A student using a computer

Course Summary

During this exciting course, you will study contemporary practical and theoretical journalism with a focus on multimedia platform delivery. You will engage with practical up-to-date newsgathering and storytelling techniques and have opportunities to gain real-world news writing experience. You will learn to work creatively, accurately, and expediently to deadlines and will become fully prepared to work in a fast-paced and constantly evolving field. Journalism is a competitive industry with a wide-reaching influence on society. It is also a field that is subject to massive changes, which will have a profound impact on audiences and news disseminators. To operate effectively, journalists must have a grasp of multimedia techniques and skills beyond the traditional craft of newsgathering and writing.

This course is designed to be responsive to changes in the industry and is forward-looking, with an emphasis on current and emerging journalism practice. You will be supported and encouraged to become an innovative storyteller while gaining valuable newsroom experience.


What you’llStudy

As well as practical skills acquisition, you will study law, ethics, and public affairs, ensuring you are operating within legal and ethical boundaries and develop an understanding of the political and social environments journalists are often expected to work in. Building on this, you will delve into theoretical studies of the impact of multimedia journalism as well as undertaking work experience and designing your own innovative news artefacts. This will culminate in a major project which draws together all the skills acquired throughout the course.

Module content:

This module develops the specialised skills needed to work in a contemporary multimedia broadcast newsroom. 

Indicative content ranges across the elements of converged journalism production, ranging from news story research and medium-specific scriptwriting, to filming/recording and editing stories for multiple platforms: television; podcasts; websites and social media.

Students also learn how to present for multimedia broadcast platforms, carrying out 'pieces to camera' and 'on location' interviews. 


Module aims:

This aims of the module are as follows: 

  • To deliver skills in writing, reporting, production and presenting in a contemporary converged multimedia broadcast context.
  • To facilitate students' implementation and management of journalistic production techniques for a range of platforms, including the presentation of material in a form appropriate to each particular medium.
  • To provide opportunities for students to develop a sophisticated understanding of how theory underpins professional multimedia broadcasting in practice.

Module content:

This module introduces students to key areas of English law, ethics and public affairs related to contemporary journalism practice, including legal, ethical and political concepts as well as case studies and theoretical concepts in the context of students' own contemporary journalism practice.

It also provides interactive learning opportunities, for example with legal and political institutions such as magistrates and Crown courts.

In addition it facilitates the development of critical knowledge and understanding of media law in areas such as: Libel, privacy and contempt of court, copyright and Human Rights (ECHR and HRA). Ethics: Philosophical principles, media regulatory codes (Ofcom, BBC Code of Practice, Editors' Code of Practice), international perspectives. Public affairs: Central and local government and the legislative frameworks within which they operate.


Module aims:

 The aims of this module are as follows:

  • To provide students with a detailed and systematic theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding of law, ethics and public affairs as it affects journalism.
  • To enable students to develop a comprehensive understanding of key areas and frameworks of media law, ethics and public affairs in the UK including local and central government, regulatory and political frameworks and relevant international contexts.
  • To provide opportunities for critical evaluation of current case studies, research and advanced scholarship in media law, ethics and public affairs.
  • To ensure students understand the practical applications of legal and ethical principles and frameworks together with the relationship within journalism between law, ethics and public affairs in both national and international contexts. 

Module content:

This module places contemporary developments in journalism in historical context. It takes a comparative and international approach to the evolution of media technology and the practice of journalism, analysing the political, social, cultural and economic implications. The role of social media and user-generated content is considered in relation to traditional journalistic practice, with an emphasis on the implications for public opinion of interactivity, globalisation and the network. The module examines the implications of online journalism for the mainstream press and the evolution of the practice of journalism itself, analysing how traditional journalistic techniques are evolving under the influence of technology and related shifts in the overarching media landscape.


Module aims:

The aims of the module are as follows: 

  • To enable students to evaluate the democratic role of journalism in varied historical and international contexts, with an emphasis on the emergence of networked communication and media globalisation as one of the key political and economic developments of recent years
  • To enable students to explore and articulate the political implications of new media technologies and social media, placed in the wider context of journalistic history
  • To facilitate the analysis of the implications of the uncertain future of journalism and its evolution in the context of earlier models and ideals
  • To facilitate critical engagement with international and comparative perspectives, with reference to the developmental role of journalism throughout history and the emergence of new public spheres
  • To help students analyse new styles of dissemination of information with reference to the forms in which content is now produced

Module content:

In this module, students are invited to adopt and experiment with existing and emerging journalistic methods to explore new and innovative forms of journalism.
 
