The journalism elements of the course are taught mainly in a practical way, with an emphasis on learning by doing. Students work in a newsroom environment, undertaking realistic tasks, involving live issues in the city and surrounding area.

It’s an exciting and enjoyable atmosphere in which to learn, but it requires commitment from students facing a challenging and intensive programme.

You’ll learn how to write, report, edit, interview, present and produce work for radio and television and will improve your skills in a series of newsroom exercises, supervised by visiting news editors from BBC and independent radio stations.

From an early stage in the course, you’ll produce news bulletins and programmes, report on topical events, conduct interviews and attend news conferences, courts and council meetings.

In the final semester (May to September) you’ll choose either to produce a radio or television documentary programme, or, to complete a 15,000-word dissertation on an important issue facing the broadcast industry.

You willalso study Law and Public Administration. These two subjects are tailored to give you the theoretical and practical knowledge you’ll need to operate as journalists.

You’ll learn about the legal constraints within which you’ll have to work, with special emphasis on the laws of defamation and contempt. You will also study the politics of a range of decision-making bodies, from parish councils to Parliament and the European Union.

Assessment
You’ll be expected to show competence in each of the main journalism subject areas and you’ll be continuously assessed on your coursework. Law and Public Administration will be assessed by coursework and a final examination. You must pass the coursework and examination components.

For the documentary you’ll produce a 2,000-word proposal and either a 40-minute radio or 30-minute television programme, and a 7,000-word critical analysis. For the dissertation you’ll complete a 2,000-word proposal and a 15,000-word piece of research.

Work Placement
The work placements in the Spring are an essential part of the course and you’ll be expected to spend at least three weeks working in a BBC or commercial radio newsroom and one week at a television programme or company. You’ll also be encouraged to visit radio and TV stations at other times.

Extra and related information

Our print and broadcast courses are accredited by the The Broadcast Journalism Training Council and the National Council for the Training of Journalists. Our MA Magazine Journalism is accredited by the Periodicals Training Council.