Course description
The programme is designed to prepare students for their first job in magazine journalism and will be closely allied to accepted industry standards.
Relationships with local and national media, the programme's own publications, copy clinics with professional tutors are all benefits of the programme. Workshops in digital media will prepare student for writing online.
It is not expected that students will have previous experience of journalism. The programme will provide them with an intensive grounding in the provision of vocational skills together with a critical awareness of the responsibilities and roles of the modern journalist.
You will learn the advanced tools and techniques of features writing, interviews, researching and copy editing for magazines, as well as gain an understanding of journalism genres and ethical issues.
New modules this year focus on the business skills needed in the commercial and digital organisations of today's media marketplace. Students will also study media law and public administration as it operates in England and Wales.
Shorthand is also taught and students are expected to attain a speed of at least 100wpm. Masters students will go on to complete a major dissertation or journalism project.
Taught by respected academics and journalism professionals, the course combines practical training and theoretical approaches to deliver the skills and knowledge that editors are looking for.
The programme is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). External NCTJ examinations are taken as part of the course (for which the NCTJ charges a fee).
Course Content
Stage 1
Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) 60 credits
* Magazine Journalism: Principles and Practice 1
* Media Law
* Media and Society
* Shorthand
Stage 2
Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) 60 credits
* Magazine Journalism: Principles and Practice 2
* Managing Magazines
* Media Ethics and Regulation
* Shorthand
Stage 3
Masters (MA) 60 credits
* Dissertation or Journalism Practical Project
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching is almost exclusively through newsroom workshops, seminars and tutorials.
Assessment is based on a portfolio of work, essays and a major project or dissertation.
Career Opportunities
Successful PgD students are expected to move on to a job in the magazine industry, such as on a UK regional or consumer magazine, or in the features section of a newspaper.
Opportunities are for both print and digital media.
MA graduates would have the same opportunities. In addition, it is expected that some will progress to higher degree research, or to teaching in further and higher education.
Facilities
The programme is taught in the £9.6m state-of-the-art Media Centre, equipped with access to the full Adobe/Microsoft suite of web/design applications on campus.
Under our Education Partnership Agreement, Adobe/Microsoft tools are upgraded every time there is a new release, to ensure that our students have the very latest industry standard versions.
Apply now for access to the latest versions of: Adobe/Microsoft (inc. Dream weaver, Flash, Fireworks, Freehand) Director (web content, DVD & CD Rom production tool). Also Authorware, Contribute, Breeze and others.