Module content may include explorations of data journalism, investigative reporting, short-form documentary-making, journalism-as-activism, drone journalism, gamified journalism and interactive digital journalism.
 
Learners will look at new and rapidly changing forms of dissemination and will also consider under-represented subjects, new voices and new ways of finding and telling these stories.

Module aims:

The aims of this module are as follows: 

  • To challenge students to develop flexible and creative approach to journalism research and story-telling
  • To expose students to advanced journalism information-gathering skills
  • To support the development of an awareness of how to appeal to, attract and retain audiences
  • To help students develop the ability to recognise and capitalise on emerging areas of journalism

Module content:

This module offers students the opportunity to engage with realistic simulated newsroom experiences through news days, and real-world journalistic workplaces through flexible work experience.

The aim is to build contacts, immerse students within fast-paced media environments and help them develop the skills necessary to find, secure and fulfil journalistic job roles.  

This module should help students foster self-management skills, achieve challenging journalistic goals within a tight timeframe, and hone news writing and news-gathering abilities.


Module aims:

The aims of the module are as follows: 

  • To equip students with key skills in terms of securing employment in the field of journalism
  • To help students develop an understanding of and work towards the professional standards of entry required by the news media industry
  • To encourage students to cultivate advanced team and group working skills in a real-world environment
  • To support students to reflect on strengths and weaknesses in order to constructively improve working practice

Module content:

This module supports and enables the development of critical, creative, professional and academic skills in the context of students' own particular interests and aptitudes in the field of journalism.

It facilitates a range of research techniques including literature reviews, academic research methods, sampling techniques, pilot studies, information-gathering, sourcing, selecting and conducting interviews, audience-awareness, backgrounders and use of statistics.


Module aims:

 The aims of this module are as follows: 

  • To give students the appropriate skills to conduct coherent and detailed independent research on a chosen topic within the field of Journalism.
  • To develop the students' previously acquired specialised practical skills.
  • To integrate theoretical learning with practical contexts.

Who you’ll Learn from

Ato Erzan-Essien

Programme Leader for: Sports Journalism, Single and Combined Honours Journalism, and MA Journalism
Ato Erzan-Essien

Dr Simon Gwyn Roberts

Senior Lecturer in Journalism
Dr Simon Gwyn Roberts

Mark Hannaby

Senior Lecturer in Journalism
Mark Hannaby

How you'll Learn

Course delivery features a blend of lectures, seminars, practical workshops, demonstrations, tutorials, and workplace experience. Based at Gateway House, you will be able to take advantage of Mac labs offering access to industry-standard software and professional technical equipment, including green screen TV and audio facilities. You will be assessed through formal essays, portfolios of articles and audiovisual artefacts, and through the submission of a Journalism Master's Project.  

 

Beyond the Classroom

Workplace experience is a key part of the course, forming part of the Reporting in Action module. Students can choose to undertake placements in range of media-related areas, including on print, online and broadcast platforms as well as in public relations and marketing.

Entry Requirements

2:2 honours degree

A minimum 2:2 honours degree or extensive industry experience is required. Admission is by written application and interview. 

2:2 honours degree

A minimum 2:2 honours degree or extensive industry experience is required. Admission is by written application and interview via Microsoft Teams. 

Please note, some programmes have special entry requirements.

English Language Requirements  

For those who do not have IELTS or an acceptable in-country English language qualification, the University of Chester has developed its own online English language test which applicants can take for just £50. 

For more information on our English Language requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements

Where you'll Study Gateway House, Chester

Fees and Funding

£9,360 per year (2024/25)

Guides to the fees for students who wish to commence postgraduate courses in the academic year 2024/25 are available to view on our Postgraduate Taught Programmes Fees page.

£14,750 per year (2024/25)

The tuition fees for international students studying Postgraduate programmes in 2024/25 are £14,750. 

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.  

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.  

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips and software. Compulsory field trips are covered by your tuition fees. 

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills. 

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships.

Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees & Finance section of our website.

Your future Career

Job prospects

Careers available to you after completing the course may include: 

  • multimedia journalist 
  • print journalist 
  • magazine journalist 
  • broadcast journalist 
  • copy writer 
  • work in communications, public relations or media 
  • further academic study

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs .