each week will look in detail at a current ethical, legal, editorial or industry issue and put it in an international context. During accompanying workshops, students will test the established principles of journalism in new global situations induced by the technological revolution and new working practices.
Core Module: Digital Journalism
In this module you will explore the technologies and solutions that have altered the nature and the practice of journalism this century. You will look at the dangers and opportunities afforded by social media, open source technologies, digital interactivity and new platforms for media content creation.  You will create your own media projects testing new software and applications used in digital journalism to produce multimedia content rigorously observing fundamental principles in journalism.

Semester 2

Core Module: Journalism Practice in a Multimedia Newsroom
Latest surveys show that editors still expect solid core journalistic skills: the ability to write tight, accurate copy, to assess and verify sources and information, and to tackle complex stories within challenging timeframes. This module will practically teach exactly that: to be able to operate in any newsroom environment as part of a fast-paced team, and to assume a range of roles in creating quality content to a narrowly defined brief. We will take you through a series of newsdays in different formats, generating stories for radio, TV and online.

One option from elective modules:

Specialist Journalism Practice
This module will concentrate on several specialisms valued by employers: international affairs and politics, business and finance, social affairs, health and science, and photojournalism.  It will focus on building practical and professional portfolios and on setting up foundations for Major Project practice-as-research in Semester 3. The last four weeks of the module will be field work in a chosen specialism.
Community Project
After five weeks spent on learning about journalism in the community and testing the power of social media, you will embed yourself in a community of your choice, or become an intern to work for an institution or organisation on a project designed during the workshops. You will develop or run a community website, contribute to a radio station or newspaper, provide hyperlocal news and services, or get involved in a campaign testing your journalistic skills and competencies. The content generated by you will support and boost community organisations, charities or local media initiatives. This practical work experience will also build your professional portfolio.
Sports Journalism
A demanding module for those with enthusiasm for and experience in reporting the world of sport. Your specialist knowledge and writing skills will be put to the test in field assignments and live reporting from local and regional sporting events in rugby, cricket, football, cycling, or niche sports of your choice. You will be expected to employ new technologies in newsgathering and disseminating content.

Semester 3

Major Project
You will complete either a traditional academic dissertation or a ‘practice as research’ project. This allows you to demonstrate your in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subject and showcase your advanced skills in research and critical analysis and evaluation.

Part-time route – 30 months

For the full MA International Journalism for Digital Media award, you will take one 30-credit core module in Semester 1 and another core in Semester 2 in year 1; then one core and one elective module in Year 2. You will then complete your final major project in the final 6 months. For overseas students this project may be completed in their home country subject to approval. The PgDip will be awarded on successful completion of first 120 credits.

Year 1, Semester 1

Core Module: Global Perspectives on Journalism

Semester 2

Core Module: Journalism Practice in a Multimedia Newsroom

Year 2, Semester 1

Core Module: Digital Journalism

Semester 2

One option from:

  • Specialist Journalism Practice
  • Sports Journalism
  • Community Project

Year 3

Major Project (6 months)

Entry Requirements

A good honours degree (2:1 or above) but appropriately experienced applicants will be considered for entry in line with the University’s APL procedure.

Personal statement

You need to show a passion for journalism, but you must also provide evidence to demonstrate you have taken steps to turn this enthusiasm into reality. Tell us why you want to be a journalist and what your ambitions are within the industry. Which journalists do you admire and why? What relevant experience have you already had? Which organisations, publishers and/or broadcasters have you worked with? What other relevant experience have you had? What is the best piece of journalism you have produced so far? (provide a link)

You should be prepared to demonstrate that you have a broad working knowledge of current affairs. Where do you get your news? What are the key issues affecting journalism right now? How will the media industry change in the years ahead and what role do you hope to play?

You should also set out why you want to study at the University of Salford. Explain what aspects of our course appeal to you and how you are suited to our programme.

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)

We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.

The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.

Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).

English Language Requirements

For admission to programmes of study at the University an applicant whose native tongue is not English must possess a current qualification deemed acceptable by the University as evidence of proficiency in the English Language.

For entry to this programme such a qualification must equate to a minimum average overall  score of 6.5 or above from the Cambridge/British Council English Language Testing Service (IELTS) or alternative examinations as recognised by the University. The score for writing skills must be a minimum of 6.5, while all other components must be 5.5 or above, to give an overall score of 6.5 or above.

Suitable For

Students progressing from an undergraduate journalism course or media professionals looking for a cutting-edge journalism postgraduate course. You should want to explore concepts, trends and challenges in journalism and related fields of communication. And you should have an interest in the impact of social media on journalism.

Applicant profile

You will be a well-organised, strongly motivated individual with a keen interest in journalism from an international perspective and in the ways mobile communication technology has impacted on journalism, the production and distribution of news, and on the audiences’ ability to access it.  

You will have excellent communication skills, be determined and focused, and be keen to acquire the high level journalistic research skills, organisational expertise and subject knowledge to take your personal and career development forward.  

You will have excellent general knowledge of events happening in the world today, and a keen interest in the differing political, cultural and social perspectives in societies around the globe.  

You will either have a strong academic background in a journalistic field, demonstrated through the attainment of a good undergraduate degree, or you will be experienced at working in a field related to journalism.

Fees 2018-19

Type of StudyFee
Full-time£7,560
Part-time£1,260 per 30 credit module
Full-time International£13,860

Additional costs

You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.

