Course details

Study options

Full-time: 1 year, Part-time: 2 years

UK fee

£9,450 for the full course* (2024/25)

International fee

£14,900 for the full course (2024/25)

Start date

September

Location

Markeaton Street, Derby Campus

The highlights

This is a flexible Master’s degree in Journalism which allows you to pick modules to focus on your interests and aspirations. You are introduced to the role of journalism in democracies and the impact journalism and news media has on peoples lives and societies. Your research, critical thinking and research skills will be developed culminating in a thesis or practice based project.

Focus on what matters to you

This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to specialise in the areas that interest you.

You will examine key debates and current affairs, national and international and look at the impact upon societies. There are options to tailor the study to your interests. Your thesis or practice based project can be on a topic, subject of genre of journalism of your choice.

female journalist filming interview
radio studio

A blend of new and traditional skills

There has never been a more exciting or challenging time to study journalism.

You are encouraged to critically view news and current affairs nationally and internationally. This will develop your skills in analysing and synthesising information and presenting your own arguments.

There are optional modules in:

Our academics have extensive links with media companies, individual journalists, and other industry organisations such as regulators and societies. You can use these links to help you find work experience and projects with national, regional, and local newspapers, BBC and independent radio, specialist reporting groups such as the BBC’s combined data unit, the Centre for Investigative Journalism, and many others.

A smiling female in a taupe sports sweater and jeans stands with their hand on their hips

Building on my natural curiosity and love of story-writing, this programme gave me the information and abilities I needed to develop into a well-rounded journalist. I also learnt from my fellow students from different ethnic backgrounds, who brought in a variety of experiences, viewpoints, and insightful debates.

Ruth Mayowa Oketunde
MA Journalism
Multi-Faith Centre, Kedleston Road

Postgraduate Open Event

Join us at an upcoming Postgraduate Open Event, where you will get the opportunity to meet our expert academics and find out more about your course.

Book your Postgraduate Open EventBook your Postgraduate Open Event

What you will study

You will study modules such as:

  • Global Challenges in Journalism
  • Project Modelling and Methods
  • Master’s Thesis in Journalism
  • Major Journalism Project
  • Transforming Journalism
  • PGDip Independent Study
  • Audience Studies
  • Freelance Journalism
  • Digital Skills
  • Investigating Journalism and Politics
  • Data Journalism and Data Science
  • Work experience in Journalism

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

How you will learn

We use a range of approaches to enable your learning. These include lectures, seminars, tutorials, debates, workshops and guest speakers from the media industry. In addition, there is an emphasis on self-directed study, as you would expect for a masters.

We have a blended learning strategy, which means that in addition to face-to-face teaching, you can also find materials for all modules on the virtual learning environment, which will support your independent work.

How you are assessed

There are a variety of ‘summative assessments’ towards the end of each module, such as essays, oral presentations, reports that draw on qualitative and quantitative data, and critically reflective pieces.

As well as the summative assessments, we will ask you to undertake regular small-scale tasks — such as asking you to explain theories and concepts or asking you to produce a small piece of journalistic content. We’ll provide feedback on these activities to help you evaluate your own strengths, weaknesses, abilities and talents: a critical part of masters-level study.

A close up of a female with dark brown hair, a fringe and brown eyes

The course and teaching team helped me understand the nuances of journalism in practice and helped me hone various skills needed for succeeding as a journalist. Interacting with people from various cultures, thanks to the university’s high diversity quotient, helped me widen my horizons and gain perspectives I wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Sree Murali
MA Journalism

Who will teach you

Maria Urbina Montana presenting

Dr Maria Urbina Montana
Programme leader

Maria Urbina Montana is a Senior Lecturer in Journalism. Her research interests focus on news media and Latin American politics, particularly social media, nationalism, and neoliberal change in Chile and the Southern cone. She has been working in the UK higher education for more than 8 years and worked as a journalist for Chilean and Latin American outlets covering politics and economics.

View full staff profileView full staff profile

Entry requirements

You will need a 2:1 undergraduate degree or relevant experience.

English language skills

If English is not your first language you will need to have passed the International English Language Teaching System (IELTS) at the overall level IELTS 6.5, including a minimum score of 5.5 in each test category. (Where appropriate the university’s International Admissions office can give further details, including information regarding approved IELTS test centres.) 

Fees and funding

2024/25 (August 2024 - July 2025)

TypeFull-timePart-time
UK

£9,450 for the full course*

£1,050 per 20 credits

International

£14,900 for the full course

N/A

Please note fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase after one year of study.

* UK full-time fees paid within one academic year are rounded down to the nearest £50 if applicable

Additional costs and optional extras

About postgraduate awards

Please note at postgraduate level, you’ll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the respective awards. If you have any questions please contact us.

AwardCredits
Postgraduate Certificate60 Credits
Postgraduate Diploma120 Credits
MA or MSc180 Credits

This means you will gain 180 credits in total to complete the full MA or MSc. If you are studying part time you will normally complete your studies over two or three years, depending on the course structure.

Funding your studies

Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.

Find out about funding your studiesFind out about funding your studies

Alumni discount for Derby graduates

We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.

Find out about the Alumni discountFind out about the Alumni discount

Students chatting to each other

International student scholarships

We have a range of scholarships and discounts available to international students which can be used together to offer a reduction in your tuition fees.

Find out if you're eligible for an international scholarship Find out if you're eligible for an international scholarship

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


Careers

This MA provides great preparation for a career in journalism or communications. You could go on to work for local, regional, and national newspapers, the BBC or independent radio, specialist magazines, and a wide variety of online businesses.

Alternatively, you could work in PR and marketing roles for public, private or third sector organisations, thanks to your advanced writing skills, knowledge of traditional and digital forms of communication, and your ability to gather and interpret qualitative and quantitative data.

The intellectual and research skills you can gain on this Masters — particularly if you write a thesis — can also be ideal preparation for a PhD in journalism; something we offer at Derby.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Contact us Contact us

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.