Scholarships and Bursaries

For more information please see our funding section

Teaching

This course will be taught through lectures, presentations, seminars and workshops aimed at developing your understanding of the theory and practice of international and online journalism. There will be a number of visiting speakers and guest lecturers, and full use will be made of the growing links between our courses and the BBC and ITV through our base at MediaCityUK to facilitate joint projects and enable students to attend and participate in industry events.  

Student-led independent research, independent study, and project work such as newsdays, will be used alongside ‘problem-based’ and ‘task-based’ teaching, learning and assessment strategies. These will be integrated with an assessment strategy based on outcomes, students’ reflective self-assessments and learning plans. You will also undertake a period of work placement within the journalism community of practice, which will be supported by your module tutors. In certain cases, international students may be able to undertake this work placement in their home country.

Assessment

Assessment methods will include:

  • production exercises and portfolios of work
  • practical media projects
  • peer reviewing
  • essays
  • oral presentations by students
  • work-based learning diaries and reports
  • a dissertation or major project supported by substantial self-reflection.

Postgraduate Staff Profile

Marek Bekerman
After more than 20 years with BBC Global News, Marek Bekerman joined the University of Salford as lecturer in International and Radio Journalism to become programme leader for MA International and Online Journalism in 2014. He had worked as broadcast journalist, news and current affairs editor and producer for a range BBC World Service radio programmes before going into journalism training and media development work for the BBC on overseas assignments in the Former Soviet Union, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Middle East. He has provided training and consultancy for many international organisations including the UN, the European Commission, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Apart from radio and international news, Marek’s research interests include media regulation, public service broadcasting, and global development issues.

Seamus Simpson
Seamus Simpson is Professor of Media Policy in the School of Arts and Media. His research interests lie in European and global media policy and regulation. Seamus's research has been funded by the ESRC and the European Commission and he is a member of the ESRC's Peer Review College. With PricewaterhouseCoopers, he undertook the first EU-funded evaluation of the pan-European electronic communications regulator, BEREC, in 2012. Seamus was elected Vice-Chair of the Communication Law and Policy Division of the International Communication Association in 2011, which he now Chairs. He is also a member of the ICA Board of Directors.  

Dr Carole O’Reilly
Dr Carole O’Reilly is a lecturer in Media and Cultural Studies having graduated from the National University of Ireland (Cork) and worked as a feature writer on various local and national newspapers and magazines. Her research interests include published work in the area of representation of Irish people on British television, women in popular music video, and newspaper history. She is also working on a history of newspaper journalists and journalism in Manchester with a specific emphasis on the reporting of municipal matters in the city.

Kate Feld
Kate Feld specialises in cultural journalism and innovation in digital media practice. An active blogger and social media activist, Kate has run and advised on a range of digital journalism projects, delivered blogging, social media and writing workshops for corporate clients including the BBC, Manchester Digital Development Agency, and Arts Council England. She writes about contemporary art, film, literature, music, food, trends and people. Her work has appeared in newspapers and magazines on both sides of the Atlantic including Art World, New York Newsday, The Guardian, and The Independent. She is Digital Engagement Coordinator at Manchester Literature Festival, and founding director of arts organisation Openstories.

Steve Boulton
Steve Boulton is one of the most experienced current affairs executives in the UK. A former editor of Granada's iconic World In Action, he has been working since 1998 with Channel 4 Dispatches and has taken charge of major projects for leading broadcasters including BBC Panorama, Five and Al Jazeera English. He has won many awards, including a Bafta, and was consultant to the feature documentary Virunga, nominated in the 2015 Baftas and Oscars.

Sara Hadwin
Sara joined University of Salford in 2015 after leading international programmes in journalism at the University of Cardiff for many years. She was Director of MA International Journalism there – one of the most successful and popular programmes in the UK. Her journalism career spanned roles from reporter to publisher. She launched a newspaper and edited an evening newspaper, weekly newspapers, websites and lifestyle and arts magazines. Most recently, she edited the North West Evening Mail, Barrow, with four editions daily. Sara is a member of the Society of Editors and was national vice-president from 1997-98 and national treasurer for two years, serving on parliamentary and legal committee.

Employability

Career Prospects

Graduates can enter careers in various forms of journalism (print, broadcast or online) either in reporting or management roles, public relations, researchers, media analysts and advisers all either working in this country or abroad. Journalists could work as UK-based foreign correspondents travelling abroad or full-time in overseas postings.

Links with Industry

This course is based at MediaCityUK, with the BBC and ITV as neighbours, and our students benefit from the strong relationships that our journalism courses have developed with the regional press as well as local radio and TV stations over the years. This new course enables links to be established with journalism provision in universities around the world as well as international news organisations.

Further Study

Graduates can undertake a postgraduate degree by research at MPhil (two years full-time) or PhD level (three years full-time). This could occur in any field of communications, journalism and media. At Salford the Communication, Cultural & Media Studies Research Centre and the International Media Research Centre contain a range of internationally leading academics able to supervise research degrees in their broad field.

For more details, visit:

http://www.smmp.salford.ac.uk/international-media-centre

http://www.smmp.salford.ac.uk/page/communication-cultural-and-media-studies

Facilities

This course is delivered at the University’s state of the art facility at MediaCityUK, which has specialist journalism suites including newsrooms, TV studios and radio studios.

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